Ancient garment-making technique finds new life in NW China's Qinghai

Inside the workshop of Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in northwest China's Qinghai Province, workers are busy crafting "Suheze" Mongolian-style sheepskin coats.

A worker cuts sheepskin in the workshop of Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin)

According to the head of the company, the making of Suheze garments strictly follows traditional handicraft techniques. Each piece goes through multiple traditional refinement procedures, aiming to preserve the craft's authentic character and artisanal quality to the greatest extent.

A worker operates a sewing machine to make a sheepskin coat in the workshop of Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin)

The Suheze garment-making technique has been passed down for over 800 years and has been listed as a prefecture-level intangible cultural heritage in Huangnan.

A worker sews a sheepskin coat in the workshop of Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin)

Through intangible cultural heritage preservation and industrial development, this ancient craft is moving beyond traditional modes of transmission and gaining new vitality and market momentum.

A worker sews a sheepskin coat in the workshop of Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin)

By turning this intangible cultural heritage into an enterprise-driven local industry, the county has provided stable jobs and income growth for women in surrounding communities.

Young workers polish sheepskin in the workshop of Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin)

Today, more young people in the area are helping preserve the craft, mastering traditional techniques while embracing new trends like short videos and livestreaming. They are also creating innovative designs inspired by modern aesthetics, making traditional garments more suited to contemporary lifestyles.

"Suheze" sheepskin coats made by Aqun Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. are displayed in Henan Mongolian Autonomous County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin)