Thinking of learning something new? From baking to quilting to photography, these creative courses in Hong Kong will tame your curiosity
Whether you’re looking for entertainment on weekdays or weekends, there are always numerous options in the city, including stand-up comedy, live jazz and the best happy hours. However, if you wish to stay productive and attempt something a bit more hands-on, these creative courses in Hong Kong come highly recommended. It’s time to unleash your inner Vincent Van Gogh, Mario Testino or Gordon Ramsay!
Creative courses in Hong Kong
1. Sewing and Quilting Class
Designed for those who have never come across a sewing machine before, the sewing and quilting class will teach you how to start from the beginning – namely needles, threads, fabrics and supplies. Participants will get to make different seam types and learn more stitching techniques. If you’re looking for hands-on creative courses in Hong Kong, this one is for you.
The sewing & quilting class takes place at the tutor’s flat on Stubbs Road.
2. Hong Kong Photography Workshop
The team at the Hong Kong Photography Workshop make learning super easy and relaxed by keeping classes small enough for you to ask questions without being lost in the crowd. They offer a range of creative courses in Hong Kong including street photography and Lightroom training, but their signature class is Photography 101, in which students learn the basics of operating a DSLR camera. After a few hours going over camera settings and how to apply them for different effects, you are then able to go and practice on the streets before returning back to the Central studio for a debrief. We love the way they follow up after class and are happy to answer any questions – #teachersoftheyear!
Hong Kong Photography Workshop, Unit B, 7/F, Finance Building, 254-256 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 9244 2746
3. Short Flower Course
Delivering the highest standard of training, the Hong Kong Academy of Flower Arrangement provides a selection of short and regular creative courses in Hong Kong for those who are interested in flower arrangement. Whether you want to craft a modern European floral design or a wedding bouquet, their Short Flower Course (extendable to a regular course) is a great one to start with.
The Hong Kong Academy of Flower Arrangement has three locations in Hong Kong
4. Relax with Reiki with Corie Chu
Numerologist Corie Chu offers a weekly class to help her guests to channel their inner creativity. As you’re brought in a deeply relaxed state, your consciousness will help open the doors into creativity. Aside from her regular reiki & meditation classes, Corie also hosts numerology workshops every now and then, where you can chat about life challenges, career questions or even auspicious wedding dates, so get excited.
Read our interview with Corie Chu.
Relax with Reiki with Corie Chu, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Car Po Commercial Building, Suite 1504, Central, Hong Kong
5. Life Drawing Sessions
Life Model Drawing Club incorporates a wide range of performance, lights and props to provide weekly life drawing and painting sessions. If you want to unleash your creative self and experiment on abstract ideas, you’ll enjoy these sessions.
Find out more at Life Model Drawing Club.
6. Pottery making at Deer Workshop
Deer Workshop offers a number of pottery classes on weekdays and weekends. Not only does pottery making help you blow off some steam after a hectic day of work, it also creates a sense of comfort and serenity from within – better than meditation. Definitely one of our favourite creative courses in Hong Kong!
Read more about Deer Workshop.
Deer Workshop, 1/F, 188 Tai Nan Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 深水埗大南街188號1樓
7. Beginners Weave
Hosted by creative platform Make and Do Hong Kong, Beginners Weave is an engaging course for those who are interested in handicrafts, textiles and fashion to familiarise themselves about the basics of weaving. Participants will get to learn different weaving techniques, and create things such as wall hangings with tassels. A therapeutic learning experience is guaranteed.
Find out more about Make and Do HK.
8. Cooking Class: Traditional Hong Kong
Got an appetite for traditional Cantonese treats? The bread and cake experts from The Mixing Bowl will teach you how to make creamy egg tarts, indulgent pineapple buns and the nostalgic Cantonese sausage rolls. This cooking class will offer you a glimpse into the world of authentic baking whilst drooling over these signature Hong Kong food items. The Mixing Bowl offers a range of classes that cover many different types of cuisine, including Scandinavian baking, sourdough and macarons, so check their site for the latest updates. Definitely some of the best creative courses in Hong Kong for cooking fanatics!
The Mixing Bowl, 23/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 上環文咸東街22-26號栢庭坊23樓
9. Chinese Tea Appreciation Course
Presented by Hong Kong Sommelier & Bartender Training College, Chinese Tea Appreciation Course teaches their students specific ways to enjoy and identify Chinese Tea. Experienced tutors will walk you through the history and taste of different types of tea leaves, such as green tea, yellow tea and Formosa tea. It is a great opportunity to understand more about Chinese culture as appreciating Chinese Tea is a huge and influential part of China.
Hong Kong Sommelier & Bartender Training College, 11/F, Wai Hing Building, 148 Prince Edward Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong, p. 2391 5688, 旺角太子道西148號偉興大厦11樓
10. StudioDanz
StudioDanz is one of the most prominent dance establishments in Hong Kong, with one studio of 4800 sq. ft. in Tai Koo and one of 6000 sq. ft. in San Po Kong. They offer a diverse range of classes, such as hip hop, locking and popping taught by professional dancers and choreographers from across the globe. Students at StudioDanz will attain valuable contemporary dancing skills and also be given opportunities to attend dance battles and contests with like-minded dance enthusiasts.
