- 4.9/5 548 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 14 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Cuisine
About This Trip
This 14-day culinary journey lets you savor both the sights and flavors of China: Enjoy the legendary Peking Duck after touring the Great Wall, sample the wheat-based dishes of Northwest China with culinary roots tracing back to the Terracotta Warriors, visit the native land of giant pandas to experience the fiery flavors of Sichuan hot pot, and discover the rich tea traditions of Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 4
Beijing
The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Peking Roast Duck Dinner, Foodies Tour in Hutongs
5 - 6
Xi'an
Terracotta Army, Muslim Quarter, Local Family Visit with Cooking
7 - 8
Chengdu
Giant Panda Tour, People's Park with Tea Tasting, Sichuan Cuisine Museum with Cooking Class
9 - 10
Guangzhou
Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, Yum Cha in a Teahouse
11 - 14
Hong Kong
Michelin Star Street Food Tour, Repulse Bay, Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Floating Community, Stanley Market
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing
Welcome to Beijing! This vibrant city is the perfect starting point for your Chinese culinary adventure, offering a wide range of iconic and unique dishes. Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.
- Beijing
- Day 2: Beijing, Forbidden City & Culinary Delights
Begin your day at Tiananmen Square, one of China’s most significant cultural landmarks, where many historical and political events have taken place. Just across the square lies the Forbidden City, the former residence and administrative center of the imperial family, now the largest museum showcasing China’s ancient culture and art.
For lunch, savor a classic Beijing snack – Zha Jiang Mian (Fried Sauce Noodles), renowned for its rich, savory fermented soybean paste. Afterward, take a short stroll to Jingshan Park, which predates the Forbidden City itself. From the top at Wanchun Pavilion, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the sprawling Forbidden City below.
End the day with a truly iconic feast: Peking Duck. The crispy, roasted duck will be carved tableside, letting you hear the crunch and see the presentation. Traditionally, the meat is wrapped in a thin pancake with sweet sauce, scallions, and cucumber – a bite that perfectly explains why Peking Duck is celebrated worldwide.
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- Beijing
- Day 3: Beijing, Temple of Heaven & Great Wall Excursion
Start your morning at the Temple of Heaven, once a sacred site where emperors performed rituals and prayed for abundant harvests. Built in 1534, its architecture embodies ancient Chinese cosmology and the connection between heaven and earth. Today, it serves as a public park where you can join locals in morning activities such as Tai Chi, sword dancing, Kung Fu fan, calligraphy, and more.
After enjoying some classic Beijing snacks for a mid-morning break, get ready for one of China’s most iconic landmarks. In the afternoon, take a cable car to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, a masterpiece of China’s 5,000-year-old civilization. With your guide, walk along the wall and explore the beacon towers, taking in the breathtaking mountainous scenery and understanding why the Great Wall is a source of national pride.
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- Beijing
- Day 4: Beijing to Xi'an, Culinary Exploration & Flight
Begin the day with a morning food tour through Beijing’s historic Hutongs, the narrow lanes lined with traditional residences. While discovering the daily life of local residents, indulge in the unique flavors of old Beijing. Don’t miss Dou Zhi, a fermented soybean drink with a strong, distinctive taste that is surprisingly refreshing.
After lunch, board a flight to Xi’an, the former capital of 13 Chinese dynasties and once one of the world’s most prosperous cities alongside Constantinople. Xi’an is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, offering a wide variety of local specialties. Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to either begin your own food adventure or relax and unwind.
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- Xi’an
- Day 5: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors & Muslim Quarter
After breakfast, visit the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army, often hailed by travelers as “the eighth wonder of the world.” Spanning nearly 4 acres, the site displays around 10,000 life-sized clay figures of soldiers, generals, horses, and chariots, built to guard Qin Shihuang, China’s first emperor, in his quest to unify the nation thousands of years ago. Even more astonishing, only a small portion of the mausoleum—less than 5%—has been excavated so far.
In the afternoon, explore Xi’an’s lively Muslim Quarter, the heart of the city’s bustling street life. Visit the historic Great Mosque, a 1,300-year-old architectural gem that blends traditional Chinese and Islamic styles. Feeling hungry? The streets here are famous for local snacks such as Rou Jia Mo (marinated beef in bread), Liang Pi (mung bean noodles), and Pao Mo (mutton soup with pancake). Unsure what to pick? Your private guide will happily point out the must-try specialties.
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- Xi’an
- Day 6: Xi'an to Chengdu, Local Life & Flight
Good morning! Enjoy a leisurely start as you wrap up your Xi’an experience with a visit to a local family. Chat with your hosts and learn about daily life in this historic city. For a more hands-on experience, accompany them to the neighborhood market to select fresh ingredients, then follow their guidance to prepare your own lunch, gaining a true taste of Xi’an’s culinary traditions.
After this immersive morning, depart Xi’an and fly to Chengdu, the land of giant pandas and famous for its fiery hot pot cuisine. Upon arrival, your new private guide and driver will take you to your hotel, where you can settle in and relax for the evening.
