One of the most intriguing aspects of Suzhou City in China is the deep connection it maintains with ancient traditions and cultures. There’s no better example of this than the city’s long-held tradition of Suzhou Embroidery. If you’re ever in Suzhou and are interested in exploring its cultural wonders, here’s all you need to know about the city’s connection with this intricate art form.
About Suzhou Embroidery
Suzhou Embroidery or Su Embroidery for short, is an ancient Chinese artform originating over 2500 years ago in Suzhou, of the Jiangsu Province in China. It involves the use of needlework with fine silk threads to create various detailed patterns and images on silk fabric. It is one of the four styles of Chinese embroidery and is one of the oldest embroidery techniques in the world.
Suzhou Silk Museum
Located just a short distance from Pan Pacific Suzhou, this unique museum is the first to specialise in China’s silk culture. In addition to various beautiful exhibits of silk patterns and images, the museum also details the history of Suzhou silk culture all the way from 2000 years ago.
Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory
Image by Belinda Cave from Pixabay
If you want to understand how silk farming works then the local silk factory is one of the top Suzhou tourist attractions to visit. The factory provides a close-up of the entire production process from the process of raising silkworms to retrieving the silk material to reeling and packaging.
Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute
Located in a famous mountain garden in the city, this expansive research institute has over 100 experts, craftsmen and artists who continue to shape the city’s silk industry today. In addition to the wealth of information they provide, you can also marvel at the various silk embroideries created from various patterns and colours.