Culinary China

Begin your day at the world's biggest city square, Tian'anmen Square, which has been a witness to both China's past and present.

After you've taken some photos, travel back in time to the glory days of the imperial era in the Forbidden City. Immerse yourself in the stories told by your knowledgeable guide, feel the dignified atmosphere, and admire the historical masterpiece from the smallest piece of brick to the magnificent palace.

It's time for a gourmet lunch and the first stop of your food tour lets you taste one of the most distinguished dishes of Beijing cuisine, Beijing roast duck.

The chef will slice the cooked golden duck by your table, so that you can watch his/her cutting skills of the thin crispy skin and firm meat. You will also learn how to eat it in the correct way.

If the Forbidden City is the epitome of what imperial life was like, the hutongs are the reflection of how the common people lived in old Beijing. After your meal, hop onto a rickshaw ride to see the real life-link past of old Beijing.

Accommodation: 4* Penta Hotel Beijing/ 5* Regent Hotel Beijing

Start your day from the Temple of Heaven, which was where emperors prayed to 'heaven' for a good harvest. You may arrive early to see the locals practicing martial arts and doing other activities that you may never see in your country.

Later, drive to the Great Wall for about 2.5h.

Great Wall is by far China’s most iconic architectural wonder, captivating the imagination of generations of travelers intrigued by this feat of engineering. Meet with your private guide and driver at your hotel for a full day of exploration, and head northeast of Beijing with your private driver to explore the Mutinayu section, located 45 miles northeast of the city. This well-preserved section winds along lofty, cragged mountains for 1.4 miles and holds a prominent place in Chinese military history. Construction began during the 6th century Northern Qi Dynasty, and it was restored in the early years of the Ming Dynasty (spanning from the 14th to 17th century).

An abundance of natural springs in the area give this section of the Great Wall a lush verdant ecosystem, and the rolling forested hills make for an impressive panoramic photo regardless of the time of year. Take a cable car to the top of the hillside to explore the 26-foot-high granite walls. The 22 watchtowers stretch along the top of the mountain ridge as far as the eye can see, an impressive military barrier against invading forces from the north. Lunch will be at a local restaurant near the Great Wall.

Today’s tour involves a fair amount of walking at a leisurely pace. Comfortable walking shoes and adequate protection from the sun are highly recommended.

* The cable car ride up to a good section of the Great Wall is included. You may choose to descend by cable car or toboggan.
* Looking for different experiences of the Great Wall? We also offer a hiking tour to the wild Jinshanling section and a night tour to the romantic Simatai section.

Accommodation: 4* Penta Hotel Beijing/ 5* Regent Hotel

Visit the Summer Palace. The Summer Palace dates to the 12th century, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast imperial encampment of temples, ornate pavilions, and halls set in a park around Kunming Lake. Occupying an area of 294 hectares, three-quarters of which is water, the compound features a sprawling archetypal Chinese garden that is a masterpiece of landscape garden design, and a truly picturesque setting to explore. The Long Corridor is a must-see – this covered walkway is decorated with more than 14,000 lavish paintings. Sail around Kunming Lake on a shared boat trip.

Have a Peking Duck lunch before transferring to the train station and take high speed train to Xi'an. The train ride is approximately 6 hours.

Enjoy a private transfer between the train station and your hotel with an English-speaking guide.

Accommodation: 4* Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an/ 5* Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

The Terra Cotta Warriors are the most iconic site in Xi’an, an impressive marvel that went undiscovered until 1974. With your private driver and English-speaking guide, spend the day visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors, the Ancient City Wall and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The incredible army of over 7000 soldiers, archers, horses, and chariots in full battle array has guarded Emperor Qin’s tomb since 210 BC. Incredibly, each figure is unique, and the painstaking repair and excavation continues in 3 pits, protected inside enormous hangars specially constructed for the archeological dig. Then discover a local craftsman's cave dwelling and learn how to make a mini terracotta warrior.

Stop for a local lunch before returning to the city center to visit the Ancient City Wall. The walls, ramparts, gates, and watchtowers form one of the oldest and most complete city defenses are still around. Built in the 13th-century on the foundations of the original Tang Forbidden City surrounding the city center you can walk, rent a bike or take an electric cart around the full 8.5-mile circuit, with great views of the city on either side and a deep moat surrounding the fortifications. At the end of the day, return to your hotel by private vehicle.

Accommodation: 4* Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an/ 5* Wyndham Grand Xi'an South

Have a better understanding of Xi'an and China's rich history at Shaanxi History Museum.

