Pan Xi, a professional tattooist in Chongqing, has devoted himself to this 'once art' industry for years. In his eyes, tattooing is so different from painting. "It is needle that I paint with, not pencil or brush, and all pigments will remain at the bottom layer of skin forever," he said. " So I have to be extremely careful, because tattoo is just like memory, which is difficult to erase and could not be recreated."

However, in ancient China, tattoo is used as a penalty to punish the people who committed serious crimes. And till now, because of that, many people still think it is a bad thing.

"Things can be different," Pan said. "Although some people choose to stick to the stereotype, many with advanced academic degree and high income would like to see tattoo as an art instead of consumer goods. Most of them are performers, doctors, public servants and white collars who have unique understanding and requirements for tattoo works."