14 Beijing Calligraphy Classes, Compared

1.Beijing Calligraphy Class

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 112 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $20Our pick

Meet your English-speaking calligraphy teacher at the Sun World Dynasty Hotel in Wangfujing for a 30-minute or one-hour lesson. You’ll hear about calligraphy’s place in Chinese culture, learn brush basics, and practice characters on rice paper. Teachers include Richard, David, and Li; the class suits beginners and families.

“We learned about the philosophy of calligraphy, which includes a meditative and light focus. We practiced and improved a lot :). The teacher was patient, and helped us make adjustments to improve our work before our final piece.”

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2.Chinese Calligraphy Class for Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · from $20Top rated

Meet your calligraphy teacher near Wangfujing for a hands-on lesson in brush use, posture and basic strokes. Classes run from 30 minutes to two hours, with morning, afternoon and evening options. Teachers named for this experience include Richard, David and Robert Lee. Supplies are provided, and you can create a finished piece to take home.

“Really fun experience! Richard was kind and attentive. He made the class really fun and enjoyable. It was great to learn calligraphy and we would recommend for anyone wanting a fun experience whilst learning some history.”

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3.Beijing Historic City Guided Walking Tour + Calligraphy Creation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $5Best value

Spend about 3.5 hours walking from Huguang Guild Hall through hutong lanes, Liulichang’s calligraphy and antiques shops, Yangmeizhu Byway, Dashilan and Qianmen. An English-speaking local guide leads the shared tour, which ends near Tiananmen Square without entering it. The booking fee is $5; a suggested tip of 160 to 200 RMB is extra.

“An amazing walking tour experience with Kris! The tour is super well organized and structured, she explained very well in each stop, with a great blend of history, culture, anecdotes, hidden gems and even food and drink tasting. 100% recommended! Can't wait for their walking tours in Shanghai!”

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4.Beijing Wangfujing Calligraphy Class by Forbidden City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $20

At a bookstore in Beijing’s Wangfujing area, an English-speaking calligraphy teacher introduces brushwork, ink, rice paper, and the cultural meaning of Chinese characters. You’ll practice at a small table, with supplies provided. Richard is one teacher associated with the class, though a particular instructor is not guaranteed. Choose from class lengths of 30 minutes to two hours.

“Wonderful experience to learn just a little about the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. My wife, daughter and I learned to do some characters and after we had gotten better we painted the characters on a decorative board that we were able Read more”

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5.Beijing Culture: Tea Ceremony, Heritage Instrument & Calligraphy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $78

At a private heritage venue in Beijing’s 813 Creative Park, you’ll spend about 2.5 hours learning tea ceremony, Chinese calligraphy, and the Guqin, an ancient Chinese instrument. A bilingual guide with a master’s degree in history and sociology explains the traditions, while cultural specialists lead the activities. The group is capped at eight, and traditional attire is available to borrow.

“Everything was done with care—from the welcome tea to the final group photo. The calligraphy teacher helped me write my Chinese name, and I even took the paper home. It’s now framed in my apartment!”

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6.Beijing Wangfujing Calligraphy Class Nearby Forbidden City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 45 minutes - 2 hours · from $35

Meet your English-speaking calligraphy teacher at the Sun World Dynasty Hotel near Wangfujing, then learn brush handling, basic strokes, and character writing in a class lasting 45 minutes to two hours. Teachers named Richard, David, and Master Li have led sessions. Supplies are provided, and you’ll work toward a calligraphy piece to take home.

“One of our favorite activities we have ever done! David was an amazing teacher and we had a wonderful time. We had some tea and he taught us everything — we ended up with a lovely calligraphy gift and the best memory in Beijing. Totally recommend for a fun and relaxing time!!”

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7.Noon Calligraphy Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $20

At a small-group calligraphy class on Wangfujing Dongjie, an art teacher introduces brushwork, ink, rice paper, ink stones, and seal carving before you practice Chinese characters. The class is offered in 30-minute, one-hour, and 1.5-hour formats. Richard and Li are among the instructors named by past participants, though your teacher may vary.

“Great experience, highly recommended!!! Richard is an amazing teacher and kind person, you’ll learn a lot from him!!!”

