12 Workshops & Classes in Beijing Worth Booking

1.Beijing Calligraphy Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 112 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $20Our pick

Meet an English-speaking teacher, often Richard, at Sun World Dynasty Hotel in Wangfujing for a 30-minute or one-hour Chinese calligraphy lesson. Learn brush control, calligraphy styles, cultural meanings, and calming practice before creating your own character artwork.

“My 11-year old daughter said this was awesome. The activity was meditative. My husband and I found the repetition of brush strokes relaxing. Richard picked us up at the hotel lobby and walked us over to the bookstore across the street, where everything was set up. He showed us how to hold the brush and exercises to prepare our hand. We created a lovely wall decoration with the character fu. He also shared with us the Confucius saying One World One Heart.”

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2.Chinese Calligraphy Class for Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · from $20Top rated

Meet your art teacher at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing for a 30-minute to 2-hour Chinese calligraphy class. Learn posture, brush control, basic strokes, and Yin-yang ideas, then create a finished piece to take home. Instructors have included Richard, David, and Robert Lee.

“David was very attentive and we learn a lot, not only about calligraphy, but also abour chinese culture, we recomend!”

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3.Dumpling Making Workshop with Meal and Tea

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 69 reviews · 3 hours · from $35

Meet your English-speaking guide at 16:30, then learn to roll dough, prepare or work with fillings, and shape dumplings in a traditional Beijing setting. Guides such as Eric, Jenny, Julie, and Leo lead a relaxed class followed by dumplings, local dishes, tea, beer, and conversation.

“What a fun activity to do whilst in Beijing. Jenny was a fantastic host and taught the group how to make dumplings and made the experience a lot of fun. The dumplings were delicious, highly recommend.”

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4.Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $20

Join Chef Sunflower Li for a private 60 to 90 minute online Chinese cooking class from Beijing. Choose dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, dim sum, fried rice, kung pao chicken, vegan dishes, and more. You shop for the ingredients after receiving a clear list several days ahead.

“I enjoyed very much learning to prepare dumplings and they turned out better than expected! It was so nice hearing all your anecdotes about family meal traditions! The ingredients list sent in advance was clear and instructions easy to follow, also well equipped with the two cameras. Thank you for this fun experience!”

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5.Beijing Wangfujing Calligraphy Class by Forbidden City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $20

Meet your English-speaking teacher, such as Richard, at the Wangfujing calligraphy class inside the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing area. You’ll learn about brushes, ink, rice paper, seal carvings, and Chinese characters, then practice writing your own. Sessions range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

“Wonderful experience to learn just a little about the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. My wife, daughter and I learned to do some characters and after we had gotten better we painted the characters on a decorative board that we were able Read more”

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6.Beijing Wangfujing Calligraphy Class Nearby Forbidden City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 45 minutes - 2 hours · from $35

Meet your English-speaking calligraphy teacher at Sunworld Dynasty Hotel near Wangfujing and East Gate of the Forbidden City. In 45 minutes to two hours, you’ll learn brush posture, basic strokes, and character forms, then create a red-cardboard artwork to take home.

“Richard is very excellent and calm teacher. We felt so welcome that we extended our workshop for another 2 hours! We would do it again!”

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7.Chinese Kungfu class in old temple beside Forbidden Ci

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 3 days · from $45

Meet a professional kungfu master and English-speaking guide Limeng in historic Pudusi, a royal temple beside the Forbidden City. Over one hour, you’ll practice Shaolin basics, traditional forms, and practical self-defense. A tea ceremony may also be arranged, and kungfu uniforms are available to buy.

“Amazing experience, to try hands on KungFu with the master. Limeng was very nice, she helped me understand the fundamentals and did the translation with the master. It was a perfect initiation to the martial art, the master taught me self defense and attack movements for a girl which is helpful to know. I recommend 100%, it was a perfect way to get to know more about the martial arts and the culture during a visit in China”

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8.Noon Calligraphy Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $20

At Hutong Calligraphy Class near Wangfujing, you learn brush control, ink strokes, seal carvings, rice paper, and ink stones from instructors including Richard and Li. Choose a 30-minute, 1-hour, or 1.5-hour session, with supplies provided and a finished piece to take home.

“Great experience, highly recommended!!! Richard is an amazing teacher and kind person, you’ll learn a lot from him!!!”

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9.China’s Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $80

Join Dom from Our Beijing in a private, hands-on 90-minute workshop at 10 Shi Que Hutong. You will hear how jian bing became a Beijing street-food favorite, mix the batter, cook your own crepes, and test savory, sweet, and take-home-friendly fillings.

“On the ground knowledge makes this tour company a must for touring Bejing & trying Hutong experiences.”

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10.Beijing Private Tai Chi Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $58

Spend 90 minutes with an English-speaking tai chi master, including Eric Liu, learning a nine-step form, standing meditation, push hands, Taoist ideas, and self-massage. Morning and afternoon sessions fit different schedules, with the class held at the meeting point near the Temple of Heaven area.

“So enjoyed learning the history and the benefits of Taichi. Very spiritual and memorable experience. Great location to learn and really felt so relaxed after. Thank you!”

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11.Beijing Private Tai Chi Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $58

Meet an English-speaking Tai Chi master at the Temple of Heaven’s east gate for a private 1.5-hour beginner class. You’ll learn a nine-step form, standing meditation, push hands, self-massage, and the Yin Yang ideas behind the practice. Eric, Leo, and Master Lui are among the instructors associated with this experience.

“La nostra esperienza è stata davvero ottima: non avevamo mai praticato tai-chi prima della lezione ed il Maestro ci ha fatto un’interessante introduzione teorico-pratica da cui si può partire con il proprio percorso. Davvero consigliata!”

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12.Temple Of Heaven+Tai Chi Class+Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 6 hours · from $129

Spend six hours with a private English-speaking guide at the Temple of Heaven, practicing Tai Chi for 30 to 40 minutes, exploring the Echo Wall and secret Echo Stone, then learning how Central Chinese tea is prepared and served. Hotel pickup is available within Beijing’s fourth ring road.

“What an incredible tour we had with the Beijing Tour Company! From the serene tai chi class and the wonderful tour of the Temple of Heaven to the peaceful tea ceremony, it was a really great experience. And Alice was a wonderful guide—personable, knowledgeable, and very accommodating. I highly recommend her for an authentic and unforgettable Beijing experience!”

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