I spent five incredible days exploring Guilin, and the absolute highlight was discovering an ancient storytelling hall hidden in the Dongxi Lane historic district. There, I learned the delicate art of making Guilin round fans (团扇) - an intangible cultural heritage that dates back centuries. Watching a skilled artisan split a single bamboo into dozens of thin ribs, then carefully assembling my own fan with traditional patterns, gave me a profound connection to Chinese craftsmanship I never expected. This experience transformed my understanding of Guilin from just another scenic destination into a living museum of cultural traditions that visitors rarely discover.
Trip Overview
When: October (Autumn)
Duration: 5 days
Travelers: With friends
Budget: ~3,000 RMB (~$420 USD)
Transportation: Walking + Taxi
Day 1: Discovering Guilin's Cultural Heart
When I first arrived in Guilin, I expected karst mountains and the Li River - the postcard images every traveler knows. But my friend had a different plan. "There's something special in the old city," she told me, leading me through winding streets to Dongxi Lane (东西巷).
As we walked through the restored Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, I felt transported back centuries. This is one of China's first batch of 24 historic cultural cities, with over 2,000 years of continuous history. The sense of reverence for culture here is palpable - it literally flows through the city's veins.
That's when we stumbled upon it - the Jiangjianggutang (讲古堂), or "Ancient Storytelling Hall." In local Guangxi dialect, "讲古" means storytelling or sharing tales. Originally established to narrate Guilin's historical anecdotes and preserve cultural heritage, this place has evolved into something even more captivating - a living workshop where visitors can learn traditional crafts.
🎯 Practical Info
Location: Zhengyang East Lane, Dongxi Lane Historic District Best Time: Morning or late afternoon Entry: Free to visit, workshop fees vary Chinese Name: 讲古堂 (Jiǎng Gǔ Táng)
Day 2: The Art of Round Fans
Stepping into the Jiangjianggutang felt like entering another world. The wooden architecture, the soft lighting, the hush of concentration - everything invited me to slow down and appreciate craftsmanship I'd never truly considered before.
My instructor, a graceful young woman with patient hands, explained that Guilin round fan making (桂林团扇制作技艺) was listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in December 2018. I watched, mesmerized, as she demonstrated how they take a single piece of bamboo, treat it with special strengthening materials, then split it into dozens of delicate ribs using just a blade.
The display cases held exquisite fans - portraits, animals, celebratory designs, Zhuang ethnic brocade patterns, and landscape scenes. The colors were rich yet restrained, carrying an unmistakable vintage elegance. I couldn't help but imagine the generations of artisans who had perfected this craft.
🎨 What Makes Guilin Round Fans Special
Frame: Split bamboo ribs - one bamboo makes dozens of pieces Materials: Rice paper, cotton, or silk with traditional patterns Patterns: Ancient poetry, landscapes, figures, Zhuang brocade Recognition: Guangxi Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2018
Day 3: Making My Own Masterpiece
Today was the day I'd been waiting for - making my own round fan. The instructor guided me through the process, and I quickly realized that while the final steps are accessible to beginners like me, the preparation is where true mastery lies.
The fan frames were already prepared - those delicate bamboo ribs I mentioned earlier, woven into perfect circles. My task was to choose my surface material from dozens of beautiful options featuring traditional paintings, calligraphy, and patterns. I finally selected a design with two golden fish swimming among lotus flowers. Something about it felt auspicious and peaceful.
The tools were simple but precise - glue, scissors, and a soft brush. The instructor demonstrated first, carefully applying adhesive to the surface material, then aligning the bamboo ribs with meticulous attention to symmetry. When she handed me the materials, my hands felt clumsy at first.
"Patience and care," she reminded me gently. "Follow the process step by step."
I watched as she told us more about the history - how these fans were once used by scholars and ladies in ancient China, how they carried poems and paintings, how they represented both practical function and artistic expression. The round shape symbolizes completeness and reunion in Chinese culture.
🛠️ Workshop Experience
Duration: About 30 minutes to 1 hour Difficulty: Beginner-friendly (final assembly steps) Take Home: Your completed round fan Tip: Choose your pattern carefully - you'll treasure it forever!
Day 4: The Creative Process
The actual creation process was meditative. First, I applied glue carefully to my chosen surface - the one with the golden fish. Then came the delicate task of attaching it to the pre-made bamboo frame, aligning those dozens of thin ribs so they radiated perfectly from the center.
Using the soft brush, I pressed along the ribs, working from center to edge, ensuring both sides adhered smoothly without bubbles or wrinkles. The instructor showed me how to use a circular template to mark where to cut, then carefully trim the excess material.
The final step was binding the edge - a technique called "bao bian" (包边). This finishing touch not only secured everything but gave the fan its elegant, professional appearance. As I worked, I felt a growing respect for the artisans who do this daily, making it look effortless when in fact it requires years of practice.
My friend "Zhu Gege" (朱哥哥) - a nickname that made us all laugh - tried his hand too, making jokes about his "masterpiece" while secretly taking it very seriously. There's something about working with your hands that brings out both playfulness and earnest concentration.
💡 Pro Tips for Your Visit
Book Ahead: Workshops can fill up, especially on weekends Photography: Ask before taking photos of other participants Gifts: Finished fans make meaningful souvenirs Combination: Visit nearby Xiaoyao Tower and Jingjiang Prince's Palace
Day 5: A Treasure to Take Home
When I finally held my completed round fan, something unexpected happened - I felt genuinely proud. It wasn't perfect, of course. Professional artisans spend years mastering this craft. But it was mine, created with my own hands using techniques passed down through generations.
The instructor smiled warmly as she inspected my work. "You have the patience for this," she said. Coming from someone who embodies such grace and skill, that meant more than she knew.
Walking out of the Jiangjianggutang with my fan carefully wrapped, I realized Guilin had given me something far more valuable than another photo for my Instagram. I had experienced living culture, connected with an ancient tradition, and created something tangible that carries meaning.
That evening, as my friends and I sat at a local restaurant celebrating our last night, I took out my fan. The golden fish seemed to swim in the lamplight. My friends showed theirs too - each unique, each telling a different story of the patterns we'd chosen and the care we'd invested.
"This is what travel should be," I thought. Not just seeing, but doing. Not just observing, but participating. Guilin's mountains and rivers are breathtaking, but this small round fan - this connection to culture and craft - is what I'll remember most.
📍 Getting There
Address: 正阳东巷, 东西巷 (Zhengyang East Lane, Dongxi Lane) Nearby: Xiaoyao Tower, Jingjiang Prince's Palace Transport: Taxi or walk from downtown Guilin Combine With: Historic district exploration, local food tasting
Why This Experience Matters
In a world of mass production and digital everything, places like the Jiangjianggutang remind us of the value of slow craft. When you visit Guilin, by all means take the Li River cruise and photograph the karst peaks. But save time for this experience too.
Making a round fan isn't just a tourist activity - it's a bridge to understanding Chinese aesthetics, patience, and the philosophy that beauty lies in the details. The round shape represents completeness. The bamboo represents resilience. The patterns represent cultural stories.
And when you hold your finished fan, feeling the smooth bamboo and admiring the pattern you chose, you'll understand why I call this a must-do in Guilin. It's not just about the fan - it's about the story you'll tell when you get home.
Have you tried traditional crafts while traveling? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments!