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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
In Xinbin County, Liaoning Province, the fate of "qipao town" has been full of ups and downs. However, Yu Wei and her small workshop remain faithful to the craft of qipao dressmaking.
As a bearer of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage—the sewing of Manchu national costumes—Yu Wei often says, "This craft was passed down to us by our ancestors, and I cannot allow it to end with me." This simple yet firm conviction supports her in her search for a way to ensure the survival of Manchu national costumes amid the ups and downs of the tourism industry, a cooling market, and the exodus of young people.
Yu Wei's life is closely linked to Manchu costumes, and the craft of tailoring has been a constant in her family for decades. From her great-grandmother and grandmother to her aunt and mother, four generations have preserved the traditional craft of qipao and Manchu clothing. From childhood, helping adults at the work bench, despite her lack of formal training, she absorbed all the subtleties of the craft through her constant exposure to this atmosphere. Later, when "qipao town" began to emerge in Xinbing, she specifically went on an internship at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology to perfect the traditional wide and voluminous styles, adapting them for everyday wear.
However, the path of continuity has never been easy. Several years ago, when the bespoke clothing market was experiencing a downturn, Yu Wei put her craft aside for a while and took a job in the Hetu Ala tourist area. She later opened a handmade souvenir shop. Seeing the same goods everywhere, she felt a sense of bitterness: "We Manchus have such wonderful traditions; we can't let them simply disappear." She decided to return to her craft and once again began creating Manchu clothing, hats, and accessories. Recognizing that tourists prefer small, practical purchases, she decided to innovate by integrating elements of Manchu culture into small but exquisite souvenirs, such as embroidered magnets. This made intangible cultural heritage "accessible to everyone and visible everywhere."
But the real problems remain: it's impossible to retain young people. Yu Wei has conducted six or seven courses, training over a hundred people, but those who truly immerse themselves in the craft and remain faithful to it are few and far between. Her daughter is studying to be a pharmacist, her son is still young—there's no one among the young people who could take up the baton, and this worries Yu Wei most of all. The market situation is also dire. Inexpensive products from the south, where a complete production chain has been established, create price pressure; a lack of personnel and resources for online promotion forces this small workshop to move forward slowly, relying solely on its reputation and individual orders.
But even on this difficult path, she sees glimmers of hope. County authorities are increasingly focusing on developing tourism and culture, implementing winter recreation projects, and improving tourist areas. Trade unions and women's organizations support craftswomen, inviting them to participate in exhibitions and assisting with commissions. Yu Wei adheres to the principle of "remaining true to tradition without becoming rigid; innovating without losing roots." She sews traditional costumes with impeccable precision, adapts modernized qipao for weddings and everyday wear, and uses tuixiu (hand embroidery with a tweezers), which combines texture and efficiency. All this allows Manchu crafts to be preserved through practical application.
She doesn't seek mindless expansion, nor does she operate at a loss. Instead, she gradually develops her workshop, recruiting residents of surrounding villages to work from their homes. Some work in the fields during harvest time, while others work in their free time—flexibly and with passion. Her apprentice, Lu Fengyan, has been working alongside her for seven or eight years. Diligent and conscientious, she rose from a simple artisan to become a Liaoning provincial May 1st Prize laureate and the workshop's core strength. Yu Wei's apprentice, Lu Fengyan, a Liaoning provincial May 1st Prize laureate, demonstrates a traditional qipao.
"I don't strive for great wealth; I only want my craft to support me and those who work with me." Early in the morning, on her way to the workshop, Yu Wei's soul is always at peace. She preserves not just the craft of qipao making, but the roots and soul of Manchu culture. At the foot of the verdant Xinbin Mountains, this tenacious "bearer of the craft" continues to slowly explore and confidently move forward. She believes that if she continues to practice, if she never lets go of the needle, if there are those willing to learn, then the ancient intangible heritage of the Manchus will surely find new life in the new era.
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