Works made by contestants for a micro-landscape competition in Hefei, Anhui, in April. [Photo by Zhang Dagang/For China Daily]
For those who watched Spirited Away by Japanese animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki, the sight of one of Wang Limin's fish tanks will most likely evoke a sense of deja vu.
Wang, a teacher who works at a college in Fujian province, has a passion for landscape design, and in 2020 replicated a scene from the movie in an aquarium.
Amid the gentle swimming of goldfish, a red gate, submerged in water and framed by trees draped in rich green foliage, helps create an otherworldly ambience reminiscent of the film. The attention to detail is striking, with a stone path leading up to the gate, appearing just as it did in the movie.
"You can see it is still running perfectly, and all I have to do is renew the water and glass from time to time," said Wang.
The idea of crafting the exquisite fish tank struck him when he stumbled upon instructional videos on creating a miniature ecological system.
"I have always loved handwork, so I figured it would be a great diversion from my stressful academic life," said Wang who was engaged in postgraduate studies in environment and garden design back then.
As an animation fan, he thought of bringing to life the Spirited Away scene as his first fish tank creation.
From drafting a sketch of the scene, to finding wood, grass and gravel, and fitting and assembling every part, it took him a month to pull off the project.
"It requires keen aesthetic sensibility, a deep understanding of biological cycles, and the right materials," Wang said, adding that all the components must be scaled to the correct proportion. Finding the right materials was also a major challenge.
"They would have to endure in the water, and be able to be manipulated and processed, while looking good, and being safe for the fish," he added.
Works made by contestants for a micro-landscape competition in Hefei, Anhui, in April. [Photo by Zhang Dagang/For China Daily]
Wang's attention to detail also extends to choosing fish-safe paints and ensuring the ecosystem remains sustainable by maintaining proper biological cycles — where fish waste nourishes algae, and water plants photosynthesize and generate oxygen for the aquatic life.
The work proved to be a labor of love. "It has been a great decoration for my place. Whenever I see it after work, I feel relaxed," Wang said.
Compared with regular fish tanks, Wang believes his has a more therapeutical effect and can evoke positive responses in people who love aquatic animals, natural landscapes or animation.
When he posted videos of crafting the fish tank on social media platforms, such as Bilibili, they went viral.
"They received more than 1 million views in a short time and made it to the most-searched list in Bilibili's animal section," Wang said. "Many fans have since shown great interest and admiration for my ecological tank," he added.
Li Ang teaches a boy how to make a vivarium in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Nature in miniature
Sharing the same interest with Wang, Li Ang from Beijing has taken his interest in replicas of micro ecosystems up a notch.
In a glass terrarium, he has managed to capture nature's vastness in miniature — from rainforests and deserts to oceans, and even landscapes formed from his imagination.
In this creation of his, mist rises from a mountain stream and a waterfall drops from the top. An ancient tree stands tall in the center of the tank, with a serene pool of water reflecting the surroundings at the bottom. These carefully chosen elements evoke the depth and mystery of a dense, ancient forest.
As one peers closer into the tank, a new world unfolds. Miniature water lilies float on the surface of the pool, and delicate plants resemble lotus leaves.
With the flick of a switch, the top of the terrarium releases a fine mist, simulating rain that showers the forest below.
"Ecological micro-landscapes, to a certain extent, are about creating a stable environment for plants," said Li, a 40-year-old with a design background. He added he aims to achieve a seamless integration of ecological harmony and visual aesthetics, allowing both elements to complement and enhance each other.
Key elements include grandeur of form, twisting and graceful lines, and conveying vastness through small details, he explained.
Li has been fascinated by small creatures, particularly insects, since childhood. "My love for insects led me to explore tropical rainforests, which eventually expanded my interest to the broader natural world," he recalled.
This curiosity sparked a fascination with various plants and animals, and their ecosystems, he said.
One of Li Ang's intricate works features plants and a waterfall. [Photo provided to China Daily]
One of the projects he undertook about a decade ago, began with a simple water flow device, but soon transformed into a miniature swamp, complete with plants and a water cycle.
"That was when I was hooked," Li said. "My initial passion for plants came from struggling with keeping potted plants alive. I began to search for the reasons behind it, and the more I researched, the deeper my interest grew."
He also studied traditional Chinese culture and applied it to his creations, in the form of ancient buildings and gardens.
