I'm looking for traditional Yunnan craft products for a gift. I didn't find much in the listings section apart from one store (Hoki: www.gokunming.com/[...] ) that I'm not sure is still open and is also out of my way. Does anyone have recommendations or suggestions?
I'm especially interested in fabric items (e.g., shawls, scarves) along the lines of the colorful clothing worn by women from Yunnan's ethnic minorities.
I have seen various Yunnan crafts stores in the newer shopping malls around town, but I tend to suspect those places are overpriced and/or don't pay the artisans a fair share if they source from authentic artisans at all. Having said that, I have no objection to shopping at that type of store if someone were to recommend one for which my concerns don't apply -- it's just that I don't know enough on my own about products or prices to evaluate their offerings.
Would like to hear more about prices paid to artisans vs. profits for shopkeepers/marketers etc.
yer could at least have the decency to attempt to answer the op before hijacking the thread toward yer own interest.
...as Herenow seems interested in the issue as well.
Try the 'bird and flower markets' and the areas nearby. It's worth remembering that most of what's on offer is made in factories these days despite what the sellers insist on telling you. It's great for gifts anyway if that's all it's for - different to anything available back home. Taobao and even Luosiwan are often cheaper for similar quality. There are some handicraft places I guess but their prices will reflect the apparent authenticity.
@herenow
If you want pre-worn, second-hand clothing, the best & cheapest place to shop would be Xianyu (闲鱼), which is Taobao's official flea market. In this vast marketplace, one man's trash is another man's treasure:
2.taobao.com
btw, i hope it's not some form of fetish... but hey, i'm not judging!
In case I misread, Xianyu also offer new ones cheaper than Taobao.
Maybe you could try contacting the Shangri-la Handicraft Center to ask if they have any sort of online shop or mail order service. Their stuff seems pretty legit: I.e. made by local people here in Yunnan. My guess is all the stuff at bird and flower market is made in Guangdong, or wherever.
This workshop in Zhouchengcun has an online shop as well for tie dye stuff. Much better quality and prices then the markets in Dali.
qbzrf.taobao.com/
Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Also, Hoki does in fact appear to be defunct -- they haven't responded to a text message I sent two days ago (per the instructions on their GoKM listing page).
