Guangzhou | 4-Day TCM Immersive Retreat
Dates: March 1 - 4 2026 / Guests per trip: 8 - 12
In the Heart of Canton — Where Traditional Chinese Medicine Is a Way of Life
/To counter heat and humidity in the south of China, cantonese turned to centuries of herbal knowledge. Over time, this evolved into a holistic wellness lifestyle focused on nourishment and moderation. Experiencing TCM here means witnessing how wellness is lived, not prescribed.
/Guided by nationally recognized TCM experts, and supported by a bilingual translator trained in both TCM and anthropology, you’ll explore the foundations of energy flow, renewal, and harmony through movement, hands-on workshops, and meaningful TCM immersion.
/From hands-on experiences in herbal therapy and meridian healing to meaningful encounters in Guangzhou’s historic neighborhoods, every moment is a conversation between ancient wisdom and modern wellbeing.
/Anchored by a stay at the White Swan Hotel, a riverside icon in Guangzhou. Between the hum of tea houses and the stillness of riverlight, you’ll discover the soul of southern China — alive, flowing, and profoundly restorative.
What Makes This Experience Unique?
- Learn From Nationally Recognized TCM Experts - Co-created with Zheng An, one of China’s most respected modern TCM organizations, this retreat is led by a licensed physician with over a decade of clinical experience, extensive teaching background, and features on national health programs. His approach blends classical theory with modern rehabilitation insights — and you’ll also receive 30 days of post-retreat support, where he answers your TCM or self-care questions as you integrate what you’ve learned.
- Hands-On, Results-Oriented Workshops - Over 2 immersive mornings, you’ll explore the living foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine through guided study and hands-on practice. Learn the art of Meridian Mapping and Gua Sha, awakening energy flow through mindful touch and self-massage. Experience the warming therapy of Moxibustion and the subtle balance of Auricular Acupressure (also known as ear seeding), connecting heat and breath to inner harmony.
- Authentic Clinical Experience - Guided visit to a Zheng An TCM clinic includes an introduction to classical formulas and the herbal pharmacy, where you’ll learn how premium medicinal materials are selected and prepare a seasonal herbal remedy. Each guest receives a private one-on-one consultation with a licensed physician — complete with pulse diagnosis, constitution assessment, personalized guidance, and optional gentle acupuncture. Between sessions, enjoy a calm crafting activity such as creating a herbal bracelet or sachet.
- A Living Culture of Healing - Experience Guangzhou through its living healing culture — from Qingping Herbal Market, one of China’s oldest hubs for medicinal herb trading, filled with fragrant ginseng, citrus peel, and time-honored remedies, to the intricate Lingnan craftsmanship of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. Continue your exploration at Tao Tao Ju, a heritage teahouse dating back to 1880, where you’ll join a hands-on dim sum workshop celebrating one of Cantonese cuisine’s most iconic and world-renowned culinary traditions.
- Evening Restoration Rituals - Each evening, unwind through foot soaks/ Tui Na massage, and a therapeutic head spa, integrating breath, circulation, and energy alignment.
- Quiet-Luxury Riverside Stay - Your retreat home, the White Swan Hotel, is Guangzhou’s most iconic riverside sanctuary — offering spacious Club Deluxe Rooms, Club Lounge breakfast, and serene Pearl River views for a deeply restorative stay.
Who This Retreat Is For
Wellness seekers — experience Traditional Chinese Medicine as living wisdom. Whether for personal renewal or professional integration, this journey offers both insight and restoration.
TCM practitioners - seeking a results-driven yet spiritually grounded method that unites Chinese philosophy, meridian therapy, and natural restoration — expanding both their knowledge and their sense of balance.
Cultural travelers who value connection and meaning — seeking to understand China through its most enduring philosophy: harmony between body, mind, and nature.
Culinary explorers who find joy in flavor as healing — curious about how Cantonese cuisine, tea, and herbs reflect the rhythm of the seasons.
How Your Days unfold?
Immersive TCM Learnings / Mornings transition into immersive workshops guided by master TCM practitioners. Trace the body’s meridian map, practice Gua Sha and moxibustion, and learn simple self-care techniques to regulate Qi and balance the body’s systems. During your final session, observe traditional diagnosis and receive tailored recommendations from senior TCM doctors.
