“I honestly didn’t know much about Kunqu Opera before coming to Suzhou—just that it was old and elegant. But the backstage experience completely changed my perspective. The performers were incredibly welcoming and let us sit right next to them as they prepared. I watched a young actress spend almost an hour doing her makeup, and she explained each color and gesture with so much patience.

When I tried on a costume headpiece, it surprised me how heavy and delicate it was at the same time. Later, we practiced a short movement sequence, and wow—my legs hurt the next day. It gave me a whole new respect for the art.

The evening performance we watched afterward felt so much more meaningful because I finally understood what was happening on stage. I left feeling like I’d gained access to a world very few travelers ever see.”

“I chose the Song Brocade weaving workshop because I’m a textile designer, and it was one of the most inspiring things I’ve experienced in years. The workshop was inside a small, traditional courtyard house, and the sunlight came in through wooden lattice windows—beautiful atmosphere.

The artisan demonstrated the loom technique that has been used for centuries, and the complexity blew my mind. There are so many tiny adjustments that determine the final pattern. I tried weaving a small portion myself, and even that required full concentration.

What I appreciated most was how open the artisan was. He talked about the future of traditional crafts, young apprentices, and how difficult it is to preserve techniques in a modern world. I left with deep admiration and also a renewed sense of responsibility for preserving heritage in my own work.”

“The Guqin lesson ended up being my favorite part of our two-week China trip. I booked it thinking it would be a short introductory session, but it turned into this peaceful, almost spiritual moment.

Before we even touched the instrument, the teacher talked about the philosophy behind the Guqin—how silence is part of the music, how each string corresponds to nature and emotions. It felt as much like a meditation session as a music lesson.

When I finally started plucking the strings, I was shocked at how soft and intimate the sound was. Nothing like the loud instruments I'm used to. I practiced a simple melody for almost 40 minutes and lost track of time.

The studio overlooked a quiet garden, and after the session we had tea with the teacher, who shared stories about famous Guqin masters. I walked out feeling calmer, lighter, and genuinely moved.”

“I signed up for the Taohuawu woodblock printing class because I love printmaking, and it was honestly one of the best art workshops I’ve ever joined. The studio had shelves full of hand-carved blocks, some over 50 years old, and you could smell the ink as soon as you walked in—very atmospheric.

The artisan showed us how the carving tools are used and how each color requires a separate block. It made me appreciate those old New Year prints in a whole new way.

When it was my turn to print, I messed up the first layer completely—too much ink on the brush—but the teacher laughed and said, ‘It’s part of the charm.’ My second try came out beautiful, with bright reds and blues.

Later he taught us how to emboss textures onto the paper. I went home with three prints, and one of them is now hanging in my living room. It brings me joy every time I look at it.”

“The Suzhou embroidery workshop was unbelievable. I knew Su embroidery was detailed, but seeing it in person is something else. Some of the finished pieces were so fine that I thought they were photographs printed on silk.

The master showed us how they split a single silk thread into even finer strands—so thin they almost disappear under light. I tried making a tiny petal, and even that took a surprising amount of precision. She corrected my hand position gently and showed me how to control the tension.

What impressed me most was how much pride the artisans take in their work. They told us different stories about famous embroideries and how Suzhou women used to pass down these skills as family treasures.

I left with my imperfect little flower embroidery, but also with a huge appreciation for the patience and dedication behind this art.”

“We booked the paper-cutting and lantern-making combination workshop—not knowing it would be the most heartwarming experience of our trip.

The teacher, an older lady who has been doing this since she was a teenager, told us stories about how paper-cutting used to be part of festivals, weddings, and even blessings for newborns. She showed us designs passed down from her grandmother.

We made a few simple cuts at first, then moved on to more complex patterns. My husband struggled a bit, but the teacher made jokes and encouraged him.

By the end we had created lanterns decorated with our own paper-cut designs. They looked surprisingly good!

We lit them in the courtyard that evening and took photos. It felt like being part of something local, something real—not just a tourist activity.”