The Tibetans have long been famed for their centuries-old craftsmanship of woolen weaving, with Bangdian 邦典 and Kadian 卡垫 as typical representative styles.

Bangdian: Tibetan Apron

Bangdian, Tibetan for 'apron' is a kind of woolen fabric very popular among Tibetan women. It is woven with wool-spun thread, which are then dyed and woven into strips.

When making it, one should piece together the strips into a rectangle, add a layer of lining below it, and two strips to the two ends of the upper part. The fabric is close and delicate and the color is bright, making the apron beautiful and tasteful.
The most outstanding character of Bangdian is its contrasting colors.Colors of the same kind are used boldly and arranged ingeniously and harmoniously. Wide strips of some aprons with strongly contrasting colors are displayed together, some narrow strips with the same kinds of colors are combined, and some strips with pure primary colors are inserted into many strips with secondary colors. In terms of disposition, some colors are displayed from dark to light by groups, and some are random without being divided into groups, which results in rough and bright or refined and mild styles.

Bangdian used to be worn by married women, and now unmarried girls also like to wear it. On festive and happy occasions, women wear it around their waists, which is like a rainbow wrapping the body. When several women cluster together, it is colorful, delicate and charming.

Bangdians are mainly produced in Shannan,Shigatse and Lhasa, with the products made in Gyaidexiu Township of Konggar County in Shannan area being the most famous. Gyaidexiu is "the hometown of Bangdian," with an apron-producing history of about 600 years. Almost every household in the town weaves woolen aprons, which not only enjoy fame on the domestic market, but are also sold in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Western European countries.

Kadian: Tibetan Cushion

Kadian are Tibetan people's favorite cushions. They can also be called small rugs, and are usually about 0.9 meters by 1.8 meters in size -- this size fits the function as both a seating area and small bed in many Tibetan houses.

Ka of Kadian means "above" in Tibetan. This is because the Kadian is placed up above the seat. Traditionally, Kadian, made of colorful cashmere and felt, wears well. It is used for sitting or sleeping on, rather than for spreading out as floor coverings. It can be used to keep warm, and is waterproof. It is not only comfortable bedding but also a beautiful adornment.

The felt produced on the Tibet plateau is hard but flexible, and contains long fibers, which makes it good raw material for Kadian.

Kadian is produced all over Tibet. The ones from Gyangze of Shigatse area are special. The area of Gyangze, with a history of 600 years in rug-making, has long been famous as 'the home of Kadian.' In Gyangze, every family knows how to make carpets. Gyangze is well known for not only its singular weaving technique, but its especially bright colors. All the dyes are made from local leaves, the roots of herbs, and mineral stones, except for red and black. These colors are very bright and colorfast.

Kadian of Gyangze is not only famous in China but also has a big market in India, Nepal, and Bhutan.