Cultural Activities, What is worth experiencing in Henan

Henan is not only home to some of China's greatest historical treasures but also one of the best places to experience its living traditions. From practising Shaolin Kung Fu and learning traditional embroidery to printing woodblock New Year paintings and crafting Jun Porcelain, these hands-on activities offer a unique opportunity to discover the province's rich cultural heritage and centuries-old craftsmanship.

Shaolin Kung Fu learning

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Health & Fitness/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: Up to you to decide
• Location: Luoyang / Dengfeng County

Chinese Kung Fu, also known as Wushu, is an ancient Chinese combat technique. Among all, Shaolin Kung Fu is one of the oldest and most famous styles of Wushu in China. Shaolin Kung Fu is basically a striking style of martial art that utilises combat strategies like punches, kicks, blocks and sometimes with the use of weapons. Some dazzling Kung Fu styles are based on the movement of animals and mythological figures. Shaolin Kung Fu is not only a physical but also a spiritual exercise, owning to its requirements of strength, flexibility balance and teaching of manipulation of chi, life force and the philosophy of Chan Buddhism. We will learn some Kung Fu movements from a Shifu or master in a martial arts school near Songshan Shaolin Temple. You can spend hours there depending on your interest. You can also visit the Shaolin Temple, the origin of Chinese martial arts, where you will see stunning temples and groups of monks practicing Kung Fu on the square.

Tang Sancai Pottery Painting

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture/ History
• Duration: 2 hours
• Location: Luoyang

Tang Sancai or three-coloured pottery is a famous type of Chinese pottery made with the use of glazes and predominantly in the three colours of yellowish-brown, green and creamy white. Even so, it is also common to see mono or multi-coloured figurines. Most figurines are animals, civilians and legendary creatures, but among them, large number of foreign elements can be found – traders ridding camels who travelled the Silk Road and grooms of those camels from central Asia. Potteries that incorporated influences from western regions have a particularly rich and exotic feel. Those brilliant and colourful crafts provide a vivid glimpse of the cultural grandeur of the prosperous Tang era.

Visit an exhibition hall to understand the history Tang Sancai which reached its zenith during Tang dynasty, attaining mass production before declining towards the end of Tang era. You will be introduced the manufacturing process and the details of how glazing is done before choosing a figurine to paint on. There are total of 17 types of figurines, including camel, elephant and noble lady. After your work is done, craftsman will help you to glaze and fire it. You can either return on the following day to get your finished work or simply ask to mail it to your hotel in Luoyang.

Luoyang Paper Making

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture/ History
• Duration: 2 hours
• Location: Luoyang

Luoyang was the capital of 13 ancient dynasties in China including Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD) where the inventor of paper, Cai Lun, was from. Paper made using bark, rag, linen thread, fishing net and other cheap materials became a lighter and cheaper substitute of heavy bamboo or wooden strips and costly silk, which had been used for centuries for writing. Later, raw materials for paper making were replaced by bamboo fibres for better quality. Other than for writing and painting, paper was also commonly used for packing of medicines and tea leaves. Learn about the history of paper making before start to creating your flower adorned paper. The paper will be sundried completely after two to three day. You will need to come back again if you want to bring home your completed work. Thus, it is advised to arrange this activity on the first day of your trip in Henan. Furthermore, you will get the chance to study some ancient Han etiquette with Han costume on for free.

Paper Cutting Lesson

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: 2 hours
• Location: Luoyang

Chinese paper cutting is one of the popular folk arts, especially in Henan Province. It began thousands of years ago soon after Cai Lun invented paper. It is often used during festivals for decorative purposes in wishing for good health and prosperity. Patterns can be either cut using a sharp pointed scissors or carved into many layers of paper that are clipped together with a craft knife . The most intricate designs require patience and experience. In this lesson, people who with or without paper cutting skills are able to design your own pattern and cut it out under the guidance of your instructor. Besides paper cutting, you will also have the opportunity to dress up in traditional Han costume and appreciate a short Chinese dance.

