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.

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Questa escursione può essere annullata senza costi fino a 24 ore prima dell'inizio del viaggio. Se la annulli dopo 24 ore o non ti presenti all'escursione, ti verrà comunque addebitato il prezzo intero dell'attività. Essere in ritardo al ritiro o alla partenza sarà considerato come non presentarsi.