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8.Discover Old Beijing: Hutong Walking Tour & Calligraphy

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 24 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $25

Spend 3.5 hours walking through old Beijing, from Huguang Guild Theatre and Yangmeizhu Byway to Dashilar and Qianmen. Your English-speaking guide shares stories about hutong life and the city’s growth. A courtyard visit, a calligraphy activity, and a local snack break add hands-on moments. The meeting point is near Hufangqiao Metro Station.

“It was AMAZING, my favorite thing in beijing together with the great wall. I learned so much, highly recommend it! having said that, its actually a free walking tour so I think the platform charges way too much for something that is completely based on tips, really rotten deal for the lovely great guide. plus its a lot of money in China, not cool. but still a great choice, so happy I did it”

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9.4-Hour Private Tour of Calligraphy Class, Hutong and Dumplings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $68

Spend about four hours learning Chinese calligraphy, walking through Beijing hutongs, and eating dumplings or Beijing-style noodles with a private group. The 1.5-hour class is led by a patient teacher called Richard in guest accounts, and morning or afternoon classes are offered. The meeting-point details conflict, so confirm where to meet before setting out.

“After very enjoyable and relaxing caligrafy class we went to a very tasty dumpling place. Vegeterian dumplings also available . Very tasty.”

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10.Beijing Hands-On Culture Tour: Tea, Instrument, Calligraphy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $15

In a small group of up to 10, an English-speaking guide and arts tutors introduce you to Chinese tea, Guqin music, and brush calligraphy at a private art center. Brew three teas, learn a melody on the Guqin, dress in Hanfu for photos, and take home original souvenirs. The listed price is $15 per person.

“An unexpected gem! Our family of 5, ages 11-40 absolutely loved this experience! My kids & husband were not so excited when I told them what I had booked us in for, but by the end of the experience they couldn’t stop raving about how much fun they had!! It was a really rich cultural experience, very personalised, thoughtful, & immersive. We met many experts of the arts and emerging artists (young children) who stole our hearts with their talent & positive enthusiasm. We loved how genuine & wholesome the entire experience was. We felt like we had been taken into a local community with arms wide open, ready to…”

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11.Beijing liulichang : Learn Calligraphy orCarving from Master

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2 - 2.5 hours · from $75

Meet your guide at Liulichang East Street for a short neighborhood walk, then spend 2 to 2.5 hours in a traditional studio choosing calligraphy, fan painting, or seal carving. Artisan Bruce Gao and the team provide materials and instruction in English or Chinese. You leave with a handmade keepsake.

“Such a great moment. We’re so happy we booked this experienced with Bruce and his friend, they were patient and encouraging with us. We recommend !”

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12.Beijing：Summer Palace & Tea or Calligraphy Experience Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $162

Start at the Summer Palace’s East Palace Gate for a guided visit to the imperial gardens, lakes, and buildings. After lunch of Beijing-style Zha Jiang Mian, choose a two-hour Kung Fu tea ceremony or calligraphy class. The $162 tour includes admission, transport to the afternoon venue, and English-language guidance.

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13.Immerse Yourself:Chinese Calligraphy Experience in Beijing Hutong

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $55

At this one-hour Beijing hutong class, you’ll hear about calligraphy’s history, practice brush strokes and characters, and make your own calligraphic piece. Supplies are provided, and the group is capped at 10. Master Guo Baoqing is named as an instructor, though you should confirm who will lead your session when booking.

“Taking a calligraphy class from Master Guo Baoqing was my favorite experience during my 4 weeks in Beijing. Master Guo's teaching style is supportive and hands-on, which allowed me to connect with the process right away. In addition, I Read more”

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14.Tai Chi or Kung Fu plus Chinese Calligraphy Learning Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $95

Meet a local instructor in Beijing for 90 minutes of tai chi or kung fu, followed by 90 minutes of Chinese calligraphy. A guide named Eric has led the experience, alongside a Kung Fu master. The listed meeting point is Jixiaolan’s former residence, though the class may move to a studio in bad weather.

“Wonder experience with the family. Highly recommend even in the heat, we all really enjoyed! Definitely would do again”

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