Based in China’s city of eternal spring, Kunming in Yunnan province, Threads of Yunnan have been working with local people to help them make a fair wage from their traditional skills since 1998. The company was started by Bitten Hogh, a Danish ex-pat, who moved to Kunming to teach economics at Yunnan University in 1994. […]
On our first sourcing trip in 2013, we journeyed to Shangri La in northern Yunnan province, China. While scouring the numerous tourist oriented shops for true examples of local handicrafts, we came across a small collection of scarves which seemed to stand out before we’d even had a chance to feel them. Our feelings were […]
We had our first bit of press in Shortlist magazine on Thursday 6th December, 2013. This day will go down in history! If you missed it, here’s the article – The Chosen Few. For more information on any of the products featured and to see the whole range, please visit our shop here […]
Hemp is renowned for being one of the most environmentally friendly and versatile crops grown by man and has even been referred to as a carbon negative raw material. It requires minimal or no pesticides or herbicides to grow, due to its antibacterial properties and needs little water, renewing soil with each growth cycle. Its […]
A Thangka is an extremely intricate and highly detailed hand painted image from Tibet, taking anywhere between a few months to several years to complete due to the minute detail and complex layout. While some Thangkas may cover themes of history, society, astronomy and medicine, by far the majority cover religious themes. As with much Buddhist […]
As of today our ecommerce section is up and running, delivering unique, ethical gifts, clothing and accessories to your door in time for Christmas. Our online boutique sells unusual homeware and gift items – all ethically sourced from far flung corners of the world. When buying from in-a-strange-land.com you can guarantee that your purchase has been responsibly and ethically […]
We have talked before of Yunnan’s unique position within China geographically and culturally. These factors combine to create a diverse cuisine which brings together the tastes and ingredients of the surrounding provinces and countries. Around Shangri La (Zhongdian) To the North of Yunnan is Tibet and the Tibetan plateau from where the Khampa Tibetans of […]
The Tibetan, Miao and Bai people of Yunnan Province Yunnan is unique in China, historically remote from the Chinese Empire and home to 24 ethnic minorities. Bordering Tibet, Myanmar, Burma, Laos and Vietnam, as well as the rest of mainland China through Sichaun, Ghuizhou and Guanxi, its culture today is influenced by neighbours both foreign […]
Over the last 1000 years or so, Zhoucheng near Dali in China’s Yunnan province has become known as the place to find traditional Chinese tie-dye or knot-dye fabric. The Bai people around Dali are well known as experts in this process, wearing small pieces of tie-dyed material in their headdress and tunics and producing what […]
On the 24th day on the sixth lunar month, the Bai people of Yunnan province celebrate the Torch Festival. It is also celebrated by the Yi, Naxi and Hani but in Shaxi, it is a Bai affair. Each of these people have different reasons for observing this celebration but for the Bai it celebrates the […]