Travel Art Retreat Summer 2026
A curated journey across Asia — blending plein air painting, Muar International Watercolor Festival, cultural immersion, and master-led learning in extraordinary places in Malaysia and China
Introductory Workshop
with Suzchiang Tan & Phoebe Iu
Discover the journey - Be inspired - and Ask Questions
Get a feel of the journey (3 parts on YouTube)
What to expect from our Art Retreat?
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A perfect blend of travel and art experience — painting and learning daily while exploring across inspiring locations
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A perfect blend of travel and art experience — painting and learning daily while exploring across inspiring locations
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Learn landscape painting with Suzchiang Tan through his expressive, unconventional and abstract approach
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Learn landscape painting with Suzchiang Tan through his expressive, unconventional and abstract approach
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In Guizhou, paint with Amit Kapoor, Lei Li, and Zhigang Zhu — from romantic city charm to plein air ink & wash and expressive portraits beyond appearance.
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In Guizhou, paint with Amit Kapoor, Lei Li, and Zhigang Zhu — from romantic city charm to plein air ink & wash and expressive portraits beyond appearance.
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Experience the Muar art festival through demos, workshops, and on-location painting
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Experience the Muar art festival through demos, workshops, and on-location painting
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Discover the historic streets, multicultural heritage, and exceptional cuisine of Melaka and Muar
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Discover the historic streets, multicultural heritage, and exceptional cuisine of Melaka and Muar
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Enjoy daily cultural activities and nature immersion — from the mountains of Guizhou to the ancient wisdom of the Miao village
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Enjoy daily cultural activities and nature immersion — from the mountains of Guizhou to the ancient wisdom of the Miao village
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Paint alongside artists and students from China in a real art and cultural exchange
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Paint alongside artists and students from China in a real art and cultural exchange
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Create 10–16 or more paintings across the journey while strengthening your plein air confidence
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Create 10–16 or more paintings across the journey while strengthening your plein air confidence
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A premium experience, thoughtfully planned — we take care of the details so you don’t have to overspend (your future self will thank you 😉).
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A premium experience, thoughtfully planned — we take care of the details so you don’t have to overspend (your future self will thank you 😉).
When & Where?
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Jun 27 - Jul 3 Muar & Melaka, Malaysia
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Jul 4 -10 Guizhou, China
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Jul 10 - 14 Beijing, China (optional)
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Jun 27 - Jul 3 Muar & Melaka, Malaysia
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Jul 4 -10 Guizhou, China
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Jul 10 - 14 Beijing, China (optional)
Who is our Art Travel Retreats for?
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Both beginners and advanced artists who value close guidance from masters and want to paint with confidence, independence, and intention.
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Both beginners and advanced artists who value close guidance from masters and want to paint with confidence, independence, and intention.
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Artists ready to move beyond the studio — painting from life, deepening observation, and exploring plein air, culture, and meaningful subjects
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Artists ready to move beyond the studio — painting from life, deepening observation, and exploring plein air, culture, and meaningful subjects
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Creatives, friends, spouses, and families seeking a slower, enriching journey — reconnecting with nature, culture, and breathtaking scenery
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Creatives, friends, spouses, and families seeking a slower, enriching journey — reconnecting with nature, culture, and breathtaking scenery
Part 1: Malaysia
Jun 27-Jul 3
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Explore Historic Melaka (UNESCO World Heritage site) — rich culture and layered architecture
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Ideal setting for plein air painting and visual storytelling
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2-day masterclass with Suzchiang Tan — expressive, abstract approach
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Experience the Muar International Watercolor Festival with world-class artists
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Connect with artists from around the world through live demos and exchange
Meet Your instructor in Malaysia - Suzchiang Tan
🇲🇾 Suzchiang Tan (Malaysia)
A boundary-pushing watercolorist who challenges conventions — guiding you to think differently and find your own visual language
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Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society, won international awards and participated in countless exhibitions
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In his 2-day workshop, Tan will guide you see structure, organize complexity, and paint with clarity and freedom
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Break away from conventions to create bold, abstract compositions with your own voice
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Embrace intuition, experimentation, and unconventional tools with confidence
🇲🇾 Malaysia — Where It All Begins
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2-day plein air masterclass with Suzchiang Tan in historic Melaka
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Join the Muar International Watercolor Charity Invitational Exhibition 2026
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Learn from and connect with 20 renowned artists across Asia
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Enjoy live demos, exhibitions, and painting on location
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Discover Muar through river scenes, heritage architecture, and cultural visits
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Itinerary for Part 1 Malaysia
Day 1 June 27 (Sat)
Arriving in Melaka
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Airport Pickup from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Malaysia
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Arriving Melaka - Greetings to new & old friends from afar.
