Top Eastern China Classes & Workshops

This is more than a Mahjong class—it's a cultural journey in the heart of Shanghai's Former French Concession. Held in a local Chinese tea bar hidden in a real local neighborhood, this experience offers an authentic setting where you can learn Mahjong with a professional instructor. It’s the perfect mix of learning, culture, and relaxation. With professional Mahjong instructor provided, even complete beginners will feel confident as they discover Mahjong’s rules, play on automatic Mahjong tables, and explore the game’s rich history and social meaning in Chinese life. ✅ Hands-on Mahjong learning for all levels ✅ A rare look into everyday Chinese leisure life ✅ A perfect balance of learning and playing ✅ Fun, social, and culturally enriching Don’t just visit Shanghai—experience it like a local. After Mahjong class, you can have a walk around Former French Concession such as famous Tianzifang nearby. Book now and join us for Mahjong, tea, and stories you’ll never forget.

Escape the urban rush in a serene Shanghai park. Train under Master John – an elite instructor whose rare skills come from 15+ years mastering Tai Chi, Wing Chun, and Sanda under China’s national team coaches. Why Choose This Experience: UNIQUE ACCESS: Learn from a coach who trained Gary Locke (Former US Commerce Secretary) and Fortune 500 giants like Volkswagen, Goldman Sachs & Air France. TWO ICONIC ARTS: Flow through Tai Chi’s meditative movements or master Wing Chun’s lightning defenses. Want both? Add the second(add-on) session! ELITE TECHNIQUES: John teaches rare combat applications – from Tai Chi’s soft-power throws to Wing Chun’s close-quarter strikes – honed through championship wins. NO PRIOR SKILLS NEEDED: Patient, personalized corrections adapt to all levels. Your Session Includes: Warm-ups Master John’s live demonstrations Hands-on practice with posture refinement Power drills & self-defense applications Qigong energy work & standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang)

Eating is one of the great pleasures of visiting China. Learn how to take the experience back home with you in this private dim sum cooking class in Shanghai's French Concession. Under your instructor's guidance, gain a deeper understanding of flavors and techniques as you learn how to make your choice of two bite-size treats, including dumplings, egg rolls, and desserts.

Capture the essence of traditional Chinese culture with a unique photoshoot experience at Shanghai's iconic Yu Garden. Choose from a stunning selection of authentic Hanfu outfits from the Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties, complemented by professional makeup and ancient hairstyles. An experienced photographer guides you to the most picturesque spots, ensuring you leave with 30 original raw photos and 6 beautifully retouched images. This immersive experience is perfect for anyone wanting to create lasting memories in a historic setting.

In addition to visiting the picturesque West Lake and Longjin tea garden, our immersive Chinese Kungfu Class featuring Taiichi, Shaolin Boxing, and Qigong will elevate your holiday experience. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn authentic Chinese Kungfu, but you will also gain valuable insights into maintaining health that can be applied even after returning home. Furthermore, our indoor and outdoor options cater to all weather conditions and are suitable for individuals of all ages - perfect for families with children or advanced practitioners. With English-speaking staff on hand, we guarantee an enriching cultural experience, insider knowledge, and unforgettable encounters with local traditions. Our activities are particularly well-suited for families with children as well as advanced enthusiasts.

This experience lets you explore two different traditional Chinese arts in one afternoon, allowing you to create a personalised experience based on your interests. You can choose from: Chinese Knotting; Chinese Ink Painting & Calligraphy; Peking Opera Mask Painting & Dress-Up; Traditional Paper Cutting (more details below). Each activity is taught in a small-group setting with plenty of individual guidance, making it suitable even for complete beginners. You'll not only make authentic handmade souvenirs to take home, but also learn the cultural stories and symbolism behind each craft. The workshop is designed to be immersive, interactive, and memorable, giving you the opportunity to experience Chinese culture through creating, and hands-on participation rather than simply observing.

