Top Shanghai Art Classes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A calm, hands-on introduction to a traditional Chinese craft, focused on patience, rhythm, and meaning. Small group sizes allow for personal guidance in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Visit two of southern China’s most celebrated water towns, all in one private day trip from Shanghai. Travel to Suzhou to explore its historical canals and bridges, and visit its Humble Administrator’s Garden and one of its silk factories. After lunch (own expense), choose to visit Zhouzhuang or Tongli, two ancient water towns famous for their stone bridges, tranquil canals, and Ming- and Qing-era houses. Enjoy a flexible itinerary, with central hotel pickup and drop-off included.

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.

By fusing traditional Chinese elements into photography, the craft of picturesque photography inherits and carries forward the traditional Chinese culture, turning photography into painting-like art piece. ?Carefully overlapping the photographs with elaborate Chinese realistic style painting and adjusting the tone, we converge dreams with reality. By shining classic lights into modern photographs, fusing photography and Chinese classic art into one, we promise to turn the real you into a piece of art. Recommend to contact us by email or cell phone first before you put your order.

Stroll through the Shanghai's trendy French Concession neighborhood with a guide on this private walking tour. Follow your guide's lead to unearth hidden courtyards, Art Deco buildings, and typical Shanghai street scenes. Highlights include the Lanxin Theater, the Cathay Mansion, the former residence of Dr. Sun-Yat Sen, Fuxing Park, and others. Includes all entrance fees and option to visit a tea house.

This experience lets you explore two different traditional Chinese arts in one afternoon, allowing you to create a personalised experience based on your interests. 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.

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.

Simple, meditative, and deeply traditional, this experience offers insight into everyday Chinese folk art through careful handwork and thoughtful design, guided in a small, relaxed group.

This isn't just a calligraphy class—it's an immersive dive into the heart of Shanghai's rich cultural heritage. Held in the historic Qibao Ancient Town, this experience takes you into the world of traditional Chinese calligraphy in an authentic, hands-on setting. Learn from a skilled calligraphy master as you explore the art, history, and meaning behind this ancient practice. - Hands-on Chinese calligraphy learning for all levels - Explore the rich history and culture of Chinese calligraphy - Create your own calligraphy masterpiece to take home - Savor local delicacies in the charming Qibao Ancient Town - English-speaking guide for a smooth and enriching experience Don’t just visit Shanghai—immerse yourself in its cultural traditions. Book now and experience Chinese calligraphy, history, and local flavors in one unforgettable journey.

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.

It's an immersive journey into the vibrant world of Chinese drama, right in the heart of Shanghai. Spend your morning stepping into the fascinating history and artistry of traditional Chinese theater through an engaging, hands-on experience designed for all curious travelers. Hands-on Chinese theater activities: craft your own theatrical miniature props Try on authentic traditional costumes and experience the magic of the stage Gain exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the evolution of Chinese drama, from Kunqu Opera to Peking Opera Visit an iconic historic theater, home to the renowned Shanghai Peking Opera Company English-speaking guide for a smooth, informative, and unforgettable experience Don’t just see Shanghai—experience its stories, traditions, and stagecraft firsthand. Book now and bring the spirit of Chinese theater to life in this one-of-a-kind cultural adventure!

Explore Jinze's living heritage: a 1300-year-old water town tour where ancient bridges whisper dynastic secrets, and a master artist guides you to create your own ink-wash poetry. Highlights: - Brushstroke Enlightenment: Dive into Jiangnan's waterways to master ink art with a local artist, where canals and ink whispers revive China's cultural soul - Bridge Chronicles: Seven dynastic bridges (Song-Yuan-Ming-Qing) form an open-air museum, showcasing 700 years of engineering genius - Sacred Fusion: Yihao Temple blends Zen spirituality with Southern Song PM/poet Lu Yihao's legacy, alongside the Yuan-dynasty stone masterpiece Unbroken Clouds - Poetic Jiangnan: Jinze's canals weave classic Jiangnan views—tiny bridges, streams, and cottages turn countryside into living poetry - Stress-Free: All-inclusive: Private transport + meals, with dietary options Itinerary: Jinze Ancient Town-Seven Ancient Bridges-Yihao Zen Temple-Master's Studio-Tea tasting

Dive into the 3,000-year legacy of Chinese seal art—where history, philology, and craftsmanship collide. This workshop is your bridge to understanding this UNESCO-recognized Chinese Intangible Heritage as both art and cultural DNA. After a systematic cultural decoding session, you'll carve your own irreplaceable seal! Two Editions Available (welcome to pick : ) 1. Standard Workshop (3 hours): offers a complete decoding-and-carving journey 2. Master Class + Private Studio Visit (4 hours): antique market tour + relic seal appreciation + hands-on coaching in master's private studio —— an elevated experience unavailable anywhere else Our Core Uniqueness: a) Pioneering "Decode + Create" system blending history with practice b) World-class master featuring a Ferrari-collaborated, Shanghai Museum-exhibited artist c) Fully personalized approach—no templates, just your story carved with human touch that no machine can replicate

Experience traditional calligraphy in an exclusive private studio, led by a disciple of a renowned Qing Dynasty calligrapher (Wu Changshuo). Learn the art of calligraphy in a quiet studio tucked away in a historic 1930s lane. The studio is part of a heritage-protected building, offering a peaceful and authentic setting for you. By the end of your session, you'll have your own calligraphy artwork to take home as personal reminder of the experience.

If you are interested in Chinese culture and traditional handicrafts, you shouldn't miss this opportunity. Under the guidance of your instructor, you can choose to make one of the following five Intangible Cultural Heritage handicrafts, including Shell Inlaying, Cloisonné Coaster-making, Tie-dye, Kingfisher Feather Art, and Scented Pendant-making. Shell Inlaying: Learn to grind and embed colorful shells onto a base, then polish them into a hairpin or brooch. Cloisonné: Learn the art of copper wiring and enamel coloring to design, seal, and polish your very own cloisonné coaster. Tie-dye: Learn the art of fabric binding and indigo dyeing to craft your own personalized blue-and-white T-shirt or tote bag. Kingfisher Feather Art: Learn the art of applying colorful feathers to design and create your very own handmade hairpin or brooch as a keepsake. Scented Pendants: Learn to blend natural incense and mold it by hand to create your very own fragrant and personalized traditional pendant.

Travelers can experience the Chinese Cheongsam outfits, the Bund (Hema) Photo Studio will take photos for them and make the photos into pictorial photography. PLEASE CONTACT US AT FIRST TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO TAKE PHOTOS BECAUSE THE PRICES ARE DIFFERENT DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF DRESSES AND PICTURES. By fusing traditional Chinese elements into photography, the craft of picturesque photography inherits and carries forward the traditional Chinese culture, turning photography into painting-like art piece. ?Carefully overlapping the photographs with elaborate Chinese realistic style painting and adjusting the tone, we converge dreams with reality. By shining classic lights into modern photographs, fusing photography and Chinese classic art into one, we promise to turn the real you into a piece of art. Recommend to contact us by email or cell phone first before you put your order.

Rather than rushing to keep up with a large group, explore Hangzhou at your own pace on a private day trip that you can customize according to your interests. Traveling by bullet train means you'll save hours stuck in traffic, while exploring with a private guide promises undivided attention at highlights such as West Lake and the Longjin Tea Farm.