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This is a trip for discovery, reflection and inspiration, nourish yourself in the nature and learn from local crafts people in Southwestern China Dali town. Immerse yourself in the arts and crafts activities and using your hand to create, create things that you desire for long time.

Dali city has 26 different ethnic minorities lives together, and the walled old town from the Ming dynasty, contains traditional homes and towers from the Bai ethnic minority. I was born in the old town and grew up there, it has the magic of inclusiveness and harmony. We will start a journey full of surprises and goodness, from lake to mountain, from family looms to museums and from thread to your soul.

11 days and 10 nights (16/04/2025 - 26/04/2025)

Price:

£3280 per person (£2980 Early birds - booking made before 30th Dec 2024)

£2880 per person if two people sharing one room (£2680 Early birds - booking made before 30th Nov 2023)

Once you paid your deposit, we will get in contact with you for further information and to pay the full amount three month before the departure date.

Day 1:

We will meet at Dali Airport, where the exciting journey began. We will travel together to my family resort in the Dali old town from the Airport. After arriving at the hotel, take your time to unpack and we will have a welcome dinner party at the hotel. Here you will meet everyone who will assist you during the journey.

Day 2:

We will be visiting local handcrafts museums, walking around the famous indigo village Zhouchen and meeting some artisans and craftspeople. We will also visit my family's indigo workshop, and have a briefing introduction of Zha Ran Bai people’s shibori techniques.

Day 3:

We will start the 3rd day with visiting an amazing indigo farm run by my friend Xiao Bai. We will drive to the Xiao Bai’s studio afterwards called Lanxu, where we will uncover first-hand the indigo vat making process from local receipt, and explore use of natural dyes made from indigenous plants and flowers. We will also learn traditional loom weaving techniques with Xiao Bai’s grandma in her beautiful indigo courtyard.

Day 4:

Today we will head to a Bai people’s embroidery workshop called YunZuo, understanding and learning the traditional bai embroidery technique in a old style Bai courtyard and you will have half day of free time to explore the old time of ZhouChen.

Day 5:

Today is Creation Day. You will use all the techniques learnt from the previous session, immerse yourself in the local surroundings and just enjoy creating! We will use my family's traditional courtyard as the creation base for the indigo sessions.

Day 6:

Having a break, we will now go explore nature, just relaxing and reflecting during our gentle hiking to the local Cangshan Mountain, where there are a lot of buddhist temples. We will have our Buddhist vegetarian lunch at one of them called Jizhao An temple. And we will wander in the Dali old town and have a drink at my Dad’s pub afterwards.

Day 7:

We will go to the local folk art museum in Xizhou (Happy Valley), and understanding different traditional handicrafts in the area, and we will able to learning about traditional woodblock printing Jiama and carve your own woodblock in the afternoon.

Day 8:

We will partake in a wool felt making workshop with Master Yang in a over 100 years old Bai courtyard, to understand the culture behind wool felt making and its various products. You’ll be making your own wool felt small rug as well as using rice flour to draw and create a design of your choice on your felt work.

Day 9:

We will visit Diao Cao Cun, a traditional Yi village located in the mountains. They will welcome us with their traditional dance and lunch, and we will learn traditional bracelet making techniques from Yi ethnic minority. You will also be able to try on Yi traditional clothing even their wedding outfit and have some wearing traditional clothing while learning the craft. It’s a feast day of crafts and food.

Day 10:

We will visit Dali tea factory and learn traditional way to make a tea block to take home. We will go back to the hotel and set up the farewell exhibition event - curating all the creations during this trip together at Water Edge hotel, and inviting all the teachers through the journey to join in for the farewell party at 6 pm with a food buffet.

Day 11:

It’s time to say goodbye, packed full of inspiration and fully charged for your next life adventure! We will arrange airport transport for everyone. And will see you all in London sometime hopefully!

• Lunch is included, featuring local dishes made with seasonal ingredients, with vegan and vegetarian options available.

• Farewell complimentary dinner party with local crafts people.

• Breakfast is included with your hotel accommodation.

• Workshops, demonstrations and all materials are all included .

• We will help with visa application if it’s needed and the visa price is not included.

• We welcome people from all different culture backgrounds for this journey, and recommend age over 12 for this trip.

This trip price is not included flight to Dali and visa fee, we will help with booking flight and visa application if needed.

For the full Terms & Conditions please click here.