China's Culinary Capitals Journey
From Imperial Banquets to Street Food Delights - An Epicurean Adventure Across China
Tour Overview
A Gourmet's Dream Itinerary
This meticulously crafted 12-day culinary expedition takes you through five of China's most iconic food destinations. Experience the diverse flavors that define Chinese cuisine while exploring ancient landmarks and modern marvels. The journey includes hands-on cooking lessons, market visits, and exclusive dining experiences that reveal the secrets behind China's rich culinary heritage.
Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-4: Beijing - Imperial Flavors & Ancient Traditions
Day 1: Beijing Arrival & Culinary Orientation
Meals: No Meals Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★
Arrive in China's capital and transfer to your hotel. The evening is free to begin exploring Beijing's famous food streets near Wangfujing.
Day 2: Imperial Beijing & Royal Cuisine
Meals: Breakfast & Imperial Cuisine Lunch Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★
Morning exploration of Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City, followed by panoramic views from Jingshan Park. Enjoy an authentic Imperial Cuisine lunch, featuring dishes once served to emperors. Afternoon visit to Temple of Heaven and Panjiayuan Antique Market. Evening includes planning for Peking duck dinner experience.
Day 3: Great Wall & Olympic Tastes
Meals: Breakfast & Vegetarian Lunch Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★
Full morning at Mutianyu Great Wall with cable car experience. Lunch at Xiaolongpu Restaurant specializing in Beijing vegetable cuisine. Afternoon visit to Olympic Park (Bird Nest & Water Cube exteriors) followed by traditional Chinese tea ceremony at a local tea house.
Day 4: Hutong Life & Summer Palace
Meals: Breakfast & Opera House Lunch Hotel: Tianfu Sunshine Hotel Chengdu ★★★★
Morning rickshaw tour through Beijing's ancient Hutongs to experience local lifestyle. Visit Summer Palace with boat ride on Kunming Lake. Lunch at Xiangyangtun restaurant with traditional opera stage. Afternoon flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan cuisine.
Days 5-7: Chengdu - The Spicy Heart of Sichuan
Day 5: Pandas & Hot Pot Paradise
Meals: Breakfast & Hot Pot Lunch Hotel: Tianfu Sunshine Hotel ★★★★
Morning visit to Chengdu Panda Base to observe giant pandas. Authentic Sichuan hot pot lunch at Old House restaurant. Afternoon immersion in local culture at Renmin Park with tea tasting and optional mahjong lesson. Evening exploration of Jinli Old Street's Qing Dynasty architecture and snacks.
Day 6: Sichuan Cuisine Masterclass
Meals: Breakfast & Traditional Sichuan Lunch Hotel: Tianfu Sunshine Hotel ★★★★
Full-day culinary experience at Sichuan Cuisine Museum - the world's only living food theme museum. Interactive cooking lesson learning authentic Sichuan techniques. Lunch featuring dishes you helped prepare. Afternoon exploration of Kuaizhai Alley's food stalls and tea houses.
Day 7: Canton Cuisine Introduction
Meals: Breakfast & Authentic Canton Lunch Hotel: Ocean Hotel Guangzhou ★★★★
Morning flight to Guangzhou. Upon arrival, authentic Cantonese lunch followed by cultural visits to Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Temple of Chen Family with its Thousand-Buddha Pagoda.
Days 8-9: Guangzhou to Hangzhou - Contrasting Flavors
Day 8: Morning Tea Tradition
Meals: Breakfast & Canton Morning Tea Hotel: Hangzhou Merchant Marco Edgelake Hotel ★★★★
Authentic Canton Morning Tea experience before flying to Hangzhou, home of delicate Zhejiang cuisine.
Day 9: West Lake Elegance & Tea Culture
Meals: Breakfast & Hangzhou Cuisine Lunch Hotel: Hangzhou Merchant Marco Edge Lake Hotel ★★★★
Morning cruise on picturesque West Lake followed by visit to Lingyin Temple. Traditional Hangzhou lunch. Afternoon includes Six Harmonies Pagoda, China Tea Museum, and shopping at historic Hefang Street. Optional evening Impression Show of West Lake.
Days 10-12: Water Town to Metropolis
Day 10: Wuzhen Water Town & Shanghai Arrival
Meals: Breakfast & Water Town Lunch Hotel: Sunrise On The Bund Hotel ★★★★
Morning exploration of ancient Wuzhen Water Town, a National 5A scenic area. Traditional lunch in Wuzhen. Evening arrival in Shanghai followed by local food tour through Wujiang Road's famous food street.
Day 11: Shanghai's Culinary Fusion
Meals: Breakfast & Shanghai Dim Sum Lunch Hotel: Sunrise on the Bund Hotel ★★★★
Morning visits to Jade Buddha Temple and Oriental Pearl TV Tower exterior. Authentic Shanghai dim sum and steamed bun lunch. Afternoon exploration of Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, Nanjing Road, and the iconic Bund. Optional evening acrobatic show.
Day 12: Departure with Sweet Memories
Meals: Breakfast
Leisure morning with airport transfer. Optional Maglev train experience to Pudong Airport.
Culinary Highlights & Unique Experiences
Hands-On Learning & Exclusive Tastings
This journey goes beyond typical dining to include cooking lessons at Sichuan Cuisine Museum, tea ceremonies in Beijing and Hangzhou, morning tea rituals in Guangzhou, and guided food street explorations in each city. Each meal is carefully selected to represent the region's most authentic and celebrated flavors.