Embroidery of the Tu ethnic group

One of the most distinctive folk handicrafts of Qinghai province and a national intangible cultural heritage, Tu ethnic embroidery works reflect much of their daily life through a rich array of products which can be divided into two major categories: daily accessories and religious embellishments. Collars, sleeves, pillows, hair-bags, pouches, socks, aprons and purses, all can be embroidered with patterns with rich ethnic cultural connotations, including peaches, peonies, pomegranate flowers and lions playing with colored balls. The religious embroidery works are usually used to adorn Buddhist statues, temple halls, lama headwear and to make thangka.

Apart from the basic flat, mixed and interspersed stitches, Tu ethnic embroidery also cultivates its own "twined" thread stitch, which employs two needles working together with twined threads. This is mainly used for making stereoscopic patterns adorning big waist belts and bags. Other techniques are adopted to create the effect of relief carvings.