Xun Xiu Ji, a book which literally means "Looking for Embroidery", has been named China's "Most Beautiful Book" together with 24 other books from 20 publishing houses from across the country.

The 25 books will represent China to compete in the annual "Most Beautiful Book in the World" competition to be held in Leipzig, Germany, next year.

Annual selection of China's "Most Beautiful Book" started in 2003 by the Shanghai News and Press Bureau. Since then, 321 books named China's "Most Beautiful Book" have competed in Leipzig and 19 have won the "Most Beautiful Book in the World."

Published by the Chengdu Times Press in Sichuan province, Xun Xiu Ji tells the story of Zhang Shulin, a woman writer from Central China's Hubei province, spending nearly 20 years traveling in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Hebei provinces to collect nearly 200,000 pieces of embroidery in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and the early 20th century.

The book is unique partly as it has real embroidery works inside.

Xie Liheng contributed to the story.