16 Days China Overall Culinary Experience Tour

Destination:Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Jinan, Qufu, Shanghai, Xi'an

Tour Code: CFT01

Tour Duration: 16 Days

Tour overview:
During this tour, you can taste four of the "eight cuisines" of China, including Shandong Cuisine (in Qufu), Sichuan Cuisine (in Chengdu), Guangdong Cuisine (in Guangzhou), Zhejiang Cuisine (in Hangzhou). What's more, you will have a taste of the legendary Peking Duck (of Beijing), Chinese Hamburger (of Xi'an), Beer Fish (of Guilin) and have a special shopping experience in bustling Shanghai. It must be a wonderful China overall culinary tour which should not be missed!

Day by Day Itinerary

Tour Summary

Reviews

B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Day 1

Arrive in Beijing

Transfer via: International flight- on your own arrangement

Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.

Day 2

Beijing (B, L, D)

Beijing (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace
Cuisine Highlight: Peking duck Banquet

Today we will visit Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.

From here we will walk across the Golden River Bridge to visit the Forbidden City and experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.

We will continue by visiting the Summer Palace. Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called 'Yiheyuan' (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. Until nowadays, it is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. You will regret it if you leave Beijing without having visited this grand imperial garden. Later that day you will take the flight to Xi'an. After your arrival there, you will be met and transferred to your hotel by our local guide.

After dinner we will visit the local night food-market at Wangfujing.

Day 3

Beijing (B, L, D)

Beijing (B, L, D)

Sightseeing:  Mutianyu Great Wall with round-way cable car, Ming Tombs, Sacred Road
Cuisine Highlight: Peking hotpot

After experiencing the royal lifestyle, today we will be transferred to the surrounding countryside of Beijing and visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, the pride of China and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Whereas Genghis Khan contemplated it as a military obstacle, Richard Nixon described it as one of humankind's greatest achievements. You will be able to climb up and down with cable car and walk one of the best preserved sections of the 2,000 years old ancient wall, admiring the splendid mountain views. Bring a jacket and layer- although it is breezy.

At noon, you will enjoy a very special lunch at Mutianyu Schoolhouse Restaurant/Schoolhouse Canteen. You can check out the amazing glass blowing gallery studio, and then tuck into some food at The Canteen. Enjoy a fresh air break at Mutianyu Great Wall!

After lunch, in the afternoon we will visit the legendary Ming Tombs, which are situated at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Mountain, Changping, northwest of Beijing. Since there are 13 Ming emperors buried there, this place was called the 13 Ming Tombs. You will walk along the Sacred Way, a road guarded by stone statues on both sides, as the ancient emperors did to hold a memorial ceremony for their ancestors.

Day 4

Beijing (B, L, D)

Beijing (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: the Temple of Heaven
Activity: Chinese cooking class.
Cuisine Highlight: Imperial Cuisine

This morning our tour will begin with a visit of the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.

In the afternoon, we will proceed to the local cooking school for the Chinese cooking class. Get to know how many ways to cook different dishes. In the 1.5 hours' study, you get this chance to learn one course, and you will enjoy the fruits of your labor in this delightful eating experience.

Day 5

Beijing / Qufu (B)

Transfer via: Train on our arrangement

Today you will be transferred to railway station to board the soft-seat train to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius (551-479 B.C.),

Upon arrival, we will be met and transferred to your hotel. Free leisure during the rest of the day.

Day 6

Qufu / Jinan (B, L, D)

Qufu / Jinan (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Confucian Temples, Confucius Mansion and Confucian Family Graveyard
Cuisine Highlight: Qufu Family Banquet

Today we will learn the Confucian culture with the visit to Confucian Temples, Confucian Mansion and Confucian Family Graveyard. They are called Three Confucians, which are now one of the four extant great architectural complexes in China.

Among many preserved Confucian temples of different dynasties all over China, the Confucian Temple in Qufu is the largest and earliest one. It represents the culture and history of Confucianism. Confucian Mansion: It is also called Yanshenggong Mansion, a large house consisting of 463 halls, rooms, towers and houses, covering an area of 13.3 hectares-the largest landlord manor in China's history. The courtyard is divided into three family temples. The main building in the center was first used as a government office then changed to dwelling house later. Confucian family graveyard: It is the graveyard of the Confucian family and has a history of more than 2340 years. There are about ten thousand tombs inside the graveyard .Also many stone steles, lanes and pavilions can be found here.