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Welcome Dinner Party with master Suzchiang Tan
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Explain the outline for the next days's workshop
Day 2 June 28 (Sun)
Melaka - Jonker St
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Morning | Indoor Theory and Demonstration - Suzchiang
Seeing Structure: breakdown, negative space, simplifying 2-point perspective, 3-min sketch exercises
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Afternoon | Outdoor Sketching
Select scenes with breathing space.
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Evening | Jonker Street Night Market
Explore eateries. Chicken Rice Balls - a must try
Day 3 June 29 (Mon)
Melaka -Red Square
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Morning | Work Improvement and Style Analysis
Review students' work
Suzchiang explaining his Painting habits. Incorporate Composition Training
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Afternoon | Plein air painting in the Red Squar -Independent Creative Process: composition to structure, black and grey tones, etc.
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Evening | Final group critique - help each student identify the most powerful elements in their work.
Day 4 June 30 (Tue)
Famosa Fort & St. Paul’s Chapel...
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Morning | Independent Plein air painting - apply learned concepts and techniques and create independently
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Afternoon | Joining the Muar Art fest artists and paint together on the vibrant streets of Melaka
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Dinner Party with all artists from the Art Festival
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Evening:| Move to Muar after dinner.
Day 5 July 1 (Wed)
Muar -Royal Palce and old district...
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Morning | plein air painting -capture the charm of a Royal Palace or prewar architecture in the HSBC commercial district
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Afternoon | Continue plein air painting in the old Muar streets with all artists from the festival.
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Sampling the exotic fruit -Durian (Additional fee)
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Evening | Free activities: Visit the Uptown Maharani Night Market
Day 6 July 2 (Thu)
Muar - Exhibition Opening Ceremony
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Morning | Demonstration 1 - Liang Gang (China), Amood (Thailand), Agus (Indonesia)
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Afternoon | Demonstration 2 & 3 with 8 artists: Brian Tai (Malaysia), Miran Kim (Korea), Yongsen Lei (Taiwan), Lafe (Thailand), Marvin Chew (Singapore), etc...
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Great learning opportunity - observe closely some top Asian artists at work.
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Evening | Free activities - riverside park stroll, sunset over the Straits of Malacca.
Day 7 July 3 (Fri)
Muar - KL - Guizhou
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Morning | Workshop in plein air at a fishing village - painting of classical Malay's old houses.
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Afternoon | Workshop with Suzchiang Tan & Artist (Japan)
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Explore the town and its history by cruising the Muar River
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Evening | Departure after dinner. Catch the midnight flight at KL to continue our art travel to Guizhou (arriving at 9am on Jul 4).
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Or Departure to return home
In Melaka, you will be staying at Backyard Rio - or equivalent 3 stars hotel
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Comfortable spacious rooms (single occupancy available)
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Wi-Fi connection
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Air-conditioning
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Welcome dinner included
In Muar, you will be staying at Muo Resort - or equivalent 3-stars hotel
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Comfortable spacious rooms (single option available)
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Wi-Fi connection
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Air-conditioning
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3 meals a day -- Breakfast in buffet style to variety of lunch & dinner
Get a feel of the journey (3 parts on YouTube)
Destination: Guizhou, China - Part 2
Part 2: Guizhou, China
Jul 4 - 10
Plein Air Retreat
with Amit Kapoor
Lei Li and
Zhigang Zhu
In the summer of 2026, our journey continues to a Miao village in Guizhou, China — a hidden haven in the mountains, still untouched by mass tourism, where nature and culture remain quietly preserved.
