15 Must-Try Workshops & Classes In Chengdu

Chengdu isn’t just about pandas and spicy food; it’s a city where you can actively learn and participate in its culinary traditions. What makes Chengdu particularly special for cooking workshops and classes is the opportunity to go beyond just tasting—here, you can roll up your sleeves, visit local markets, and master authentic dishes with local chefs. We’ve enjoyed experiences like the Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit because it combines market exploration with hands-on cooking in a well-equipped kitchen—plus, the reviews rave about the lively guide Jerry and the top-notch food. If you’re a foodie eager to understand Sichuan cuisine at its roots, these classes will leave you with new skills and recipes to impress friends back home.

Chengdu’s lively markets and rich culinary culture make it a natural playground for food workshops. Whether you want to learn how to make bao zi steamed buns, Dandan noodles, or Sichuan hot pot, this list covers a variety of options—each with its own unique focus and experience, from market visits to home-style cooking in courtyard settings. If you prefer a mix of cultural insight and practical skills, there’s plenty here to choose from.

Quick Overview

This list features the best workshops and classes in Chengdu, ranging from half-day cooking experiences to full-day panda visits combined with cooking, all designed to deepen your understanding of Sichuan flavors. Expect classes that focus on specialized dishes like dumplings, Dan Dan noodles, and tofu, as well as immersive market visits and even pickles and hot pot workshops. Each experience is carefully curated for authenticity, quality, and fun—perfect for food lovers, cultural explorers, and curious travelers.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these top-rated options:

1. Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit

This highly-rated class delivers a comprehensive introduction to Sichuan cuisine in just half a day. It starts with a guided visit to a colorful local spice market, where you’ll learn about the ingredients that make Chengdu’s dishes so distinctive. Then, you’re taken to a well-equipped kitchen to prepare multiple dishes with a chef’s guidance. The class emphasizes hands-on learning, and the entire experience, including all ingredients and meals, is hassle-free. Guests consistently praise the knowledgeable guide Jerry and the delicious dishes they make, often calling it a highlight of their trip.
This class is perfect for travelers who want a bite-sized yet authentic culinary experience without a long commitment. Its focus on local ingredients and practical skills makes it ideal for foodies and amateur cooks.
Bottom Line: An engaging, well-reviewed option for those short on time but eager to learn authentic Sichuan cooking.

2. Half-Day Chinese Bun Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit

For those especially interested in Chinese bread and pastries, this class centers on “Bao Zi” steamed buns. It kicks off with a visit to a lively spice market, where you’ll pick up local spices and ingredients. Back in a traditional courtyard kitchen, you’ll learn how to make bao from scratch, kneading dough and filling your buns with savory or sweet fillings. The experience is highly interactive, with a friendly guide helping you understand Sichuan spices and techniques. The class concludes with everyone enjoying their freshly made buns—an excellent way to walk away with a new skill and delicious food.
Reviews highlight the fun challenges and the authentic atmosphere, making this class ideal for foodies who love bread or want to try making something new.
Bottom Line: Perfect for bread lovers wanting a hands-on, authentic Sichuan experience, with the added bonus of market exploration.

3. Chengdu: Cooking Class with Fresh Market Half Day Experience

This experience stands out for its local market immersion and the courtyard setting where the cooking takes place. Starting with a guided walk through a local spice market, you’ll learn about Sichuan herbs and ingredients. Then, at a courtyard restaurant, you’ll participate in a hands-on class covering a variety of Sichuan dishes, with a focus on vegetarian options if needed. The chef’s teaching is clear, and the environment relaxed, making it ideal for travelers who want a personalized culinary journey.
Guests frequently mention how the chef’s warmth and the delicious meal make it a memorable experience. The class’s small size and flexible menu are appealing for those seeking authenticity and a local ambiance.
Bottom Line: An excellent choice for travelers wanting an immersive, courtyard-based cooking lesson with market insights.

4. Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit

This class offers a specialized focus on Dan Dan noodles, one of Sichuan’s most iconic dishes. After a pickup from hotels within the second ring road, you’ll visit a local spice market to pick out essential ingredients. Then, in a professional kitchen, you’ll learn the secrets behind making the perfect Dan Dan sauce from an expert chef. The class includes sampling your dish, Jasmine tea, and a complimentary beer to toast your culinary accomplishment.
This experience is great for foodies eager to master a signature Sichuan dish. The reviews note the expert guidance and the fun atmosphere, making it a rewarding, hands-on class.
Bottom Line: An ideal choice for those wanting to learn how to cook and enjoy Sichuan’s famous noodle dish in a lively setting.

5. Half Day Chengdu Dumpling Making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch

If dumplings are your thing, this class takes you into an authentic Sichuan courtyard to learn dumpling skills from scratch. It begins with a visit to a local spice market, filled with fun challenges to identify spices. Back in the courtyard, you’ll work with a chef to knead dough, fill, and fold your dumplings, all while enjoying Sichuan tea—part of the local hospitality. The class wraps up with everyone sharing the dishes they’ve prepared, often praised for its warm, personal atmosphere.
Reviewers mention this as the most memorable cooking class, especially for those who want a hands-on experience with a local guide.
Bottom Line: Perfect for dumpling lovers and anyone wanting a fun, traditional Sichuan cooking experience.

6. Half-Day Private Sichuan Hot-Pot Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit

This class is tailored for hot pot enthusiasts wanting to learn how to prepare both spicy and non-spicy hot pots. Starting with a tour of a local spice market, you’ll gather ingredients for both flavors, then head to a professional kitchen to cook your own hot pot. The guide demonstrates dicing, dipping, and seasoning techniques, with plenty of personalized tips. You’ll also learn presentation and plating. Guests often mention how fun it is to cook both styles and the delicious result.
It’s well-suited for those who love interactive cooking and want an authentic hot pot experience. The reviews note the expert guidance and the fun of making your own hot pot from scratch.
Bottom Line: An excellent pick for hot pot fans eager to learn the secrets behind Sichuan’s beloved dish.

7. Private Panda Tour with Cooking Class One-day Trip

This full-day experience combines visiting Chengdu’s panda base with a culinary adventure. In the morning, you’ll see pandas in their active hours at the Chengdu Panda Research Base—tickets included. Later, you travel to a local chef’s home to learn how to cook authentic Sichuan dishes, finishing with a vegetarian lunch. The tour is perfect for families or travelers wanting more variety in one day, with hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.
Reviewers love how smoothly the day is organized and how the panda visit is a highlight. It’s great for nature lovers who also want a culinary twist.
Bottom Line: A comprehensive full-day outing for those who want pandas and authentic cooking in one trip.

8. Half day Chengdu Pickles Making Class with Local Market Visit

This class offers a unique culinary twist: making Chinese pickles. After exploring a local spice market with fun challenges, you’ll learn how to prepare traditional pickled vegetables in a Sichuan-style courtyard. The class includes local tea and ends with enjoying your own pickles along with beverages. It’s perfect for DIY foodies who want a tangible skill that lasts.
Reviewers mention that this class is informative, fun, and truly memorable. It suits travelers interested in fermentation, preservation, or local snacks.
Bottom Line: Ideal for those wanting to learn a specialized local skill with a hands-on approach.

9. Half Day Chengdu Tofu Making Class with Mapo Tofu Cooking

This workshop focuses on tofu, a fundamental ingredient in Sichuan cuisine. It begins with exploring a local spice market, followed by making soy milk and tofu from scratch, using traditional tools. In the courtyard, you’ll learn to prepare Mapo tofu, one of Sichuan’s signature dishes. The class is praised for its interactive, hands-on style and the delicious final product. Guests leave with recipe cards and new skills.
Reviewers highlight the uniqueness of making tofu from beans and the authentic flavors learned during the class.
Bottom Line: Perfect for culinary enthusiasts wanting to master tofu and Mapo tofu in an authentic setting.

10. Half day Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class Tour (Cooking 3 dishes)

This class covers three classic Sichuan dishes, combining market shopping, bargaining, and hands-on cooking. Led by Lance, the experienced guide, you’ll learn traditional techniques in a home-style garden restaurant. The focus is on technique and cultural stories, giving you a well-rounded culinary and cultural understanding. Reviewers find it to be value for money, with the food tasting being a highlight.
Ideal for those who want multiple dishes in one session and the storytelling aspect of Sichuan cuisine.
Bottom Line: Great for learners wanting comprehensive cooking and cultural insights.