After the tours, you will be driven to Jinan. Check in the hotel.

Day 7

Jinan / Shanghai (B, L, D)

Jinan / Shanghai (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Yu Garden, the Bund, Nanjing Road,
Cuisine Highlight: Shanghai Cuisine

After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport and take the flight to Shanghai.  Arrive in Shanghai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After a rest, then we will take a relaxing walk to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features.

Then we will head to visit the Bund. Take a walk along the waterfront and experience the smells, sights and sounds of the old "Wall Street" in Shanghai. Actually, some people say that the Bund is like "an exhibition of buildings". Finally we will walk along the famous pedestrian street-Nanjing Road, known as "China's No.1 Shopping Street". In the evening you will watch a breathtaking Acrobatic Show.

Day 8

Shanghai / Hangzhou (B, L, D)

Shanghai / Hangzhou (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Private vehicle on our arrangement
Activity: Cooking class
Cuisine Highlight: Hangzhou Cuisine

After breakfast, we will drive to Hangzhou. After check in hotel, you will have the free time for a rest.

In the afternoon, a cooking class is conducted by the local chef specialized in Hangzhou Cuisine.

Day 9

Hangzhou / Xi'an (B, L)

Hangzhou / Xi'an (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: West Lake. Feilai Feng, Ling Yin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat), Six Harmonies Pagoda,

Today you will visit beautiful West Lake with him. We will take a cruise boat across the lake to see the 3 pagodas in the lake. The West Lake is the most famous tourist spot of Hangzhou. Graceful mountains surround it on three sides. It has a charming scenery and many cultural relics and historic sites.

Then we will head to visit Lingyin Temple including the Feilai Feng. The Feilai Feng is situated in the east of Ling Yin Temple. Isolated from others, its stone quality is totally different from that of surrounding mountain groups. It is 167 meters high, on the peak there are many grotesque stones in the shapes of charming dragon, prostrate tiger, walking elephant and scared ape. The main hall of Lingyin Temple is about 34 meters (111 feet) tall - incredibly high for a one-storey building. In the center of the hall you'll find the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, which was carved from 24 pieces of camphor wood. The temple was named Lingyin Temple for its extremely beautiful environment which is serene and suitable for "Soul's Retreat".

After having lunch at local restaurant, we will drive to the Six Harmonies Pagoda, highly erected next to Qiantang River and in the south of the West Lake. It is a perfect example of brick-and-wood structure built in ancient China and was built in 970 AD in the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) to press down the evil of the river tidal bore in Qiantang River.

Take afternoon flight to Xi'an. Arrive in Xi'an, be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 10

Xi'an (B, L, D)

Xi'an (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Bell Tower
Cuisine Highlight: Dumpling Banquet

Today you will experience the highlights of Xi'an. After breakfast, you will depart you're your hotel. You will visit the amazing 2000-year-old Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Regarded as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the construction of a vast army of Terra-cotta warriors in search of immortality. After his early death they were buried with him to protect his empire.

Then we will go on to visit the Bell Tower, which is the best-preserved and best-known one among many. The Bell Tower was built in 1384. In early mornings of ancient times it had the mission of ringing the bell and giving the correct time to the whole city, hence called "The Bell Tower". With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.

Day 11

Xi'an / Chengdu (B, L)

Xi'an / Chengdu (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Ancient City Wall, Wild Goose Pagoda

In the morning we will visit the Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. It is the largest and best preserved present city wall in ancient China and is probably the best military battlement in the world. If you want to, you can rent a bicycle for a ride on top of the spectacular city wall. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618 -907) and enlarged in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Another highlight today is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated in the south of Xi'an city, it is one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple-Da-Ci-En Temple. There, the well-known Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India in Tang Dynasty. Now it is the Landmark of Xi'an.

