Connect with Chinese culture and reconnect with your partner! Join us for this exclusive weekend in Songzhuang Art District where you’ll get to experience four workshops in this unique location, and stay in a beautiful boutique hotel reserved just for retreat participants!
THE LOCATION
Songzhuang Art District is in Tongzhou district, east of Beijing’s CBD near the Hebei border. As one of the largest art districts in the world, it is home to a flourishing community of around 6,000 artists. During the retreat you’ll be based in Xiaopu, a village within the art district, which is where many artists live and have their studios. It’s the location of the hotel, the workshops and the CK Culture Centre.
THE WORKSHOPS
You’ll have the chance to experience traditional Chinese culture in four ways during the retreat.
Chinese painting workshop – learn to paint a pair of mandarin ducks (the Chinese symbol of love) in traditional Chinese shuimo (ink and water) style with experienced teacher Xiao Bing, who lives and works in the art district.
Taichi & Qigong – enjoy this relaxing session of taichi to gently wake your body up and prepare for the day, and special couples qigong where you’ll practice techniques together to enhance your connection.
Ceramics workshop – Make a pair of cups out of clay – or get creative and let your heart lead you to form whatever you’d like! The workshop location displays many ceramic pieces that are sure to inspire you!
Chinese calligraphy workshop – Teacher Li has been doing calligraphy for over 40 years, and you’ll join him in his studio to learn about the basic tools of calligraphy, practice some characters, and finally write a Chinese phrase to express your commitment to each other.
THE HOTEL
You’ll be staying in a local boutique hotel inspired by the simple elegance of the Tang Dynasty. The comfortable en suite rooms open onto a tranquil courtyard area. The furniture is hand-made from solid wood by a friend of the owner, and the walls are hung with art by local artists. Rooms are small but full of exquisite details.
THE SCHEDULE – SATURDAY
9-10am – Pickup from your residence
11am – Arrive at the CK culture centre, orientation
12pm – Lunch
1.30pm – Workshop (Ceramics)
3.30pm – Free time to explore the art district
7pm – Dinner, then free time to go to a quiet bar or relax in the hotel’s tranquil courtyard.
SUNDAY
7am – Workshop (Taichi & Qigong)
8.30am – Breakfast
10am – Workshop (Chinese painting)
12.30pm – Lunch
3pm – Workshop (Calligraphy)
5.30pm – Car back to your residence.
All transportation, accommodation, three meals (Chinese food), all workshops with expert teachers and materials are included in the price, which is just 2588RMB per couple. Availability is limited; only three couples can join us for this exclusive retreat.
For more information, or to sign up, message AJDonnelly on WeChat, or email us at events@culturalkeys.cn. We look forward to having you with us for this amazing weekend!
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About Us
Are you interested in learning more about the traditional culture of China, and perhaps experiencing it for yourself? Since 2013, Cultural Keys Chinese Culture Centre has been helping people doing exactly that.
Through our provision of content, classes, information and services, Cultural Keys helps people access, understand and experience the traditional culture of China, from kung fu to calligraphy, feng shui to painting. Click here to read more about Cultural Keys and what we can do for you, your school, company or organisation to help you get more out of your time in China.
For more information about anything on this page, please contact us or use the form below to let us know your specific requirements. We look forward to hearing from you!
