Why Choose Us ———Yi Crafts Tour
Back to 1980s
From the First Guides in Dali to a New Generation of Cultural Journeys
Long before Yunnan became a destination on the global travel map, my parents were already there, welcoming the first wave of international travellers into Dali.
In 1980s
My mum guiding tours
My mum is on the left in the image
My mum is on the left in the image
In 1983
At that time, China had just begun opening up, and very few locals spoke English. Travelers who made it to Yunnan weren’t looking for checklists—they were looking for connection, curiosity, and something completely unknown.
My parents didn’t just guide tours.They brought people into homes, shared meals, and translated not just language—but culture.
In 1986
on what would later become Dali’s “foreigner street,” my grandfather opened a small place called Star Cafe (太白楼).
Star Cafe slowly became something more than a café. It became a place of exchange.
Star Cafe (太白楼)
Yiran Duan （founder of Yi Crafts)
In 1998
I grew up surrounded by these stories—but like many people, I had to leave home to truly see it. When I was 20, I moved to the UK to study. And slowly, distance changed everything.
In 2016
The things I had taken for granted—local crafts, village life, the pace of Yunnan—started to feel rare. Meaningful. Worth preserving.
I began to see my hometown more completely, from the outside looking back in.
My Aunt, Grandma and me (From left to right).
In 2019
Years later, working with artisans through Yi Crafts, I found myself reconnecting with those roots in a new way. Starting these journeys in Yunnan didn’t feel like a big decision. It just felt natural.
In 2023 to Today
Today, we are reimagining what travel in Yunnan can be—bringing together my family’s legacy with a deeper focus on craft, culture, and human connection.
“Our journeys are not about sightseeing.
They are about slowing down, learning with artisans, and stepping into a way of life that is rarely seen from the outside.
When you travel with us, you are not just visiting Yunnan.
You are becoming part of a story that began decades ago—and continues to evolve with every journey.”
From our family to yours,
Welcome to Yunnan.