Beijing Embroidery is a national-level intangible cultural heritage. As one of the eight Great Yanjing Sights, Beijing Embroidery, centered around Beijing and extending to Hebei, Tianjin and other areas, flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties due to its extensive use in court and noble attire decoration. It has prominent artistic characteristics, decorative features, exquisite technique and rich colors, serving as a symbol of oriental culture.
The tools of Beijing Embroidery include embroidery needles, hoops and frames, with threads made of gold, silver or velvet procured from the Nanjing Gold Foil and Thread Factory. The contemporary inheritor Liu Xiuhua masters embroidery techniques, with smooth stitches, compact threads, even needlework, unique patterns and vibrant colors. Her works embody an exquisite and luxurious style, representing the aesthetic of palace art. Beijing Embroidery holds extremely high historical, cultural, artistic and social value. However, with changes in the social environment, the traditional culture upon which Beijing Embroidery relies is under threat. Machine industry is replacing traditional handcraft, leading to a shrinking market, a decline in artisans and difficulties in inheriting techniques. Therefore, there is an urgent need to strengthen the protection and inheritance of Beijing Embroidery.