Chinese Painting Lesson - peonies

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: 2 hours
• Location: Luoyang

Peony, symbolizing wealth, prosperity and honor, is the national flower of China. Throughout history, this flower has been highly appreciated for its beauty. While peonies in Luoyang, Henan Province, are the most famous. Bright colors, strong fragrance, large and layered petals, peony often appeared in traditional Chinese paintings, silk embroideries and carvings. Many Chinese like to hang peony painting indoor in wishing for wealth and good fortune. Red, pink and purple are often used for peony petals. Participate in the Chinese painting class in Luoyang and learn step by step on how to paint peony flowers using traditional painting materials.

Create Your Own Woodblock New Year Painting in Zhuxian Town

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Location: Kaifeng / Zhuxian Town

Zhuxian Town Woodblock New Year Painting is a time-honored traditional Chinese folk art. It originated in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with a history of more than 1,000 years.

It features unique artistic characteristics. The paintings adopt full and balanced compositions with almost no blank space. The figures are rendered in a simple, bold, and slightly exaggerated style. The lines are bold, concise, and vigorous, showcasing confident and expressive carving techniques. Following the rule of "thick concave lines and thin convex lines", the works present a strong visual contrast. The bright and vivid colors are made from manually polished natural mineral and plant pigments, which retain their brilliance for generations.

The production process is elaborate and complicated, mainly including three core procedures: draft designing, woodblock carving and hand printing. Combining woodblock printing with stencil techniques with water-based color overprinting, the prints may undergo up to nine layers of overprinting, creating rich and delicate color layers.

As one of the birthplaces of Chinese woodblock New Year paintings, Zhuxian Town is one of the four famous ancient towns in China, only a 30-minute drive from Kaifeng City, Henan Province. The old streets here are home to century-old painting workshops. Visitors can experience traditional handcrafts with the guidance of experienced masters. Even beginners can learn to print traditional patterns such as door gods, fortune characters and Chinese zodiac paintings, and take their handmade works home. In addition, simple wood carving experience is also available, allowing visitors to learn basic line carving skills and feel the charm of this intangible cultural heritage up close.

Experience Bian Embroidery (Song Embroidery)

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Location: Kaifeng / Zhuxian Town

Bian Embroidery, also known as Song Embroidery, is a traditional embroidery art originating in Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty. Today, Bian Embroidery is widely recognized as one of China's five representative embroidery traditions. Building on the strengths of other regional embroidery traditions, Bian Embroidery has developed 36 distinctive stitching techniques. Renowned for its lifelike imagery, meticulous craftsmanship, delicate needlework, and elegant color palette, it is regarded as one of the finest forms of Chinese embroidery.

At the Bian Embroidery Factory, you can visit the Bian Embroidery Museum and admire a magnificent embroidered version of the famous "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" scroll. During the hands-on workshop, experienced instructors provide one-on-one guidance in three fundamental stitching techniques: flat stitch, rolled stitch, and seed stitch. You can create your own embroidered souvenir on a handkerchief, a miniature peony silk fan, or a scented sachet. The experience lasts about 1 to 2 hours, and participants can also complete a small framed embroidery piece to take home. You'll also receive a certificate commemorating your intangible cultural heritage experience.

Experience Jun Porcelain Pottery Making in Yuzhou

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Location: Zhengzhou / Yuzhou

Shenhou Ancient Town, the birthplace of Jun Porcelain, is one of China's most famous ceramic towns. Jun Porcelain, one of the Five Great Kilns of the Song Dynasty, is celebrated for its spectacular kiln-transmutation glazes, which produce unique colors and patterns during firing. Once made exclusively for the imperial court, every piece is handcrafted, and because the kiln-transmutation process is highly unpredictable and the success rate is relatively low, each successfully fired work is regarded as especially valuable.

At the Jun Porcelain Cultural Park, you can experience the traditional pottery-making process firsthand. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, shape clay on a pottery wheel, decorate and glaze your own piece, and learn how Jun Porcelain's famous kiln-transmutation effects are created. You can also tour historic workshops and, if you're lucky enough to visit on a firing day, witness the exciting kiln-opening ceremony, when each porcelain piece reveals its unpredictable colors for the first time. Many workshops can fire and ship your handmade creation, allowing you to take home a unique souvenir of this centuries-old craft.

Customize Your Authentic Henan Tour

If you are interested in the Henan itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

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