Jinggang Ancient Town is situated on the west bank of Xiangjiang River, in Wangcheng, a district in Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan Province. Jinggang was a famous harbor and commerce center in ancient China. With a fascinating scenery, intoxicating folk customs and profound cultural and historical heritage, Jinggang naturally attracts tourists.
The Xiangyue Embroidery Experience Center is located in an ancient building in Jinggang. Inside the experience center, a delicate, young woman uses a needle, and colorful threads, to embroider, on plain satin, the beautiful scenery of the ancient town. Under her fingertips, the small bridge, flowing stream and ancient building, with white walls and black-tiled roof, come vividly to life. She is Chen Da, director of the experience center and a district-level representative inheritor of Xiang embroidery, a specialty of Changsha, and one of the Four Great Embroideries in China.
Chen gave up her white-collar job in downtown Changsha in 2019, and she returned to Jinggang, her hometown.
"Splashing in Xiangjiang River, playing with friends in alleys and watching my mother making Xiang embroideries ... The ancient town holds the most cherished memories of my childhood. I hoped to do something for my hometown — revitalizing the Xiang embroidery industry, in Jinggang, and contributing to rural revitalization," Chen recalls.
Zhang Xubo, Chen's mother, is a municipal-level representative inheritor of Xiang embroidery, and a master of arts and crafts of Hunan Province.
"I was captivated by Xiang embroidery when I was young. At that time, I often watched women embroiderers deftly use needles and thread to make Xiang embroideries. Later, I became an embroiderer myself. After my retirement, in 2013, I set up Xiangyue Embroidery Workshop, to pass on this traditional craftsmanship to the next generations. After my daughter returned home, we hoped to do our bit to boost the town's revitalization, and local economic growth, through Xiang embroidery," recalls Zhang.
Zhang and Chen opened the experience center, a comprehensive platform that includes displays of Xiang embroideries, highlights the experience of Xiang embroiderers, and fosters the cultivation of Xiang embroiderers.
Chen believes innovation will provide strong impetus for the inheritance of traditional craftsmanship. Therefore, her experience center is a place where "tradition interacts with the modern."
Both classic works of Xiang embroidery and cultural and creative products, featuring Xiang embroidery elements, are displayed in the center. The embroideries, which combine traditional embroidering patterns with modern designs, have captivated many customers.
"I insist on using traditional embroidering skills when I embroider the patterns, which meet the aesthetic demands of modern people. The embroideries, with the elements of popular culture, have gained popularity among young consumers. I hope to revitalize the traditional craftsmanship of Xiang embroidery through the innovative embroideries," says Chen.
She has used various channels to promote Xiang embroidery to as many people as possible. She offers experiential Xiang embroidery courses, from basic threading skills to intricate pattern designs, at the experience center.
Chen has also given Xiang embroidery courses in several primary and secondary schools, in Wangcheng District, to plant the seeds of traditional craftsmanship in students' hearts.
In recent years, the local government has leveraged natural and cultural resources of the ancient town to boost local tourism. In addition, several policies were launched, earlier this year, with the aim of attracting entrepreneurs, especially youth, to start businesses in Wangcheng. Such timely measures have provided strong support for young entrepreneurs, like Chen.
"In the future, we hope to promote sustainable development of our Xiang embroidery brand, through inheritance and innovation. We also hope to rejuvenate this traditional craftsmanship, and make Xiang embroidery appear in the lives of more people. I will continue to enhance recognition of Xiang embroidery, by participating in cultural and creative exhibitions, and giving public-welfare lectures. I will also develop more Xiang embroidery products that appeal to modern aesthetic interests," Chen concludes.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly December 2025)
Editor: Wang Shasha
