What traditional handicrafts are produced in Inner Mongolia?

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Traditional handicrafts in Inner Mongolia reflect the region's nomadic heritage and the utilization of local animal by-products. Key artisanal goods produced in the region include:

  • Textiles and Apparel: The region is well-known for the production of cashmere and camel hair fabrics, as well as carpets.1
  • Leather Goods: Craftspeople create a variety of leather products, including traditional saddles and gutal—ornamented boots featuring turned-up toes.21
  • Felt Crafts: Artisans produce shirdeg, which are embroidered, quilted felt floor coverings and saddle blankets.2
  • Metalwork: Metalworkers craft decorative items such as silver drinking bowls and copper jugs.2
  • Carvings and Other Crafts: Traditional skills include carving chessmen and animal miniatures from wood or stone, as well as making compound bows, arrows, and interlinking wooden puzzles.2

These handicrafts are an important part of the regional economy, with many items sold throughout China as part of an effort to develop an industrial system that highlights ethnic and regional features.1