Where there is 'quill', there is a way

While some people are satisfied with taking a walk down memory lane and leaving their letters there, others maintain letter writing as an art form and a way of life.

"A letter is not only about the words it contains," says Wei Guangying, 22, of Qingdao, Shandong province.

"It's a complete experience. The paper stock, the doodles, the handwriting and how the letter is eventually delivered all matter.

"I'll never forget the moment I received my first letter. It was so wonderful. Traditional letters offer a special, romantic experience of waiting for something important, and digital tools deprive us of that joy."

Wei says he started writing letters and postcards when he was in primary school. He often used his pocket money to buy attractive paper or cards from street stalls. On these he would write lines of his favorite poetry or his everyday thoughts and mail it to friends or classmates.

He has kept up corresponding with a few pen pals over the years, he says, and with the letters he sometimes includes items such as some of his own water color painted cards, a flower or a souvenir from his travels.