Arts & Crafts

Luang Prabang Sketchwalk With Artist

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang’s architecture tells the story of two worlds meeting on the same street: classical Lao temples, with their low, tiered roofs and gilded facades, best exemplified by 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong, and colonial-era shophouses and villas left from the French protectorate, when the town served as the royal capital under French rule.

Experience this heritage firsthand on a sketchwalk with Paul Bloxham, a British artist who has spent over two decades sketching Luang Prabang’s architecture and daily life, with work shown as far afield as London’s Royal Watercolour Society. Guests are guided to a location hand-picked on the day, whether a temple courtyard, a riverside bend along the Mekong, or a quiet colonial lane, where Paul shares simple techniques suited to any skill level. As the sketch takes shape, so does a quieter, more personal read of the town: its light, its rhythms, its passing monks and residents. By the session’s end, guests carry home more than a sketch; they take a felt sense of Luang Prabang itself.

Duration: 4hrs

Rhythms Of Lanna Village

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Immerse yourself in authentic Lanna village life, still preserving the traditions of the ancient Lanna Kingdom that shaped Chiang Mai’s unique identity. Ride a classic Red Songtaew, Chiang Mai’s iconic bright-red open-air shared pickup truck, to visit a local family for a hands-on workshop learning Lanna drumming and the graceful Fon Choeng and Fon Dab sword dances, culminating the day with a fun mini-performance with friends and host family.

Duration: 7hrs

Master’s Guide to LamVong Dance

Luang Prabang, Laos

The Lam Vong Dance, a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, embodies the timeless elegance of Laos’ cultural heritage. Indulge in an exclusive experience guided by a master with over 40 years of expertise, offering an intimate glimpse into the artistry of this national treasure. Revel in the graceful arm movements, delicate footwork, and the enchanting melodies of the traditional Khaen instrument. Enjoy a captivating private performance and conclude with a refined dining experience in a serene, beautifully curated garden. This experience is more than just learning a dance—it’s a journey that introduces you to the beauty of Laos’ exquisite traditions.

Chakra Treatment Experience with a Martial Arts Master

Hue, Vietnam

Discover the ancient art of chakra balancing in the heart of Hue, a center of spirituality and healing shaped by its rich Buddhist influence and royal heritage. Meet Master Kim, a Martial Arts expert, in an exclusive class where he shares insights into chakra alignment, guiding you toward physical and emotional equilibrium. Explore the chakra techniques once practiced by royal officials for wellness and indulge in holistic treatments crafted by Master Kim, thoughtfully designed for you to continue at home, enhancing your well-being.

Duration: 4 hours

Aura & Chakra Healing

Bali, Indonesia

Uncover the mysteries of your personal energy with an enlightening journey into aura and chakra healing. Begin by learning about your energy levels, identifying blockages, and discovering the vibrant color that defines your aura. With this newfound insight, your healer will select a crystal aligned with your aura’s unique hue. Then, dive into the creative process with our talented artisans, crafting a piece of stunning silver jewelry that incorporates your chosen crystal. This one-of-a-kind piece, infused with personal meaning and energy, becomes a beautiful keepsake—a powerful reminder of your journey into self-discovery and healing.

Duration: 4 hours

Exploring traditional craft villages

Hanoi, Vietnam

Step into the world of Vietnam’s rich artisanal heritage with our immersive Traditional Craft Village Tour in Hanoi. Get hands-on with the time-honored processes of crafting incense and weaving the iconic conical hat as you explore charming villages where tradition and artistry meet. Unveil the secrets behind these timeless crafts and enjoy a warm, home-hosted lunch, offering a taste of authentic Vietnamese hospitality. Top off your journey by cycling through ancient villages, where you’ll catch glimpses of rural life and uncover hidden treasures, such as historic temples.

Duration: Haft day

Hue Heritage Villages on Two Wheels

Hue, Vietnam

Hue, nestled in the heart of Vietnam, is a mesmerizing blend of heritage and history Celebrated for its UNESCO-listed Imperial City, this ancient realm unfolds with a tapestry of time-honored temples, royal palaces, and heritage villages.

On a 10km adventure, step back in time through Hue’s hidden gems as you pedal along idyllic lanes, passing rice paddies and quaint villages. Discover the tradition intertwined with the village’s wetlands in the intricate art of mats, handbags and hats weaving with sedge plants. Explore the wood carving legacy passed down from Nguyen dynasty artisans. Next, delve into Phuoc Tich’s ancient village, a treasure trove of cultural heritage that boasts well-preserved traditional “ruongâ€� and garden houses, evoking the charm of bygone eras. Visit a private museum which houses a remarkable collection of ancient pottery. Then, wrap up this unforgettable journey at a local residence with a home-hosted lunch and delectable lotus seed cake making.

