Explore Singapore through exciting workshops

For those with a short schedule but still want to fully experience Singapore's indigenous culture, traditional and craft workshops are the ideal choice.

With a wide range of options, suitable for many ages and interests, workshop experiences give visitors the opportunity to experience and feel the unique cultural depth of the Lion Island in a short time.

Explore heritage through traditional craft experiences

In Singapore, crafts such as batik painting and dyeing are still preserved by the Peranakan community and local artisans as a vibrant part of urban life. Experiential workshops allow visitors to discover these unique techniques firsthand and experience the enduring creative spirit that has been passed down through generations.

The first workshop that visitors should not miss is the experience of Batik painting - the art of using beeswax to dye and draw traditional patterns on fabric of Southeast Asia, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Visitors can come to Kamal Arts Studio to experience this interesting activity. With a duration of 2 hours, participants have the opportunity to create their own batik painting, while listening to the artist share the story of the history and transformation of batik over time.

Photo: Kamal Arts Studio

The programs at the workshop are designed for a variety of levels and ages from 9 and up, no experience is required so it is suitable for visitors who are new to this art form.

Discover the colorful culinary flavors of Singapore

With its diverse population, Singapore has a unique cuisine where seemingly contrasting flavors blend together in a sophisticated way. Join a traditional culinary workshop to discover how food is a common language connecting the multi-ethnic communities of the island nation.

Visitors can try participating in the Cultural Cooking Class at the Food Playground (Chinatown area). Here, each person will have three hours to cook an authentic Singaporean dish. At the beginning of the class, visitors will learn about the unique features of Singaporean cuisine, explore the local spices and ingredients that have made the street food area famous. After that, each person will learn how to prepare some traditional dishes such as Laksa, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, Kueh Dadar,... depending on the workshop program.

During the cooking process, the guides will share inspirational stories and family secrets that create the special flavors of each dish, authentically local.

Consistently honored by Tripadvisor as "Traveller's Choice Best of the Best" from 2020 to 2024, Cultural Cooking Class is one of the meaningful experiences to explore the popular culinary culture of the Island Nation.

While Food Playground offers a lively group class atmosphere in the heart of Chinatown, Cookery Magic offers a more intimate and private experience. The class is held right in the kitchen of chef Ruqxana Vera Lynette in Singapore.

The class is unique in its intimate atmosphere, giving the feeling of being invited to dine at a local Singaporean’s home. After completing the dish, everyone will enjoy the fruits of their labor in the middle of a lush green garden, where each culinary story comes to life through words and flavors.

Visitors can choose to join weekly classes or book a private session for a group of family or friends to prepare local dishes together such as Assam Prawns (shrimp in tamarind sauce), Daun Ubi Keledek Masak Lemak (sweet potato leaves cooked in a mildly spicy coconut milk) and Ayam Ponteh (chicken stew in soy sauce).

"Touch" Singaporean culture through architectural materials

Besides crafts and cuisine, Singapore’s cultural identity is also clearly depicted on architectural materials such as ceramics or tiles. Therefore, architectural workshops are always especially loved by tourists, because they not only get to directly create but also have the opportunity to learn about the meaning of each pattern, color palette and the delicate aesthetic taste of the local residents.

Nestled in the tranquil greenery of western Singapore, Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is home to the island nation’s oldest operating traditional kiln. Built in the 1940s in the shape of a dragon, the kiln can reach temperatures of 1,300°C, creating a unique natural wood-ash glaze for each Teochew ceramic product – a heritage that has been preserved for generations.

During the 2-hour workshop at Thow Kwang, visitors will experience the entire pottery making process under the guidance of members of the Tan family – artisans who preserve the traditional art of pottery firing. The class begins with a demonstration of the artisans’ skillful use of the pottery wheel. After that, visitors will be guided through the basic steps of pottery making. When it comes to practice, participants can choose between hand-molding or combining pottery on the wheel. In addition, Thow Kwang also owns a huge collection of pottery with sophisticated patterns and strong island imprints that visitors can visit and shop.

Photo: Sistic

Besides ceramic art, visitors can also explore the Peranakan tile painting workshop - a cultural "specialty" of Peranakan architecture that visitors can easily see in the shophouses in Joo Chiat and Katong. The tiles with delicate floral and bird motifs are not only an aesthetic highlight but also tell the story of prosperity, balance and migration of the Nyonya people through many generations.

Over the course of two hours, visitors will discover the origins and significance of Peranakan patterns and unique shophouse architecture. Under the guidance of an artisan, participants will learn how to combine geometric symmetry, create raised borders and draw patterns with a brush, thereby creating their own handmade porcelain tiles in the Peranakan style.

During the workshop, visitors can also dress up in traditional Nyonya Kebaya and Batik costumes, enjoy Kueh Cake - a dessert often served during festivals and sip traditional Nyonya Tea - a symbol of Peranakan hospitality.

Photo: National Association of Travel Agents Singapore

With just a few days of travel , visitors can still fully experience the culture of this place through traditional workshops. Each experience is an interesting cultural slice, turning simple materials into cultural symbols preserved amidst the urbanized life of the Island Nation. This is also an opportunity for everyone to discover a different, unique and rich Singapore with "gems" hidden in the heart of the city.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/kham-pha-singapore-qua-cac-workshop-thu-vi-20251102234748802.htm