Are You Familiar With Chinese Handicrafts? Join Saed News To Get To Know The Handicrafts Of China.
China is one of the most populous countries in the world with a vast labor force, which has been very successful in producing various industries and exporting to countries worldwide. One important industry in which this country has excelled is the production of handicrafts, which come in many varieties. Given the predominance of rural communities in China, establishing suitable rural industries in the form of small-scale industries has been a priority in China’s economic development policy. China has a long and brilliant history in the evolution of sciences, techniques, and human civilization, and Chinese artists and craftsmen have played a significant role over the centuries in producing and offering valuable and exquisite handicrafts. Chinese handicrafts, with their deep roots in the ancient history of the country, have experienced substantial growth over the past 30 years with a new perspective aligned with tourism development.
Production of Handicrafts in China
The structure of handicraft production in China has the following characteristics:
Most handicraft products are produced in large cities such as Beijing, Jiangsu, and Guangzhou, and they are not commonly made in rural areas.
Production units operate as large, centralized state workshops, involving division of labor and industrial management, which ensures quality control at all stages of manufacturing.
The workforce engaged in handicrafts in China is very young, with an average age under 25 years.
Most products are decorative and produced mainly for export.
Chinese handicrafts are strongly influenced by visual arts such as painting and sculpture.
There is an extraordinary variety of designs and products in specific handicraft fields.
Most activities related to production, domestic sales, and export of handicrafts are handled by a national company called the China National Import and Export Corporation of Handicrafts, which has branches in cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Jiangsu. Additionally, other state companies operate large production workshops, such as the Beijing Art Import and Export Corporation.
Paper Cutting
If you are interested in performing arts, among the best Chinese handicrafts is shadow art with paper cutting. Shadow artists in Beijing create some of the most beautiful paper cuttings. You can buy pre-cut works as souvenirs or watch Chinese artists in some markets making beautiful red paper cuttings and purchase new works from them. Many of these artists also work on commission.
Chinese paper cutting is a unique art with a very ancient history. Various shapes such as beautiful Chinese women, legendary animals, famous characters from Chinese plays, and many others are created using colored paper and scissors. Chinese paper cutting is one of the best handicrafts and was registered in the first national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 by the Chinese State Council. Later that same year, UNESCO recognized it as a world intangible cultural heritage.
Chinese Embroidery
Chinese embroidery dates back to the Shang dynasty (16th–11th century BC) and currently has four traditional styles: Su, Shu, Xiang, and Yu. This art serves as a complementary skill for ethnic minorities such as the Bai, Bouyei, and Miao.
Chinese Painting
Chinese painting is divided into three types: figures, landscapes, and birds & flowers, each with distinct characteristics. These paintings are skillfully made using brush and ink in various colors. In ancient times, these artistic designs were done on silk fabrics. It is notable that with the invention of paper in the 1st century, silk gradually was replaced by newer and cheaper materials.
Paper Cutting (Kāzhǐbǐ)
This is the art of cutting and shaping red paper with scissors, with different patterns such as monkeys, flowers, and shapes cut very delicately and beautifully by rural women. People paste paper cuttings on windows and other places to express hopes and wishes.
Chinese Ceramics
Chinese ceramics are known for delicate texture, bright colors, distinct shapes, and styles. Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi Province, is the world capital of Chinese ceramics and attracts countless visitors annually from near and far to buy the best Jingdezhen ceramics.
Pottery, Ceramics, and Porcelain
China is considered the cradle of pottery and ceramics in the world and especially skilled in porcelain production. Chinese porcelain is renowned worldwide due to the discovery of white kaolin clay centuries ago in this land, named after the famous Kaoling hill where the clay was first identified and used in the ceramics industry.
Besides kaolin, fine clay from river deposits such as the Yangtze and Yellow rivers is also used to produce the finest pottery and ceramics. Given its production volume, export, authenticity, and diversity, China is considered one of the three major global centers of handicrafts alongside India and Iran. According to statistics, China’s annual handicraft exports exceed $5 billion, with sales to tourists visiting the country exceeding $500 million.
