Traditional attire gives county cutting edge in design

At the heart of Shandong province, Caoxian county is rewriting its story through silk, tradition and digital innovation.

Known as one of the country's leading hanfu production and sales hubs, the county in Heze city has built a complete industrial chain spanning design, manufacturing, copyright protection and digital marketing.

Hanfu, the country's traditional attire, has evolved over the centuries and in recent years has enjoyed a revival, driven by a renewed interest in traditional culture among young people and its growing visibility on social media platforms.

When a few people in the county began experimenting with making hanfu costumes for photo studios and performances in the early 2000s, no one would expect they were weaving a prosperous future for the county.

The hanfu made in Caoxian, notably the horse-face skirt, or mamianqun, gained international recognition through appearances at the Chinese clothing design competitions and Milan Fashion Week.

These clothes have been exported to Australia, Canada and the European Union, generating 12 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in total sales last year.

With a population of more than 1.3 million, Caoxian is now home to nearly 3,000 hanfu businesses, according to local authorities.

The cultural exchange highlights the remarkable rise of Caoxian.

Fueled by a youth-driven cultural revival, the county's thriving hanfu industry is an example of the successful integration of traditional heritage and digital innovation.

It not only transforms the ancient aesthetics into symbols of modern Chinese identity on the global stage, but also serves as a new engine for increasing the income of local people and promoting rural revitalization.

The sight of overseas visitors donning hanfu in Caoxian symbolizes more than just a cultural moment.

It demonstrates how cultural heritage can become a powerful catalyst for sustainable rural development in the modern era.