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- Chengdu
- Day 7: Chengdu, Giant Pandas & Sichuan Hot Pot
Start your day early to meet Chengdu’s most famous residents – the giant pandas! Morning is their most active time, giving you a chance to watch them climb trees, munch on bamboo, play together, and, if you’re lucky, even tumble around. After visiting the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, enjoy lunch at a nearby local restaurant.
In the afternoon, explore the serene Wenshu Monastery, a 1,300-year-old Buddhist site full of history and spiritual charm. Then, stroll through People’s Park to experience Chengdu’s leisurely lifestyle, joining locals in tea drinking, playing chess, chatting, boating, or feeding fish.
As evening falls, get ready for a culinary adventure with Sichuan hot pot, famous for its bold, fiery flavors. The rich red broth is infused with chili, Sichuan peppercorn, star anise, cinnamon, and butter. Choose from a variety of ingredients to cook in the pot – beef tripe, fried pork, and shrimp paste are highly recommended for the full experience.
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- Chengdu
- Day 8: Chengdu, Sichuan Culinary Workshop
Begin your day by delving into Sichuan’s rich food culture with visits to a bustling spice market and the Sichuan Cuisine Museum.
At the spice market, discover the wide variety of local spices and their culinary uses, including the signature ingredients of Sichuan cuisine – the fiery chili peppers and the tongue-tingling Sichuan peppercorns. These flavors are said to enhance appetite and balance the damp, humid climate of the region.
Next, head to the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, where you’ll explore traditional cooking tools, taste local snacks, and participate in hands-on cooking. Try your hand at iconic dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken, then enjoy your creation for lunch. At the end of the session, receive a “Rookie Master Chef” certificate to celebrate your culinary achievements.
The remainder of the day is free to spend as you wish – whether relaxing in your room and reflecting on your Chengdu adventure or heading out to sample more local delicacies.
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- Chengdu
- Day 9: Chengdu to Guangzhou, Cantonese Culinary Introduction
After enjoying the bold flavors of Sichuan cuisine, it’s time to give your taste buds a break and head to Guangzhou, the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine and one of China’s top culinary hubs. Upon arrival, your new guide and driver will take you to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure.
For a self-guided food adventure, consider trying Bao Zai Fan (clay pot steamed rice) and Chang Fen (rice noodle rolls). End your tasting experience with a variety of sweet soups, including those made with brown sugar, coconut milk, cereals, fruits, or herbal jelly. To experience local wellness culture, a cup of Liang Cha (herbal tea) is perfect for refreshing and nourishing your body.
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- Guangzhou
- Day 10: Guangzhou, Traditional Yum Cha & Cultural Sites
After breakfast, begin your day at two of Guangzhou’s key cultural landmarks: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. Both sites provide fascinating insights into the city’s rich history and traditional heritage.
Around midday, enjoy an authentic Yum Cha (tea-drinking) experience, a cherished part of Guangzhou’s leisurely lifestyle. Sip on varieties like Pu’er, white tea, Tieguanyin, or chrysanthemum tea while socializing with friends. Complement the tea with an array of Dim Sum, from shrimp dumplings and barbecued pork buns to egg tarts, roast goose, and seafood porridge – hundreds of options await your tasting.
If your stomach isn’t quite ready to rest, take a stroll through Qingping Market to observe local life and customs while allowing your meal to settle, soaking in the atmosphere of old Guangzhou.
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- Guangzhou
- Day 11: Guangzhou to Hong Kong, Street Food Exploration
Today, your journey brings you to Hong Kong, a culinary paradise where traditional tea houses, authentic Cantonese street snacks, and international restaurants coexist in perfect harmony.
After arriving at the high-speed rail station, your guide will transfer you to your hotel to rest. In the late afternoon, take a stroll through Kowloon’s historic neighborhoods and discover Michelin-recommended street foods such as roast squab, sweet and sour pork ribs, glutinous rice, and rice noodle rolls.
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- Hong Kong
- Day 12: Hong Kong, City Sights & Scenic Views
Today’s adventure highlights the best of Hong Kong’s iconic attractions. Start with a sampan ride in Aberdeen, a floating village where you can observe the daily life of local fishermen. Continue to Repulse Bay, often called the “Hawaii of the East,” for its scenic coastline.
Next, experience the lively atmosphere of Stanley Market, a relaxed coastal market perfect for some fun bartering. Conclude the day at Victoria Peak, where a stroll along the mountaintop provides breathtaking panoramic views of Hong Kong’s skyline from multiple perspectives.
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- Hong Kong
- Day 13: Hong Kong, Free Day for Exploration
Today is a leisure day to explore Hong Kong at your own pace and visit attractions that interest you most. Consider stops like the Bird Garden, Lui Seng Chun, and Wong Tai Sin Temple, each offering unique cultural experiences.
If you wish to continue your culinary journey, sample more local flavors at Yum Cha restaurants, Shao La (roast meats), and other authentic Cantonese eateries scattered throughout the city.
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- Hong Kong
- Day 14: Hong Kong, Journey’s End
Today, you will be transferred to the airport, marking the conclusion of your unforgettable Chinese food tour.
China’s gastronomic treasures extend far beyond this trip. We look forward to welcoming you back soon to continue discovering the country’s diverse culinary delights.
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