Saturday 26th February – Sunday 20th March 2005

Home to 13 ethnic minorities with their own traditions in ceramics, textiles, jewellery, papermaking and architecture. Visit local artists and craftsmen as we travel through tropical rainforests to the border mountains of Tibet

The visit is organised by a small group of local Chinese potters, whose interest is in all aspects of traditional crafts and craftsmanship, whether it be ceramics, textiles, jewellery, paper-making or painting. This gives us a rare opportunity to meet with fellow artists as we travel through south-west China.

Travelling overland in a small bus, within Yunnan Province, will give us the opportunity to get off the beaten track. Home to thirteen ethnic minorities, it is an area of stunning limestone karst scenery, primeval forest, mountains and rare plants and animals. Yunnan is famous for its textiles where long forgotten skills and techniques in weaving, embroidery, batik and indigo dyeing continue to flourish. Ceramics as well as the dazzling silver jewellery, which adorn their different traditional costumes, are also crafted here.

Layers of clothes are recommended as Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan is subtropical, while the north is mountainous with snow on the peaks. Rain is always a possibility but March is one of the recommended times to travel here.

Please do not hesitate in contacting me should you have any questions about this trip or would be interested in joining another in the future.