The Oriental Tapestry: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai

From Imperial Banquets to Spicy Delights: A Gastronomic Adventure Across China's Iconic Cities

Introduction

This meticulously crafted 12-day culinary journey takes you through China's most flavorful regions, combining world-famous landmarks with authentic food experiences. From Beijing's imperial cuisine to Chengdu's fiery Sichuan dishes, Guangzhou's delicate dim sum to Hangzhou's elegant fare and Shanghai's international flavors, this tour offers an unparalleled exploration of China's diverse culinary heritage while showcasing its most iconic cultural treasures.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Beijing

Transfer service to hotel

Meals: No Meals
Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

Arrive in Beijing, the capital city of China. You will be greeted and met by our tour guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel, whenever your flight arrives in Beijing. After check-in, free at leisure for the rest of the day to recover from your journey and prepare for the culinary adventure ahead.

Day 2: Beijing Imperial Heritage & Cuisine

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven, Panjiayuan Antique Market

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and begin exploring Beijing's historical treasures.

[09:30-12:30] Visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest public square in the world. Walk through the square to today's highlight: Forbidden City, the largest and most complete ancient imperial palace globally. Continue to Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City from Coal Hill.

[12:30-14:00] Experience Imperial Cuisine for lunch, featuring dishes once served exclusively to Chinese emperors and royalty.

[14:00-16:30] Explore the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for harvest. Enjoy shopping time at Panjiayuan Antique Market and Pearl Market.

[16:30-17:30] Return to hotel, with options to plan a Peking duck dinner and evening entertainment with your guide.

Day 3: Great Wall & Olympic Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Park, The exterior Bird Nest and Water Cube

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing ★★★★

[08:00-08:30] Meet your guide at the hotel lobby for today's Great Wall excursion.

[08:30-12:30] Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall, a popular section among international visitors. Choose to hike or take the cable car to explore this magnificent structure.

[12:30-13:30] Lunch at Xiaolongpu Restaurant, renowned for vegetarian dishes including fried vegetables, dry-fried beans, and sweet corn cake.

[13:30-16:30] Return to Beijing city, visiting the exterior of Bird Nest and Water Cube - iconic Beijing Olympic architectures. Experience traditional Chinese tea at a local tea house.

[16:30-17:30] Return to hotel with evening activity suggestions including foot massage, Houhai night bars, or Sanlitun bar street.

Day 4: Beijing Local Life & Flight to Chengdu

Beijing Hutong, Summer Palace, fly to Chengdu

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Tianfu Sunshine Hotel ★★★★

[09:30-10:00] Pack up and check out before meeting your guide for a final Beijing exploration.

[10:00-11:30] Travel to Drum Tower area for a relaxing Hutong Tour by rickshaw, experiencing authentic Beijing local lifestyle.

[11:30-14:30] Visit Summer Palace, China's largest and best-preserved imperial garden, including a boat ride on Kunming Lake. Lunch at Xiangyangtun restaurant featuring an opera stage.

Transfer to airport for your flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for rest.

Day 5: Pandas & Sichuan Flavors

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Renmin Park, Jinli Old Street

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Tianfu Sunshine Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide to begin exploring Chengdu's culinary and cultural highlights.

[09:30-12:30] Visit Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to observe these magnificent creatures in a habitat-mimicking environment. Learn about panda habits while watching them eat bamboo and play.

[12:30-13:30] Enjoy a traditional Sichuan Hot Pot lunch at Old House restaurant.

[13:30-16:30] Experience local life at Renmin Park, where Chengdu residents gather for dancing, mahjong, and tea drinking. Participate in a tea break and optional mahjong lesson. Explore Jinli Old Street with its Qing Dynasty-era architecture.

[16:30-17:30] Return to hotel with options to watch a Face Changing show or explore Kuanzhai Alley's famous snack street.

