Hands-on holiday: 9 pottery studios in Asia for the slow traveller

Run by three generations of the Tan family since 1965, Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is home to Singapore’s oldest surviving dragon kiln, a traditional wood-fired kiln that snakes through the ground like a dragon and can fire hundreds of pieces at once. 

The studio feels worlds away from Singapore’s steel and glass—think ceramic treasures scattered across tropical gardens. Both hand-building and wheel-throwing guided pottery classes are available upon reservation. The studio also functions as a ceramics store, with handmade pottery pieces and rare vintage furniture. 

Recognised in 2020 by the National Heritage Board for preserving intangible cultural heritage, the studio offers a rare chance to engage with Singapore’s living pottery tradition.

Read more: 10 stylish pots and planters that you can shop for in Singapore

Just an 11-minute drive from Angkor Wat, this centre preserves Cambodia’s rich ceramic art and heritage. Wheel-throwing workshops use traditional foot-powered wheels—no electrical assist—making it a full-body experience that demands rhythm and focus. 

After shaping your piece, instructors guide you through carving Khmer kbach (ornamental motifs) using specialised tools. One piece is selected to be kiln-fired overnight, ready for pickup the next day or to be shipped to your home. 

Hand-building workshops are also available, where participants use traditional modelling techniques and Khmer tools to carve local imagery. Beyond offering classes, the centre supports local artisans and helps keep centuries-old skills alive.

Conveniently located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, this pottery studio brings the centuries-old ceramic traditions of Bat Trang village to the city centre. Taught by skilled potters from the historic village—renowned for its elegant forms and signature pottery glazes—classes use electric wheels for ease and accessibility. Bookings can be made just 30 minutes in advance, offering a spontaneous way to explore Vietnamese craft without leaving the capital. 

Visitors learn the basics of pottery making, with no limit on the number of pieces or designs you can create. One finished piece is included, glazed in your chosen enamel colour; additional works can be purchased. Finished pieces are available for pickup within three days or can be shipped internationally.

Read more: How to spend 48 hours in Hanoi

Located in Bukchon Hanok Village, this intimate ceramics studio operates within a hanok or a traditional Korean house, the natural materials and soft lighting creating a serene workspace. 

Each 1.5-hour wheel-throwing session accommodates up to two participants, allowing for focused instruction as you shape two pieces from start to finish. Step-by-step demonstrations ensure even nervous beginners feel confident throughout the process. Once glazed and fired, your finished works can be shipped internationally for an additional fee.

Read more: Ceramics master Lee Kang-Hyo on modernising Korean stoneware and his new Hong Kong exhibition

This pottery studio in the heart of Hong Kong offers two-hour workshops combining wheel throwing or hand building with glazing instruction. The first hour focuses on shaping clay, while the second covers underglaze painting or high-fire glazing techniques. 

The urban setting attracts locals and visitors seeking creative respite from the city’s relentless pace. Classes are available in English, and the studio's contemporary approach makes traditional pottery accessible to modern sensibilities.

In the Philippines’ surfing capital, Siargao Pottery offers a slower kind of flow—one that trades waves for clay. Held in partner establishments across the island, these beginner-friendly workshops teach hand-building techniques like pinching, coiling and scoring. No wheels needed—just your hands and a little time. 

Craft a decorative vase or jewellery tray to take home the same day, imperfections and all. (Note: for food-safe pottery, a separate workshop is available and requires additional waiting time for glazing and firing.) 

While you create, you’re also supporting a community initiative that empowers local artisans—especially women—with tools, training and leadership opportunities.

Read more: Where to learn pottery: 7 pottery studios around the Philippines

Tucked away from Bangkok’s tourist hotspots, Wanis Clayhouse offers a laid-back space to explore both hand-building and wheel-throwing. For a flat fee, guests enjoy unlimited clay, time and the freedom to create as many pieces as they like—painting, glazing and firing included. 

Instructors are on hand throughout to guide each step, sharing stories of Thai pottery traditions and techniques. The unhurried pace invites a meditative focus, turning each session into a quietly immersive escape.

An unexpected creative oasis in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this pottery studio offers wheel-throwing and hand-building classes for beginners. Their Sip and Clay sessions combine pottery instruction with refreshments, creating a social atmosphere perfect for couples or small groups. International shipping of finished works is handled through partner resorts, making the process seamless for tourists. 

Visitors can also browse their pottery store on-site, stocked with handmade ceramics and artisanal crafts. 

NOW READ

Ceramicist Belle Yeoh draws inspiration from her hometown of Penang to craft vessels for some of Malaysia’s most celebrated restaurants

Philippine pottery: its origins, influences, and what it is today

What makes ceramics so attractive in the world of jewellery?