City of Healing / Between learning sessions, step into Guangzhou’s sensory heritage. Start with a welcome night cruise along the Pearl River, wander through the Qingping Herbal Market, explore Guangzhou’s historic western quarter with its elegant courtyards and arcaded streets, and visit the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, where intricate carvings tell stories of lineage, craftsmanship, and artistry.
Healing Through Taste / Culinary discovery becomes part of the journey. Enjoy the famous cooling tea in Cantonese culture, join a dim sum workshop at Tao Tao Ju, a teahouse with a century-old soul, and learn how Cantonese cuisine balances energy and seasonality.
Rituals of Restoration / As each day unwinds, return to a slower rhythm. Enjoy foot soaks and traditional massage, unwind in your riverside suite, or ease into deep rest after a therapeutic head spa.
Daily Program
Day 1: Arrival & Pearl River Welcome/ Arrive in Guangzhou, where the Pearl River glimmers beneath banyan trees. Check into your room at the White Swan Hotel on Shamian Island — a sanctuary of calm and heritage. As evening falls, tour around, followed by a serene Pearl River night cruise beneath illuminated bridges.
Day 2: Energy Flow & Herbal Wisdom/ The day’s TCM immersion introduces Meridian Mapping & Gua Sha, guided by expert practitioners. In the afternoon, explore the Qingping Herbal Market, rich with the aroma of medicinal herbs and resins. Evening invites relaxation with a foot bath or Tui Na massage, restoring circulation and calm.
Day 3: Heritage & Healing in Motion/ Explore Moxibustion & Ear Acupressure, learning warming techniques for balance and renewal. Discover Guangzhou’s historic western quarter and the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, then join a dim sum workshop at Tao Tao Ju, learning the wellness logic behind Cantonese cuisine. Evening concludes with a therapeutic head spa to balance the senses.
Day 4: Reflection & Renewal/ Visit TCM clinic for pulse diagnosis and personalized consultation, experiencing how classical methods meet modern care. A farewell lunch of light Cantonese flavors closes the retreat before your private transfer to Guangzhou Airport or Railway Station.
What's In The Package
Included
- 3 nights of luxury accommodation at riverside icon, White Swan Hotel
- Daily curated activities (from TCM workshops, herbal market visit to dim sum making)
- Daily seasonal & organic meals (for vegetarian options please check with Puyu team)
- All scheduled internal transfers (to/from Guangzhou airport/train station)
- High-speed Wi-Fi + portable chargers
- Curated TCM Wellness Gift Set (valued at USD 300) — includes traditional toolkits such as moxa sticks, gua sha tools, a triangular scraper, and selected samples of Chinese medicinal herbs.
Not Included
- Flights or train to Guangzhou, China
- Personal expenses like spa/shopping/merchandise
- Travel insurance (required)
- Visa fee (if needed, check the specific regulations pertaining your country of origin)
- Additional activities not included in the itinerary
Food
Culinary Journey: Where Flavor Heals
In Guangzhou, food is medicine, art, and philosophy all at once. Your retreat’s culinary journey celebrates Cantonese cuisine as a living expression of balance — light, nourishing, and guided by the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
From riverside breakfasts to dim sum at Tao Tao Ju, every meal invites you to taste harmony in motion: slow-simmered broths that calm, chrysanthemum teas that cool, and fresh market herbs that awaken energy. Each lunch and dinner will feature a TCM-inspired dish （药膳）where applicable, thoughtfully crafted to balance the day’s rhythm and restore internal flow.
Whether in a century-old teahouse or a serene hotel setting overlooking the Pearl River, dining becomes part of your healing — refined, restorative, and distinctly Cantonese.
/ If you have any special preferences, allergies or dietary intolerances, please make sure to inform us in advance so we can tailor your meals with the utmost care.
Transportation
Your journey begins in vibrant Guangzhou, one of southern China’s most dynamic and well-connected cities.
By Air: Arrive at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), which offers direct flights from major cities across the world.
By High-Speed Train: Guangzhou is served by four major high-speed railway stations — South, East, North, and Main Station — with frequent trains from Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and other major Chinese cities.
