If you’re looking for more than just sightseeing in China — something meaningful, creative, and truly local — this experience is for you.
Join ELLESILK, a global luxury silk brand, for a special one-day cultural journey in Shunde, a historic town in southern China. You’ll discover a rare form of silk making that uses only natural dye, river mud, sunshine, and human hands.
You won’t just watch — you’ll get involved. You’ll touch, create, and bring home a piece of living tradition.
What Makes This Silk Special?
This traditional silk is made using 100% natural mulberry silk. It goes through a unique process that uses plant-based dye and iron-rich river mud. Everything is done by hand, following methods passed down for over 600 years.
To create this silk, it takes more than 15 steps over 15 days. The key processes include:
- Soaking the silk in plant dye
- Sprinkling dye evenly over the fabric
- Applying river mud to fix the color
- Laying the fabric in the sun to dry
- Washing, stretching, and finishing the silk by hand
The result is a dark, soft, breathable silk that feels unlike anything else. It is both elegant and durable — and completely chemical-free.
One-Day Cultural Experience by ELLESILK
Location: Shunde, Guangdong
Duration: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Price: $850 USD per person
This is a premium, hands-on day designed for international travelers who want to truly connect with Chinese culture.
Morning
- Welcome tea and introduction
- Guided tour of a real working silk workshop
- Watch key steps in the process up close
- Visit a small museum and learn about the history of this silk
Lunch
- Enjoy a high-quality local lunch
- Experience the rich food culture of Shunde
- Includes tea or wine pairing on request
Afternoon
- Hands-on time: join 2–3 steps in the silk-making process
- Use natural dye and help apply the river mud
- Create your own piece of silk to take home
- Visit a modern silk design studio
- Try on finished silk pieces and take photos
- Option to order a custom garment (extra cost)
Why ELLESILK?
ELLESILK is a global brand known for high-quality natural silk. We work directly with local silk producers in China to bring you real, meaningful experiences — not tourist shows.
What we offer:
- Real, working locations (not staged)
- Private or small group (1–6 people)
- Hosted in English by default
- French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and other languages available upon request
- High-end food, service, and materials throughout
Booking Information
- Price: $850 USD per person
- Duration: One full day (7 hours)
- Group size: 1–6 people
- Location: Shunde, Guangdong (1 hour from Guangzhou)
- Language: English included; other languages by request
- Ideal for: Culture lovers, creatives, designers, and curious travelers
- Booking contact:
- Email: helen@ellesilk.com
- Instagram: @ellesilkbeddings
- Book at least 10 days in advance
Take Home More Than a Souvenir
This is not just a class. It’s a story you become part of.
You’ll leave with a silk piece you helped make — and a deep memory of China’s craftsmanship, nature, and tradition.
We look forward to welcoming you in Shunde.
Read this cultural experience tour in other languages:
- Deutsch (German): https://www.ellesilk.com/blog/de/kulturell-erlebnis-reise/
- 日本語 (Japanese): https://www.ellesilk.com/blog/ja/cultural-experiences-tour/
- Français (French): https://www.ellesilk.com/blog/fr/voyage-culturel/
- Español (Spanish): https://www.ellesilk.com/blog/es/experiencia-cultural/