Real Taste of China: Food & Culture

Your Day in Detail

Today's exploration begins in Tiananmen Square, one of the most important cultural centers in China, where many major political and cultural events have been held. Opposite it is the Forbidden City that you will visit. It used to be the residence and office of the royal family, and now it is the largest museum of ancient culture and art in China.

At noon, you will enjoy one of the representatives of Beijing snacks - Zha Jiang Mian (Fried Sauce Noodles), which is famous for its delicious sauce made from fermented soya beans. Then, a short walk to Jingshan Park will help your digestion, which has a history longer than the Forbidden City. When you reach the Wanchun Pavilion at the top of the park, enjoy the panoramic view of the Forbidden City.

Treat yourself to a big meal after a long day of visits! Yes, the well-known Peking duck! The server will slice the flavorful duck in front of you, and you can even hear how crisp it is. The traditional method of eating is to wrap the duck flesh in a thin crust with sweet sauce and refreshing scallions and cucumbers. Taste it and you'll know why Peking Duck is so famous.

Your Day in Detail

Today's first stop is at the Temple of Heaven. Formerly a sacred site where emperors worship and pray for a bountiful harvest, its structure reflects the ancient Chinese understanding of heaven. Today, this place has become a public park. You'll have the opportunity to join in the local people's morning exercises, such as practicing Tai Chi, sword dancing, calligraphy, and so on.

After taking a break around midday, get ready for the Great Wall tour. Driving time is around 2 hours, and lunch will be served at restaurant along the way, giving you chance to taste some simple local dishes in suburban Beijing. In the afternoon, take the cable car up to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section), admiring the steep mountains and meandering walls above. After arriving at a watchtower, start to walk along the wall with your guide, passing ancient watchtowers and beacon towers while learning about its history and the role it played in protecting China's northern frontier.

Your Day in Detail

The day begins with a morning food tour through Beijing's hutongs, the narrow alleyways lined with traditional courtyard homes. As your guide introduces you to the history and everyday life of these old lanes, take the chance to sample some of the traditional foods and snacks that have long been part of local life. For those looking to try something truly local and a little unusual, you can sample Dou Zhi, a traditional fermented drink made from mung beans with a distinctive sour flavor. It's certainly an acquired taste, but trying it is part of discovering the less familiar side of Beijing's food culture.

Following lunch, you will take high-speed train to Xi'an, formerly the capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, which was once the most prosperous metropolis in the world. As such, there is an abundance of culinary options here. On arrival, your private guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel. In the remaining free time, start a food exploration at your own pace or have a good rest.

Your Day in Detail

This morning, enjoy your breakfast before visiting the majestic Terracotta Army, which is considered "the eighth wonder of the world" by some travelers. Walk through the excavation pits with your guide and see the remarkable details of the figures, from their different facial expressions and hairstyles to the weapons and armor they carry.

Back in the urban area, the crowded Muslim Quarter is the main highlight this afternoon. Getting a little hungry? The Muslim Quarter is also one of the busiest snack streets in Xi'an. Rou Jia Mo (marinated beef with bread), Liang Pi (noodles made of mung beans), Pao Mo (pancake in mutton soup) ... these traditional street foods of Northwest China are waiting for you to try! If nothing jumps out, your private guide is always glad to give you advice.

Your Day in Detail

Your Xi'an exploration rounds off with a visit to a local family. You'll have a chance to sit down with them and ask whatever comes to mind about daily life here. If you're up for it, you can join them on a quick trip to the nearby market to pick up ingredients. While helping lunch preparation, learning about how to make dumplings, hand-pulled noodles and steps of authentic local homemade dishes.

Say goodbye to Xi'an and head to Chengdu, the home to giant pandas and spicy hot pot. When you arrive, your new guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel for the night.

Your Day in Detail

Start the day earlier because you'll head to see the giant pandas. As they are most active in the morning, you'll have the opportunity to observe them climb trees, eat bamboo, play with each other, and if you're lucky, you may even catch one rolling around. After leaving the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, head to a local restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, immerse yourself in the mysterious and solemn Buddhist culture in Wenshu Monastery, which has a history of 1300 years. Afterward, head to the People's Park to experience the slow pace of old Chengdu. Drinking tea, playing chess, chatting, boating, and feeding fish are all activities locals love to do in their spare time.

