Private Song Dynasty Tea Whisking & Incense Masterclass in Beijing | Uncle Zhao China
High-Touch Local Experience
Ting Xiang: Private 2-Hour Ancient Tea & Incense Immersion
Highlights
Duration: 120 Minutes (Private Session).
Format: 100% Hands-on Masterclass.
Core Skills: Song Dynasty Tea Whisking (Dian Cha) & Incense Seal Making (Zhuan Xiang).
Target Audience: Solo travelers, couples, families with children, and private groups.
The Art of Zen: 2-Hour Song Dynasty Tea Whisking & Incense Seal Masterclass Private Beijing masterclass for international travelers: Song Dynasty Dian Cha tea whisking and Zhuan Xiang incense seal making with bilingual cultural interpretation.
Most travelers come to China to see grand monuments, but true luxury is finding absolute stillness. Hidden behind a modest facade lies our sanctuary. Step through our wooden doors, leave the noise of the 21st century behind, and prepare your senses for an ancient awakening. This is not a mere craft class; it is a 2-hour deep-dive into Oriental aesthetics through hands-on practice and philosophical dialogue.
Act I: The Sensory Anchor - Mortise and Tenon philosophy
Your journey begins at the threshold. Before entering the sanctuary, you will physically touch traditional Mortise and Tenon wood joints—understanding the Chinese philosophy of "harmony in diversity." As you stand before our signature Agarwood Wall, a deep, guided breath will act as a psychological switch, disconnecting you from the outside chaos and anchoring you in the present moment.
Act II: The Incense Seal - Sculpting Time - Zhuan Xiang meditation
Moving into the serene courtyard, you will learn the ancient art of "Zhuan Xiang" (Incense Seal Making). This is a physical meditation. As you carefully fill the intricately carved brass molds with pure incense powder, you will discover how extreme focus and repetitive, precise hand movements calm the nervous system. The silence of the room nourishes the steadiness of your hands.
Act III: Song Dynasty Tea Whisking - Dian Cha and Tea Drawing technique
FAQ · COMMON QUESTIONS Frequently asked questions about booking, packages, Dian Cha, Zhuan Xiang, families, and pricing for this private Beijing tea and incense masterclass.
Q1: What is "Dian Cha" (Song Dynasty Tea Whisking)?
"Dian Cha" is the 1,000-year-old Song Dynasty art of tea whisking, known as the historical predecessor to Japanese Matcha. Using a bamboo whisk, practitioners whip finely milled tea powder into a thick white foam and use clear water to draw intricate patterns on the surface, a technique called "Tea Bai Xi" (Tea Drawing). It is a hands-on blend of culinary art and mindfulness.
Q2: What does "Zhuan Xiang" (Incense Seal Making) involve?
"Zhuan Xiang" is an ancient Chinese physical meditation practice. It involves meticulously filling intricately carved brass molds with pure incense powder to create continuous, geometric patterns. The extreme focus and precise hand movements required help to calm the nervous system and anchor the mind in the present moment.
Q3: How much does the Tea & Incense Masterclass cost?
We offer three distinct, private 120-minute packages:
Personal Retreat: $129 USD per person (1-on-1 or 1-on-2 guidance).
Family Zen Experience: $299 USD per family (Covers 2 adults and up to 2 children, featuring child-safe tools and animal-shaped molds).
Private Group Ya Ji: $479 USD per group (Up to 6 guests, approximately $78/person, featuring group tea competitions).
Language: Bilingual master guidance provided.
Transitioning to a private tea room overlooking a living landscape, you will experience "Dian Cha"—the Song Dynasty art of tea whisking (the 1,000-year-old predecessor to Japanese Matcha). Using a bamboo whisk, you will whip the premium tea into a thick white foam and practice "Tea Drawing" (Cha Bai Xi) on its surface. You are not just drinking tea; you are experiencing the ancient scholar's spirit of elevating daily routines into playable art.
Act IV: Taking Zen Home Closing gallery discussion, refreshments, and mindful living takeaways after the private tea and incense immersion.
We conclude in the gallery space. Over tailored Chinese refreshments, our master will guide a relaxed discussion on how to translate this "stillness and focus" into your modern lifestyle. You will leave not just with souvenirs, but with a new perspective on mindful living.
What exactly will we do? Session timeline from arrival through incense seal crafting, Dian Cha whisking, foam tea drawing, and reflection in Beijing.
Min 0-10: Arrival, Sensory Anchoring, and Decompression.
Min 10-50: The Masterclass of Incense Seal (Hands-on crafting, breathwork, igniting the seal).
Min 50-100: The Song Dynasty Tea Alchemy (Whisking techniques, tasting, and drawing on tea foam).
Min 100-120: Reflection, Q&A, and Lifestyle Integration. (All materials, bilingual master guidance, and custom take-home souvenirs are included in all packages).
Booking Policy & Etiquette Advance booking, scent-free arrival, dietary accommodations, dress code, late arrival rules, and optional videography for the Beijing sanctuary experience.
Advance Booking Required: To ensure the highest quality of preparation and secure your private space, bookings must be made at least 3 days in advance.
Scent-Free Policy: Please arrive scent-free. Do not wear perfume or strong lotions, as they will disrupt the delicate agarwood sensory journey.
Dietary Needs: The experience includes premium tea and traditional pastries. Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions (e.g., vegan, gluten-free) at the time of booking so we can customize your refreshments.
Dress Code: We highly recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to allow for deep breathing and relaxed seating during the 2-hour session.
Optional Video Service: Want to capture the memory without looking at your phone? Professional videography recording of your session is available upon request (must be booked 24 hours in advance).
To maintain the sanctity of the experience, we strictly limit this journey to small, private groups. This is not a tourist attraction; it is a private cultural immersion.
Q4: Is this experience suitable for children and families?
Yes. Our $299 USD "Family Zen Experience" is specifically designed as a cross-cultural playground. It bypasses complex language barriers through hands-on collaboration, allowing families to create a "Family Incense Seal" together using child-friendly, animal-shaped molds under expert bilingual guidance.