Check out our favourite dance classes in Hong Kong.
StudioDanz has studios in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
11. Insight School of Interior Design
If you have ever thought about dabbling in the world of interior design, then Insight School is the place for you. Alongside its full-year intensive diploma that sees students work on real life residential and commercial projects, a number of short vocational courses are also offered throughout the year. Why not try introduction to interior design, lighting design or textiles for interiors? With some of the best practicing tutors in the industry both locally and globally, their creative courses in Hong Kong are here to channel your interior creativity.
Insight School of Interior Design, 24/F, Federal Centre, 77 Sheung On Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2114 2021, 香港柴灣常安街77號發達中心24樓
12. Studio 83
With almost a decade of experience, Studio 83 has evolved from a painting studio to an art space where art intersects with design, culture and lifestyle. Courses on offer include: sketching, acrylic painting, oil painting and watercolour painting, all of which are held in the Central studio.
Teachers at the studio are there to guide you throughout the process, but ultimately help you to define your own style and skill-set. The space often holds exhibitions of local artists to inspire you as you work even more.
Studio 83 has locations in Kwun Tong and Central
13. Martha Sherpa’s Cooking Classes
Renowned as the place to go when learning to master the art of Cantonese cooking, Martha Sherpa’s has a reputation that reaches outside the bounds of Hong Kong. Foodies, professional chefs and restaurant owners from across the globe travel to take part in the Chinese cookery, Chinese BBQ and Dim Sum cooking classes that are run from inside a humble studio in North Point.
The cooking school also offers lessons in vegetarian cooking as well as Thai cuisine, but be sure to book well ahead as places fill up quick!
Martha Sherpa’s Cooking Classes, Flat F, 14/F, Wah Lai Mansion, 62-76 Marble Road, North Point, Hong Kong, p. 2381 0132, 北角馬寶道62-76號華禮大廈14樓F室
14. Kalo Make Art Calligraphy
Running since 2015, Kalo Make Art is a cosy and relaxing studio in the heart of Central, the perfect environment for anyone looking to learn the art of calligraphy. Students can choose to learn either Dip Pen Calligraphy, where a pointed nib is placed in ink before writing, or Brush Pen Calligraphy which utilises a range of brushes and ink.
Courses are offered at beginner and improver levels, and include instruction on basic techniques as well as creative application. This is a great one to enjoy with friends, or as part of a celebration.
Kalo Make Art, Room 201, Ivy House, 18-20 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 中環雲咸街18-20號
15. Shoe Artistry
Have you ever wanted to design your own shoes? The team at Shoe Artistry are here to help make that dream a reality with a selection of shoe-making courses. Classes are offered at all levels from beginners right through to advanced, and a number of courses cater to people who want to learn the art in a very traditional sense without the use of heavy machinery.
Whether you want to craft your very own pair of sandals or a fancy pair of coloured brogues, Shoe Artistry will teach you the tricks of the trade, and give you the skills to recreate what you learn at home.
Shoe Artistry, PMQ Unit S603, Block A, 6 Floor, No., 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2796 6018
16. Meditation class
Feelings blue and looking for peace of mind? Since health and wellness is on the rise, there are endless options for meditation centres in Hong Kong. Not only is meditation an excellent way for you to relax and overcome your stress, it’s proven to be beneficial to your health and help with your creativity.
Think meditation is too hard (or hippy!)? Here is what a regular guy thinks after attending a meditation class at ENHALE Meditation Studio.
17. Cantonese learning class
Whether you’ve only just started living in Hong Kong or have been around for years, it’s never too soon or late to pick up a new language. If you wish to blend in with the locals and talk to the waiters and waitresses at a cha chaan teng (more than just replying with “mm goi”), here’s where you can learn Cantonese in Hong Kong. Yes, it’s more complicated than Mandarin, but that’s why you should accept the challenge.
18. Turkish lantern making
Bring a piece of Turkey with you home thanks to Mosaic Art Studio. There are six different types of lanterns, varying in sizes (and price), and they all come with free Turkish tea and Turkish delight for you to enjoy whilst mastering your inner craftsmanship. After finishing your work, you’ll need to wait one or two weeks to receive your end product as a coating will be applied to prevent the mosaic pieces from falling off (all worth the wait!).
Mosaic Art Studio, Rm 705, 7/F, World Interest Building, 8 Tsun Yip Ln, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, p. 9151 6968
19. Create your own fragrance
Don’t you think that the perfume you wear reflects on your personality too? At Intime, you can create your own unique fragrance that is all you! It would also be a unique personalised gift for your lover (or a loved one!) as a bespoke name can be printed on the bottle. You can mix and match amongst 32 enchanting scents to create your 15ml Eau de Parfum. Classes can be conducted in either English or Cantonese.
Intime, 903, Koon Fook Centre, 9 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 9782 1237