Huayao Dai Costumes & Embroidery (Honghe)
Step into the vibrant world of the Huayao Dai by dressing in their colorful traditional attire. With intricate headdresses and layered sashes, every detail tells a story. Local women will guide you through a few embroidery stitches, allowing you to create a small handmade piece to take home as a unique souvenir.
Bai Tie-dye Workshop (Dali)
In an old dyeing workshop, fold and tie your fabric before dipping it into the deep indigo vat. As the cloth slowly changes color and the blue-and-white patterns emerge, it feels like unwrapping a one-of-a-kind gift created by your own hands.
Jianshui Pottery Making
Listen to master craftsmen share the stories of Jianshui’s famous “breathing pottery.” Try your hand at shaping clay, carving patterns, and stamping seals to create your own cup or bowl. The finished piece requires kiln firing and will be mailed later, making the wait part of its charm.
Naxi Ancient Music (Lijiang)
As night falls in Lijiang Old Town, step into a courtyard and immerse yourself in ancient melodies. The music, preserved since the Tang and Song dynasties, flows through traditional instruments like the huqin and bamboo flute. If you’re lucky, you may even join in by learning a simple rhythm yourself.
Jia Ma (Dali)
Step into a world where art, spirit, and folklore converge. Jia Ma are more than prints, they are vibrant portals into Chinese folk religion and Bai ethnic culture, predominantly found in Dali, Yunnan. Crafted through centuries-old woodblock printing techniques, each piece is a unique impression. Artisans carve intricate designs into wooden blocks — depicting powerful deities, benevolent spirits, mythical animals, and cosmic symbols. These blocks are then inked and pressed onto handmade paper, yielding bold, charismatic images charged with intention.
Image Source: Yangyangyang, Nicpic, Yushan, Shenhai