Top Eastern China Food & Drink Classes in 2026

The world of Chinese tea is as complex and nuanced as fine French wine. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or looking for the perfect souvenir, kickstart your understanding with this in-depth, small-group workshop. Try five different teas paired with traditional nibbles and learn how to prepare them like a pro in a classically elegant tearoom in downtown Shanghai. It’s an enriching encounter with tea’s flavors, cultures, science, and art.

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.

Take a private cooking class in the home of your chef-instructor to learn about Chinese cuisine and experience daily life in Shanghai. Start with hotel pickup and a guided market tour that includes samples of popular snacks. Then head to your instructor’s home for a hands-on cooking lesson. Afterward, enjoy a lunch or dinner that you helped to make, accompanied by lively conversation.

You'll get a hands-on training from a professional local chef and will learn new cooking techniques that can easily be repeated at home.You'll discover our traditions and learn historical tips about our unique cuisine,Vegetarians are welcome. Let me know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions

A slow, hands-on introduction to Chinese culture where you learn by doing. Small groups, personal guidance, and a peaceful setting inside a vegetarian restaurant make this a relaxed and authentic experience.

- Shop like a local: Explore a real wet market and pick your own ingredients, just like Chinese home cooks do every day - Discover Chinese food culture: Learn about unique local ingredients, seasonal eating, and the philosophy behind everyday Chinese meals - Cook authentic home-style dishes: We teach what Chinese people actually eat at home — not just restaurant version - Truly hands-on: Chop, stir, fry, taste — you do every step yourself, guided with care - Understand flavors, not just follow recipes: Learn the meaning behind ingredients and techniques - Immersive & intimate: It’s personal, local, and real — like being welcomed into someone’s kitchen, not a tourist class - Cultural connection through food: Leave with a full belly and a deeper understanding of Chinese daily life

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.

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.

This is a Chinese Tea Culture experience suitable for all levels, including beginners. In this trip, you can learn Chinese tea systematically. Not only can you see, feel and taste those fine tea to find your favorite, but also you can relax and enjoy the tea ceremony offered by our professionals at Tianshan Tea City, complete with a detailed presentation. You’ll explore at least six types of premium teas, engaging in an in-depth tasting journey that lets you discover each tea’s unique characteristics. After this trip, you will be equipped with basic Chinese Tea knowledge, which enables you to tell the categories and the quality of Chinese Tea. Also, with the guide of our professionals, you will have the chance to make tea by yourself just like a tea expert! First Sip of Tea: Your first taste of Chinese tea culture, where every sip begins a journey into tradition and discovery.

Soup dumpling is a signature dish of Shanghai. Immerse yourself in local culinary traditions, and learn to make vegan versions of this classic dish, in this small-group cooking class in Shanghai. Get hands-on instruction and learn the different steps to making this iconic dish from scratch, then enjoy the dumplings you made together.

Follow one of the most experienced teacher to do Chinese Tea Ceremony and play 3000-year-old Chinese musical instrument Guqin. You will not only taste different kinds of tea, but also do Tea ceremony by yourself. Then followed by learning how to play Guqin. The Guqin is a seven-stringed zither with a long slightly curved body, known for its ethereal and serene sound. In 1977, a classical Guqin music has been recorded and send it to space by American space shuttle. Your teacher will be very patient to show you different skills for playing Guqin. Join us for this special and unforgettable culture experience while you are in Shanghai. Hotel pick-up is included.

Hidden in central Shanghai. Wan Ling Tea House is a peaceful oasis. Emerse yourself in the moment and enjoy the wonderful tastes and aromas of fine Chinese tea, whilst learning about tea ceremonies.

