Reed mats

Reed mats

　　Reed mats

　　are a traditional specialty of Renqiu, with the majority produced in Baiyangdian. These mats are soft, white, and beautifully patterned, enjoying a high reputation nationwide. In the past, the livelihoods of people in and around Baiyangdian relied on two main sources: fishing and reed production. As a result, the reed weaving industry flourished, and weaving mats and making mats were the primary occupations of local women. Baiyangdian reed mats are famous throughout China, with a wide variety of types, shapes, and uses—including kang mats, storage mats, covering mats, packaging mats, and ceiling mats. The patterns on the mats are constantly innovated, featuring designs such as meander patterns, tabletop motifs, herringbone patterns, plain weave, and pepper-eye designs, available in a range of sizes and specifications. Particularly notable are the ceiling mats, which are exquisitely crafted artworks made by weaving more than two layers of reed strips into various decorative patterns. These are affixed to plywood (or wooden boards) to serve as room paneling, ceiling decorations, or room dividers—offering an elegant and refined touch to interior decor. In addition, the reed screens and reed felts from Baiyangdian are also quite distinctive. Reed screens mainly include five types such as door screens, curtain screens, and fence screens, with over twenty product codes. Reed felts include construction felts, fish felts, and weatherproof felts.