Ink & Stone: Traditional Chinese Calligraphy, Seal Engraving & Rubbing in a Historic Lane About this activity

DURATION 1.5 hours

GROUP SIZE Private Group, Limited to 6 people

LOCATION Shanghai

Overview

Tucked away in a quiet residential lane on South Shaanxi Road in Shanghai lies a charming, ink-scented art studio. This is more than a hands-on craft workshop; it is an intimate introduction to the lifestyle aesthetics of traditional Chinese scholars. Guided by a professional master and an English-speaking translator, you will work with rice paper, stone seals, and ancient tile reliefs to create your own artwork. Designed with cultural storytelling and diverse finishing options, this experience ensures every guest takes home a personalized, well-crafted keepsake.

Highlights

Master-Led Mentorship: Learn directly from Master Sun Jin (Jade), a Master of Calligraphy and Seal Engraving from East China Normal University whose artwork is permanently collected by the Memorial Site of the Fourth CPC National Congress.
Four Heritage Crafts & Combos: Choose between a 1-hour Calligraphy session, 1.5-hour Seal Engraving, 1-hour Rubbing, or a 1.5-hour Calligraphy + Rubbing combo, all fully translated into English.
Keepsake Creation & Professional Finishing: Complimentary colored bookmarks and quality rice paper are provided. The master will assist in ironing and mounting your work, and inscribe a personalized dedication as a meaningful cultural souvenir.

What you'll do

Option 1: Carving in Stone — The Art of Seal Engraving

Seal engraving combines calligraphy with stone carving. You will get to know the traditional tools and learn how to hold and maneuver the carving knife safely. To build your confidence, the master will first guide you through basic line-carving exercises before you begin carving your personal seal. Please note: Traditional seals use "Seal Script" (Zhuan Shu), an ancient and intricate font. In a 1.5-hour single session, if your Chinese name is complex, we recommend carving a "single-character seal" (selecting one key character). If you wish to carve your full name, please reserve two sessions in advance to allow sufficient carving time.

Option 2:Harmonies of Ink — Calligraphy & Rubbing Combo

This 1.5-hour combo follows the classic format of traditional Chinese rubbing art, structured in a "rub first, write second" flow: - First half: Make your own Wadang tile rubbing piece on rice paper. - Second half: Write a brushed calligraphy inscription. The written text is composed to match the theme of your rubbed tile, serving as a poetic explanation of its historical meaning. This combined form reflects the authentic presentation favored by Chinese scholars and results in a layered, visually rich piece of art.

What's included

Included

Full instruction by a professional master with an MA in Calligraphy & Seal Engraving (Master Sun Jin or equivalent).
A dedicated English translator throughout the session.
Standard workshop consumables: brushes, ink, practice rice paper, rubbing ink, rubbing paper, tools, and carving knives.
Complimentary colorful bookmarks and high-quality artwork paper.
Professional post-crafting assistance: artwork ironing, mounting, and personalized brush inscriptions by the master.

Not included

Carving Stones (for Seal Engraving): Qingtian seal stones are available for optional on-site purchase if you wish to keep them (2cm basic stone: 30 RMB; 2.5cm basic stone: 50 RMB).
Display Frames & Fans: Optional purchase on-site (Small glass frame: 10 RMB; Large glass frame: 20 RMB; Blank folding fan: 10 RMB).
Round-trip transportation to and from the studio.

Meeting point

Room Right, 1st Floor, 1A, Lane 180 South Shaanxi Road, Xuhui District

Important information

Please Note:

Seal Engraving Options: Due to the complexity of Seal Script, a single 1.5-hour class is best suited for carving a single-character seal. If you want to carve your full Chinese name, please book two classes in advance.
Combo Structure: The 1.5-hour Calligraphy + Rubbing combo follows the traditional standard of "rubbing first, calligraphic interpretation second."