Top Eastern China Cooking Classes

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.

Explore a Local Market: Dive into a bustling Shanghai wet market and discover fresh, seasonal ingredients. ‍ Hands-On Cooking Class: Learn to cook 4 traditional Chinese dishes (2 meat, 2 veg) with a skilled local chef. Enjoy Your Creations: Savor a delicious meal of the dishes you’ve prepared, paired with rice or noodles. Chinese Tea Tasting: Relax with a cultural tea session and learn about China’s rich tea traditions. Take Home Recipes: Impress friends and family with your new skills and authentic recipes!

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture with vegan cooking, a tailored Mandarin lesson, and a market walk, all while enjoying hands-on activities and authentic meals that connect language, cuisine, and tradition for a truly unique experience.

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.

Stroll through lush mountain forests in traditional indigo tea-picking attire. Listen to local masters share the 1,200-year history of Longjing tea and its grading system. Explore an ecological organic tea garden, learn the "pinch-pull" picking technique, identify premium tea buds and pick them by hand to experience the hard-earned "green gold" of this famous tea. **Complimentary 3–5 minute raw drone footage included.** Enter the teahouse and gather around a traditional iron wok. Try hand-firing tea under masters’ guidance and learn the ten core tea-making techniques. Watch fresh leaves transform in the wok as rich roasted tea aroma fills the air. Featured experience: Learn Song Dynasty tea art. Use a tea whisk to create frothy tea foam and draw your favourite patterns or Chinese characters on the tea surface. At the end of the tour, relax on the elegant tea garden terrace. Sip fragrant tea and enjoy unique tea plantation flavours, concluding a complete Jiangnan tea culture journey.

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.

Wan Ling will share her unique experiences of sourcing the teas you will enjoy during the experience. As we know the exact provenance of each of the teas, we can share about each tea's journey from field to cup, as well as give you an insight into the people and places behind the teas. Our tea house provides a calm and relaxing space, which allows you to focus on enjoying the tea and gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese tea and tea culture. You are encouraged to engage and ask any questions you have, so we hope that you will feel confident when talking and enjoying tea in the future.

Delve into the world of traditional Chinese medicine with a 3 to 4-hour hands-on workshop focused on health-preserving teas. Participants will gain insights into essential concepts of health preservation and learn effective techniques for alleviating conditions like dysmenorrhea and insomnia. The experience includes traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis, offering a unique opportunity to understand personal health better. To top it off, participants will craft their own health tea bags, ensuring they leave with a personalized touch of wellness in hand.

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.

Most Shanghai tours take you to the Bund or Yu Garden. This one takes you down a street where locals actually live. Discover a quieter, more personal side of Shanghai on a small-group walking tour through the historic Xinhua Road neighborhood. This experience concludes at a local tea house, where you will be introduced to the history of Chinese tea and the six major tea families (green, white, yellow, oolong, red, and dark tea). Discover the tools used for brewing, learn how to prepare tea in a local way, and practice pouring and tasting tea with guidance from your host. Combining urban history, architecture, community culture, and hands-on tea preparation, this experience offers a relaxed and engaging way to discover Shanghai beyond the usual tourist trail.

We hope that orders can be placed at least 24 hours ahead of the cut-off time, so that we can have more time to prepare and ensure a pleasant experience for you. At noon, we will pick you up and drive you to a Chess and Cards Room to learn mahjong. The activity will last for about four hours. During the activity, our instructor will introduce the basic rules of mahjong and three core moves. Under his guidance, you will quickly get the hang of this game. Then, we will transfer to another location to attend a cooking class, which will last for about three hours. After booking, please leave us a message telling us which food you would like to make during the cooking class so that we can prepare materials accordingly. During the class, a local chef will instruct you to hand-make Chinese foods and introduce their cultural significance, helping you better understand Chinese culture. After the activity, we will drive you back to the original location.

This experience is unique because it combines： - Song Dynasty Tea Whisking (Dian Cha) - Tasting & Brewing different Traditional Chinese Teas - Authentic Chinese Ambiance Unlike standard tea tastings, it offers hands-on brewing, a serene traditional space, and the optional chance to wear Hanfu for a fully immersive experience. It’s a perfect blend of history, flavor, and culture!

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.

