Guizhou women weave new livelihoods through traditional handicrafts

An overseas guest visits an intangible cultural heritage workshop in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

"These handicrafts are not only exquisite, but also show how local women have built careers through traditional skills," said Kanchanit Phisphant, a Thai travel vlogger, during a visit to Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Phisphant was among a group of overseas guests taking part in a themed activity.

At a workshop in the village, local artisans from the Buyi ethnic group blend traditional dyeing and embroidery techniques with modern aesthetics. They have developed cultural and creative products such as tie-dye embroidered patches, embroidered bags and Buyi costumes, introduced new experiences such as tie-dyeing workshops, and are actively exploring overseas markets.

The workshop has created stable employment opportunities close to home for a group of embroiderers, dyers and wax painters, showcasing how Guizhou's "Jinxiu" program, which means beautiful brocade, is taking root.

The program has attracted more than 1.1 billion yuan (about $164.6 million) in investment and provided over 250,000 training attendances, helping nearly 500,000 women across the province take up handicrafts and increase their incomes.

Photo shows a corner of an intangible cultural heritage workshop in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

An overseas guest tries tie-dyeing in an intangible cultural heritage workshop in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

Overseas guests showcase their tie-dye works in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

An overseas guest showcases a piece of tie-dye work in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

Photo shows an aerial view of Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

A craftsperson paints wax patterns in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

A craftsperson paints wax patterns in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

Handmade costumes of the Buyi ethnic group are on display in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)

Overseas guests visit an intangible cultural heritage workshop in Longjing village, Qingyan town, Huaxi district of Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (People's Daily Online/Yang Qian)