China · CALLIGRAPHY AND CRAFT CLASSES IN BEIJING
Good calligraphy and craft classes in Beijing fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet your English-speaking calligraphy teacher at Sun World Dynasty Hotel in Wangfujing for a 30-minute or one-hour lesson. You will learn brush handling, basic strokes, Chinese calligraphy styles, and the meaning behind selected characters. Richard is often the instructor, with David and Li also named, and you may take home a finished piece.
“We loved this activity! Richard was so friendly and a great instructor!”
Meet an art teacher at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing for a 30-minute to 2-hour Chinese calligraphy lesson. Practice brush handling, posture, and basic strokes, then create a personal piece to take home. Richard and other teachers also add Chinese cultural ideas, tea, and simple Yin-yang exercises.
“Very good experience with Richard - timely communications, met us outside the venue to make sure we didn’t get lost, super friendly and helpful, a fantastic introduction to the art of calligraphy for the whole family and good value for money. Highly recommend!”
Spend 3.5 hours walking from Huguang Guild Hall through old hutongs, Liulichang, Yangmeizhu Byway, Dashilan, and Qianmen. Guides such as Kris and Hao bring history, food, and daily life into the story, with calligraphy along the way. Pay $5 to reserve your place, then tip about 160 to 200 RMB.
“I had such a good time during this tour in Beijing and it exceeded all my expectations! Hao was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the city's history, providing various insights at every stop. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore Beijing in such unique way!”
Meet at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing for a hands-on Chinese calligraphy lesson with an English-speaking teacher, including Richard when available. You’ll learn about brushes, ink, rice paper, inkstones, and seal carvings, then practice characters such as 福, meaning happiness. Choose a 30-minute, 1-hour, 90-minute, or 2-hour session.
“Very nice and authentic experience. Richard is a very good teacher, and we had a very good adventure in this class. We recommend! Thank you.”
Spend 2.5 hours at Beijing’s private 813 Creative Park venue learning tea ceremony, calligraphy, and Guqin music. A bilingual guide with a master’s degree in history and sociology explains the rituals, while cultural specialists lead the hands-on sessions. Tea snacks, traditional clothing, photos, and a small group of up to eight are included.
“I didn’t expect to feel so moved. Playing the Guqin while the master guided my fingers felt like stepping into another time. It was quiet, personal, and completely different from anything else in my itinerary.”
Meet your English-speaking calligraphy teacher at Sun World Dynasty Hotel near Wangfujing, then practice brush handling, posture, basic strokes, and Chinese characters in a calm studio. Richard, David, or another listed teacher guides beginners and children through the process, ending with artwork on a special canvas and, in some cases, a brush gift.
“It was the perfect calligraphy class in Beijing. Relaxing environment and much patience. Also a very calm atmosphere to practice. Highly recommended it!”
At Hutong Calligraphy Class near Wangfujing, you’ll practice Chinese brush writing with an art teacher such as Richard or Li. Choose a 30-minute, 1-hour, or 1.5-hour session, learn about brushes, ink, rice paper, seal carvings, and Chinese characters, then take your finished work home. Classes welcome adults and children with an accompanying adult.
“Richard was very kind and informative during our class. We got lots of practice before our final piece which we got to take home. Highly recommend!”
Spend 3.5 hours walking through old Beijing with an English-speaking guide. Visit Huguang Guild Opera Theatre, hutongs, Yangmeizhu Byway, Dashilar, Qianmen, and the area outside Tiananmen Square. You’ll also stop at a local courtyard, try street snacks, and create free Chinese calligraphy to take home.
“This was the most amazing tour. So much information, our guides were incredible. A great value, would highly recommend!!”
Meet your guide and calligraphy teacher, Richard, for a 1.5-hour private lesson focused on brush technique, breathing, and Chinese philosophy. Then walk through hutong lanes before sitting down for Beijing-style dumplings or noodles. The experience costs $68 per person, with transport to the meeting point extra.
“Super nice calligraphy class, the guide was very kind and teach to us the basic of chinese calligraphy, we got some backround infos about the history, some jokes ;) we tried dumplings and saw some piece of Hutong.”
In a private Beijing art center, an English-speaking guide leads you through tea ceremony, Guqin music, calligraphy, cultural rituals, Hanfu dressing, and photos. You brew three teas, play a full melody on China’s ancient Guqin, and write your name or a blessing in brush and ink. Sylvia can meet you at the metro entrance.
“We hadden deze activiteit met onze twee dochters van 9 en 14 jaar geboekt en iedereen heeft er volop van genoten. Echt een aanrader als je wat meer over de Chinese cultuur wilt leren. Fantastische vonden wij dat je deze kunstvormen op één plaats kunt ervaren en iedere sessie zit perfect qua timing. Echt een aanrader! Wij vonden het fantastisch!”
Meet Bruce Gao and the Sino-Voyages team at Liulichang East Street for a short cultural walk, then enter a traditional studio. Choose calligraphy, silk fan painting, or seal carving. You receive materials, patient instruction, cultural context, and your own handmade souvenir. No experience is needed.
“Such a great moment. We’re so happy we booked this experienced with Bruce and his friend, they were patient and encouraging with us. We recommend !”
Spend seven hours exploring the Summer Palace with an English-speaking guide, eating Beijing-style Zha Jiang Mian, and learning either Kung Fu tea or Chinese calligraphy. You’ll practice with tea utensils or brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, then finish independently at Tea Horse Building East Gate. Transportation between the palace and class is included.
Meet Master Guo Baoqing in Beijing’s Ciqikou hutong area for a one-hour, hands-on Chinese calligraphy lesson. You’ll learn about the art’s tools, history, brush strokes, and basic characters, then create your own calligraphic work. The small group, capped at 10 people, suits beginners and families, and supplies are included.
“Taking a calligraphy class from Master Guo Baoqing was my favorite experience during my 4 weeks in Beijing. Master Guo's teaching style is supportive and hands-on, which allowed me to connect with the process right away. In addition, I Read more”
Meet Eric and your martial arts instructor at 9:00 a.m. near Jixiaolan’s former residence. Spend 90 minutes learning tai chi or kung fu, then practice Chinese calligraphy for another 90 minutes. Your private group receives personal instruction. Classes may move indoors in rainy weather, and the experience ends where it begins.
“Wonder experience with the family. Highly recommend even in the heat, we all really enjoyed! Definitely would do again”
Pick a wall, a palace, a river or a kitchen.
