Hangzhou: A Half-Day Immersion into Living Song Culture

Hangzhou is a living archive of a charming dynasty. This journey is an invitation to shed the noise of modernity, don the robes of a bygone era, and attune your senses to the serene rhythm of the Song
10:00-10:30 | Prelude: Dressing the Part
Upon arrival, you will be invited to choose your literati identity from three authentic Song-style robes:
The Recluse – for the quiet contemplator
The Painter – for the lover of form and color
The Tea Connoisseur – for the one who tastes deeply
Once dressed, you receive a small bamboo tag engraved with your “art name” (雅号) for the day – a whispered identity that will accompany your journey.

10:30 – 11:30 | The Scholar’s Resonance: Guqin Immersion
The History: Under a master’s guidance, uncover the legacy of the Guqin—the seven-stringed zither that was the soul of the Song literati and a UNESCO-recognized treasure.
The Practice: In a hands-on session, learn the fundamental fingerings and play a simple, haunting melody. Feel the instrument’s resonance become your own.

11:45 – 13:45 | The Zen Plate: Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine
The Zen Plate: Enjoy a Buddhist Vegetarian Buffet at Xiangji Temple. Cleanse the palate and the mind before afternoon’s session.

14:00 – 15:00 | The Expert’s Eye: Tea Ware Appreciation and Tea-tasting
We move to a private, invitation-only tea space – no signage, no walk-ins.
Your host is not a server but a tea scholar with years of study. The room holds no more than six guests.
Learn to appreciate: The instructor will demonstrate how to appreciate tea wares. Feel the weight, texture, and temperature conductivity that defines a 'Masterpiece' vs. a 'Souvenir'.
Savor the Subtle Difference: Immerse yourself in a traditional Chinese tea-tasting ceremony. In this tranquil setting, discover how different tea wares uniquely shape the flavor and aroma of the tea. Find your personal favorite through this meditative procedure.

15:15 – 16:15 | Art on the Foam: Dian Cha Mastery
Learn the Art of Dian Cha (点茶). This is the sophisticated "latte art" of the 12th century.
Hands-On Session: Step-by-step instruction to whisk the tea and inscribe a fleeting character or design onto your own bowl of tea.

16:15 – 17:15 | The Imperial Atelier: Arts of the Literati
Option A:
Edible Aesthetics – Wagashi Crafting:
Tea Wagashi (茶果子) are far more than sweets; they are edible poems that mirror the seasons and complement the tea’s taste.Hand-mold seasonal ingredients into these exquisite, edible sculptures.

Option B:
The Literati’s Scent – Crafting an Incense Sachet
Incense plays a huge role in literati’s life—for contemplation, companionship, and poetic inspiration.
Under guidance, blend natural aromatic powders, hand-press your mixture into an intricate mold, and craft a unique incense sachet (香牌) to carry home—a portable heirloom of peace and refined taste.

17:30 – | Coda: Sunset Along the Grand Canal
We conclude where culture flowed — at the southern terminus of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
As the sun sets over the water, we’ll reflect on how our mood has changed throughout this journey — and hopefully bring some of these mindful practices into our daily lives.

لضمان التوفر، احجز في أقرب وقت ممكن. الحجز المبكر يستحق النظر خاصة إذا كنت تخطط للرحلة خلال موسم الذروة مثل العطلات العامة أو عطلات نهاية الأسبوع.

يمكنك إلغاء هذه الرحلة بدون تكلفة حتى 24 ساعات قبل بدء الرحلة. إذا قمت بالإلغاء بعد 24 ساعات أو لم تحضر في الرحلة، فسيتم تحصيل السعر الكامل للنشاط. التأخر في الاستلام أو المغادرة سيعتبر كعدم حضور.