Pic story: inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique in Beijing

Li Jinshan (2nd R), an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, teaches young technicians hat making skills at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Young technicians exchange hat-making skills at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Li Jinshan (R), an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, talks with a young technician on hat designs at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Li Jinshan, an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, checks the quality of a hat in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

People shop for hats at a Shengxifu hat store in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Customers walk into a Shengxifu hat store in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Li Jinshan, an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, cuts a hide in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Li Jinshan, an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, folds a hide at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Ma Wanlan, an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, sews a hat at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, May 4, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Li Jinshan, an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, picks a hat template at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

An employee shows hats at a Shengxifu hat store in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Ma Wanlan, an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, makes a hat at a Shengxifu workshop in Beijing, capital of China, May 4, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

People shop for hats at a Shengxifu hat store in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Li Jinshan (L), an inheritor of Shengxifu hat making technique, takes fur from a wooden box in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

A foreign tourist shops for hats at a Shengxifu hat store in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2025.

Shengxifu, one of Beijing's time-honored brands, was established in 1911 and remains popular among people owing to its outstanding skills and premium quality. Its hat making technique was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Hat making of Shengxifu requires painstaking efforts, ranging from hide picking and material matching, to fur tailoring and leather flattening. Each procedure is demanding and must be done by hand.

To better balance ancient craftsmanship and modern creativity, the brand continues imbibing new technologies, equipment and designs, keeping the traditional workmanship running along with the fashion. (Xinhua/Li Xin)