After the tours, you will be transferred to airport to take flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Day 12

Chengdu (B, L, D)

Chengdu (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Giant Panda Breeding & Research Base, Dujiangyan irrigation system
Cuisine Highlight: Sichuan Cuisine

This morning we will visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base, which was built to imitate the wild ecological environment of pandas. It covers a space of 92 acres, with a green coverage of 96 percent. The base created a perfect ecological environment for the living and breeding of pandas and other precious and rare wild animals. It breeds over 20 pandas and lesser pandas, black-necked cranes, white cranes and others.

Afternoon, a visit of Dujiangyan Irrigation System. In China, Chengdu is always praised as the Tian Fu Zhi Guo, which means 'Nature's Storehouse'. Over 2,200 years ago, the city was threatened by the frequent floods caused by flooding of the Minjiang River. Li Bing, a local official of Sichuan Province at that time decided to construct an irrigation system on the Minjiang River to prevent flooding. After a lengthy study and a lot of hard work by the local people, the great Dujiangyan Irrigation Project was completed.

Day 13

Chengdu / Guilin (B, L)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Reed Flute Cave

Take morning flight to Guilin. Arrive in Guilin, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After a visit we will visit Reed Flute Cave, which is a vast and very impressive cave system, and one of the most important sights of Guilin. Known as "the Palace of Natural Arts", you can see beautiful stalactites & stalagmites and learn how they are formed.

Day 14

Guilin (B, L, D)

Guilin (B, L, D)

Sightseeing: Li River
Activity: Yangshuo Chinese Cookery Class
Cuisine Highlight: Guilin Beer-brewed Fish

Guilin is famous for its picturesque scenery, and the best way to see it is from the deck of Li River Cruise ships. In the morning you will depart from your hotel and be transferred to the Zhujiang Pier (about 1 hour drive) for a 4.5 hours wonderful cruise. You will enjoy the unique mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank. In the afternoon you will disembark at the old town Yangshuo.

This afternoon, you will have a special experience to learn Chinese cooking. The class begins at the local market where ingredients for dishes chosen by the students. Back at the covered, rooftop patio-classroom, students (usually 3-5 people) have individual cooking stations with a backdrop of mountain and park scenery. During the class, you will learn three popular dishes on your own set of cooking equipment provided by us. And after the class you can enjoy your culinary creations and share your new leanings with other students like you.

Day 15

Guilin / Guangzhou (B, L, D)

Guilin / Guangzhou (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family
Cuisine Highlight: Cantonese Dim Sum Banquet

This morning, you will be transferred to airport to take flight and fly to Guangzhou.

Upon your arrival at the airport you will be met by your local guide. Then you will start your sightseeing tour by visiting Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. It is a magnificent building in the shape of octagon and an important place for large scale meeting and performance. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built in order to commemorate the contributions of Sun Zhongshan, the great predecessor of Chinese revolution for democracy. It is a memorial construction donated by the people in Guangzhou and the overseas Chinese and is listed as one of the first class cultural relics in Guangdong Province.

Afterwards you will visit the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family which is also called Chen Clan Academy. It is a place both for offering up sacrifices to ancestors and for study. Now the Chen Clan Ancestral Temple in Guangzhou City, the Ancestors' Temple in Foshan City, the former Residence of Sun Yat-sen in Zhongshan City and the Opium War Memorial Hall in Dongguan City are regarded as the four major cultural tourist sites in Guangdong Province.

Day 16

Guangzhou / Departure (B, L)

Transfer via: International flight- on your own arrangement
Sightseeing: Yuexiu Park, Temple of Six Banyan Trees

In the morning we will start off to Yuexiu Park, the biggest comprehensive sight-seeing park. Yuexiu Park consists of seven hummocks and three artificial lakes. Yuexiu Park is well-known for beautiful hills and waters and plenty of antiques which you can enjoy at ease in the park. There are verdant grasses and trees, birds' singing, and fragrant flowers all through the year. Travelers will lose themselves in the elaborately engraved and Lingnan-styled pavilions, platforms, towers, and corridors; and the rippling water of the lakes.

Then you will head to the Temple of Six Banyan Trees. It has a long history in Guangzhou and is an ancient monastery famous at home and abroad. There are majestic towers, dense trees, plenty of antiques and valuable heritage from those famous people in the history. It is one of the four Buddhism temple complexes in Guangzhou is an important unit for the preservation of antiques.

In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to the next destination.

