Rich embroidery, vibrant colors and exquisite silver jewelry are the main features of the traditional costume of China's Miao ethnic group. Thanks to the internet, now anyone almost anywhere in the world can dress like a typical Miao by purchasing a costume online. 

The skill of stitching Miao embroidery, handed down from mother to daughter over centuries, is a unique part of China's cultural heritage. 

In the past, Miao children usually grew up in the environment where women performed the intricate needlework a lot around them. 

In contrast, such scenes have become rare in recent times. Many young Miao women from the rural areas of Guizhou have followed their husbands to the cities in search of work opportunities, leaving their children at home with grandparents. Spending long hours on the complex and time-consuming task of producing embroidery by hand obviously wasn't considered the best choice, especially when other work may better boost their income in less time. 

However, Dafen, like other Miao women, gradually become convinced that the traditional embroidery products can also be profitable. One way to make the industry better-paid is through the utilization of the internet. In addition, although the catwalks and fashion houses of Paris and Milan seem to be a far cry from this remote corner of Guizhou, the realm of fashion gradually become aware of the uniquely exquisite embroidery produced here. 

Only time will tell if this old handicraft is a viable living method for the Miao in the modern world. If it proves to be so, then another valuable cultural heritage will be kept alive.

Rediscovering China is a 30-minute feature program offering in-depth reports on the major issues facing China today. It airs on Sundays at 10.30 a.m. BJT (02.30 GMT), with a rebroadcast at 11.30 p.m. (15.30 GMT), as well as on Mondays at 8.30 a.m. (00.30 GMT) and Fridays at 1.30 p.m. (05. 30 GMT).

(Cover: GongXunfeng introduces a Miao embroidery hundred-bird garment to a customer in QiaoHai Village, PingYong Town, Rongjiang County, Guizhou Province, September 12, 2018. /VCG Photo)