Kunming Tile Cat Making: Craft Your Own Clay Figure

Mold clay into a tile cat instead of just buying one

A four-hour hands-on class in Kunming where you learn to sculpt and fire a traditional Yunnan tile cat (the iconic clay figures that crown local rooftops) guided by a skilled artisan. You'll shape the clay using traditional techniques, then fire and paint your finished figure to take home as a souvenir that you made yourself.

The experience

Four hours gives you time to learn the history of tile cats in Yunnan culture, understand why they sit on rooftops across the region, and actually shape one from clay without rushing. An artisan guides you through the molding and shaping techniques, so you're not guessing at the form. You're learning the same methods used to make the real ones you see on buildings around Kunming. The class is private, which means the pace and detail adjust to what you want to know.

Once you've sculpted your tile cat, the artisan fires it and often adds paint, turning your clay work into a finished piece. That's the part that makes it a real souvenir instead of a craft project: you leave with something fired and complete, not raw clay. Depending on which option you book, you can add a guided tour of Kunming Old Town or a customized city tour before or after the class, which lets you see the actual tile cats on buildings and understand where they belong in the city's architecture.

Pickup and dropoff are included, so you don't arrange transport separately. The guide speaks English, and depending on your option, also Spanish, Italian, French, or one of seven other languages. Infants can come along in a stroller or on an adult's lap, and the activity suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• An English-speaking private guide (or guide in Spanish, Italian, French, or one of seven other languages depending on your option).
• guidance from a skilled artisan in tile cat sculpting techniques.
• your own hand-molded, fired and painted tile cat to take home.
• pickup and dropoff transport.
• and the option to add a guided tour of Kunming Old Town or a customized city tour before or after the class.

Options for this experience

6 options

Half-day tile cat makingGuide in English or Chinese · 09:00 and 13:30Lasts 4 hours; private vehicle; pickup is included

Half-day tour in other languagesGuide in 7 languages · 09:00 and 13:30Lasts 4 hours; pickup is included

Tile cat making combined with a city tourGuide in English or Chinese · 09:00 and 13:30Kunming Old Town and city tour lasting 8 hours; pickup is included

See 3 more options

Italian/Spanish (Half Day)09:00 and 13:30Lasts 4 hours; pickup is included

Tour in other languages combined with a city tourGuide in 7 languages · 09:00 and 13:30Kunming Old Town and city tour lasting 8 hours; pickup is included

Italian or Spanish language tour combined with a city tour09:00 and 13:30Kunming Old Town and city tour lasting 8 hours; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Javanese, Malay, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Aether Tours

Is this one for you?Book the tile cat making alone if you want a focused four-hour class, or pair it with a city tour option to see where these figures actually sit on Kunming's rooftops and understand their place in local architecture. The private format means the artisan adjusts the pace to your interest, whether you want to linger on technique or move through the process quickly.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Vietnamese, Russian, Thai, Chinese, Malay and Javanese.

What exactly is a Yunnan tile cat and why do they sit on rooftops?

Tile cats are traditional clay figures unique to Yunnan that perch on the corners and ridges of local building roofs. They're part of the region's architectural heritage and often serve as protective or decorative elements on homes and temples across Kunming.

Do I need any pottery or sculpting experience to join this class?

No experience is needed. The artisan teaches you the hand-molding and shaping techniques from the start, so you learn as you work. The class is designed for beginners, and the private format means instruction matches your pace.

What happens to the tile cat after I sculpt it?

The artisan fires your clay figure in a kiln and often adds paint to finish it. You take home the completed, fired tile cat, not raw clay, so it's a durable souvenir you can display or keep.

Can I add a city tour to the tile cat class?

Yes, depending on your option at checkout. You can book the tile cat making alone as a half-day class, or combine it with a guided tour of Kunming Old Town or a customized city tour to see the tile cats on actual buildings and learn more about where they fit in the city.

Is transport to the class included?

Pickup and dropoff are included in the booking, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the class location. The guide meets you at your hotel or a location you specify.