Day 6: Sichuan Cuisine Immersion

Sichuan Cuisine Museum with cooking lesson

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Tianfu Sunshine Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide for today's deep dive into Sichuan cuisine.

[09:30-12:30] Visit the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, the world's only living theme museum dedicated to Sichuan culinary culture. Explore exhibition halls and participate in a hands-on Sichuan food cooking lesson.

[12:30-14:00] Lunch at the museum restaurant, enjoying traditional Sichuan dishes you helped prepare.

Afternoon exploration of Kuaizhai Alley before returning to your hotel.

Day 7: Flight to Guangzhou & Cantonese Culture

Fly to Guangzhou, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Temple of Chen Family

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Ocean Hotel ★★★★

Morning transfer to airport for your flight to Guangzhou. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to check into your hotel.

Lunch at an authentic Cantonese restaurant featuring classic Canton Cuisine.

Afternoon visits to Dr. Sun Yetsen Memorial Hall, an important historic building commemorating Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and Temple of Chen Family with its notable Thousand-Buddha Pagoda.

Day 8: Cantonese Morning Tea & Flight to Hangzhou

Canton Morning Tea, fly to Hangzhou

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Hangzhou Merchant Marco Edgelake Hotel

Early morning experience of famous Canton Morning Tea at a traditional teahouse.

Transfer to airport for your flight to Hangzhou, renowned for its scenic beauty and refined cuisine.

Day 9: Hangzhou's West Lake & Tea Culture

West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Six Harmonies Pagoda, Tea Museum, Hefang Street

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Hangzhou Merchant Marco Edge Lake Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Early morning meeting with your guide at the hotel lobby.

[09:30-12:30] Visit the legendary West Lake, famous for its beautiful scenery, historical sites, and cultural significance. Enjoy a cruise on the lake and optional walking exploration. Continue to Lingyin Temple, notable for both Buddhist significance and scenic beauty.

[12:30-13:30] Lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Hangzhou cuisine.

[13:30-17:00] Explore Six Harmonies Pagoda for panoramic Qiantang River views. Visit China Tea Museum to learn about Chinese tea history and production processes. Shopping time at Hefang Street, Hangzhou's historic commercial center.

[17:00-17:30] Return to hotel with options to watch the Impression Show of West Lake.

Day 10: Water Town Exploration & Transfer to Shanghai

Wuzhen Water Town

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunrise On The Bund Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Morning meeting with your guide at the hotel lobby.

[09:30-12:30] Two-hour drive to Wuzhen water town, a national 5A level scenic spot and one of China's six famous southern towns.

[12:30-14:00] Lunch at a local Wuzhen restaurant featuring traditional Hangzhou cuisine.

Afternoon drive to Shanghai and hotel check-in. Evening Shanghai local food experience tour on Wujiang Road around 7:00 p.m.

Day 11: Shanghai's Contrasts & Cuisine

Jade Buddha Temple, the exterior of Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, The Bund

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Recommended Hotel: Sunrise on the Bund Hotel ★★★★

[09:00-09:30] Meet your guide to explore Shanghai's unique blend of tradition and modernity.

[09:30-12:30] Visit Jade Buddha Temple, famous for its jewel-encrusted seated Buddha. See the exterior of Oriental Pearl TV Tower while walking along Riverside Promenade.

[12:30-13:30] Lunch featuring Shanghai specialties including Dim Sum and Steamed Buns.

[13:30-16:30] Explore Yuyuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden in downtown Shanghai. Shopping at Shanghai Old Street and Nanjing Road, Shanghai's earliest commercial street. Enjoy a leisure walk along the Bund, famous for its international architecture collection.

[16:30-17:30] Return to hotel with options to watch a Shanghai Acrobatic Show, particularly the popular ERA performance.

Day 12: Departure from Shanghai

Transfer service to airport

Meals: Breakfast

Free time at leisure before transfer to the airport for your return flight. Optional Maglev train experience to Pudong airport or direct car transfer.

Service Ends