Reviving a dyeing tradition in Yunnan

Zhang, who used to work in a non-governmental organization in Beijing, says: "I like doing tie-dye. It's a dialogue with my inner-self and time stands still."

Zhang Hanmin and her husband Zhang Bin are both of the Bai ethnic group from Zhoucheng village who worked in Beijing after graduating from university.

She returned to her village to revive the ancient tie-dye technique. Later, Zhang Bin also returned to support her work at the center. The couple now live in the village with their 6-year-old son.

Zhoucheng village is famous for the tie-dye skills of the Bai ethnic group, which date back to the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the early part of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

At first, she learned how to tie-dye using plants and draw traditional tie-dye patterns from the local elders