Where batik meets Atlas silk: A Xinjiang artisan's fusion journey

Liu Xuanyu hangs tie-dyed fabrics in a yard in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on July 11, 2026.

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Li Rui) news: On a summer afternoon in Urumqi, young artisan Liu Xuanyu sat at her workbench, copper wax knife in hand. She dipped it into a drop of beeswax and gently applied it to a plain canvas bag. With each stroke of her wrist, a delicate snow lotus flower gradually came to life on the fabric.

Having spent years immersed in the art of dyeing and weaving, Liu has developed a unique approach to intangible cultural heritage by blending the rustic charm of batik, the free-spirited nature of tie-dye, and the opulent beauty of Atlas silk.

Liu Xuanyu applies wax onto a canvas bag to create a pattern in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on July 11, 2026.

Liu's connection with batik dates back to 2017, when she was studying fashion and apparel design in central China's Hunan Province. Born in 1998, this Xinjiang native first encountered batik during a sketching trip to southwest China's Guizhou and was instantly captivated.

Over the following nine years, driven by her passion for traditional crafts, she brought the art form back to her hometown of Urumqi, giving it new life at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

One of her apprentices, Feng Xiaoyu, started learning the craft from scratch in 2020 and has since honed her skills through diligent practice. She is now able to complete small batik pieces on her own and has become a rising force in the preservation of this intangible cultural heritage.

Liu Xuanyu (L) instructs her apprentice Feng Xiaoyu on applying wax onto a canvas bag in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on July 11, 2026.

"Don't worry, the beeswax will naturally set as it cools. Just steady your hand and go for it," Liu said softly on July 11, as she watched her apprentice Feng hesitate with the wax knife in hand.

"Batik is all about letting your mind guide the brush. You need to have the pattern clearly in mind before you start, and then execute it in one fluid motion to achieve a natural and lively texture." With her guidance, Feng carefully traced the pattern onto the fabric.

Liu Xuanyu creates accessories using a combination of tie-dyeing and ronghua techniques in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026.

Liu has continued to push the boundaries of her craft. Her "Qiyue Zhiran" studio has evolved from focusing solely on batik fabric art to producing a diverse range of cultural and creative products inspired by intangible heritage.

The studio's decorative wall hangings, created using traditional batik techniques, feature blue-and-white patterns that exude a timeless elegance. Headpieces, hats, and other wearable accessories combine tie-dye techniques with Atlas silk patchwork. The natural texture of Atlas silk, which resembles tie-dye in its own right, creates a striking artistic synergy when paired with the craft.

Liu Xuanyu browses photos of her works that combine tie-dyeing and ronghua techniques on June 13, 2026.

While her experiments in blending batik, tie-dye, and Atlas silk have reached a mature stage, Liu has not stopped there. She has now turned her attention to ronghua, a delicate craft that uses fine silk threads to create floral ornaments. By combining ronghua pieces with the distinctive gradient textures of tie-dyed fabric, she has brought two traditional crafts together in a complementary fusion.

Liu Xuanyu displays her batik and tie-dye works at the intangible cultural heritage fair in Jianglaicheng, the second-phase pedestrian street of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026.

"Intangible cultural heritage should not be locked away in museums or behind glass. It belongs in everyday life," Liu said, a philosophy she has steadfastly adhered to. Using locally grown Xinjiang cotton, she creates scarves, canvas bags, clothing, and other fabric-based products. With their unique aesthetic appeal and practical functionality, these items have become popular souvenirs at the intangible cultural heritage market in the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, finding their way into ordinary households.

Liu Xuanyu (first from left) demonstrates tie-dye headpieces to teachers and students at Urumqi No.1 Primary School (Mingde Road Campus) during an intangible cultural heritage activity on campus in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on April 15, 2026.

Alongside her creative work, Liu has remained active in promoting and preserving intangible heritage. Over the years, she has organized a series of public outreach programs, bringing heritage crafts into schools, shopping districts, and communities. "The vitality of intangible cultural heritage lies not only in being passed down through generations but also in being used and lived," she said.

Liu Xuanyu works on her handicraft at the intangible cultural heritage fair in Jianglaicheng, the second-phase pedestrian street of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026.

The free-flowing textures of tie-dye make every piece unique, capturing a natural and spontaneous beauty. Ronghua, by contrast, demands precision and patience, reflecting a refined elegance honed through meticulous craftsmanship. Together, the softness of one and the boldness of the other, blue and vibrant hues, create a new artistic language and cultural depth in her accessories.

"I want these two ancient crafts to blend and take root together, so that traditional heritage can be revitalized through innovation," Liu said, her eyes shining with passion and resolve.

A visitor tries on a headpiece made by Liu Xuanyu at the intangible cultural heritage fair in Jianglaicheng, the second-phase pedestrian street of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on June 13, 2026.

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