Water Color Class in Beijing

A fan, a few brushes, and a quiet stretch in the middle of Beijing’s sightseeing day: this class gives you a hands-on way to meet Chinese art traditions. You’ll learn basic watercolor techniques, then make your own painted fan, a souvenir with more personal meaning than another shop-bought trinket.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at nine, makes room for individual guidance, and the class is designed for beginners as well as experienced painters. The main consideration is that watercolor takes patience; painting a fan may look simple, but it can be harder than expected, so come ready to practice rather than produce a perfect keepsake on the first brushstroke.

At a glance: what you’re booking

• A 90-minute art class: Learn basic watercolor techniques and use them to paint a traditional fan.
• A small group: The class has a maximum of nine participants, which can allow for more personal instruction.
• A patient teacher: Richard Li is the named instructor, and participants describe his teaching as calm, clear, and supportive.
• A take-home project: You’ll create a handmade fan that serves as a personal Beijing souvenir.
• Flexible timing: Morning and afternoon classes are offered, so you can fit the session around sightseeing.
• Supplies included: Art materials and the instructor’s fee are covered in the $65 price.

Meeting Richard Li at Wangfujing

The class begins in the lobby of the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing Hotel, at 8 Wangfujing East Street in Dongcheng District. That gives you a specific, central meeting point rather than a vague instruction to find a studio somewhere in the lanes. The activity ends back there, so you won’t need to plan for a separate return location.

Richard Li is identified as the instructor. Some participants refer to him as Richard or Li, and one names an instructor as Lee. The consistent picture is of a calm, patient teacher who explains the process clearly and offers individual help. That matters in a beginner class: watercolor can be tricky to control, and a little guidance with brushwork can make the difference between feeling stuck and enjoying the experiment.

The group is limited to nine people. You may be in a class with family or friends, or find yourself with more one-to-one attention if the group is small. One participant described having the instructor’s attention alone and receiving extra time, but that is not a promise of a private lesson or a longer class. Plan around the stated duration of about 90 minutes.

Starting with basic watercolor techniques

This is a practical class, not a demonstration where you simply watch someone else paint. You’ll use the materials provided, practice techniques, and then apply what you’ve learned to a fan. The exact exercises are not specified, so you should expect an introduction to basic watercolor rather than a fixed list of lessons.

That beginner-friendly approach is a good fit if you have little or no painting experience. You don’t need to arrive with a portfolio or special supplies. If you already paint, the value may lie less in mastering a new medium and more in trying a traditional format and working with an instructor who can help you shape your design.

Give yourself permission to make imperfect marks. Watercolor is less forgiving than a pencil sketch, and the fan adds a distinctive surface and shape to work with. Several participants found the activity more difficult than it first appeared. That is not a reason to avoid it; it is a useful reminder to treat the class as a guided introduction, not a race to make a flawless piece.

Painting a fan you can take home

The project is a traditional fan, which makes the finished work both practical as a souvenir and tied to the class itself. Instead of buying a ready-made object, you’ll leave with something you designed and painted. The materials are included, and the finished fan is yours to take home.

There’s a pleasing balance here between instruction and personal choice. You learn techniques from the teacher, then put them to use on your own artwork. The activity description does not specify a required motif or a set design, so don’t assume you’ll be copying one particular scene. The appeal is making a custom piece, with the result shaped by your own skill and taste.

If your fan looks a little uneven, that is part of the point. You’ll remember the brushwork and the effort behind it, rather than just the object. For families or friends, painting together can also turn the session into a shared activity, not simply a class each person completes alone.

Getting a cultural introduction through practice

Chinese art traditions have a long history, but this class approaches them through making rather than a lecture. As you practice, the instructor shares cultural context and insight into older Chinese arts. The amount and specific subjects covered are not laid out in advance, so think of this as an informal introduction woven into the lesson.

That practical format suits an afternoon when you want a change of pace from monuments, traffic, and crowded sights. A class gives you time to focus on one task and notice small things, such as how a brush behaves or how a simple design comes together. It may feel calming, but it is still an active lesson: you’ll need to listen, practice, and make choices about your own fan.

