Beijing, June 6 (Youth.cn) - On June 5, 2025, in Zhangye, Gansu, in a heritage master’s studio, inheritors of Yugur costume craftsmanship are collaborating with peers to design new embroidery patterns using AI technology.

At the studio in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, two newly installed digital embroidery machines click-clacked tirelessly, bringing vivid floral motifs to life on fabric. Pan Xiaohong, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage, led her team in AI assisted pattern designing, digital printing, automated gilding, and hand-sewing ethnic garments. Amid the bustle, Pan told visiting customers: "Modern technology is incredible! Hand-embroidering a Yugur costume used to take a year, but with this machine-handcraft fusion, we finish one in a week. The designs are fresher, stitches more consistent, and prices lower - so orders keep rising!"

In recent years, Sunan County has leveraged its rich intangible cultural heritage resources to guide artisans in merging technology with tradition. This has gradually built a digital ecosystem for cultural innovation, allowing ancient crafts to shine anew in the digital era. Photo/CFP