Dali's Cultural Specials

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2015-03-26

Dali is a much loved city; not only for its Mountain Cangshan, Lake Erhai or "milk fan" (Yunnan goat cheese) but also for its deep valleys and local songs and other things that embodies the local colorful culture.

Marble

Dali is endowed with enormous marble resources. The popularity of Dali marble is accredited to its unique color, shape, texture and special lines. In recent years, the popularity of marble collectors and the development of the tourism industry has boosted the processing and sales of refined marbles and has helped it become a mature and well-regulated industry.

Tie-dyeing Craft Dali's tie-dyeing craft is an ancient textile dyeing technique in Dali, with a history of over 1,000 years. Local Bai ethnic people have maintained traditional tie-dyeing techniques and to this day follow very strict procedures. Making a piece of tie-dyed cloth is comprised of six steps: drawing and tying, dyeing, drying, untying, rinsing, and rinse.

Jianchuan Wood Carving

Jianchuan wood carving is a traditional craftsmanship inherited and developed by generations of Bai ethnic group in Jianchuan County. Its extraordinary craftsmanship has won it much acclaim both at home and abroad. There is a saying in Yunnan that "wherever you go, there are always Jianchuan wood carvings".

Heqing Bronze and Silver Ware

As early as 1,000 years ago, during Nanzhao Kingdom period of Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), people in Yunnan's Xinhua village, Heqing county, started making bronze and silver ware. Thus Heqing has a profound silver culture and many shining examples of fine silverware.

Walnut Shell Handicraft

Walnut shell handicrafts are mainly produced in the Yangbi Yi ethnic autonomous county, "the home of walnut" designated by the State Council. They are handmade from the shells of the Yangbi Walnut with 26 steps, including slicing, removing nuts, drying, shaping, polishing, gluing, fine sculpting, etc.

Fengyu Inkstone

The exquisitely made Fengyu Inkstone is endowned with fine carvings and has a graceful luster and unique shape. The stone is an elegant handicraft suitable both for collection and as a gift. Its beauty rivals that of China's renowned inkstone, the Duanzhou Inkstone, which is mainly produced in Duanzhou, in southern China's Guangdong Province. The "Nine Dragon Inkstone" is currently housed in the China Pavilion of Kunming World Expo Garden.