The best pottery studios in Shanghai

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If getting down with a pottery wheel has been on your bucket list since Ghost, now’s finally your chance (also, you’re old). Pottery and ceramics have been a part of Chinese culture for millennia, so what better place to try your hand at moulding some clay? Here we’ve rounded up some of the best places for you to unleash your inner Patrick Swayze.

Meet Pottery (遇见.陶艺)

Meet Pottery was the first to start a DIY pottery business in Shanghai and has become a well-known brand over its more than seven years in operation. Choose between wheel-throwing and hand-building to create your piece for 120RMB (or 99RMB if you book through Dianping here), plus 50RMB more if you want to paint your piece. As an added convenience, you can get your finished piece delivered to your door (for a small additional fee).

Shanghai No 1 Department Store, Block C, Sixth Floor, 800 Nanjing Dong Lu, near Liuhe Lu. 9.30am-10pm daily.

Bali Chuntian, Third Floor, 939 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu. 10am-10pm daily.

Taoni Xuanxiao (陶泥喧嚣陶艺手工坊)

Further away from the city centre, cosy Taoni Xuanxiao is located on the second floor of a shopping mall in Minhang district. Teachers are patient and dedicated, and will help you complete whatever ideas you have in mind, no matter how ‘out there’ they might be. Each session is 158RMB (288RMB for two people), including wheel-throwing, hand-building, glazing and firing.

Jiuting U Tiandi, Second Floor, Unit 227, 178 Puhui Lu, near Qiujing Lu. 10am-10pm daily.

Pinci Taoyi DIY (品瓷陶艺DIY)

Pinci Taoyi DIY is worth a visit for its beautifully designed studio and friendly instructors. Get an all-round learning experience at this studio for 158RMB per person, where you’ll learn about the history of Chinese ceramics as you work. The price includes wheel-throwing, hand-building, glazing and firing.

No 3, 2299 Sichuan Bei Lu, near Huangdu Lu. 10am-8pm daily.

Vanke Mall, Unit 520, Fifth Floor, 3366 Caobao Lu, near Qishen Lu. 10am-10pm daily.

Lewan Ceramic (乐玩陶艺)

Lewan Ceramic is a well-established ceramic education chain with schools all over China. Classroom designs are simple and modest, great for an afternoon of crafting. Book a package at this cosy venue via Dianping for 138RMB per person.

Changfeng Building, 24th Floor, Unit 2406, 1227 Dingxi Lu, near Anhua Lu. 10am-9pm (closed Tuesdays).

Huanxian Guangchang, First Floor, Unit 13G, 515 Yishan Lu, near Wending Lu. 10am-9pm (closed Mondays).

No 104, 643 Hankou Lu, near Zhejiang Zhong Lu. 10am-7pm (closed Tuesdays).