Dongba Paper of Naxi tribe, Lijiang, Yunnan, China

 I was on a family holiday to Yunnan in 2014, and during our visit to Lijiang, I came across two books that immediately fascinated me.

The first thing that caught my attention was the intricate hand-drawn sketches, vividly depicting the development of the Naxi people and various places of interest around Lijiang. The second—and perhaps more intriguing—was the remarkable quality of the paper itself.

Book 1 - Naxi Paper

Book 2 - The Book of Ancient Tea- Horse Road 

These books have been with me for over 12 years, yet they show very little mold compared to many of my other books. Curious, I did a bit of research and discovered why.

Why Dongba Paper Resists Mold

• Dongba paper is made from plant fibers, particularly from Wikstroemia plants, which contain mild natural toxicity. This helps the dried paper resist insects and slows down decay.

• Traditionally, Dongba paper was used to record scriptures and artworks precisely because of its durability and resistance to pests and mold.

As we know, Singapore lies in the tropics, where average relative humidity ranges from 70% to 90%, while the ideal humidity for paper preservation is around 40% to 60%. This makes our environment far from ideal for collecting paper-based items such as stamps or books—unless they are stored in a cool, dry place with low and stable humidity.

For my own peace of mind, I choose to seal this book carefully in plastic for safekeeping, mindful of Singapore’s climate and the passage of time.