An artisan makes Jili silk, a national intangible cultural heritage item from Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

Jili silk is named after Jili village, Nanxun district, Huzhou where it is produced. The silk garnered an international name for itself in 1851 when it won first place for China at the World Expo.

The production of Jili silk dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and it was designated as the material for making the robes of Chinese emperors in the mid-Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 2011, the techniques for making Jili silk were listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item.