Discover the vibrant nightlife of Shanghai with a unique bar crawl through the historic Former French Concession. This experience blends social drinking and traditional Chinese culture, starting with local craft beers and the engaging game of 'Liar’s Dice.' Enjoy personalized cocktails informed by a professional TCM pulse reading, designed to enhance your Qi. Guided by a lively English-speaking host, this journey transforms strangers into friends while enjoying drinks that honor ancient wellness traditions. - Unique bar crawl in Shanghai's historic Former French Concession - Engage in the legendary drinking game 'Liar’s Dice' - Experience personalized cocktails based on a TCM pulse reading - Led by an entertaining English-speaking local host

•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.

Take a seat at nimThé's tea table in M50 Art District, near Tian An 1000 Trees, for a relaxed introduction to Chinese tea. Taste five teas plus a seasonal welcome tea, enjoy Chinese tea snacks, and follow your curiosity with an English-speaking host. With a maximum of four guests, there is time to smell, sip, compare, and ask questions in a modern, comfortable space. Fit the tasting into your own day exploring M50's galleries and the surrounding neighbourhood.

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!

This tea tour immerses yourself in the rich tradition of Chinese tea with an exclusive Chinese Tea Culture Experience. The venue is close to Shanghai's former French Concession area, close to Tianzifang or Xujiahui. Why Choose Our Chinese Tea Tour? 1. Discover Authentic Chinese Traditions – Go beyond drinking tea and uncover the deep history, philosophy, and artistry behind Chinese tea culture. 2. Gain Hands-on Skills – Experience three authentic brewing styles, from Song Dynasty tea whisking to traditional Chinese tea ceremony, and take these timeless skills home. 3. Learn from a Tea Expert – Gain insights from a professional tea master with over 10 years of experience in tea selection and evaluation. This experience is ideal for tea lovers, culture seekers, and anyone looking to slow down and connect with China’s rich heritage in a memorable way.

Most Shanghai food experiences are built around a chef, a studio, or a script. These are built around a family. +1 Chopsticks is China's first home dining marketplace — we personally curate local host families and connect them with international travelers who want more than another restaurant meal. The food is seasonal and made from scratch. The conversation is genuine. And the home you're sitting in is exactly that — someone's actual home, not a staged set. No two dinners are the same because no two families are the same. The hosts each bring something different to the table. A Jiading Ayi who has been welcoming international guests since 2016 and grows her own vegetables in a backyard garden. A Guizhou-born host who spent a decade in the US and bridges both cultures fluently. A Shanghai family who will teach you to fold dumplings before you sit down to eat.

Step into a local Shanghai home for an intimate Chinese cooking class and in-home dining experience centered on authentic Jiā Cháng Cài (Chinese home-style cooking). Learn to make handmade Chinese dumplings from scratch, master traditional folding techniques, and enjoy the meal you helped cook while discovering stories, traditions, and food culture that shape everyday life in Shanghai. More than a typical Shanghai cooking class, this private experience offers authentic Chinese home cooking and meaningful cultural connections - perfect for travelers seeking unique things to do in Shanghai.

Explore the rich tapestry of Chinese tea culture during a captivating 2-hour session in Shanghai. Engage in a traditional Gongfu tea ceremony that reveals the artistry behind tea preparation, and master the brewing technique using a Gaiwan. Taste and appreciate four premium teas, from delicate white to robust oolong, while discovering how different years、 terroirs and manufacturing process influence flavor. This experience is perfect for travelers eager to deepen their understanding of this ancient tradition and elevate their tea appreciation. More importantly, fully immerse yourself in the joy brought by high-quality Chinese tea.

Highlights Systematic introduction to China’s six major tea categories Guided tasting of 4 different Chinese teas Learn how tea processing shapes flavor and character Small-group setting for a more personal experience Includes Chinese tea snacks Ideal for solo travelers and first-time tea learners

Discover the elegance of tea culture with a 60-minute journey through the six classic teas of China at our Tianzifang teahouse in Shanghai. This private class, designed for up to five participants, invites you to learn traditional brewing techniques and delve into the rich stories behind each tea. Enjoy a serene atmosphere as you savor the distinct flavors and aromas that have been cherished for centuries, making it an enriching experience for both tea enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

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.