Top activities, what to experience in a Chongqing trip

Chinese calligraphy or stone rubbing

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture / History
• Duration: Around 2 hours
• Location: Hotels at Dazu district

You can attend Chinese calligraphy classes in most of cities and try out stone rubbing in Xi’an. But, if you are planning to visit Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, attending a 2 hour long in-depth and informative Chinese calligraphy or stone rubbing class there can be entertaining.

Chinese calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy has been an independent visual art form for thousands of years. It not only can convey thoughts but also show the beauty of characters. In the Neolithic Period and dynasties before the Qin dynasty, Chinese written words were simplified pictorial images, indicating meaning through suggestion or imagination. It was then in the Qin dynasty, when China was unified for the first time, bronze script was enforced before evolving into other style of writings. In this two hour session you will be tracing a short Buddhist text or some Chinese characters with the demonstration from your teacher. At the same time, he will share with you some interesting facts and history about Chinese calligraphy.

Stone rubbing

Rubbing is one of the oldest techniques used in printmaking which can make multiple precise copies that can be carried away. It have been practiced in China after the invention of paper in the Han dynasty. Rubbing can make multiple copies of old inscribed records, using paper and ink. In Asia, special ink is used for rubbing and in the west, heelball is used. Most of the time, rubbing produces a replicate of inscription in a white depression over a black background, though in some cases it can be a revered black and white copy. During the two hour session, your instructor will demonstrate the procedure of stone rubbing and introduce to you about Buddhism and series of Buddhist sculptures and carvings found at Dazu Rock Carvings. More details will be left for you to discover on your own during this session.

Culture immersion at Ciqikou Ancient Town

• Type: Cultural Immersion/ Art & Architecture / History
• Duration: Around 2 hours each
• Location: Ciqikou Ancient Town

Ciqikou Ancient Town, located in the Shapingba district of Chongqing, is a pleasant place to explore. Whether you are going to take Yangtze River cruise in your journey, spending half day here at Ciqikou for the mouth-watering food and cultural experience can be gratifying. This ancient town was first built in the Song dynasty, though most of the restored buildings in town are from the late Ming dynasty. Through this sprawling complex, the main streets is like on a festival, flooded with locals and travellers, especially during weekends and on holidays. But, even without much crowds, you can easily lose yourself in the narrow lanes. Away from the central street, peeking into homes and tiny storefronts, you will find interesting activities here.

Ceramic wall art

Ceramic wall art on panels and plaques was originated in the late Qing dynasty from Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province. In the past, most of the motifs are about landscape and natural beauty. Nowadays, there are more abstract designs. In the pottery workshop, you will be doing ceramic wall art of your own style and design, under the guidance of an instructor. When it is done, instructors will help you dry and glaze your work before deliver it to you. Thus, do plan your itinerary wisely and take note of the days needed. This activity is suitable for people scheduling a long journey in China as you will need 15 to 20 days to receive your art work. Pottery is also available here in the workshop.

Shu embroidery

Shu embroidery is also known as Sichuan embroidery. It is the traditional Chinese craft embroidering designs using coloured silk threads on cloths. In ancient China, Sichuan that produce abundance of high quality silk, is the famous starting point of Southern Silk Road. Chongqing, having been carved out of Sichuan in 1997, would have similar culture as Sichuan. Shu embroidery is famous for its exquisite designs, even stitches and subtle colours. Into one of the narrow alleys, in a Shu embroidery workshop, you will learn some simple stitches and embroider your ideal designs on Chinese round silk fan or handkerchief.

Pyrography on dried gourd

Pyrography is also known as pokerwork or wood burning. In one of the many stores in Ciqikou, you will have the chance to learn how to do pyrography on dried gourd from a skilled teacher. A wonderful chance to train your patience and concentration, since a minute inattentiveness can result in a flaw that often cannot be reversed. However, at the end of your work, your instructor will help you level up the design. Designs can be simple flora and fauna patterns, some Chinese characters, or even your own name. They are burned onto the exterior of the dried hard shell gourd using a wood burning pen. You can change the darkness of the line by changing the speed of your hand during burning. Note that safety is very important for this work as the tip of wood burning pen is at a very high temperature.