With diverse options to suit various ages and interests, workshop experiences offer visitors the chance to experience and appreciate the unique cultural depth of the Lion City in a short amount of time.
Discover heritage through traditional craft experiences.
In Singapore, traditional crafts such as batik painting and dyeing are still preserved by the Peranakan community and local artisans as a vibrant part of urban life. Workshops offer visitors the opportunity to directly explore these unique techniques and experience the enduring spirit of creativity passed down through generations.
The first workshop that visitors shouldn't miss is the Batik painting experience – the traditional Southeast Asian art of using beeswax to dye and paint patterns on fabric, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Visitors can find this exciting activity at Kamal Arts Studio. Lasting two hours, participants have the opportunity to create their own batik artwork while listening to the artist share stories about the history and evolution of batik over time.
Photo: Kamal Arts Studio
The workshop programs are designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels and ages, from 9 and up, and require no prior experience, making them suitable for visitors who are new to this art form.
Discover the vibrant culinary flavors of Singapore.
With its diverse population, Singapore boasts a unique culinary scene where seemingly contrasting flavors blend seamlessly. Participating in a traditional food workshop allows visitors to discover how food has become a common language connecting the multi-ethnic communities of the island nation.
Visitors can try participating in a Cultural Cooking Class at the Food Playground (in Chinatown). Here, each person will have three hours to cook an authentic Singaporean dish. The class begins with an introduction to the unique aspects of Singaporean cuisine, exploring the local spices and ingredients that have made the street food areas famous. Afterwards, each person will learn how to prepare several traditional dishes such as Laksa, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, Kueh Dadar, etc., depending on the workshop program.
During the cooking process, the instructors will share inspiring stories and family secrets that create the unique, authentic flavors of each dish.
Consistently recognized as Tripadvisor's "Traveller's Choice Best of the Best" from 2020 to 2024, the Cultural Cooking Class is a meaningful experience to explore the popular culinary culture of the island nation.
While Food Playground offers the vibrant atmosphere of a group cooking class in the heart of Chinatown, Cookery Magic takes visitors to a more private and intimate experience. The class is held right in the kitchen of chef Ruqxana Vera Lynette in Singapore.
What makes this class special is its intimate atmosphere, giving the feeling of being invited to a meal at the home of a native Singaporean. After completing their dishes, everyone enjoys the fruits of their labor amidst a lush green garden, where each culinary story comes alive through storytelling and flavor.
Visitors can choose to participate in weekly classes or sign up for a private class for family and friends to prepare authentic local dishes such as Assam Prawns (shrimp simmered in tamarind sauce), Daun Ubi Keledek Masak Lemak (sweet potato leaves cooked in mildly spicy coconut milk), and Ayam Ponteh (chicken stewed in soybean paste).
"Touching" Singaporean culture through architectural materials.
Besides crafts and cuisine, Singapore's cultural identity is also clearly reflected in architectural materials such as ceramics and tiles. Therefore, architectural workshops are especially popular with tourists, as they not only get to create directly but also have the opportunity to learn about the meaning of each pattern, color palette, and the refined aesthetic taste of the local people.
Nestled amidst the tranquil greenery of western Singapore, Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle houses the oldest continuously operating traditional pottery kiln in the island nation. Built in the 1940s, the kiln resembles a dragon and can reach temperatures of 1,300°C, creating the unique natural ash glaze for each Teochew pottery piece – a heritage preserved through generations.
In a 2-hour workshop at Thow Kwang, visitors will experience the complete pottery-making process under the guidance of members of the Tan family – artisans who preserve the traditional art of pottery making. The workshop begins with a skillful pottery wheel demonstration by an artisan. Following this, visitors will receive detailed instruction on the basic steps of pottery making. For hands-on practice, participants can choose between hand-molding pottery or combining it with potter's wheel sculpting. In addition, Thow Kwang boasts a vast collection of exquisite pottery with distinctive designs reflecting the island nation's culture, which visitors can explore and purchase.
Photo: Sistic
Besides pottery art, visitors can also explore Peranakan tile-painting workshops – a cultural "specialty" of Peranakan architecture, easily found in the shophouses of Joo Chiat and Katong. These tiles, adorned with intricate floral and bird motifs, are not only aesthetically pleasing but also tell stories of prosperity, balance, and the migration journey of the Nyonya people over generations.
Over two hours, visitors will explore the origins and meaning of Peranakan patterns and unique shophouse architecture. Under the guidance of an artisan, participants will learn how to combine geometric shapes, create raised borders, and paint patterns with a brush, thereby creating their own handcrafted ceramic tiles in the distinctive Peranakan style.
During the workshop, visitors also get to wear traditional Nyonya Kebaya and Batik clothing, enjoy Kueh (a dessert often served during festivals), and sip traditional Nyonya tea, a symbol of Peranakan hospitality.
Photo: National Association of Travel Agents Singapore
Even with just a few days ' trip , visitors can fully experience the local culture through traditional workshops. Each experience is a fascinating cultural slice, transforming 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 hidden gems nestled in the heart of the city.
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/kham-pha-singapore-qua-cac-workshop-thu-vi-20251102234748802.htm
Comment (0)