A provincial intangible cultural heritage from Qiandao Lake’s Wangfu township has reached the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre. Badu Maxiu, a hand-picked hemp embroidery from Chun’an County in Zhejiang Province, appeared at Asia Fashion Thailand Show 2026 from July 9 to 11, drawing attention from Southeast Asian designers and buyers for its natural fiber, double-sided patterns, and clean geometry.
What is Badu Maxiu?
Badu Maxiu is a traditional embroidery technique from the remote mountainous area once known as Badu in Chun’an. Local women grew hemp, spun thread, wove cloth, and then decorated aprons, back straps, and bags with white thread on indigo cloth or indigo thread on white cloth. The stitching is done in one continuous line from the center to the edge and back, with no knots in the thread. The result is a reversible pattern that looks the same on both sides. Because of this, the craft is sometimes called “the mountain’s double-sided wonder.” Motifs often include peaches, pomegranates, bamboo, magpies, lions, and auspicious lamps, each carrying wishes for longevity, fertility, safety, and prosperity.
At the Bangkok show, the Wangfu delegation displayed a wider product range than the craft’s traditional aprons and carrying cloths. Exhibits included fashion apparel, handbags, tea mats, and accessories. Southeast Asian designers were reported to line up to feel the fabric and discuss cooperation. The combination of natural ramie, hand embroidery, and a neutral blue-white palette matched current market interest in sustainable fashion and East Asian aesthetics.
The show itself is one of Thailand’s largest fashion trade events, with an exhibition area of about 35,000 square meters, roughly 700 exhibitors, and an expected 30,000 professional visitors. For a county-level intangible heritage from a remote Zhejiang township, the appearance marked a meaningful step into international trade.
Industry and rural income
Back in Wangfu, the craft has become part of a rural industry chain. The township has built embroidery workshops and experience bases, employing more than a hundred local women who can work from home. Old patterns are now being applied to clothing, cosmetic packaging, and other consumer goods. The goal is to connect intangible heritage, product development, and export. For visitors, the Bangkok debut is a sign that small-scale Chinese traditional crafts can compete in global fashion markets when material quality and cultural story are clearly presented.