Introduction 

Located on the foot of Cangshan Mountain, Zhoucheng Village is the largest and the farthest northern village of Dali Ancient City with a total of at least 8000 inhabitants. It is 38 kilometers from Xiaguan town and 23 kilometers away from the Ancient City of Dali. The village takes the shape of a square dotted with houses one after another and is also home to a stretch of the famous Yunnan Tibet highway. 

Zhoucheng Village is considered a living fossil of folk customs amongst the Bai people with all kinds of traditions being practiced till date in the most tranquil and simple environment. The town specializes in Batik making dying using flower petals amongst other techniques. Walking in the family factories takes you through the sophisticated process of tie-dyeing. Tie-dyeing is the art of creating patterns on a cloth by either creasing, pinching or flanging the piece according to the desired shape and pattern.

First, the knots are soaked in clear water then they are immersed in the dye vat for a while before they are taken out to dry. The process is then repeated until the colors of choice are achieved. The main dye used by the Bai people comes from the Ban Lan Gen (Isatis root). The process is quite a time consuming and requires a certain level of skill evidently possessed by the locals in this village. The process also signifies the qualities of the locals which is peaceful and tolerant in nature. 

Major attractions and activities to do on a visit

If you are interested in fabric, Zhoucheng Village is the place for you with a lot of textile and shops where you can bargain and buy souvenirs bearing local flavors. 

The village is also the best place to witness the renowned and complex craftsmanship of tie-dying. Visit one of the many family-owned factories where you can see large boiling pots where the batik is made using special skills.

Get lovely photo sessions of the beautiful fabric which makeup masterpieces and see all the varieties of patterns and shapes from women dressed in the colorful clothes made of the fabric.

If you happen to visit during the Torchlight Festival you can attend the ceremony which attracts many locals bearing distinct practices in the most intense atmosphere.

Walk uphill and see the most magnificent Buddhist temples. One which enshrines Du Chaoxuan, a hero killing boa and the other which consecrates Zhaomu Langgang the primogenitor of Zhoucheng Village.

Also, do not miss the newly set up peasant cultural center constructed to enrich the locals in their free time. It has facilities like a library, a movie theatre, kindergarten, a basketball pitch and ping pong area.