ChinaGem Travel
Xiaolongbao Cooking Class with Instructor
Learn to make Xiaolongbao, a traditional Chinese dumpling, in a traditional Shanghai alleyway. Enjoy a cup of Chinese tea as you learn about the history of Xiaolongbao and its cultural significance.
Culture Local Life Cooking
Highlights
Discover the art of making Xiaolongbao, a traditional Chinese dumpling
Learn about the history of Xiaolongbao and its cultural significance
Enjoy a cup of Chinese tea as you learn to make Xiaolongbao
Get hands-on experience with professional guidance from an instructor
Collaborate with fellow travelers and exchange cultural experiences
Descriptions
🥟 Knead, Fold, and Taste a Living Tradition in a Hidden Alleyway
🍵 A Quiet Beginning in the Heart of the City
Slip away from Shanghai's towering skyline and into a traditional alleyway tucked in the city's center. Here, the rhythm slows. Sink into a seat and wrap your hands around a cup of warm Chinese tea as your instructor shares the story behind the city's most iconic dish. This isn't a rushed lecture—it's a moment to breathe, to listen, and to feel the weight of a culinary craft passed down through generations.
👐 Hands in the Dough, Heart in the Craft
Now, it's your turn. Roll up your sleeves and feel the delicate give of the dough beneath your palms. Under professional, face-to-face guidance, you'll learn to shape xiao long bao—those impossibly thin-skinned pouches of savory broth—alongside other dim sum of Shanghai character. Your instructor is by your side, adjusting your fingers, sharing the quiet secrets of this special intangible cultural heritage pastry. No experience needed. No rushed steps. Just the quiet pride of creating something beautiful with your own hands.
🌍 A Table Shared Across Cultures
You won't do this alone. Knead, fold, and laugh alongside fellow travelers from around the world. Share the stumble of a torn wrapper, the triumph of a perfect pleat, the stories that cross borders more easily than recipes. This is collaboration without pressure—a natural, joyful exchange that turns strangers into companions and enriches your journey in ways a postcard never could. 🥢✨
Includes
What's Included
✅ Xiaolongbao making class
✅ Professional face-to-face guidance
✅ Chinese famous tea
Itinerary
👆 View the detail on Description.
Important information
🔔 Know before you go
The course lasts for 2-3 hours;
Minimum reservation of one person;
Classes can start with 4 or more people;
Located in a tea house in the center of Shanghai;
Morning or afternoon sessions available
User Reviews
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Laura Martinez - United States
March 29, 2025
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4.9
Perfect activity for a Shanghai visit. Strolled through the neighborhood after class — the location is in a great area. Instructor was professional and the class well-structured.
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Jennifer Adams - United States
March 28, 2025
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5
Absolutely magical experience!! 🥟 David was wonderful — so warm and knowledgeable. The tea house is BREATHTAKING. We made xiaolongbao while sipping fragrant tea and it felt like a movie scene. Best experience in Shanghai hands down!! ✨🍵🥟
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Samantha Hill - United States
March 18, 2025
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4.9
OMG this was AMAZING!!! 🌸🥟 Mr. Zhang is the BEST teacher ever — so patient and funny! The tea house is gorgeous and the xiaolongbao we made were actually restaurant-quality?? Still can't believe I can now make soup dumplings from scratch! Spring in Shanghai + dumpling class = PERFECT combo! Would give 6 stars if I could!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Jason Wright - Canada
March 13, 2025
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5
Nice break from the usual sightseeing. The class is well-paced, the tea is good, and you leave with a skill you can actually show off back home.
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Michael Chen - United States
March 2, 2025
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5
Did this on a mild Shanghai morning and it was honestly the highlight of our China trip. The lane house setting is stunning — all dark wood, calligraphy on the walls, and the smell of tea and steam. David was exceptional: spoke perfect English, was patient with everyone (the class ranged from a 12-year-old to a 70-year-old), and shared genuinely interesting stories about Shanghai's food culture. We learned that xiaolongbao was invented in 1875 and that the broth inside comes from aspic (meat jelly) that melts during steaming. The pleating technique is the hardest part — 18 folds is the standard and David could do it in about 10 seconds. We took considerably longer. After the class, we sat around eating our creations and David joined us for tea and answered all our questions about Shanghai. Got some amazing local restaurant recommendations. Tips: book the morning session, bring your camera, and come hungry.
Price per Person: USD 229
💡 Meeting Time:
🕘 9:00 AM
🕘 2:00 PM
5
Total:
SUM
No payment is required now, we will contact you asap to proceed once you submitted your order. We accept Alipay, WeChat Pay, Paypal, Bank transfer or CASH.