One participant described sipping jasmine tea while painting. That sounds like a pleasant addition, but tea is not listed among the inclusions, so don’t count on it being part of every session. The reliable plan is the class, the art materials, the instructor, and the fan project.

Why the small group matters

Nine people is a modest maximum, especially for a hands-on activity where the instructor needs to see what each person is doing. You can ask questions, get corrections, and receive help as you work, rather than trying to follow a lesson from the back of a large room. Participants particularly valued the teacher’s patience and clear guidance.

The small format is also useful for mixed-age groups. The class is described as suitable for all ages and skill levels, so children and adults can take part without needing prior experience. The experience will still depend on each person’s patience and interest. A child who enjoys drawing or making things may find it engaging; someone who dislikes sitting with a focused task may prefer an activity with more movement.

The class has received a 4.9 rating from 25 participants, with 100 percent recommending it. Those numbers are encouraging, though they are not a guarantee that every person will enjoy painting. The strongest reasons for the positive response are easy to understand: personal instruction, a relaxed pace, cultural context, and a tangible result to take away.

Fitting 90 minutes into a Beijing day

At roughly an hour and a half, the class is short enough to work around a sightseeing schedule. Morning and afternoon start times are available, giving you some choice about when to take a break from museums and city walks. The exact start time should be confirmed when you book.

I’d put this on a day when you want a calmer activity between more demanding plans, rather than trying to squeeze it into an already rushed schedule. You need time to reach the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing and settle in before class. Since the activity ends at the same meeting point, you can then continue your day from there.

Public transportation is available nearby, and the meeting location is given by hotel name and address. No transport is included, so getting to and from the hotel is your responsibility. If you’re planning a tight connection to another activity, leave a little breathing room; the stated class length is approximate, and one participant received extra teaching time, though that should not be assumed.

Is $65 good value?

At $65 per person, this is not a bargain-basement craft session. But the price includes a 90-minute class, an instructor, art materials, and a handmade fan to take home. You’re also paying for a small-group format and the chance to get help with your own work, not just access to paints and paper.

The value is strongest if you want an activity that combines a creative lesson with a personal souvenir. A ready-made fan might cost less, but it would not come with the experience of painting it yourself or the cultural context shared during class. If you’re mainly looking for a low-cost way to fill an hour, the price may feel high. If you value a focused, guided activity and want something you made to remember Beijing, it is easier to justify.

The class is often booked about 19 days ahead. That gives you a useful planning signal, especially if you want a particular morning or afternoon slot. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this class most

I’d recommend it to beginners who want to try watercolor without bringing supplies, families looking for a shared activity, and anyone who wants a quieter break from sightseeing. It’s also a good fit if you like leaving a place with a souvenir you made yourself rather than one you picked off a shelf.

You don’t need to be good at art to take part. In fact, a willingness to learn may matter more than prior skill. The instructor’s patient approach is well suited to people who want to try something new, and the class welcomes a range of ages and experience levels.

Think twice if you expect a polished work of art with little effort, or if a 90-minute seated activity sounds dull. The fan may take more care than you expect, and the pleasure is partly in the process. This is a creative lesson, not a quick photo stop.

Should you book the Beijing fan-painting class?

Book it if you want a small, hands-on introduction to Chinese art traditions and like the idea of taking home a fan you painted yourself. The 90-minute format, included supplies, and patient instruction make it approachable even if your last art class was years ago.

Skip it if you’re short on time, uninterested in making art, or focused on finding the cheapest possible souvenir. For everyone else, it offers a thoughtful change of pace: a little practice, a little cultural context, and a keepsake with your own brushstrokes on it.

FAQ

How long is the watercolor class?

The class lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How much does the class cost?

The price is $65 per person.

Where does the class meet?

Meet your instructor in the lobby of the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing Hotel at 8 Wangfujing East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point, the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing Hotel.

Who teaches the class?

Richard Li is the named instructor.

Are art supplies included?

Yes. Art supplies and materials, the 90-minute class, and the instructor’s fee are included.

Is the class suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is open to all ages and skill levels, and no prior painting experience is stated as a requirement.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.