Explore the vibrant heart of Shanghai with a morning filled with local flavors and cultural craftsmanship. Begin your adventure at bustling wet markets, where the sights and sounds of the early morning create an authentic atmosphere. Savor a traditional breakfast of da bing, you tiao, and more from local stalls that have perfected these dishes over generations. Join locals in community parks for tai chi and traditional games, before diving into hands-on workshops where you can craft your own jewelry and experience a Song Dynasty tea ceremony. This tour promises deep cultural insights and engaging activities that connect you with the essence of Shanghai. - Dive into Shanghai’s local life at bustling wet markets - Savor a traditional breakfast from hidden alleyway stalls - Join locals for tai chi and cultural games in community parks - Create Mother-of-Pearl Inlay jewelry and whisk tea in hands-on workshops

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.

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

Enjoy an immersive cultural experience in Shanghai that brings together two of China’s most beloved traditions: handmade dumplings and authentic tea tasting. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to make one type of traditional Chinese dim sum—Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings), Boiled Dumplings, or Pan-fried Dumplings—followed by a guided tasting of all six major Chinese tea categories. Ideal for travelers seeking a meaningful cultural activity, this experience combines cooking, tasting, storytelling, and cross-cultural interaction.

Set in a historic Shanghai villa with a private Chinese-style garden, this experience combines Chinese tea culture with traditional calligraphy in an intimate setting. Guests enjoy a guided tea tasting, learn about Chinese tea traditions, and receive a personalized Chinese name based on the sound or meaning of their original name. They will then practice writing their new Chinese name in calligraphy with guidance from an experienced instructor, creating a meaningful keepsake and a more personal connection to Chinese culture.

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.

Recapture the sophistication and magic of old Shanghai on this unique night tour: a private Chinese banquet in a hidden villa. Begin with a tea ritual accompanied by a private “qin” (zither) performance. Then head into the private dining room to feast on a menu of organic vegetables, fine meat, and seafood chosen while still alive. Your evening includes transfers by premier vehicle: Alcoholic drinks are at your own expense.

Unlike typical cultural tours or standalone spa treatments, our experience offers a deeply personalized understanding of your body and chinese medicine. We don't just demonstrate TCM—we immerse you in it with organic-certified herbs, licensed practitioners, and insights you can take with you after the experience. We also welcome you to personalize your experience. Please reach out to us for possibilities.

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.

Craft NICH (national intangible cultural heritage)-listed Nanxiang Xiaolongbao, explore ancient gardens and a 1,000-year-old water town, and immerse in Shanghai's culinary heritage and Jiangnan charm. Highlights : - Hands-on Heritage Craft: Roll, fill, and steam your own Xiaolongbao under the guidance from an Intangible Cultural Heritage inheritor. - Immersive Cultural Setting: Craft buns in a traditional Chinese courtyard, surrounded by artifacts of Nanxiang's culinary legacy. - Historic Gardens & Ancient Town: Explore Ming-era Guyi Garden and Nanxiang's 1,000-year-old pagodas, blending history with local charm. - Gourmet Ritual: Savor freshly steamed buns with ginger-infused vinegar, following the local mantra: "Lift gently, move slowly, open a window, sip the broth first". - Stress-Free: All-inclusive: Private transport + meal, with dietary options. Itinerary: Nanxiang Steamed Bun Cultural Hall (Xiaolongbao making)- Guyi Garden-Nanxiang Old Town- Twin Pagodas

This journey offers a carefully curated immersion where the aroma of ancient tea blends with the architectural legacy of international concessions—a multi-sensory exploration of how Hankou’s tea trade shaped global history. Begin your journey where Hankou’s tea legacy touched the world. This experience symbolizes the convergence of Chinese tea culture and European demand. Muse Art Gallery, Yunlee Banking Corporation (Built 1946). Step into a repurposed bank vault that once secured fortunes from the tea trade. Located in the former British Concession, this space embodies the financial power that supported Hankou’s global commerce. Today, it fuses historical finance with contemporary art. Explore Hankou’s earliest luxury apartments. This mansion—nestled near the old Russian Concession—stands as a monument to the wealth and cultural exchange generated by the tea trade. Its architecture reflects the opulence and foreign influence that once dominated Hankou’s landscape.