B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner

Tour Dates Destinations Services Provided Meals Included
Day 1
Beijing

Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 2
Beijing

Full day visit Forbidden City , Tiananmen Square , Summer Palace . After dinner we will visit the local night food-market at Wangfujing Street .
Cuisine Highlight: Peking duck Banquet.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 3
Beijing

A full-day tour to Mutianyu Great Wall with round-way cable car, Ming Tombs , The Sacred Way .
Cuisine Highlight: Peking hotpot.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 4
Beijing

Morning visit The Temple of Heaven , afternoon proceed to the local cooking school for the Chinese cooking class.
Cuisine Highlight: Imperial Cuisine

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing Sunworld Hotel Beijing Redwall Hotel
B L D
Day 5
Beijing/Qufu

Be transferred to railway station to board the soft-seat train to Qufu.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Que Li Hotel Qufu Que Li Hotel Qufu Qufu Guangda Longduo Hotel
B L D
Day 6
Qufu/Jinan

Visit the Temple, Mansion and Cemetery of Confucius / San Kong . Drive to Jinan.
Cuisine Highlight: Qufu Family Banquet.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Zhonghao Grand Hotel Jinan Zhonghao Grand Hotel Jinan Sofitel Silver Plaza Jinan
B L D
Day 7
Jinan/Shanghai

Fly to Shanghai. Visit Yuyuan Garden , The Bund , Nanjing Road .
Cuisine Highlight: Shanghai Cuisine.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Jin Jiang Hotel Shanghai Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai Jin jiang New Asia hotel Shanghai
B L D
Day 8
Shanghai/Hangzhou

Drive to Hangzhou, the afternoon cooking class is conducted by the local chef specialized in Hangzhou cuisine.
Cuisine Highlight: Hangzhou Cuisine.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Hangzhou Grand Canal Ramada Plaza Riverside Hangzhou Enjoyor Hotel
B L D
Day 9
Hangzhou/Xi'an

Morning have a West Lake cruise, visit FeiLaiFeng (also named Ling JiuFeng) , Ling Yin Temple (Temple of Soul's Retreat) , Six Harmonies Pagoda . Fly onto Xi'an.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Hotel Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square Mercure on Renmin Square Xian Ibis Xian
B L D
Day 10
Xi'an

Today visit The Terracotta Army and Horses , Bell Tower .
Cuisine Highlight: Dumpling Banquet.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Hotel Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square Mercure on Renmin Square Xian Ibis Xian
B L D
Day 11
Xi'an/Chengdu

Morning visit Ancient City Wall , Big Wild Goose Pagoda . Fly to Chengdu.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Green Land Hotel Chengdu Civil Aviation Hotel
B L D
Day 12
Chengdu

Today visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding , Dujiangyan Irrigation System .
Cuisine Highlight: Sichuan Cuisine

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Crowne Plaza Hotel Green Land Hotel Chengdu Civil Aviation Hotel
B L D
Day 13
Chengdu/Guilin

Take morning flight to Guilin, visit Reed Flute Cave .

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Sheraton Guilin Hotel Longsheng Holiday Resort GuiLin Eva Inn Hotel
B L D
Day 14
Guilin

Today have the Li River cruise, Afternoon cooking lesson in Yangshuo.
Cuisine Highlight: Guilin Beer-brewed Fish.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Sheraton Guilin Hotel Guilin Bravo Hotel GuiLin Eva Inn Hotel
B L D
Day 15
Guilin/Guangzhou

Fly to Guangzhou today, visit Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall , Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family .
Cuisine Highlight: Cantonese Dim Sum Banquet.

Hotel: First Class Deluxe Class Tourist Class
  Dong Fang Hotel Landmark International Hotel Science City Lido Hotel
B L D
Day 16
Guangzhou

Visit Yuexiu Park , Temple of Six Banyan Trees . Be transferred to airport for your departure flight.

B L D

-NOTE:

1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.

2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.

3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.

Price Includes

A. Entrance fees:To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.
B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.

Quick Questions

Our team is waiting for your questions. Please feel free to ask us any questions you might have about our China package tours, Chinese culture, or the sites available. We will gladly help you with any special needs you might have and all questions, like our trip designing is completely free of charge.