"Chinese landscaping is more about the person being part of the landscape, where the person and the scenery merge into one world. It places greater emphasis on the experience of time and space, with the entire process reflected in the consideration of the landscape's flow," he said.
As his expertise has grown, the style of his creations has expanded from tropical misty forests to traditional Chinese garden courtyards.
To ensure the uniqueness of each landscape, he uses dozens of different plants each time, carefully selecting those that complement a theme.
Many of his 100,000 online followers have remarked that viewing his creations feels like watching a nature documentary. Not only can one appreciate the artistry of nature itself, but also the creator's meticulous attention to detail and the expression of ideas, some said.
His works have been recognized by ecological landscaping enthusiasts worldwide, with first prize at the International Vivarium Layout Contest in 2022 and 2023.
As he shares tips about creating small wonders, he has noticed a rising number of fans who are showing a strong desire to get their hands dirty. "They have inquired about how to create such landscape scenes for their pets, such as the choice of the right materials," he said.
He believes every ecological landscape is a hymn to nature. "Over time, every action we take in shaping and nurturing the landscape is imbued with a deep sense of mindfulness. Our desires and losses fade into insignificance, and what becomes important is how we can contribute to the ecosystem's balance, offering our services where needed," Li said, adding this brings a sense of happiness and fulfillment by working in harmony with nature.
Yu Qifei's ecological wall in his home. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Expanding industry
The design and technology used in the tanks is being continuously upgraded, according to the 2024-29 China fish tanks market report by the industry research institute Zero Power Intelligence Group.
Annual sales in China's smart aquarium market have already reached more than 1 billion yuan ($140 million) and continue to grow, the report said. With the improvement in people's living standards and their increasing pursuit of quality of life, the aquarium market, especially the innovative and smart aquarium sector, holds significant development potential, it added.
Yu Qifei, who has been involved in the aquaticplant tanks trade since 2021, has seen his annual company sales break 6 million yuan.
He came across the niche market in 2018 during a visit to a pet and plant market while attending college in Shenyang, Liaoning province.
"The fish were no longer the main focus, but the true joy came from experimenting with various types of aquatic plants, each with unique growth patterns and shapes," said Yu, also known as Feiyu (fat fish) in trade circles.
He gained attention from online followers when he began posting videos of the tank setups. Working with two classmates, Yu could rake in 4,000 to 5,000 yuan a day.
After graduating in 2021, Yu moved to Jinan, Shandong province, to start his business.
His products include marine tanks that require saltwater adjustment, and costly fish and stream tanks featuring stones and river fish.
One of the most popular and versatile products, the water plant tank, has diverse uses, he said. "Customers can mix and match various plants based on their own taste. No two such tanks are the same, which can be fun," Yu said.
Most of Yu's customers are white-collar workers and cultural enthusiasts from more affluent regions like Guangdong province, he said.
A woman shows her glass display during a micro-landscape making event in Bozhou, Anhui province, in March 2024. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Bio bottles
Fairy Land, a horticulture company based in Sichuan province, has tapped into the craze of young people wanting a touch of nature close by.
The company has launched an array of borosilicate glass bottles that house vibrant green micro-landscapes featuring moss, ferns, driftwood, stones, and climbing plants.
Upon closer inspection, tiny creatures like frogs and crabs can be found in the setting.
"These ecological bottles have already developed into small, self-sustaining ecosystems before they're sold. Once customers bring them home, they only need to occasionally mist them for upkeep," said a company employee surnamed Chen.
The large moss area continually releases oxygen, while microorganisms in the bottle support the crabs' survival. As long as a small amount of water is sprayed occasionally to maintain moisture, the ecosystem can be sustained indefinitely, Chen said.
These products are popular, with annual output value exceeding 20 million yuan, according to the company.
So far, the company has partnered with the bio-space creator Bioloark and opened stores in Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore.
"Next, we plan to expand nationwide and share our micro-landscape products, which bring nature into everyday life," Chen said.
Wang, the college teacher, said he intends to grow his hobby into a side business.
To date, he has fashioned several tanks carrying themed images from major scenic spots or other animated films, which have earned him more than 110,000 followers online.
With a deep understanding of aesthetic principles, design, and biology, Wang said he will strive to craft tanks that are both therapeutic and functional — offering a calming escape from the daily grind while maintaining the delicate balance of life within the tank.
"These tanks are not just visually pleasing, but also serve as a way to educate others about ecological balance and the importance of maintaining healthy aquariums," he said.