Via Hong Kong: For guests arriving through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), a direct ferry from SkyPier to Guangzhou Pazhou Port offers a scenic two-hour journey, without passing through Hong Kong immigration.
Whether you arrive by air, train, or ferry, our private transfer service (included) will be arranged in advance — ensuring a smooth and comfortable arrival at your riverside retreat.
Accomodation
Your Guangzhou retreat unfolds within the storied White Swan Hotel, an emblem of riverside elegance and southern grace. Nestled on Shamian Island, a leafy heritage enclave once shaped by European trade, the hotel rests along the Pearl River, offering a rare sense of calm within the city’s vibrant heart.
Stay in a Club Deluxe Room (City View), where skyline silhouettes rise above banyan-lined boulevards. For a deeper sense of stillness, upgrade to a Club Premier Suite (River View), where dawn reflects gently over the Pearl River.
Choose a Single (King) for personal comfort, or Couple Pricing if you’re sharing the journey with a partner.
Features:
- Spacious rooms with city or river views
- King beds with premium linens
- Ensuite marble bath with soaking tub and rain shower
- Daily housekeeping and evening turndown service
About Retreat
1.What’s included in a Puyu retreat package?
Every Puyu retreat is thoughtfully curated to immerse you in China’s serene landscapes and living traditions. Most retreats include boutique accommodations, daily wellness classes (such as yoga, meditation, or TCM workshops), nourishing local cuisine, and round-trip transfers from designated meeting points. Many also offer optional excursions, spa experiences, or personalized add-ons to enrich your journey.
✨ Please note: Inclusions may vary depending on the retreat. We encourage you to check the detailed itinerary for your chosen journey so you know exactly what’s included.
2.Is this a group retreat, or can I attend solo?
You are warmly welcomed whether traveling solo or with friends. Puyu retreat foster an intimate, supportive community, offering flexible, mindful programs for both solo adventurers and those seeking shared wellness journeys.
3.Who would enjoy a Puyu retreat?
Our retreats are ideal for curious souls looking for meaningful China visits, rest, and immersion in authentic Chinese culture, nature, and wellness. Guests often describe their experience as a holistic “reset”—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
4.Do you arrange international flights for guests?
No, international flights are not included. However, we provide detailed travel tips and support to ensure your arrival in China is smooth and stress-free.
5.Should I purchase travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is required to join the retreat, as it offers peace of mind in case of unexpected changes, delays, or health-related issues.
6.Is there any help with trip planning?
Yes! As a Puyu retreat guest, you’ll receive our bespoke itinerary planning service completely free of charge — a benefit normally offered as a standalone program. We’ll help with visa guidance, route planning, and tailored recommendations so your journey through China feels effortless and deeply enriching.
About Payment
1.What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
We understand that plans can change. To ensure fairness for all participants and to keep our retreats running smoothly, please review our cancellation and payment policy carefully before booking.
Deposit Policy
- A $500 deposit is required to secure your spot at the retreat.
- 100% deposit refund for cancellations made 60+ days before the retreat start date.
- 50% deposit refund for cancellations made 30–59 days before the retreat start date.
- No deposit refund for cancellations made 0–29 days before the retreat start date.
Remaining Balance
- The remaining balance is due 30 days before the retreat start date.
- Cancellations made 0–29 days before the retreat start date are non-refundable for the remaining balance.
Retreat Minimum Attendance
- We will notify you 30 days prior to the retreat start date whether the minimum participant requirement has been met.
- If the retreat is canceled due to insufficient enrollment:
- You will receive a full refund of your deposit and any paid balance, or
- You may choose to transfer your payment to a future retreat.
By paying your deposit, you acknowledge and agree to Puyu Retreat’ Terms & Conditions, including this cancellation and payment policy.
2.Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfers and major credit or debit cards. Depending on your currency, local payment options (such as ACH in USD or SEPA in EUR) may also be available for your convenience.
3.Are there any extra costs, like tips or hidden fees?
Puyu pricing is transparent. All essential retreat elements are included. Gratuities are not expected in China but are always appreciated. Any optional upgrades or experiences will be clearly communicated before booking.
4.What languages will guides and facilitators speak?
Most retreats are conducted in English and Mandarin. If you need another language, please inform us in advance, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