Chinese Silk
A silkworm produces about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) of silk thread during its 28-day life cycle, and this silk is very valuable. China is considered the birthplace of silk. It is said that about 500 years ago, a Christian missionary secretly took silkworm eggs to Europe, sparking large-scale sericulture in France and Italy. Recently, with the development of textile industries, traditional weaving of silk fabric by hand looms has decreased, but silk embroidery on thin white silk fabric inspired by flowers, plants, birds, and even fish has rapidly expanded, producing items like wall hangings, lampshades, and partitions mainly exported to Europe and America.
Carpet Weaving
One of China’s flourishing and highly reputable handicrafts globally is carpet weaving. About 4,000 carpet looms are currently operated centrally by the Beijing Handicrafts Import and Export Company. Carpets are made using silk, wool, and hair, some with densities of 40 knots or more, and are known as “Persian-style” weaving.
Bamboo Weaving
Due to abundant bamboo resources, especially along southern and southeastern coasts, bamboo weaving is a booming handicraft and export industry in China. Each year, large quantities of bamboo products are exported to Western Europe and North America. By cutting bamboo stalks and weaving thin and thick strands, then coating them with special lacquer to prevent moisture absorption and deformation, over 120 different products are made, such as baskets, flowerpots, hangers, tea sets, pitchers, cups, bags, suitcases, trays, fans, and floor mats.
Peking Opera Masks
If you look closely at souvenir shops in China, especially Beijing, you will see unusual theatrical masks sold as souvenirs. These are known as Peking Opera masks or “Lian Pu.” They are painted facial masks used in Beijing operas, each with distinct colors representing specific characters: red for royalty, black for officials, yellow for assassins, blue and green for heroes, and white for villains. These masks date back to about the 12th century, initially made of plaster and painted for the Song dynasty operas.
Chinese Kites
Chinese kites serve both as decorative items and toys. One of the best-known Chinese handicrafts throughout history, kites are especially popular in Beijing, where winds are frequent. You can buy Chinese kites in many art and handicraft stores in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Many tourists bring these beautiful souvenirs home for friends and children. Kite-making is a traditional and artistic craft in China. The best kites are said to be made in Tianjin, Beijing, and Weifang. Beijing kites are made from paper or silk and are entirely hand-painted. They have worldwide fame both domestically and internationally. Fei Baolin, a master kite maker in Beijing, has designed and made hundreds of kite types in various shapes and sizes, some as small as a palm.
Chinese Straw Dolls (Zongren)
Zongren or very small straw dolls, also known as woven dolls, are another excellent Chinese handicraft. Today, these dolls are made from materials such as silk floss, animal hair, or similar materials and are found throughout Beijing’s markets. Prices vary depending on the maker’s skill, with master artisans’ works being more valuable. These unusual cultural artifacts from Beijing are also used in puppet shows.
Chinese Calligraphy
One of the most beautiful and finest Chinese handicrafts that you can buy as souvenirs are calligraphy artworks. You can find the best examples of Chinese painting and calligraphy in souvenir shops and purchase them as elegant pieces from your trip.
Red Lanterns — One of the Best Chinese Handicrafts
Red lanterns are traditional Chinese handicrafts still popular across Beijing and other regions. The craft of lantern making is a precious traditional culture passed down through generations and remains widespread. Lantern making has played an important role throughout Chinese history and is now a symbol of China’s glorious culture. At many festivals and celebrations, you will see red lanterns lit and released into the sky as night falls.
Wood Carving
Wood carving or wood engraving in China is considered a form of sculpture and often referred to as “folk art.” These carvings can be categorized into three types: 3D engravings, root carvings, and relief sculptures. Carving is a distinct branch of woodworking, sometimes classified as “fine carpentry.”
Batik
Batik is the oldest ethnic textile handicraft in China, historically called “wax printing.” This ancient printing skill dates back to the 6th century when the Miao ethnic group popularized batik. The Miao pay special attention to their clothes made from thick decorative fabrics with wax-resist patterns. Most batik from the Miao consists of hemp and cotton fabrics treated with hot wax and then dyed indigo. These fabrics were used for skirts, jacket patterns, aprons, and baby bags. Beeswax is the primary material used in Chinese batik; it is durable and flexible, ensuring clear, vivid patterns. Wax is heated over charcoal or wood fire, applied to fabric, which darkens, then washed with cold water and air-dried. Tools used to apply wax are made of copper or brass with reed handles and are used to draw straight, slanting, or curving
