子非鱼，安知鱼之乐？
You are not the fish, how do you know the fish is happy?

The story comes from Zhuang Zi, the Tao philosopher in China. One day, Zhuang Zi and his friend Hui Zi went to Hao Bridge. Zhuang Zi commented, “Oh look, the fishes are swimming in a leisurely way, how happy they are!” Hui Zi challenged him, “You are not the fishes, and how do you know that they are happy?” Zhuang Zi answered back, “You are not me, and how do you know that I don’t know the fishes are happy?” …

This is the famous debate in the history about how people perceive the thoughts of others.

That’s the story where our name comes from.

We use this name to share the concept of showing empathy to others on one side and being confident in what we are doing on the other side.




Smart Fish is run by a Chinese Jiangsu native well versed in classical Chinese traditions speaking perfect English.

Smart Fish Culture Studio aims to promote Chinese culture – namely through offering custom-designed classes to learn Mandarin (putonghua), workshops about Chinese calligraphy, tea culture, traditional music and painting, opera, folk arts and minorities’ culture, and organizing exhibitions. You can find updated knowledge in the related categories of our website (www.smart-fish.cn). Our activities include tea tasting sessions, interactive calligraphy practice, traditional painting practice, Kunqu Opera introducing & watching activities and Mandarin language classes etc. We also organize art exhibitions and seminars: Tibetan Tangka painting, traditional painting and calligraphy, landscape and portrait photography, live performance of minorities’ music, etc. You can find the schedule in “What’s new?”.

Smart Fish is also recommended by the second edition of the 'Lonely Planet Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and the Greater Mekong' in 2009 (Page 471).


We are people who are fond of exploring and sharing Chinese cultures with others. We take original and vivid approach to demonstrate, tell, teach, exhibit, discuss and exchange those wise and charming ancient cultures from all nationalities with you, so as to build a bridge among different cultures.

We believe that we can enjoy our time better by slowing down the motion, going deeper into details, discovering more connections with the history and interacting with you constantly.

Smart Fish also cooperates with the agency Amiwa Trek (www.amiwa-trek.com) and Yoga-gaia Studio (www.yoga-gaia.cn) to organize Slow Motion Body & Mind Travel Programs. These programs combine sightseeing off the beaten track and cultural insights with a specific ‘body and mind’ approach (including yoga). It will give you the opportunity to ‘learn and experience’ Yunnan. These programs are designed to meet the needs and challenges of our contemporary world.

Slow Motion’s programs are diverse and go from relaxing to challenging journeys. Thematic trips about tea or music could complete the opportunity to explore the culture differences and the amazing landscapes of Yunnan. Please find more on our website: www.slow-motion.cn



You can either email us at the following address:


or call us at:
(0) 13508723270