We seek to offer a varied programme of Chinese cultural classes including:
These cultural classes are subject to teacher availability.
For further information regarding these classes, please email ci@lancaster.ac.uk
Weekly Chinese Mandarin language, Chinese culture and arts and crafts activities.
Beginner and advanced classes available.
The class content will be aimed at children. A family member or guardian is welcome to join the class with their child to learn together.
Time: Wednesdays, 4.30-5.30pm
Dates: 14 January to 25 March 2026.
Please note that the class will not take place on 18 February 2026.
Location: Lancaster University Confucius Institute
Registration: Please email ci@lancaster.ac.uk for registration information.
Chinese calligraphy, shū fǎ, is "the rules of writing Han characters". Chinese painting is known today as "guó huà". They emphasize motion and are charged with a dynamic life. As the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world, calligraphy and painting today are known and learned as important parts of traditional Chinese culture.
Time: Tuesdays, 6.15-7.45pm
Dates: 13 January to 17 March 2026.
Location: Lancaster University Confucius Institute (The Roundhouse)
Registration: Chinese Calligraphy Classes
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art practised for both its health benefits and defence training which has its roots in Taoism. It is the cultivation of one's internal energy, mind and the physical body that makes it so unique and challenging.
Qimei Li is a keen amateur practitioner of Yang-style Tai Chi who has practised on and off for more than 20 years. She teaches Tai Chi on behalf of Lancaster University Confucius Institute. Qimei grew up in Taiyuan, Shanxi where her father was a teacher of Tai Chi for more than 30 years, achieving Master status. Qimei enjoys practicing and teaching Tai Chi because it is a good way to improve circulation, flexibility and to let go of stress.
Time: Wednesdays, 12.00-12.50pm
Dates: 14 January to 18 March 2026
Registration: Tai Chi Classes - Lancaster University
Time: Fridays, 1.00-1.50pm (Beginner) and 2.00-2.50pm (Improver)
Dates: 16 January to 20 March 2026.
Please note that the tai chi classes will not take place on 23 January and 27 February.
Registration for beginner class: Tai Chi at Garstang Arts Centre (for beginners)
Registration for improver class: Tai Chi at Garstang Arts Centre (for improvers)
To register for this class, you must be a member of the Garstang Arts Centre. If you are not currently a member of the Arts Centre, please contact them at: https://garstangartssociety.org.uk/contact
The Chinese cultural dance classes are taught by dancer, choreographer and theatre producer, Qinwei Li.
Qinwei Li is a graduate from South-Central Minzu University in China and Bath Spa University in the UK, and has a range of dancing experience in the UK and China.
The 10-week culture course introduces some basic knowledge of Chinese opera, mainly with the example of Peking Opera, ‘the quintessence’ of Chinese culture and ‘World Intangible Cultural Heritage’.
The course aims at supporting learners to learn how to listen to Chinese opera and about some core parts of Chinese traditional culture that are still embedded in the contemporary China, and enabling learners to gain knowledge and skills of cross-cultural communication.
Qinghong (Amy) Zhang, the course convenor, has extensive cross-cultural communication experience including successful teaching experience in both the Confucius Institute and the UK Higher Education. Amy also has a strong link with the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, the most prestigious institute of Chinese opera study and creation globally.
Shaolin Ba Duan Jin can be translated as 8 Brocade (Valuable) Exercises. It belongs to the classic repertoire of Qi Gong exercises in the Shaolin Kong Fu. It enhances physical health by stretching muscles and invigorating meridians. During practice, it enables individuals to clearly perceive changes in their breath and muscles.
The class will is taught by Hui Jing, a PhD student at Lancaster University. Hui Jing graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and the University of Roehampton and has several awards in Classical Chinese Dance, Chinese Folk Dance and Contemporary Dance.
