An Authentic Taste of China
This amazing gourmet journey aims to give you a taste of China. In the land of abundance, you will gain an insider's view into the history and culture of Chinese cuisine by traveling around different sites relating to delicacies.
Days
13
Price
US$3,289 p/p
Best For
First-timers
Best Time
Apr.May.Sep.Oct.
Tour Highlights
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our travel adviser Albee Ning prepared a wonderful itinerary taking us to great locations with creative activities highlighting local culture.
We traveled with Asia Highlights (Lissie was our agent) several years ago when we went to Saigon, and the experience was so positive, we automatically went to Asia Highlights again for an extensive trip to Southeast Asia.
Itinerary Details
Don't hesitate to let us know if you'd like to make any modifications to this itinerary as anything can be customized according to your preferences.
Welcome to China! Your private guide will be waiting for you at the airport upon your arrival. Your driver will be ready to transfer you to your hotel where you can relax.
After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby. Your tour will warm up with a short visit to the largest city plaza in the world — Tian'anmen Square. Within walking distance, you will reach the time-honored landmark in Beijing — the Forbidden City. Admire the unmissable collection of imperial architectural structures, witness the history of royal ancient China, and absorb interesting background stories.
Sit down for a break at noon and enjoy the national dish of Beijing roast duck for lunch. Let all of your senses come alive.
In the afternoon, wander through traditional hutong courtyard houses to get a glimpse of the locals' lives.
In the morning, you will visit the Temple of Heaven where the emperors of the past would go to pray for a better harvest. Nowadays, it's famous for its incredible architecture and as a gathering place for locals to do exercises, such as tai chi and square dancing.
"Complete your trip to China with an unforgettable visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu." Recommended by the Lonely Planet, the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall offers a magnificent landscape of well-preserved walls and towers as well as splendid surroundings. It's about 1½ to 2 hours' drive from central Beijing and the hike is of medium difficulty.
After a leisurely breakfast, you will stroll through the Summer Palace, a serene space where you can see the imperial garden and all its glory. Enjoy the natural beauty coupled with some great cultural relics of the past and escape the bustle of Beijing life. It is worth every step!
After lunch, your tour guide will see you off at the airport in Beijing for your flight to Xi'an (about 2 hours). You will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport in Xi'an and will be escorted to your hotel.
Freshen up in the morning and start your day at the site of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, which was the burial place of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. You will also have the opportunity to visit a traditional cave dwelling nearby, a type of dwelling which disappeared elsewhere in the process of modernization. You can try to make your own clay warriors and take them away as souvenirs at no extra cost.
Enjoy an authentic lunch and witness the most undamaged ancient Chinese city wall in existence. Renting a bicycle to ride on the wall is a good way to spend some free time.
Take an informative trip to Shaanxi History Museum, which has more than 370,000 cultural relics, and head to Muslim Quarter to hunt for some local snacks.
Dumplings are representative of Chinese cuisine and both their shapes and fillings have cultural meanings. You will be treated to a dumpling banquet in a superior brand restaurant for lunch. The well-presented dumplings have vivid shapes, fragrant flavors, and diverse fillings.
Later in the afternoon, your guide and driver will transfer you to the train station to catch a high-speed train to Asia's first gastronomy city — Chengdu (about 4 hours). Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your local tour guide in Chengdu.
You will be driven for half an hour from downtown Chengdu to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to have a date with some cute pandas, which are China's treasure. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the green bamboo framed paths and closely observe giant pandas and red pandas of different ages while they are eating, playing, tumbling, and climbing. You can also go to the kindergarten to see baby pandas.
Please note: The best time to visit is during the feeding time between 8:30am and 10am. After that, the pandas will likely be indulging in their favorite pastime: sleeping!
Enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant. Have a rest during the private 1-hour drive to Sichuan Cuisine Museum. This is the only 'eatable museum' in China with a dynamic way to experience the Sichuan cuisine culture. Visit the collection hall to learn about the evolution of the Sichuan cuisine culture. Gain firsthand experience of Sichuan cuisine cutting skills. Enjoy the features of Sichuan food via the senses of sight, smell, taste, and touch. Be awarded with the "Rookie Master Chef" certificate signed by the chef and take home the "secret" recipes of the dishes you have cooked.
Enjoy a free morning. We will arrange a private transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Guilin (about 1½ hours).
After breakfast, start exploring Longsheng. Walk among the photogenic Longji Rice Terraces to enjoy the scenery from the best viewing spots. Visit a traditional wooden house in an ethnic village and interact with the household to hear their stories that have been passed from generation to generation. Another highlight of this trip is to join the local family in making a delicious specialty – bamboo-tube rice – and then taste the fruits of your labor.
Do Guilin's premier tour program — cruise along the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo admiring the scenery that looks like an ink painting. The jaw-dropping views of the karst peaks include the notable scenery that appears on China's 20 RMB banknote. We will book a 4-star cruise (the highest level with better facilities and a buffet lunch including Chinese and Western choices) so that you can have a better experience than on a 3-star cruise (a basic level with simple facilities and a set Chinese lunch).
You will disembark in Yangshuo and check in to your hotel. Take a short break and have a pleasant time exploring the countryside. Throw yourself into the gentle embrace of the lovely verdant utopian scene. Choose your preferred way to enjoy the fun and beauty: biking, on a moped, or by private car.
Please note: Depending on the season and water level, this 83-kilometer cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about 4 to 5 hours.
Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River is a much quieter and more rustic experience compared with Li River rafting. While rafting, you won't miss the idyllic scenes of simple rural life as a few small villages with old buildings are set among the hillside greenery on both sides of the river.
In the afternoon, we will arrange a private transfer (about 1 to 1½ hours) back to Guilin to catch your flight to Hong Kong (about 1½ hours).
During this half-day city tour, you will visit three symbolic markets (Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Goldfish Street, and Ladies' Market) to get close to the bustling coastal city that's full of impressive high-rises and a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. Get energy tasting Michelin recommended snacks and drinks — you can always find something that caters to your tastes.
It's the end of your amazing journey. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport and bid you a fond farewell.
Price Includes
Price from: $3,289 (Tour code: gh-cht-fd-01)
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Trip Notes
Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.
1. Extend the Tour
- Chengdu: Add a day for the Panda Keeper Program in Dujiangyan Panda Base.
- Guilin: Add a day to take a farming experience in Yangshuo, or see the Guilin city highlights and Daxu Ancient Town.
- Shanghai: Add 2 days to visit the Bund, Yu Garden, and Shanghai Tower.
- Suzhou and/or Hangzhou: Add 1–4 days to visit the water towns, gardens, the Grand Canal, and West Lake.
2. Accommodation
Various types of accommodation are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in the best locations, good value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the style of the region. Whatever your accommodation preferences are, our travel experts will seek out and find the perfect one for you.
Most hotels in China allow at most three people in one room. If there are more than three people in your group, we will check if there is family room available or do our best to arrange interconnecting rooms or adjoin rooms.
3. Transportation
China is a huge country, so to make your travel experience more efficient, we usually arrange flights to connect your destinations.
China's high-speed rail network is a fast-paced way to travel. We recommend taking high-speed trains for journeys of less than 6 hours to interested customers — please tell us if you are one of them.
4. Meals
Lunches at popular local restaurants are included for you so you can taste authentic Chinese food. Your guide will assist you with ordering the dishes.
We have left the evening meals for you to make your own arrangements, as having dinner is part of the cuisine discovery and you may want to explore all the options yourself. Our tour guides are happy to make recommendations based on your taste preferences. If you want us to arrange a hassle-free dinner for you, let us know.
Vegetarian, halal, kosher, Indian, or gluten-free — all your dietary requirements can be taken care of by our experienced private guides. Let us know if you have any of these dietary requirements when you make your booking.
Why Travel with Global Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
