Zhang Zhengmin cuts hair for a customer in Liu'an city, East China's Anhui province, April 22, 2011. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Zhang Zhengmin, 72, still insists on operating his street barbershop with simple equipment, which includes an old reclining chair, several razors, scissors and tweezers, in Liu'an city, East China's Anhui province.

However, since the spread of hair salons all over the city in today's modern society, Zhang feels it's becoming more and more difficult to continue his business.

"If not for the patrons, I would not do it anymore," Zhang said.

Street barbers are not the only ones fading away, but also many other ancient crafts.

According to statistics, nearly 3,000 traditional Chinese trades such as typesetting, tinker, iron forging and watch repairing have been gradually fading from history, a city express in Tianjin reported on Monday.