The Yuhong District Qipao Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition opened July 12 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, as a core event of the district’s Qipao Culture Season. Organized by the Yuhong District Publicity Department under the theme “Qi Yun Liu Zhuan, Yi Chuan Fang Fang” (The Flowing Charm of Qipao, The Fragrance of Heritage), the exhibition gathers tailored qipao garments, ICH paper-cut parasols, embroidered cloud-shoulder capes, lacquer paintings, clay sculptures, cloisonne enamel works, ink-wash fan paintings, and fine silk-weave textiles in a single venue.
The standout feature is a locally designed original qipao series by Yin Jingjing, a district school art teacher who embedded Yuhong’s urban landmarks — the Dingxiang Lake ecological landscape and the historic Yong’an Bridge — directly into the garment silhouettes and motif designs. Her work departs from conventional qipao templates, treating the dress as a canvas for local geography rather than a fixed historical form. Each stitch and pattern references a specific Yuhong location, making the collection a wearable map of the district. Yin spent six months studying local architecture and natural scenery before translating these elements into garment patterns, working with traditional cutting techniques to preserve the qipao’s recognizable silhouette while introducing entirely new visual references. The cloud shoulder embroidered on one dress reproduces the exact shape of Dingxiang Lake as seen from a nearby hilltop, while another garment incorporates the Yong’an Bridge arch as a curved collar detail.
Beyond qipao, the exhibition spans a broad range of craft traditions. Hand-cut paper parasols in traditional motifs complement ink-wash fan paintings and precise cloisonne enamel pieces. Clay sculptures depicting daily life in old Shenyang and traditional lacquer paintings exploring classic color palettes further broaden the show’s scope. The district’s New Era Civilization Practice Center already hosts 22 registered ICH projects, including Liu-style embroidery and Na-style qipao, operating a “civilization practice + cultural tourism + study tours” model that served as the operational foundation for this exhibition. Yuhong District has been a regular participant in Shenyang’s annual Qipao Culture Season since its inception. Organizers plan additional themed events through the rest of the summer to continue blending heritage preservation programming with urban cultural development initiatives. The exhibition is free and open to the public at the Yuhong District Cultural Center, with viewing hours throughout the summer season.
Visitors can view the full collection of craft works, qipao garments, and mixed-media installations across multiple gallery rooms at the cultural center.
