A Day Experiencing Tie-Dye in Xizhou Ancient Town, Dali

Xizhou Ancient Town: Unlocking the Art of Tie-Dye for a Day When visiting Dali, be sure to experience tie-dye in Xizhou Ancient Town. Personally tie the blue sky, white clouds, and Bai ethnic customs into the fabric and take them with you! Here's a one-day guide to tie-dye experiences in Xizhou Ancient Town, allowing you to easily acquire this intangible cultural heritage skill. 📍Morning: Arrive at Xizhou Ancient Town It's recommended to depart early. It takes about 30 minutes by car from Dali Ancient City. The ancient town is less crowded and quieter in the morning, allowing you to slowly appreciate the Bai architecture and lifestyle. Have a bowl of Er Si (rice noodles) at a breakfast shop near the entrance of the ancient town to start your energetic day. 💙Choosing a Tie-Dye Shop: - Lan Xu Ancient Tie-Dye Experience Shop: The most popular one, located next to the wheat fields. The terrace on the second floor offers a panoramic view of the large rice fields, making it a perfect spot for photos. The shop has a complete tie-dye experience process, with professional teachers guiding you. It also offers a celebrity-endorsed experience, but it's crowded and requires advance booking. - Lan Qi Tie-Dye: Affordable prices, and it's more cost-effective to bring your own clothes for tie-dyeing. The staff teaches patiently, and the experience process is quick, taking less than an hour to complete. The shop has a cozy atmosphere, suitable for students and friends looking for value for money. 🎨Tie-Dye Experience Process: 1. Choose a style: Scarves, skirts, bags, T-shirts, and other styles are available for you to choose from. It is recommended to choose natural cotton and linen materials, which are more absorbent and produce better results. 2. Determine the pattern: You can choose classic Bai patterns, such as butterfly patterns and meander patterns; you can also use your creativity to draw your favorite patterns, such as hearts and small animals. If you can't draw, don't worry, the store has templates and teachers to help you. 3. Tying: This step is key. Tie the fabric according to the designed pattern with thread. The tighter the tie, the clearer the pattern. You can try different techniques such as spiral tying, ball tying, and clip tying. 4. Dyeing: The dye is natural Banlangen (Radix Isatidis), which is environmentally friendly and healthy. Put the tied fabric into the dye vat and immerse it for a few minutes to more than ten minutes. The longer the time, the darker the color. After taking it out, it will first turn green, and then slowly turn blue after being oxidized in the air for a while. 5. Washing and drying: After dyeing, wash off the excess dye and hang it in the yard to dry. While waiting, you can stroll around the store, look at the finished products, and take pictures. 🍜Noon: Xizhou Cuisine After the tie-dye is completed, it's time for lunch. Try Xizhou Baba, which comes in sweet and savory flavors, with a crispy crust and soft, glutinous filling; then order a plate of spicy and refreshing Bai sauerkraut fish, served with rice, which is super delicious. 🌅Afternoon: Stroll Through the Ancient Town After the meal, stroll around the ancient town, visit the Yan Family Courtyard, and feel the exquisite Bai architecture; take photos at the Corner Building, which is a landmark attraction in Xizhou; you can also walk along the wheat fields, watch the wind blowing through the wheat waves, and take some beautiful photos. 🎬Evening: Return Trip Return with satisfaction with your own handmade tie-dye work. This unique souvenir carries the beautiful memories of Xizhou. Every time you see it in the future, you will remember this fulfilling and happy day. 💡Tips: 1. Wear dark clothes to experience tie-dye to avoid dye staining light-colored clothes. 2. If you want to take good-looking photos, the light is good in the morning. The terrace on the second floor of the tie-dye shop is backlit in the afternoon, so pay attention to the time. 3. The price of the tie-dye experience ranges from CNY 50–200, depending on the style and shop you choose. You can check the reviews and prices online in advance before making a decision.