For the evening, enjoy a Sichuan hotpot dinner. The pot arrives at the table with a red broth made from chili, Sichuan peppercorn, and a mix of spices. You'll get a selection of raw ingredients to cook at the table, and you can pick whatever looks good. Beef tripe, fried pork meat, and shrimp paste are local favorites.

Your Day in Detail

Start off the day by learning more about Sichuan's food culture and visiting the spice market and Sichuan Cuisine Museum.

In the spice market, learn to identify various spices and their functions. Especially the source of flavor in Sichuan cuisine - hot peppers that burn the tongue and Sichuan peppercorns that give a numbing sensation.

Then, at the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, learn about traditional culinary utensils, sample snacks, try your hands in prepare famous dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, and enjoy your own masterpiece for lunch. When you complete this course, the chef will present you with a "Rookie Master Chef" certificate to recognize your efforts that day.

The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. Relax at the hotel, explore the city, or head out to try more of the local food.

It's time to relax your palette after indulging in the fiery flavors of Sichuan food! Welcome to Guangzhou, another Chinese food hub and the cradle of Cantonese cuisine - one of China's eight primary cuisines. The remainder of the day is up to you once you've been driven to your hotel by the new tour leader and driver.

Need some inspiration for your own street food adventure? You may try Bao Zai Fan (steamed rice in a clay pot) and Chang Fen (rice noodles roll). For dessert, you can choose from a variety of sweet soups - the drink based on brown sugar water or coconut milk with cereal products, herbal jelly, fruit, etc. If you wish to try the local wellness culture, a cup of Liang Cha (herbal tea) will nourish your body.

Your Day in Detail

After breakfast, two important cultural attractions await, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family. Both are good places to learn about the history and tradition of Guangzhou.

As it approaches noon, an unforgettable Yum Cha (tea-drinking) experience will be the highlight of the day. Yum Cha is a symbol of the leisurely life of citizens in Guangzhou: Order a pot of tea, meet with friends, and chat from morning to afternoon. Pu'er tea, white tea, Tieguanyin tea, and chrysanthemum tea are all excellent options. Another main character of Yum Cha is Dim Sum - some exquisite pastries, dishes, and staples. There are hundreds of kinds to choose from, such as shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns, egg tarts, roast goose, roast suckling pig, seafood porridge, etc.

A good way to work off lunch and see a more local side of Guangzhou is to visit Qingping Market, a traditional market selling dried seafood, medicinal herbs, and Cantonese soup ingredients, giving you a sense of how Cantonese shop and go about their daily lives.

Your Day in Detail

Your final stop on this China food tour will be Hong Kong, a gastronomic haven where you can find civilian tea houses serving exquisite refreshments, authentic Cantonese street snacks, and various restaurants without borders.

After leaving the high-speed rail station, you will be escorted to the hotel for a rest. In the late afternoon, walk around Kowloon's old-fashioned community and search for some Michelin-recommended street food, such as roast squab, sweet and sour pork ribs, glutinous rice, rice noodle rolls, etc.

Your Day in Detail

Today, take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for panoramic views of Hong Kong. Then visit Man Mo Temple before enjoying a Cantonese dim sum lunch nearby.

In the afternoon, explore Central Market and Tai Kwun around the Central-Mid-Levels area. Ride the historic Ding Ding Tram through the city, then take the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui. Finish with a walk along the Avenue of Stars, where you can look for the handprints of stars such as Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh.

Today is yours to discover the remaining highlights that interest you among Hong Kong's many more attractions. Bird Garden, Lui Seng Chun, and Wong Tai Sin Temple are all worthwhile stops. Want to keep trying more delicacies? Yum Cha, Shao La (roast meat), and other Cantonese eateries are good options.

After being escorted to the airport, your Chinese food adventure comes to a perfect end. But China's culinary delights go well beyond that. We eagerly await your return to China to continue your exploration.