Duration: Full day biking ; 6.5hrs

Learn the Secrets of Traditional Knife-making in Sakai

Sakai (Outside Osaka), Japan

Located on Osaka’s outskirts, Sakai has played a pivotal role in shaping Japan’s history. During the Sengoku-era (1467 to 1603), this old industrial city was a thriving port hub with trading ties to both Asia and Europe. Although famed for its Japanese tea ceremony origins and ancient burial mounds, Sakai is best known for its premium quality, carbon steel kitchen knives. Japanese knife-smith craftsmanship is acclaimed worldwide, but Sakai is regarded as its home, producing around 90 percent of Japan’s uniquely hand-made kitchen knives. Sakai is where Japanese and foreign professional chefs source their premium kitchen knives.

For over 600 years, this knife-making skill has been passed down generations of master craftsmen. Today, learn how Sakai’s knives are still hand-forged the age-old way, finished with a level of quality that sets the benchmark globally for kitchen knives.

We visit the studio of a local knife-smith, who traditionally hand-forges these carbon steel knives in a slow and meticulous multi-step process. Observe how the craftsman forms a simple steel piece, deposit it in an open furnace heated to over 900 degrees Celsius, weld and then repeatedly hammer. The knife is then allowed to slowly cool down, before passed on to the sharpener, handle-maker and assembler craftsmen.

Duration: 1 hr

Exclusive Soho Art Gallery Tour  

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong boasts some of Asia’s finest independent and international galleries, besides a thriving local art scene. For an insider’s guide to Hong Kong’s prestigious art gallery world, head to stylish Soho, where art and business collide. This upscale neighbourhood is the address to some of the city’s premier galleries. Take an exclusive guided tour through the latest exhibitions of five contemporary art galleries in Soho, hand-selected for their diversity. Accompanied by art experts, admire the broad range of mediums and styles exhibited, from sculptures and traditional paintings to modern installations. These are mainly the works of artists from Hong Kong and the Greater China region. Beyond the art exhibits, delve into the stories behind the curators and the history and vision of these prolific galleries.  

Duration: 3 hrs

Living Legacy of Jim Thompson’s Weavers

Bangkok, Thailand

The mysterious disappearance of Jim Thompson in 1967 continues to captivate the imagination of many. While much is known about the American businessman who helped revitalise the Thai silk industry in the 1950s on the way to becoming a global silk brand today, very few know about the other half of his legacy.

Upon discovering a community of skilled weavers of Cham descent living across the canal from his Bangkok home, Jim Thompson decided to build his company right next to the community and hired the weavers to produce his prized silk. Visit the last of his original weavers who still produce silk and listen to their fascinating childhood stories of when they watched Jim Thompson cross over to their homes every morning to visit his weavers and their families.

Duration: 6hrs

Conversations with a Local Artist

Yangon, Myanmar

Recent democratic reforms in Myanmar have spurred the growth of its contemporary art scene, particularly in Yangon where private galleries represent a diverse range of artists experimenting with different subjects and art forms.

Visit the home gallery of a Yangon resident artist, considered one of Myanmar’s masters of watercolour paintings, well-known for depicting Buddhist monastic life and the detailed temple architecture of Bagan. View his latest paintings in progress and listen as the soft-spoken artist shares stories of his humble beginnings and how the country’s fascinating political events as well as his own personal experiences have influenced his work. Afterwards, the artist will accompany you to visit a couple of his favorite art galleries.

Duration: 2-3hrs

Bagan Lacquerware Workshop

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan was once home to royal artisans and craftsmen, creating exquisite pottery, wood carvings, stone sculptures and lacquerware. Today, Bagan still produces some of the finest lacquerware in Myanmar.

Visit a lacquerware workshop and meet with the owner who will tell you about the history of Burmese lacquerware, a time- and labour-intensive process involving up to 12 layers of lacquer followed by intricate designs engraved completely freehand and coloured with fine stone powder. Participate in a hands-on lacquerware-making session, trying your hand at some of the easier steps of lacquerware-making and bring home the piece you make as a personal souvenir of Bagan.

Duration: 2.5hrs

H’mong Textiles Workshop with an Artisan

Luang Prabang, Laos

Since 2006, Luang Prabang’s Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre has been devoted to helping people gain insight into the diversity and richness of Laos’ ethnic cultures. Spend an enjoyable half day at the centre, engaging with some of its excellent exhibitions showcasing traditional handmade clothing and textiles, reconstructions of domestic scenes, as well as ritual and religious artefacts.