Apart from its historical background, Xi'an is also a city that's home to multiple nationalities. Wander through the famous Muslim Quarter where you can not only get a flavor of the local Muslims' lives but you may also enjoy a bite of some local Muslim cuisine.

Dumplings, one of the best-known examples of Chinese cuisine, date back to 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty in Xi'an. It is said that you should never go to Xi'an without having a dumpling banquet.

So before you get on a high-speed train to your next destination, enjoy a mixture of dumplings made by different ingredients in just the same way as the Chinese do to celebrate the Spring Festival at one of the best-known restaurants.

Accommodation: 4* Tibet Hotel / 5* Renaissance Hotel Chengdu

Chengdu is known as the home of giant pandas and is also the first place that you can get close to them. The first stop is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, home to nearly 50 giant pandas and red pandas. Go there early in the morning to see the pandas feeding. This time of day is when they are most active.

After waving goodbye to the adorable pandas, it is time to start your food discovery experience. Your local guide will take you to the unique Sichuan Cuisine Museum, where you can engage all your senses to experience Sichuan cuisine, which is praised worldwide.

Under the guidance of the professional chef, learn what Sichuan cuisine is, taste authentic Sichuan snacks, and understand how chopped garlic and different kinds of peppers delicately mingle with other ingredients. After unearthing the secrets of this cuisine, you are encouraged to cook three typical Sichuan dishes and invent your own recipe.

Accommodation: 4* Tibet Hotel / 5* Renaissance Hotel Chengdu

A free day is specially arranged for you to have a short break on such a long journey.

Enjoy a free morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport ready for you to begin your rural discovery adventure in Guilin.

*  If you prefer more free time in Chengdu, we recommend a Chengdu dine and wine Experience. Try some authentic local snacks at Jinli Old Street, then discover the secrets of the world's best-selling spirit, Chinese Rice Wine, in an ancient Chinese brewery cellar.

If you want to discover the highlights of Guilin city, a landmark tour to Reed Flute Cave and Elephant Trunk Hill is offered.

Accommodation: 4* Guilin Bravo Hotel/ 5* Sheraton Hotel Guilin

Escape from the busy urban life and breathe in the fresh air at the Longji Rice Terraced Fields. You may meet ethnic people who are dressed in their national costumes or are working in the fields as you hike up them.

Ethnic groups in this area share different ways of life with the majority. They are good at using local resources to make food: rice is cooked in a bamboo tube and minced tea leaves are mixed with flavorings.

Sit around a bonfire in a traditional kitchen and follow the host's example as you make bamboo tube rice. Enjoy a local meal cooked with fresh ingredients and taste some oil tea.

Accommodation: 4* Guilin Bravo Hotel/ 5* Sheraton Hotel Guilin

Feast your eyes on the picturesque views on either the side of the Li River as you enjoy the highest level of cruise to ensure your comfort. Your guide will show you the best spots to take good photos.

The cruise arrives in Yangshuo at noon and you will be welcomed with the sight of the most beautiful countryside in China.

Pick whichever type of transport you prefer, whether it's a private car, bicycle, or moped, to embrace these natural surroundings.

Accommodation: 4*Yangshuo Mountain Retreat/ 5* Yangshuo Ancient Garden Boutique Hotel

After a good night's sleep, start your day with a bamboo rafting tour.

Sitting back on a non-motorized raft that's steered along the Yulong River by a gondolier is the best way to enjoy the rural view and the tranquility.

Then take a flight at evening to Hong Kong, an oriental melting pot where Chinese and Western cultures meet.

Accommodation: 4* Royal Plaza Hotel/ 5* Grand Harbour Hotel Kowloon

Hong Kong is a paradise for shopping so have some free time to make the most of it.

You cannot miss out on trying dim sum, the highlight of Cantonese cuisine, so you will have lunch at a specialty dim sum restaurant. These small but delicate morsels are only your first bite of the flavor of Hong Kong.

Visiting to the street markets and trying the street food are the ultimate things to do in Hong Kong. Ladies’ Market is a dazzling street market that may make you feel like you’ve been there before in an old Hong Kong movie scene.

Your guide is a walking map for foodies like you. Follow him/her and shuttle through the narrow lanes to discover the authentic street food. Try a piece of traditional snack and a bowl of refreshing drink that on the street food list of Michelin Guide Hong Kong.

A piece of traditional pastry with a bowl of dessert, or a dish of fried tofu with a cup of red bean ice are recommended.

Accommodation: 4* Royal Plaza Hotel/ 5* Grand Harbour Hotel Kowloon

Your tour guide, driver, and van will pick you up from your hotel for your airport transfer and flight. Your guide will help you check-in and then wave goodbye.