Dream weavers' misty mountain retreat

Zhi said she had noticed that many young people seemed to be quitting their jobs on impulse and heading for the mountains to spend money pursuing their interests.

For her generation, stability tended to come first. Even when people wanted to quit their job, they were expected to find another one before handing in their notice. Young people today, Zhi said, seemed more willing to make decisions based on what they want for themselves.

"We don't always understand it, but we respect their choices," she said.

The craft classes in Guizhou might not necessarily lead to new careers or business opportunities, but, at the very least, they are opening the door to a different life for many young people.

"By the end of the course, they can take home several meters of fabric. Whether the skill will prove useful in the end is something they can think about after they get back," Yi said.