Learn the ancient Chinese art form of calligraphy and create a unique souvenir with this small-group calligraphy class with a local artist. Discover the history of Chinese calligraphy, learn how to use the tools and basic writing technique, then create your own piece of art in the form of a traditional folding fan decorated with calligraphy.

Find your center under the guidance of a seasoned practitioner with decades of experience and fluent English. Begin with gentle warm-ups before learning foundational movements. As morning mist rises from the river, discover the philosophy of balance, the art of Qigong breath control, and the inner strength cultivated in each posture. Alternatively, you can choose to gather in the peaceful People's Park in the evening, where there are ancient trees and serene gardens, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The core of this experience is your head coach - not just a coach, but a living treasure trove of martial arts traditions. They have rich communication experience with international tourists, vividly bringing Tai Chi art into life and sharing the legendary origin stories of Tai Chi from the Taoist sage Zhang Sanfeng to the great Chen, Yang, and Wu families. Feel the energy of Shanghai as you practice Tai Chi at dawn or dusk Learn the art of Tai Chi from a master instructor

More Than a Class—An Immersive Journey Discover a Hidden Sanctuary: Tucked away in Shanghai's vibrant former French Concession, our studio is a peaceful haven designed for immersion. Leave the noise of the city behind and find your focus in our exclusive, private space. Guidance from a Legacy Practitioner: Your teacher, Master Zhou, doesn't just teach calligraphy—she lives it. Hailing from a lineage of calligraphers and with 18 years of mentoring students, she offers an authentic and insightful learning experience that is both expert and patient. Create Your Personal Masterpiece: This isn't just a lesson; it's a creation. You won't just practice strokes—you'll apply them to craft a unique souvenir: a classic Chinese fan adorned with your own brushwork. It's a meaningful piece of art and a lasting memory of your cultural journey.

A calming, creative experience suitable for all age groups, this workshop offers a relaxed way to connect with Chinese performing arts through color and symbolism. Small group sizes and a peaceful setting make it welcoming for both children and adults.

Master the culinary secrets of China in a hands-on cooking class that takes place in the heart of Shanghai. Learn to prepare iconic dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken and delightful Shepherd's Purse Wonton, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of a local kitchen. This immersive experience offers not just cooking skills but a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine!

Explore the intricate world of Chinese art and culture in a hands-on silk fan painting workshop, set in a tranquil studio near Jing’an Temple. Over three engaging hours, delve into the historical significance of Chinese painting while using traditional tools and techniques to create your own masterpiece. This workshop offers an intimate atmosphere, ensuring personalized attention as you sip on tea and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. No prior experience is needed—just bring your creativity and passion for learning.

Enjoy drinks and socialize at top spots. Discover the Shanghai nightlife that earned the highest praise. Experience the bars and crowds that make our reviews unbeatable. Your epic night starts here! Experience the vibrant nightlife of Shanghai on a guided pub crawl. Meet new friends as you explore the city’s top bars and clubs. Enjoy a night of fun, drinks, and dancing in one of the world’s most exciting cities. This pub crawl features loads of fun and lots of interesting talks with fellow travelers and locals, while having opportunity to enjoy a variety of drinks in our hand-picked highly-rated bars (all with unique & distinctive ambiance) in Shanghai. The tour size is purposefully kept small so your local guide will be able to pay attention to every participant's interest and need, and always make sure everyone highly engaged and have chance chat with your guide, have fun with other participants and mingle with local bar visitors.

Discover the unique art of pottery using fine high-white clay from Jingdezhen—the porcelain capital of China. Guided by an experienced instructor, you’ll experience the full creative journey: from shaping your piece on the wheel to decorating and painting with beautiful underglaze colors. Everything is provided—tools, glazes, and professional high-temperature firing—so you can focus purely on creating. Whether you're joining us alone, with a partner, as a family, or with friends, this hands-on workshop offers a meaningful and memorable experience for all. Take your time to perfect your piece—there’s no rush. Once fired in your kiln, your finished artwork will be ready to take home as a special handmade keepsake.

