A BESPOKE RETREAT
Discover China off the beaten path
Free consultation
HEALTH | CULTURE | NATURE
Artisanry
Art
Our route takes you through the Southern Yangtze Delta and connects authentic artisan life with the contrast between tradition and modernity. You'll make fans, paper umbrellas and your own chopsticks, and accompany tea farmers in the highlands. In the mornings, boats glide through the canals, fishermen cast their nets, and the aroma of fresh noodle soup entices. You'll help with woodworking, craft lanterns and find peace in gardens and hot springs. Music, dance and local stories engage the senses. Insights into Chinese medicine and traditions of the once-independent Wu and Shanyin cultures make this trip an unforgettable experience.
⚲ SOUTHERN YANGTZE DELTA
Craftman's Journey
Boating
Artisanry
Pilot your own motorized Yuloh boat through the winding waterways of the Taihu River Basin, accompanied by an experienced fisherman and later independently with a powerful motor through lotus-covered waterways, full speed ahead. Learn the art of Chinese gondola rowing, and help build traditional Yuloh boats. Spend the night in rustic style camping on deserted islands or staying with local fishing families. Early in the morning, sell your fresh catch at the market and become part of the local fishing community for a few days, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Here, you’ll experience the simple life of the fishing folk (Yú mín) and may even push your comfort zone, though your safety is always ensured. No boating license is required to operate the boats.
⚲ TAIHU RIVERBED
A Fisherman's
River
Culinary
Artisanry
Wander the alleyways of water towns in the Southern Yangtze Delta and indulge in steaming street food kitchens, houseboats with cast-iron pots, and fragrant open-air markets. Through cooking classes and workshops, you’ll learn the traditional craft of making tofu, xiǎo lóng bāo (soup dumplings), soy sauce, and much more. Lend a hand in the seasonal tea and rice harvests or, if you prefer something less mainstream, try your skills at harvesting bamboo or lotus roots and crafting (and tasting) Huáng Jiǔ, an essential wine in Chinese cuisine, or Bài Jiǔ for those who prefer something bolder. The best part? Your creations will be shipped straight to your home afterward. For tea lovers, we offer specialized experiences tailored to connoisseurs, immersing you in the region’s local tea secrets and dedicating themselves entirely to the art of tea. Things get even more fascinating as we explore the distinct quirks, myths, and traditions of the once-independent Wu and Shanyin cultures.
⚲ SOUTHERN YANGTZE DELTA
Flavours of Southern Delta
Retreat
Embark on a peaceful retreat in China, where silence becomes your teacher and the rhythm of monastic life guides you. For a more dynamic experience, choose a Tai Chi retreat, a journey of mindfulness and movement in perfect harmony. In China, Tai Chi is often understood differently than in the West as part of a holistic practice that unites physical fitness, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. You decide how far to push your limits: from slow, flowing movements to physically demanding training that challenges your endurance and focus. Set amid the breathtaking landscapes of the Tianmu Mountains or on a secluded monastery island in the Taihu River basin, this unique experience offers serenity and inner clarity as you detach from the noise of the world and reconnect deeply with yourself. It can also be complemented with explorations into traditional Chinese monastic medicine.
⚲ TIANMU ⚲ TAIHU
Monk's Peace
of Mind
Drive your own off-road vehicle through the wild trails and remote landscapes between Jiangsu and Zhejiang, guided by experienced local experts who know every hidden path. Conquer steep slopes, rocky riverbeds, and muddy tracks as you learn to overcome obstacles with precision, courage, and teamwork. Along the way, pass through ancient villages where time seems to stand still and meet local farmers and artisans who open their workshops and share their stories with you. As evening falls, set up camp under the open sky on quiet hills or in forgotten valleys or stay with local families who welcome you with homemade meals. The next morning, it’s time to fire up the engine, kick up the dust, and face new challenges once again. This experience is more than just driving. It’s a journey to your limits, deep into the raw, untamed nature of eastern China, far from the bustle of the big cities.
coming soon
⚲ SOUTHERN YANGTZE DELTA
Wild Terrain
Offroad
Birdwatching
From March to May, this area offers exceptional opportunities to observe rare migratory birds along the critical East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), including species like the Spoon-billed Sandpiper – now estimated at fewer than 500 individuals worldwide. This experience is specially designed for our passionate birdwatching community and is expertly guided by our research partner, the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve & Research Center.
coming soon
⚲ SOUTHERN YANGTZE DELTA
Feathered
Sky Wanderers
OUR UNTOLD EXPERIENCES
Find your next retreat in China
Be inspired, filter by your interests, and discover retreats that are more than just destinations from the very beginning.
