Brief information on Tie-dyeing in Zhoucheng  

Tie-dyeing is the traditional handicraft of the Bai. Everyone who comes to visit Zhoucheng must make the effort to see this handicraft. The tie-dyes are not merely daily attire of the Bai people - they are art pieces, considered as precious relics in Chinese art.

Tie-dyeing has a very long history, dating back to over 1,000 years ago. In the beginning, Bai people carried out tie-dyeing in their own houses. The material used is pure white cotton cloth; the dye color used is blue. The designs are simple, fade-proof and bucolic. Gradually, home-based workshops appeared and became so common that nearly every family had one. Working procedures became more and more complicated with increased demand. The first step involves drawing the colorful and diversified designs on each piece of cloth. Unlike other tie-dyeing designs comprising only dots and scrambled graphics, familiar features like flowers, animals and plants, e.g. bees, butterflies, bamboos and lilies are incorporated - wonderful and lively! The second step is to tie the cloth with thread - not too tightly not too loosely. Thirdly, it involves the dyeing of the cloth with the paint made of Banlangen (a kind of Chinese medicine). The smell is good for your skin and health. Finally, the threads have to be removed and the cloth hung out to dry. In Dali, all the girls have mastered the technique.

In recent years, "family factories" have begun to spring up. The choices and designs are richer than before - not single blue but blue, green, red, brown and so on. You can see flaming tie-dyed tablecloth, handkerchief, portiere and clothes hung out in the courtyards, waving in the wind. What attractive folk art! The delicate, colorful, unique and historical significance of the tie-dye cloth appeals to many travelers from abroad. Many foreign orders are received for the sale of these tie-dye cloths.

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