Discover authentic activities across China's most fascinating cities
Showing 1-9 of 9 experiences
Visit Chengdu Panda Base to observe giant pandas, then experience Sichuan Opera face-changing. Discover opera arts and enjoy traditional stunts.
Experience Chengdu's leisurely teahouse culture. Learn gaiwan tea brewing, taste Sichuan famous teas, experience ear cleaning and mahjong.
Learn authentic Sichuan cuisine from market shopping to cooking. Master classics like Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu.
Experience Sichuan traditional handicrafts, learning Shu embroidery and bamboo weaving. Discover the charm of one of China's four famous embroideries.
Learn the mesmerizing art of Chinese sugar painting—a street performance tradition where molten sugar is poured onto a marble slab to create intricate animal figures, flowers, and Chinese characters. Under a master's guidance, you'll master the temperature control, pouring techniques, and even try the traditional 'sugar roulette' wheel to determine which animal you'll create.
Create your own illuminated masterpiece at the birthplace of Chinese lantern festivals. Learn traditional bamboo framing, silk stretching, and LED lighting techniques from artisans who have built lanterns for the world-famous Zigong Lantern Festival. You'll construct a small lantern (40-60cm) featuring traditional Chinese motifs—dragons, phoenixes, or flowers—that you can take home and illuminate.
Learn the secrets of authentic Sichuan hotpot from spice masters. Create your own hotpot base from scratch using doubanjiang, dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, and beef tallow. Take home your personalized spice blend.
Experience the strangely satisfying and deeply relaxing art of traditional Sichuan ear cleaning. Using a complete set of specialized tools including tuning forks, feather sticks, and bamboo scoops, master practitioners provide 30 minutes of blissful relaxation that has become a viral sensation among foreign travelers.
Go behind the scenes of the mystical Sichuan Face-Changing (Bian Lian) opera. Meet the performers, learn about the secret techniques of mask-changing, try on traditional costumes, and watch a private demonstration of this ancient art form.