Free consultation
Filter by
WE BRING CHINA TO YOU
Find an event near you and bring your curiosity. Together with the Elements Seasons TCM Food & Wellbeing Circle, we create a space of calm where you can arrive, relax, and recharge. Inspired by authentic Chinese traditions and wisdom without needing to travel all the way to China.
Why book with China Untold?
TAILORED WELLBEING JOURNEYS
Each retreat is carefully designed around your individual needs and interests, with access to selected locations and experiences beyond the usual routes from tranquil water towns to remote mountain sanctuaries reached through extraordinary paths.
CONNOISSEURS & CULTURAL EXPERTISE
Travel alongside experienced hosts and local experts who share deep knowledge of China’s living traditions, natural landscapes, and approaches to balance, health, and mindful living.
AUTHENTIC CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS
Through long-standing relationships with local communities, you experience everyday life in a natural and respectful way whether learning traditional craftsmanship, joining a hands-on cooking session inspired by Chinese dietary wisdom, or quietly exploring lotus-covered waterways by traditional wooden boat.
REFINED COMFORT WITH A WELLBEING FOCUS
We collaborate with carefully selected boutique hotels, peaceful lodges, and historical residences to create spaces that combine modern comfort with a calm, restorative atmosphere.
NEED HELP REGISTERING YOUR DRONE IN CHINESE?
We help you!
Even for drones under 250 g, you cannot avoid registering with the Chinese aviation authority UOM. (Translated instructions in German and English for the official drone registration process in China)
Can also be requested regardless of whether you book with us.
ABOUT US
With diverse cultural roots and more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, from hotels and airlines to rail travel, my wife and I have had the privilege of experiencing the world from many perspectives. What lies especially close to our hearts are journeys that are more than simply moving from point A to point B: journeys that touch body, mind, and soul. Over the years, we have been fortunate to discover and create retreat spaces, natural sanctuaries, and cultural places of the heart for family, friends, and people who are seeking depth, calm, and genuine connection.
Our focus is on retreat journeys that unite health, mindfulness, culture, and nature. Together with our experienced guides, we create spaces where you can slow down, realign, and at the same time experience authentic Chinese culture. My wife’s Chinese roots continue to inspire us to design journeys that are usually only possible through close friendships or family connections, close to real life, close to the people, and close to nature.
We believe that true travel means allowing yourself to fully engage: with ancient traditions, natural healing methods, silence, landscapes, craftsmanship, and the wisdom of everyday life. Our retreats invite you not only to observe, but to feel, to experience, and to become part of it, like visiting good friends who open their culture and hidden treasures to you.
It is our passion to create retreats and travel experiences that slow you down, strengthen you, and have a lasting impact. Journeys that reconnect you with yourself and gently change the way you see the world. Together, we design your time in China as a path toward greater balance, clarity, and vitality.
Your companions on the journey
Emma & Pascal
Connect with us
TESTIMONIALS
What our guests say
"Our journey through China was more than just a vacation. It was a true immersion into the fascinating culture of the local fishing communities. Thanks especially to Emma, Pascal and Zong Ming, who not only showed us hidden places far from mass tourism, but also guided us in our own boats through the labyrinthine river landscape that remains unknown to most travelers. Their stories and humor made the trip something truly special."
Saskia & Thomas
"Our guide Emma showed us her homeland with so much passion and knowledge, filled with small, unexpected encounters that enriched every single day. Whether it was visiting a market in a small village, talking with a calligrapher, or the many unplanned moments in between. All these authentic experiences made the trip so special, without any extra bookings. I feel like I’ve truly come to understand China a little better."
Ernst
"Our guides were far more than just tour leaders. They became genuine friends, even beyond our trip. They introduced us to local dishes and created heartfelt encounters with families in the communities we visited. The carefully curated boutique hotels exceeded our expectations, and each evening we relaxed in hot springs surrounded by elegant ambiance. A journey that will stay with us and our children for years to come."
James, Linda, Jayden & Emma