•Hyper-Local Immersion: Explore a vibrant market, favorite among Shanghai locals. •Crash Course in Chinese: Learn essential "market mandarin" to interact with vendors and ask for those "free scallions." •Hands-on Cooking: Move beyond the demo—every guest prepares their own signature dish from scratch. •Small-Group Intimacy: Enjoy a personalized experience with plenty of time for photos, stories, and social sharing.

Welcome to the Warm Home of Shanghai！ Join an immersive dumpling-making experience, enjoy Chinese cuisine, forge cultural connections and receive free travel guidance of Shanghai and surrounding. Craft Your Own Dumplings, under the guidance of a passionate Shanghai homemaker, you'll roll out dough, shape wrappers, and mix fillings to create your very own delicious dumplings. Each dumpling carries our welcome and blessings, making you feel at home even in a foreign land. Cultural Exchange, Lifelong Friendship ‍‍‍ During this experience, you're not just a tourist but a part of our family. We look forward to sharing our stories with you, learning about your cultural background, and together building a bridge of friendship.

Learn to paint elegant Chinese artwork in this private ink and brush painting workshop in Shanghai. This is the art of shui mo, or water and ink. Your instructor and local guide/translator will help share the techniques with you. You’ll be collected from your hotel in downtown Shanghai and taken to the workshop in the French Concession. Enjoy tea, painting, and relaxing today in this class lasting two to three hours.

Authentic Flavor, fun hands-on experience. we teach you the real techniques of Chinese cuisine. Our class is fully customizable to your cravings, 100% hands-on, and taught in fluent English. You leave with a delicious meal and the skill to recreate genuine flavors in your home kitchen.

It is a chance to sit comfortably, rest your legs, and immerse yourself in a quiet moment of creation. Through the craft of Luodian, you will gain a genuine understanding of Chinese history and culture in a relaxed setting. The process is completely beginner-friendly—no artistic skill is required. By the end of the session, you will have not just a rested body and mind, but a beautiful, unique accessory made by your own hands to remember your journey.

Just a short drive from West Lake , Meijiawu Tea Village offers an immersive journey into Longjing tea culture. Don traditional blue-and-white garb, learn to identify premium "one-bud-one-leaf" shoots, and under expert guidance, try the centuries-old iron-wok roasting technique—feeling the leaves crisp and release their signature nutty aroma. After roasting, steep your own creation in spring water, and savor its fresh, grassy sweetness—a moment that ties all the steps together. This hands-on experience yields more than skills; you'll gain insider knowledge on tea grading, brewing, and history. Perfect for families with children who love tactile learning, culture enthusiasts, and adventurous travelers seeking authentic encounters, this activity transforms a casual visit into a profound connection with Hangzhou's rural heritage. You'll leave with a newfound respect for every cup and a story worth telling.

Learn to make Shanghai’s signature dumpling, xiao long bao, in this cooking class in Shanghai. These are called soup dumplings, because they have a broth inside the dumpling itself. Your teacher will be a passionate foodie, who will show you the technique involved. You’ll make some yourself, and cook them two ways. At the end, eat them together, and leave with a full belly and the recipe.

Create your own piece of Chinese art in a calm, small-group workshop guided by an experienced instructor. You’ll choose between painting a fan or decorating a traditional lantern using Chinese ink and calligraphy, and take home a handmade souvenir. With group sizes limited, the experience is relaxed, beginner-friendly, and a refreshing cultural break from busy sightseeing.

Expert Guidance: The instructor is highly knowledgeable, with deep expertise in Dunhuang art and culture. Customizable Designs: Choose from a wide range of traditional mural patterns—majestic Buddhas, graceful Bodhisattvas, or mythical creatures like the Nine-colored Deer from ancient Chinese folktales. Hands-on Experience: You'll use authentic materials such as mineral pigments, clay boards, and traditional tools to recreate historic art in a peaceful, meditative setting. Cultural Immersion: The quiet, serene classroom atmosphere offers a rare chance to connect deeply with China’s spiritual and artistic traditions.