On Dec 13, a delegation of about 30 French travel professionals visited Foshan's Tangy Silk Garden, a national base for preserving gambiered Guangdong silk (Xiangyunsha). They experienced the 600-year-old intangible cultural heritage item firsthand, immersing themselves in the craft behind the fabric known as "soft gold".
Organized by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the visit aimed to showcase Lingnan culture's innovative vitality. The travel agents tried traditional dyeing techniques and expressed great interest.
Philippe Martineau from the World-4U Voyage Travel Agency, who previously lived in Guangdong for five years, found the silk "very special and authentic", while Irene Trinh from CFA Voyages Travel Agency said she planned to buy scarves as gifts. Pascal Foulet from D&D International Travel Agency noted its market appeal for high-end occasions.
The visit highlighted the successful modernization of this ancient craft. Tangy Silk Garden, founded by Liang Zi - known as the "Queen of Gambiered Silk" - has elevated Xiangyunsha to global fashion. With an experience space in Paris and recognition at prestigious events like Premiere Vision, the brand bridges tradition and luxury.
The trip, preceding the 2025 China International Travel Mart, focused on "traditional culture and cultural innovation". As Xu Jiahui, operations manager of the Guangdong Cultural and Tourism Center said, such firsthand experiences aid in the design of tours that appeal to French travelers, potentially opening a new chapter in cultural tourism cooperation between China and France.
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