A woman from Huayao branch of Yao ethnic group makes Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2026. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County.

The origin of Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. - 220 A.D.) and reached maturity during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties. The embroideries feature a unique "Qingsha" stitching skill, and are improvised with silk threads on blue homespun cloth without pre-drawn designs. Even an ordinary embroidered tube skirt may contain hundreds of thousands of stitches, requiring several months or even years to complete. In 2006, Longhui Huayao Tiaohua embroidery making skill was listed in the first batch of the national intangible cultural heritages.

Since the Huayao people have no written language, Tiaohua embroidery has played an important role in preserving their cultural and historical heritage, earning it the title "a wordless history book worn on the body." "Every pattern has a spiritual meaning behind," said Shen Yanxi, a provincial-level inheritor of Tiaohua.

Over the centuries, Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery has changed in style, with patterns and colors being renewed to better suit contemporary aesthetics. In recent years, Longhui County has promoted the preservation and innovation of Tiaohua by leveraging cultural tourism, digital preservation, and projects introducing intangible cultural heritage into campuses, bringing this traditional skill, once secluded in remote areas, to a wider audience around the world. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Women from Huayao branch of Yao ethnic group display Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery skills in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2026. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Shen Yanxi, a provincial-level inheritor of Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery, makes Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2026. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Tourists try costumes of Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, June 23, 2026. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Women from Huayao branch of Yao ethnic group display traditional tube skirts made with Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 6, 2022. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Photo by Zeng Yong/Xinhua)

This photo taken in February 2022 shows a snow scenery of Huxingshan Yao township in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Photo by Zeng Yong/Xinhua)

Women wearing costumes of Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery visit a waterfall in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, June 24, 2026. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

Women from Huayao branch of Yao ethnic group make Tiaohua cross-stitch embroideries in Longhui County of Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, June 24, 2026. Tiaohua cross-stitch embroidery is a traditional handicraft passed down through generations by women of Huayao, a branch of Yao ethnic group, in Longhui County. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)