5 days ago
Handi-heritage: 10 craft cities and artisanal hubs in Asia worth visiting
2. Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Above Yogyakarta champions hand-drawn and stamped batik methods. (Photo: Mahmur Marganti / Unsplash)
Yogyakarta is the soul of Java, where batik isn't a souvenir—it's storytelling. Acknowledged by Unesco and part of the World Craft Cities Network, the city still champions hand-drawn and stamped batik methods. The process is slow: wax, dye, repeat. But the result? Patterns that carry generations of myth and meaning. For travellers, workshops near Taman Sari palace offer hands-on lessons, while the Kota Gede district whispers of silver-smithing traditions dating back to the Mataram kingdom. 3. Luang Prabang, Laos
In this Unesco-protected town, the Mekong's slow rhythm mirrors that of its weavers. The Ock Pop Tok centre is a modern-day guardian of Lao textile arts, but across the peninsula, you'll find homes where looms are part of the furniture. Weaving is largely the domain of women, and motifs are coded with animist beliefs and Buddhist symbolism. Luang Prabang is not (yet) a World Craft City, but it remains one of the most intimate places to witness living tradition, especially if you venture into the craft villages just outside town. 4. Suzhou, China
Often dubbed the 'Venice of the East', Suzhou's graceful canals cradle one of China's oldest and most revered silk-making traditions. For over 2,000 years, this city in Jiangsu province has been synonymous with sericulture, where silk farming and weaving transcend utility and become high art. Suzhou's embroidery, su xiu, is renowned for its double-sided technique—each side depicting a different scene, stitched so meticulously that not a thread betrays the illusion.
Though not officially recognised as a World Craft City, Suzhou's commitment to preserving its textile legacy is unwavering. Visit the Suzhou Silk Museum for a tactile lesson in dynastic-era fashion and stroll down Pingjiang Road, where the soft click of looms drifts from hidden ateliers tucked between teahouses and stone bridges. 5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, a darling of digital nomads, is also a sanctuary for traditional crafts. Named a World Craft City in 2017, it's where Lanna-era woodworking, umbrella painting in Bo Sang and hand-woven cotton in San Kamphaeng still thrive. Many hilltribe communities around Doi Suthep craft natural-dyed textiles using bark, roots and flowers. Increasingly, local designers are collaborating with these communities to create contemporary pieces without losing the soul of the handmade. Look for weekend craft fairs at Jing Jai Market for a curated intro. 6. Jaipur, India
Jaipur is chaos, colour and craftsmanship rolled into one. Declared a World Craft City in 2015, it's famed for hand block printing in Sanganer and Bagru, where mud-resist patterns are sun-dried before being dyed in hues that seem to defy time. Then there's the city's blue pottery: glazed with quartz instead of clay, making it one of India's few non-clay ceramics. Go early in the morning to catch artisans at work, and don't skip Anokhi Museum, housed in a restored haveli, for a primer on textile history. 7. Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An, a Unesco Creative City, has earned global recognition for preserving its rich handicraft and folk art traditions. Home to nearly 50 traditional crafts practised across five artisanal villages, the city is a living archive of Vietnamese heritage. From the intricate wood carvings of Kim Bong to the centuries-old pottery techniques of Thanh Ha, Hoi An's creative spirit thrives along the banks of the Thu Bon River. Visitors can join lantern-making or ceramic workshops, immersing themselves in a culture where craftsmanship is a daily rhythm. It's not just a heritage town; it's a working, breathing craft city with artistry at every turn.
See more: Hoi An's shadow in a heritage coffee space 8. Jeonju, South Korea
Jeonju isn't just the home of bibimbap. It's a designated World Craft City celebrated for its preservation of Korean traditional arts. At the heart of its identity is hanji, a durable, textured paper made from mulberry bark that's still used in everything from lanterns to furniture inlay. The city is also known for its hanbok tailoring and the meticulous making of calligraphy brushes, both art forms that demand precision, patience and a deep respect for tradition.
Most of the action is centred in Jeonju Hanok Village, where over 700 hanok, or traditional Korean houses, have been preserved or rebuilt. Here, crafts aren't behind glass. You can dye your own paper, try your hand at brush-making or even be fitted for a hanbok made by local artisans. Tip: book a night in a hanok stay to immerse fully. Imagine the pine-scented floors, papered doors and the distant sound of an ink brush gliding across parchment. 9. Siquijor, Philippines
Long known for mysticism and healing traditions, Siquijor is quietly cultivating a craft culture rooted in heritage and sustainability. While not yet a World Craft City, the island's creative revival is unmistakable. It's a trove for naturally dyed weaving using endemic plants, woodcarving inspired by local flora and fauna and healing balms derived from ancestral recipes. The island's unhurried pace nurtures a kind of craftsmanship that feels sacred, where making is both ritual and resistance.
Tip: in Lazi or Larena, stop by a community weaving centre and speak to elder women who still remember the stories behind each motif. 10. Tugaya, Philippines
In the mountainous heart of Lanao del Sur lies Tugaya, a remarkable Maranao craft village where nearly every household is an artisan. This isn't just a town with crafts; it's a town of craftsmen. Here, weaving, okir wood carving and brass casting are not hobbies but heritage, practised daily and passed down through generations. Artisans work on back-strap looms to produce intricate langkit tapestries, while others carve the flowing torogan motifs that once adorned royal homes.
Tugaya's cohesion as a living, working craft community is rare not just in the Philippines but across Asia. It's a powerful example of how traditional art forms can remain rooted and thriving within a collective cultural identity.
