China is an immense country that is home to a vast array of ethnic groups, each with their own unique cultural traditions. Ethnic costumes bear a particularly rich historical and cultural significance, as they are closely related to each ethnic group's living conditions and habits, methods of production, religious beliefs and aesthetic inclinations.


To enhance public appreciation of the diversity of Chinese culture, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum had teamed up with the Ethnic Costume Museum of the Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology to organise an exhibition on the costumes of Chinese ethnic minorities, in which around 100 exhibits, mainly clothing and silver ornaments from the collections of the Ethnic Costume Museum, were displayed.


The exhibition thus showcased a variety of costumes, including those of southern ethnic groups such as the Miao and Yi and those of northern ethnic groups such as the Mongol and Hezhe.

The silver objects on display in the exhibition reflected the unique styles to be found in the ornamental art of the Chinese ethnic minorities. Many minority ethnic groups believe that silver has the power to ward off evil spirits, and the wearing of silver ornaments is common among these groups. These silver ornaments, in particular those of the Miao, featured highly specialised designs and were the product of beautiful and skilful craft work.