Here, we slow down. We observe how light moves, how homes rest against the land, how life unfolds in its simplest rhythm. We paint en plein air by creeks and hills, in the cool mountain air — a refreshing escape from the summer heat.
If this way of seeing and painting speaks to you, we warmly invite you to join us.
Meet Your instructors in Guizhou, China
Amit Kapoor - India
One of India’s foremost watercolor masters, celebrated for his exceptional skill and artistic vision — renowned for his mastery of light and shadow, creating striking contrast and atmosphere, and transforming complex scenes into expressive paintings filled with drama, romantic color, and emotion. Passionate about teaching, he enjoys working in plein air and connecting with artists from around the world.
Lei Li - China
With over 30 years of experience, Lei Li is an accomplished artist and educator whose work has been widely exhibited and awarded. He has taught over 6,000 students through his clear, methodical approach, helping them gain confidence and paint independently. His expressive work captures the rhythm of urban life, while his teaching empowers students to simplify, understand, and enjoy the process.
Zhigang Zhu - China
Zhigang Zhu is a contemporary master of watercolor portraiture and landscape, known for his bold simplification — reducing form to its silhouette and bone structure, through unified color and refined brushwork. His work conveys emotional depth and inner structure with quiet intensity. Through analysis of masterworks from classical to contemporary art, he guides artists to paint with clarity, strength, and authentic expression.
A Glimpse of Miao Village (Miao Yuanzi) - Guizhou, China
Part 2 Itinerary - Guizhou
Day 1 July 4 (Sat)
Arriving in Guizhou
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Morning | Airport Pickup from Guiyang International Airport
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Afternoon | Arriving Miao Yuan Zi - Miao Court Yard
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Evening | 🔥 Miao Village Bonfire Party
Welcome dinner, long table banquet, buffet-style, wine performance of Miao's folk songs, bamboo pole dance, etc.
Day 2 July 5 (Sun)
Miao Courtyard, Guizhou
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Morning | Tour of Miao Courtyard; Homemade Rice/Fruit Wine Workshop
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Afternoon | Plein air Demonstration by Prof Zhu Zhigang - landscape painting
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Evening | Workshop on observation and Art Appreciation by prof Zhu
Day 3 July 6 (Mon)
Miao Courtyard, Guizhou
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Morning | Tour of Miao Courtyard Plein Air demonstration in ink & wash by Lei Li
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Afternoon | Live model -portrait demonstration by Prof Zhu
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Water festival and games
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Evening | Workshop - Analysis of Miao village's characteristic and how to capture its essence by Lei Li
Day 4 July 7 (Tue)
Miao's King Village
Guizhou
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Morning | Tour of Miao's King Village & Plein Air demonstration in watercolor by Lei Li
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Afternoon | Introduce Miao's Traditional Medicine, making Herbal sachet.
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Plein Air quick sketch session with teachers' guidance
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Evening | Workshop by Master Amit Kapoor from India - Beauty in his eyes while gathering at a lounge bar
Day 5 July 8 (Wed)
Miao's King Village
Guizhou
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Morning | Tour of Miao's King City & Plein Air demonstration in watercolor by Amit Kapoor
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Afternoon | Indoor Fabric dying using Batik Plant 🌿
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Plein Air painting session with teachers' guidance
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Evening | International Art Exchange: Artwork Sharing and Critique
Day 6 July 9 (Thu)
Miao's King Village
Guizhou
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Morning | Tour of Miao's King City & Plein Air - Final demonstration by Amit Kapoor
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Afternoon | Plein Air painting session with teachers' guidance
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Making summer drinks - mung bean smoothies; shopping for souvenirs
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Evening | Closing Banquet, sharing & Photo time
Nestled in the mountains of Miao’s Courtyard Village, this newly built (2022) resort offers a serene and authentic retreat — exclusively reserved for our group, designed for art, rest, and immersion.
