Qingshen County of the Sichuan Province has been honoured the title of the “Hometown of Chinese Bamboo Weaving art” by the Chinese Ministry of Culture.

The main bamboo used in making Qingshen bamboo weaving is ci bamboo which is only grown in the southwest of China and is known for producing fibres as fine as hair and as thin as a cicada’s wing. The ci bamboo is known for its long pipes, few knots, distinctive colour and flexibility. The stalk is split into thin fibres and dyed vibrant colours for form and texture.

Qingshen bamboo craftworks such as “Along the River during Qingming Festival” have won gold medals and awards at the International Bamboo Industrial Expo and the Chinese Bamboo Cultural Festival. 

Close to twenty percent of Qingshen County villagers rely on bamboo weaving as half their annual income. Statistics from 2000 have shown that more than 20,000 people are skilled in the craft of bamboo weaving, however, only five percent have mastered the skills to be classed as acknowledged professional weavers. Seventy percent of skilled weavers in Qingshen are women who pass the techniques and skills on from generation to generation.

Qingshen bamboo weaving is classified as a national treasure for both the Sichuan province and China. Hopefully the bamboo weaving industry will continue to grow and provide magnificent art works for the world to enjoy.