Also participate in a workshop on H’mong embroidery and H’mong appliqué (ornamental needlework) led by an ethnic artisan. The H’mong are unique in that they still make their own clothes independently, typically weaving and embellishing the fabric themselves. Also enjoy a tasty lunch of ethnic foods at the centre’s own cafe.

Duration: 3.5hrs

Learn the Art of Traditional Lao Weaving

Luang Prabang, Laos

Meaning “East Meets West� in Lao, Ock Pop Tok pairs social business with ethical fashion. The social enterprise aims to create economic value for hand-loomed textiles by providing competitive wages, opportunities for continued learning and professional development for the village weavers as well as educating visitors about the cultural and artistic value of the textiles through its store and workshop.

Spend a hands-on half day with a guide and weaver. Sitting at your own loom, apply basic techniques of Lao weaving to create a placemat-sized textile with a Lao motif which can be taken home as a souvenir.

Duration: 3hrs

Reviving the Lost Art of Khmer Ceramics

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ceramics have been produced in Cambodia since prehistoric times with glazed wares gaining popularity in Angkor between the 9^th and 13^th centuries. Founded in 2006 as the National Centre for Khmer Ceramic Revival, the Khmer Ceramic Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation with a mission to revive the ancient art of Khmer pottery.

The centre provides free vocational training to disadvantaged youths while renewing broader interest in this ancestral art. Spend a half day with a craftsman who will breathe life into the history of ancient Khmer pottery, including how bricks for the Angkor temples were thought to have been made. Then under his careful instruction, take your turn at the potter’s wheel using up to 5 lumps of fresh clay to create your very own piece of pottery.

Duration: 3.5hrs

Afternoon With A Kite-Making Master

Hue, Vietnam

Vietnam has a long, storied kite-making and -flying tradition stretching back more than a thousand years. Northern Vietnam is famous for making musical kites with bamboo flutes attached while kites in the South are more aerodynamic. In the past, farmers believed kites carried their wishes for a good harvest to the gods. About 300 years ago, kites found their way into the Hue Royal Court, leading to Hue’s tradition of creating colourful and elaborate kites. Spend the afternoon with a kite artisan who’s been crafting kites for more than 45 years. Listen as he shares his passion for Vietnamese kites while learning how to create a kite yourself, possibly with the opportunity to let it take flight in the skies over the Citadel.

Duration: 2.5hrs

Creating Art from Bamboo Paper

Hue, Vietnam

“Truc Chi� (bamboo paper) is a recent innovation originating in the Central Vietnamese city of Hue. Used in a variety of decorative pieces including lantern shades, conical hats, umbrellas, and fans, this finely textured paper is crafted from bamboo fibres, known for their resilience and wide availability throughout Vietnam. More impressively, artisans can deftly embed designs right into the paper as it is being made. Visit the Truc Chi art studio and be amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of the art pieces on display. Under the guidance of a local expert, individuals of all ages can participate in the enjoyable process of creating their own piece of Truc Chi art to take back as a souvenir of their memorable time in Hue.

Duration: 4hrs

Behind the Scenes of Saigon’s Contemporary Art (Exclusive)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Much more than made-for-tourists lacquerware and kitschy reproduction paintings, Saigon’s true art scene reveals much about the country’s complicated past and its vibrant future. Spend an insightful half day in the company of artists and scholars for an overview into Vietnamese art, both traditional and contemporary. Explore the Fine Arts Museum, housed in a stunning 1929 colonial-era building, accompanied by a contemporary visual artist and scholar. Listen as she points out highlights of the extensive collection mixing traditional Vietnamese techniques with the plastic arts and compares Vietnam’s dynamic art scene with the more established one of her native Europe. Meet two acclaimed local artists who work with mixed media to learn how they draw inspiration from modern-day Vietnam. Visit a vibrant art studio that not only showcases contemporary Vietnamese masterpieces but also serves as a nurturing ground for emerging local talent.

Duration: 4-5hrs

Beauty of Hang Trong Paintings

Hanoi, Vietnam

Down an obscure alley in Hanoi’s Old Quarter lives a 66-year-old man who happens to be the last remaining master of Hang Trong folk paintings. Originating in the 17^th century under the Le Dynasty, this ancient art form involves a combination of woodblock printing and colourful painting on special handmade paper. Spend a fascinating few hours visiting this talented artisan in his home, witnessing him create folk paintings using the same woodblock used by previous generations of craftsmen and come to understand his desire to preserve this ancient craft. Though this folk painting tradition has nearly disappeared, the paintings themselves continue to be prized by Hanoians, especially during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, when the paintings are placed on family altars, valued for their spiritual and cultural symbolism.

Duration: 3hrs