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Spacious double rooms (single occupancy available at additional cost)
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Reliable Wi-Fi connection
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Three daily meals featuring fresh, local ingredients and authentic regional flavors
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Carefully accommodated dietary needs (please notify in advance)
Get a feel of the journey (3 parts on YouTube)
Destination: Beijing, China - Part 3
Part 3: Beijing, China (Optional)
Jul 10 - 14
Continue our art adventure with
Amit Kapoor and
Lei Li to Beijing
The ancient village at the foothills of the Great Wall took our breath away last year — every turn a scene worth painting, yet never enough time. We hope to return and truly immerse in its timeless beauty.
From the grandeur of the Forbidden City and Summer Palace to the charm of Beijing’s hutongs, each place carries a rich history worth experiencing at least once.
This time, we’ll be collaborating with Urban Sketchers Beijing — for a genuine exchange of art, culture, and perspective.
Part 3 Itinerary - Beijing (optional)
Day 1 July 10 (Fri)
Arriving in Beijing
TBD
Day 2 July 11 (Sat)
Beijing - Visiting the Great Wall & Ancient North Town
TBD
Day 3 July 12 (Sun)
Beijing - Forbidden City and Hutong - the old lanes
TBD
Comfortable and clean 3-star hotel conviniently located in the center of Beijing city, and maybe one night at an airport hotel for traveling.
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Spacious double rooms (single occupancy available + additional cost)
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Reliable Wi-Fi connection
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Three daily meals featuring fresh, local ingredients and authentic regional flavors
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Carefully accommodated dietary needs (please notify us of special needs in advance)
About Us - the organizers of this art retreat
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Curated by Palette Exchange in partnership with Kenble Art School
A seamless art and cultural journey — with thoughtfully curated artists by Palette Exchange, bringing exceptional teaching and meaningful learning, and Kenble Education supporting every detail on the ground with care.
Since 2018, Kenble has guided over 70,000 students and organized 50+ art retreats worldwide — curating rich cultural experiences and opening their exclusive mountain resort for our stay.
In just over a year, Palette Exchange has already brought artists from 11 countries together on its first China journey — a deeply memorable experience many are eager to return to.
A peaceful mountain retreat by Kenble — getting ready to host our art group for learning, cultural activites and shared moments
Palette Exchange — where artists connect, travel, and create beyond borders. Captured in an ancient town at the foot of the Great Wall — tranquil, poetic, and timeless.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN
10–16 Complete Paintings
Build a strong body of work across diverse locations and subjects with invaluable guidance of multiple artists
Experts Guidance & Feedback
An intimate learning experience with 4 master artists — offering diverse perspectives, refined techniques, and thoughtful feedback on your work.
Confident Plein Air
Learn to select compelling views, simplify with confidence, and create expressive, cohesive paintings in your own voice.
Deeper Cultural Understanding
Experience Asian cultures through daily life, artistic exchange, cultural activities and meaningful immersion
Unique Locations & Atmosphere
From UNESCO heritage streets and fishing villages in Malaysia to cool mountain retreats — rich, diverse, and breathtaking spots to paint and explore
Real Connection & Escape
Step away from the rush of everyday life — recharge, slow down, reconnect with what matters, and build lasting friendships across cultures.
