Founded in 1904, XiLingYinShe(XiLing Society of Seal Arts) was the first academic society of seal arts in China. The headquarters of the society is located on the west side of Gushan Mountain beside the famous West Lake. Many ancient buildings in Ming and Qing Dynasty, gardens and other landscapes can be seen in there. The founders of the society included four members of Zhe School (one of the major three schools of seal arts), Ding Ren, Wang Shi, Ye Weiming, and Wu Yin. In 1913, Wu Changshuo, a distinguished artist, was elected as the first president. Other former presidents of the society were Ma Heng, Zhang Zongxiang, Sha Menghai, Zhao Puchu, and Qi Gong. Since members of the society were all skillful in seal cutting, painting, calligraphy, archeology, the society's prestige increased very fast. Members would get together annually for celebrations.

    With the purpose of preserving and researching seals, paintings, and calligraphy, the society obtained significant achievements in arts, academic researches, archeology, and publications. Up to now, it has become the oldest and the most influential society of seal arts in China.

    Now the society and its facilities are listed as one of the National Historic Site and Cultural Heritage under State Protection. And the art of seal cutting has also been enlisted in the First List of Intangible Heritage of China. And in October of 2009, seal cutting, represented by XiLing Society of Seal Arts, the major declaring and heritage unit, was enlisted in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which symbolized the authoritative recognition of the leading position in seal cutting from the international community.