Tianshui silk carpet handicrafts, passed down from generation to generation, stand as a priceless treasure along the Belt and Road.

A piece of Tianshui silk carpet [Photo/wlj.tianshui.gov.cn]

The history of hand-woven silk carpets in Tianshui can be traced back a thousand years. Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Bai Juyi wrote the poem "Red Thread Carpet", describing the gorgeousness of the silk carpets local officials gave in tribute to the court.  

A piece of Tianshui silk carpet [Photo/wlj.tianshui.gov.cn]

At the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), weavers adopted the method of flocking. They used scissors to cut the flocking for different thickness, which achieved an embossing effect, making the carpet looks exquisite and elegant.

Tianshui carpets are mainly made of high-quality silk, with a small part of its warp and weft threads using natural cotton.

The technique was listed among  national intangible cultural heritages in 2014, owing to its artistic value and complexity.