Limited Spots
Our China Art Retreat 2025 through their eyes 👀
Testimonial by Mariette Jones (Spain)
Testimonial by Karen Schilling (USA)
Once in a lifetime adventure
-by Satu (FInland)
A flow of happiness
- by Nelly (France)
Amazing experience on many levels
-by Francesca (Cyprus)
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Qingdao Moments
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Kenble moments
Beijing Moments
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What our students created in Qingdao and Beijing in 2025
About the trip & Price Plans
What’s Included (Overall)
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Airport transfers (optional if you arrange your own transportation)
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Transportation between locations
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Bilingual support and translation
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2 pre-trip Zoom sessions to help you prepare
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Access to an exclusive WhatsApp group
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Credits earned for future programs
Malaysia — What’s Included
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Welcome dinner in Melaka on Day 1 with Suzchiang Tan
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Accommodation in both Melaka & Muar
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2-day workshop with Suzchiang Tan
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Welcome dinner in Melaka on Day 4 with all the Art Festival artists
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4-day activities at the Muar International Watercolor Festival (including multiple workshops, demos & plein air sessions)
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All Meals in Muar (Day 3–7)
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Cruise in Muar River
Guizhou — What’s Included
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Welcome banquet & Miao's bonfire party
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Private mountain resort
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2 days Workshop each with Amit Kapoor, Lei Li & Zhigang Zhu (Indoor/outdoor)
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Evening discussion sessions
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Entrance fees for both Villages
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3 gourmet meals daily
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Cultural activities and souvenirs made in the activities
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Portable stools can be borrowed for plein air
What’s Not Included (Overall)
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International flight tickets
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We can assist with flights from Kuala Lumpur to Guiyang (~$175–250 USD). Recommended booking by May 10, 2026.
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Visa application (required information will be provided)
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Travel insurance (highly recommended)
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Art supplies (please bring your own)
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Part 3 Beijing (optional extension — subject to group interest)
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Meals Melaka not included except for the welcome dinners... offering you a chance to explore local tasty, affordable eateries.
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Optional durian tasting party ($20 USD additional)
Two unique experiences — one unforgettable
art journey across Asia
To thank our returning artists and encourage shared journeys, we offer:
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Early registration →$50 savings (Before Apr 20 2026)
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Returning participants → $100 savings
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Bring a friend → $50 savings each
Enjoy up to another $100 in additional savings→ $2500 for the full Journey only.
To receive special discounts, please contact our support team for the details.
⭐ LIMITED SPOTS
To maintain a high-quality learning experience, each part is kept to 15 people only.
A Thoughtful Incentive
Photo taken with Palette Exchange Travel Art group and prof Shan Hong at Ruhong Art Gallery, Qingdao, 2025
Secure your place with a $100 deposit · balance due later
Photo taken with prof Zhifang Shi, Karen Schilling and Satu Helenius with Palette Exchange at Qingdao Int'l Watercolor Festival in 2025
We warmly welcome non-painting companions to join the journey and share the experience.
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Part 1 (Malaysia) → $1050
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Part 2 (Guizhou) → $1000
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Both Parts (1 & 2) → $1950 total
* The companion rate includes accommodation, meals, transportation, and all cultural activities — from the Muar River cruise to hands-on experiences like rice wine making in Guizhou. Everything is shared with the group, except the artists’ masterclasses.
A $100 deposit secures your place and is applied toward your final balance. It's non-refundable, as it secures your place and covers initial arrangements
Cancellation by Participant
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Before May 1, 2026 → Full refund minus deposit
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Before Jun 1, 2026 → 50% refund of total payment
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After Jun 1, 2926, (< 30 days) → No refund
If You Cannot Attend
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You may transfer your spot to another participant at no additional cost
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Alternatively, your payment may be applied as credit toward future courses or programs (valid for 12 months)
Cancellation by Organizer
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In the unlikely event the retreat is cancelled by us, a full refund will be provided
Additional Notes
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We understand plans can change and will do our best to support you where possible
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Travel arrangements (including flights and visas) are the responsibility of the participant
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Travel insurance is strongly recommended
If you have any questions, we will be happy to help
Secure your place with a $100 deposit · Refundable if the trip is cancelled by us
Palette Exchange takes you where time pauses. Journey East with us -where art and history breathe as one.
