A Culinary Tour

Thanks to China’s vast territory, abundant resources, and varied climates, its cuisine is renowned for its complexity and deliciousness. Similar to our Taste of China tour, this tour explores the culinary heritage of China by visiting restaurants and local host families.

Upon your arrival, you will begin enjoying the culinary delights by first learning how to use chopsticks. The best part is that you will have the chance to learn from regional chefs and cook Chinese cuisine yourself.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Beijing: Attend a welcome party with an introduction of the tour and local culture. Our evening meal includes the local delicacy, Peking Duck. After the meal, check into a traditional courtyard hotel.

Day 2

Beijing: Today’s sightseeing includes the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, a Hutong tour and visiting local families. You will have the famous Quanjude Roast Duck (Peking Duck) and learn how to make Zhajiangmian (fried bean sauce noodle), a famous Beijing cuisine. Zhajiangmian is a noodle dish topped with a thick salty black soybean paste, diced pork and vegetables. Afterwards, a vendor of this dish will teach you how to prepare an authentic recipe. In the evening enjoy a wonderful Kung Fu show.

Day 3

Beijing: Today’s sightseeing includes the Badaling Great Wall and the imperial’summer Palace. At noon, you will enjoy a DIY spring pancake meal at a farmers house in the suburbs. Spring pancake is a traditional dish in northern China. People eat the baked or steamed thin pancake with fresh vegetables, meats and scrambled eggs on Lichun, the first Chinese solar term of the year, to celebrate the beginning of spring.

Day 4

Beijing Xian: Fly to Xian, the ancient capital of China. The rich history legacy and profound cultural heritage formed the unique historical cultural features of Xian. It has the magnificent Terracotta Warriors, renowned as the eighth wonder of the world. It also has many delicious local dishes.

Here you will learn how to make Jiao Zi, dumplings. Jiao Zi has been a popular food in Xian for more than 2,000 years. Nowadays, making dumplings has become a traditional activity at large family gathering. There is a famous restaurant offering a Jiao Zi banquet which includes 108 different kinds of dumplings. You will also taste another local delicacy of Xian, the Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup. Today’s sightseeing includes the Beilin Museum and the Ancient City Wall. In the Beilin Museum, you ll be taught how to write Chinese characters.

Day 5

Xian: The day begins with a visit to the beautiful Huaqing Pool hot springs. The hot springs were built in 723 AD by Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty for his favorite companion Yang Guifei. It’s famous for its 43 C mineral water and for Xuanzong’s tragic romance with Yang Guifei. After lunch, you ll visit the Terra Cotta Warriors. Constructed by China’s first emperor Qinshihuang, they were meant to follow him after death so he could keep his worldwide rule. He built a majestic mausoleum surrounded by large numbers of terracotta warriors, chariots and weapons. Look carefully, you will find that each terracotta warrior has a different face. After returning back to your hotel, you will visit the lively Muslim Quarter to explore and enjoy local Chinese Islamic food.

Day 6

Xian-Chengdu: After breakfast fly to Chengdu.’sichuan cuisine is famous for its distinctive mala (hot and numbing) peppercorn from which it derives its flavor. Known for its use of chili pepper, black pepper and fresh ginger, Sichuan cuisine is one of the most famous Chinese cuisines in the world. Chengdu cuisine is one of the two major branches of Sichuan cuisine.

Today you will have a traditional Chengdu Hot Pot, which is famous for its hot, spicy and numbing flavor. Various ingredients like vegetables, meat, mushrooms, seafood and egg dumplings can be found in the simmering pot, which make the dish extremely flavorful (and spicy). Explore the delicious local snacks in the Jinli Old Street. Have a cup of tea in a local tea house
and enjoy the tea ceremony which combines the Kung Fu, dance and tea culture.

Day 7

Chengdu: Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base and get a close encounter with these adorable Treasures of China. Learn how to make a classic Sichuan Cuisine Mapo Toufu (Stir-Fried Tofu in Hot Sauce) at a local restaurant.

Day 8

Chengdu’shanghai: Fly to Shanghai, China’s most cosmopolitan city. In the evening, enjoy the panoramic Huangpu River, with its colonial architecture, juxtaposed against the modern Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower.

Day 9

Shanghai Wu Zhen (Bus): Appreciate classic Chinese architecture in the beautiful Yuyuan Gardens and taste delicious local snacks in the Old Town before departing to Wu Zhen.

In the evening, take a boat to the West Village of Wu Zhen and enjoy the quiet and beautiful scenery of this old water town. Don t miss delicacies like the sweet and spicy Braised Mutton, Stewed Chicken in Soy Sauce, Pork with Pickled Vegetables and the Fermented Tofu.

Day 10

Hangzhou (Bus): Today sightseeing includes the beautiful West Lake, Lingyin Temple and Longjing Tea Garden. In the famous Louwailou Restaurant, one of the oldest and the best restaurants in Hangzhou, you will have classic and authentic Hangzhou dishes like the West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce while enjoying the picturesque view of the West Lake.

Day 11

Suzhou (Bus):’suzhou City is famous for its Chinese gardens and silk. In the past, it was the national silk center. Many silk masterpieces for the royal family were produced here. Try not to miss the Suzhou First Silk Mill which has a history of more than 80 years. It is there, you may see the production of silk. Visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, one of the finest Chinese gardens in the world. Return to Shanghai later in the day.

Day 12

Shanghai:’shanghai is China’s most cosmopolitan city and the financial hub of the modern empire. It is also a gastronomical urban with a combination of modern influences and cultural traditions. Shanghai snacks can be traced back to the Southern Song Dynasty, and are renowned for their light, fresh, and tasty flavors. They have long been popular among locals and visitors. Today’s sightseeing includes Renmin Square, the Shanghai Museum, Lujiazui Financial Center in the Pudong District, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Nanjing Road.

Day 13

Departure