Hands-on intangible cultural heritage experiences in Guangdong

China's Cultural and Natural Heritage Day falls on June 13 this year. Across Guangdong, visitors can do more than just appreciate intangible cultural heritage. From making fish lanterns and pottery to preparing traditional snacks, here are several places where traditional culture comes alive through hands-on experiences.

Yuequ Space, Guangzhou (粤趣空间|粤艺传习所)

Located in Guangzhou's historic Yongqing Fang Tourist Area, Yuequ Space offers more than 30 hands-on intangible cultural heritage activities, such as traditional sachet making, cloisonné enamel art, mother-of-pearl jewelry crafting, velvet flower making and Song-style tea whisking. Free stamp collection activities are also available around the venue.

(Photo: Yuequ Space)

The surrounding area is home to numerous heritage studios run by local artisans, making it an ideal stop for a heritage-themed stroll.

Opening hours: 11:00–18:00

Fee: Varies by activity

Address: No. 212 Enning Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区恩宁路212号)

Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre (广州市文化馆)

The Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre regularly hosts public workshops and master classes led by intangible cultural heritage inheritors. Its programs cover a wide range of traditional arts, including Cantonese embroidery, Cantonese porcelain, Cantonese opera, the guqin, tea culture, Tai Chi, traditional rubbing art, sachet making, and incense pendant making.

(Photo: Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre)

Address: No. 288 Xinjiao Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区新滘中路288号)

Fee: Admission to the Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre is free. Most activities are free of charge, though some workshops may require a materials fee.

Registration: You may sign up for workshops via the centre's official WeChat account: Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre (广州市文化馆). On the menu, select "Cultural Services (文化服务)", then pick "Cultural Activities (文化活动)" or "Public Welfare Training (公益培训)" to view upcoming events. Places are allocated by random draw, and successful applicants will receive an SMS notification. Note that a separate reservation is needed for venue entry.

Wanying Workshop, Shenzhen (玩影小作坊)

Located in Nantou Ancient Town, Wanying Workshop combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary creativity. Among its most distinctive experiences is lampworking: visitors can transform molten glass into colorful ornaments under the guidance of artisans. Other hands-on activities include shadow puppet making, indigo tie-dyeing, lacquer fan painting, printmaking and wood carving.

(Photo: Wanying Workshop)

This is one of many heritage experience venues in Nantou Ancient Town. Visitors can also explore enamel-making studios, make their own seasonal herbal tea blends, and try paper-cutting.

Opening hours: 9:30–20:00

Fee: Varies by activity

Address: No. 55 Zhongshan East Street, Nantou Ancient Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen (深圳市南山区南头古城中山东街55号)

Shunde Fish Lantern Hall, Foshan (顺德鱼灯馆)

Fish lanterns have long been a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Shunde. At the Shunde Fish Lantern Hall inside Lingnan Heyuan Garden (岭南和园), visitors can appreciate colorful handcrafted lanterns and learn about this local tradition. Hands-on workshops allow participants to craft their own fish lanterns by shaping bamboo frames, attaching fabric, and painting scales. Within hours, you can take home a luminous handmade fish lantern.

(Photo: Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau of Shunde District)

Opening hours: 9:00–17:30

Ticket: Lingnan Heyuan Garden admission is RMB 30; workshop fees vary.

Address: No. 12 Renchang Road, Beijiao Town, Shunde District, Foshan (佛山市顺德区北滘镇人昌路12号)

Nanfeng Ancient Kiln Scenic Area, Foshan (南风古灶旅游区)

With a ceramic-making history spanning thousands of years, Shiwan pottery is one of Guangdong's most distinctive folk crafts. At Nanfeng Ancient Kiln, visitors can learn about the history of Shiwan pottery while exploring historic kilns and other heritage sites.

(Photo: Foshan Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)

The on-site pottery center offers wheel-throwing and hand-building courses for beginners and experienced pottery lovers. Your finished works will be fired and delivered to you afterward.

Opening hours: 8:30–17:30

Ticket: Scenic area admission is RMB 25; workshop fees vary.

Address: No. 6 Gaomiao Road, Chancheng District, Foshan (佛山市禅城区高庙路6号)

Chaoren Food City, Chaozhou (潮人美食城)

To experience food-related intangible cultural heritage, visitors can join workshops to make peach-shaped rice cakes (peach kueh), a traditional Chaoshan snack often served at weddings and festivals.

(Photo: Nanfang Plus)

Guided by local chefs, you will learn to shape, fill, steam and taste these distinctive traditional rice cakes. The venue also serves a wide range of Chaoshan specialties and occasionally hosts traditional music and Chaozhou opera performances.

(Photo: Chaozhou Ancient City)

Address: No. 143 Shangdongping Road, Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou (潮州市湘桥区上东平路143号)

Note: Please call in advance to check workshop availability and make reservations.

Fucheng Yingge Dance Experience Center, Chaozhou (府城英歌舞体验馆)

As the first permanent Yingge dance experience venue in Chaoshan, this center brings visitors close to one of Guangdong's most iconic folk traditions. You can sip Gongfu tea while watching immersive Yingge dance performances, then learn basic movements and experience the rhythm of this centuries-old folk tradition firsthand.