Located within the West Zone Scenic Area of Wuzhen, Caomu Natural Color Dye Workshop (草木本色染坊) covers an area of 2500 square meters. Its dyeing techniques have a long history, dating back to the Han and Jin Dynasties nearly 2000 years ago. Since ancient times, the Wuzhen area has been renowned for its exquisite dyeing techniques and unique blue calico. With the changing times, this traditional craft has been well inherited and developed in Wuzhen, with Caomu Natural Color Dye Workshop being a shining example.
Caomu Natural Color Dye Workshop employs traditional natural dyes for coloring, such as indigo and polygonum tinctorium. Through processes like sun drying, soaking, and fermentation, natural dyes are extracted. These natural dyes not only have vibrant colors but are also harmless to the human body, aligning with environmental protection principles. During the dyeing process, artisans meticulously adjust and operate based on the fabric’s material and color requirements, resulting in unique colors and textures.
Blue calico is a representative product of Caomu Natural Color Dye Workshop. This fabric, predominantly blue with white patterns, often features motifs like flowers, birds, fish, insects, and landscapes, symbolizing auspiciousness and beauty. The production process of blue calico is intricate, involving spinning, weaving, printing, and dyeing. At Caomu Natural Color Dye Workshop, visitors can witness the production process of this traditional craft, experiencing the artisans’ exquisite skills and hard work. For those interested, there’s an opportunity to create their own piece of blue calico and enjoy the fun of fabric selection. Purchasing bags or clothes made from the fabric available in the adjacent shops is also a great choice.
The dyeing workshop’s large sun-drying area is paved with blue bricks, with rows of tall poles and ladder-like cloth-drying racks. It boasts a considerable scale. Rows of printed fabrics flutter in the wind, making it a picturesque spot for photography.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 0.5 – 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Included in the ticket for the western section of Wuzhen Water Town |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0573-88731864 |
Location and Transportation
Caomu Natural Color Dye Workshop is located at No. 18, Andufang, within the West Zone Scenic Area of Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. To get there, you can take bus Tongxiang K347, get off at Ciyun Temple Stop (慈云寺站), and walk about 350 meters to the north.