11. Half-Day Sichuan Cooking Class Experience in Chengdu

This small-group class emphasizes personal attention as you learn to make Kung Pao chicken, dumplings, and other Sichuan staples. It begins with a market tour and concludes with a meal of your own making. The instructor’s clear guidance makes it accessible even for beginners, and the experience is praised as fun and authentic.
It appeals especially to families or solo travelers who want a mid-length, hands-on class with a friendly environment.
Bottom Line: Ideal for anyone seeking a practical, enjoyable introduction to Sichuan cooking.

12. Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Cooking Class and Savor Local Snacks

This experience combines a visit to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum with a cooking class and unlimited local snacks. It’s perfect for history and foodies who want to learn about the evolution of Sichuan dishes while cooking and tasting. The class includes exploring the largest Kitchen God Ancestral Hall and learning about Sichuan culinary art.
Reviewers appreciate the comprehensive culture and the delicious snacks. It suits travelers who want a more educational and tasty experience.
Bottom Line: A well-rounded cultural and culinary tour for those keen on history and flavors.

13. Chengdu: Panda Base, Farmer’s Market, and Cooking Class

This full-day tour is a multifaceted experience, starting with a visit to the Panda Base to see pandas in their prime. Afterward, explore a local farmer’s market for fresh ingredients, then visit a local chef’s home to cook Sichuan dishes. The blend of nature, market shopping, and hands-on cooking makes it a popular choice for families or curious travelers.
Reviewers enjoy the personalized cooking session and the chance to interact with local life. It offers a rich, varied day that’s both educational and fun.
Bottom Line: A flexible, well-rounded day perfect for those seeking diverse experiences.

14. Chengdu: Panda Base, Sichuan Cuisine Museum, & Cooking Class

This tour combines panda watching with a visit to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, followed by an interactive cooking class in which you prepare two classic Sichuan dishes. It’s a full cultural and culinary immersion ideal for anyone wanting a broad overview of Chengdu’s highlights in a single day.
The focus on learning through experience and tasting makes it appealing for travelers who want both nature and food.
Bottom Line: A great option for those with limited time but who want a well-rounded experience.

15. Chengdu: Sichuan Cooking Class with Market Tour

This class is designed for those eager to learn authentic Sichuan cooking techniques in a hands-on environment. Visiting Kuanzhai Alley and a local market, you’ll pick fresh ingredients and learn seasoning, knife skills, and wok control. The class concludes with enjoying your own prepared dishes in a dining area, plus a course completion certificate as a souvenir.
Guests praise the practical skills and the personalized guidance, making it a solid choice for culinary travelers who want a comprehensive, authentic experience.
Bottom Line: An excellent, skill-focused class for serious food lovers eager to bring Sichuan flavors home.

How to Choose the Right Workshop in Chengdu

When selecting a cooking class or workshop in Chengdu, consider your budget, available time, and culinary interests. If you’re short on time but eager to master signature dishes like Dan Dan noodles or bao buns, classes like half-day Dan Dan noodles or Chinese buns are perfect. Larger, full-day experiences like the Panda and Cooking tour suit those wanting a diverse day of activities.

Think about your familiarity with Chinese cuisine—beginners might prefer small, focused classes with clear guidance, while seasoned cooks may enjoy specialized workshops such as tofu making or pickles. Travel in spring or autumn when Chengdu’s weather is ideal, but booking early is wise, especially during peak travel seasons.

Final Words

Chengdu offers a wide range of culinary experiences that turn a simple meal into a memorable cultural activity. Whether you want to learn how to cook Sichuan hotpot, dumplings, or pickles, or combine that with pandas and local markets, there’s something for every foodie and curious traveler. Our top picks include the Half-Day Chengdu Cooking Class with Local Market Visit for its authenticity and reviews, and the Panda Tour with Cooking Class for a full-day adventure. Booking early guarantees you’ll secure a spot in these popular classes, so don’t wait—Chengdu’s culinary treasures await!