Savoring China: History on a Plate

After your flight, a representative will greet you at the gate and guide you through expedited immigration and customs procedures. Once you've collected your luggage, your local guide will meet you in the arrival hall. A private vehicle will take you to your hotel, where you can settle in and rest after your journey.

This evening, we'll gather in a charming courtyard kitchen tucked away from the city's bustle. As the chef prepares a ten-course tasting menu using seasonal ingredients in front of us, we can enjoy a welcome drink in a relaxed setting, a nice way to unwind and start connecting over regional flavors, and a glass of wine.

We’ll start our day with breakfast at the hotel before heading out to explore Beijing’s historic center. First, we’ll visit Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public squares, then continue on foot to the Forbidden City. Once closed off to all but the imperial court, this sprawling palace complex offers a glimpse into China’s dynastic power and artistry.

Just across the street, we’ll climb Jingshan Hill in Jingshan Park. Built from soil excavated from the palace’s moat, the hill offers some of the best views of the Forbidden City’s rooftops and Beijing’s urban skyline.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Drum and Bell Towers, which once kept time for the entire city. From the top, we’ll look out over the hutongs, Beijing’s historic alleyways, and then walk through them on a guided food tour. Along the way, we’ll stop to taste classic dishes and street food favorites, each with its own story and connection to the neighborhood.

Now it's back to the hotel for a relaxing evening and a good night's sleep. 

After breakfast, we'll travel outside the city to Mutianyu, a quieter section of the Great Wall. Less crowded and beautifully preserved, this section winds through forested hills and offers spectacular views. We’ll take a gondola up and enjoy a walk along the wall, with time to explore the watchtowers at our own pace. For those who like a little thrill, there’s an option to ride a toboggan down.

Once back in Beijing, we’ll gather for a Peking duck dinner at one of the city’s renowned restaurants. This crispy, succulent dish has been a culinary staple for centuries, and we’ll watch as the duck is carved tableside and served with traditional accompaniments.

We’ll enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for our flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival, our new local guide will meet us and escort us to our hotel.

Later, we’ll visit Wangjianglou Park for a special kung fu tea performance. This Chengdu tradition blends martial arts grace with precision as the server pours tea into delicate cups with swift, theatrical movements. We’ll also have time to stroll through the park and watch locals dance, chat, or play mahjong under the trees.

Next we'll tour the Shuijingfang Baijiu Museum, where baijiu, the potent spirit often served during banquets, has been produced for centuries. We’ll learn how this strong drink is made and see the working distillery in action.

Dinner tonight features some of Chengdu’s most flavorful local dishes, served in a restaurant known for its traditional recipes.

Afterward, we’ll attend a Sichuan opera performance, where we’ll experience the famous face-changing technique, along with acrobatics and regional storytelling. There’s also the option to experience traditional ear cleaning, a unique local practice that adds a touch of Chengdu charm.

After breakfast, we’ll travel outside the city to Dujiangyan Panda Base, one of the best places in China to observe giant pandas up close. The base is surrounded by bamboo forests and designed to reflect the animal’s natural habitat, making it an ideal setting to learn about panda conservation efforts.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to nearby Qingcheng Mountain, a quiet and spiritually significant place in Taoist tradition. We’ll ride a cable car part of the way, then continue on foot, exploring tranquil trails and temple complexes as we ascend. From the summit, the views stretch across layers of misty hills and green valleys.

Back in Chengdu, we’ll enjoy a Sichuan hotpot dinner, an interactive meal where we cook meats, tofu, and vegetables in bubbling broth at the center of our table. For the adventurous among us, some more unusual ingredients might make an appearance too.

We’ll begin our day with breakfast, followed by a trip to a local spice market. With our guide, we’ll learn how locals shop for ingredients, then we'll walk together to a quiet courtyard kitchen for a private cooking class. Under the guidance of a local chef, we’ll prepare a full Sichuan meal and then sit down and enjoy it together over tea.

In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, we’ll be met by our new guide and transferred to our hotel. The evening is free to relax or explore on your own.

After breakfast, we’ll take a private boat ride on Hangzhou’s West Lake. As we glide past willows, lotus-filled ponds, and traditional bridges, we’ll begin to understand why this lake has inspired artists and poets for centuries. We’ll pass by temples and islands, and even spot the scene featured on China’s 1RMB banknote.

Next we'll visit Huqingyutang Pharmacy to learn more about traditional Chinese Medicine. At the attached museum, we’ll discover ancient herbal remedies, treatments, and the philosophy behind it all. 

Now it's onto the Lingyin Temple or 'Temple of the Soul’s Retreat,' which takes its name from the peaceful stands of trees that surround it and the gentle sounds of the breeze weaving through the leaves. A testament to its name, Hangzhou's most famous Buddhist temple has been rebuilt 16 times in the millennia since first being constructed in 326 AD, and is now one of China’s most frequented pilgrimages for spiritual seekers and travelers alike.

After a refresh at the hotel tonight we'll have the opportunity to see the "Enduring Memories of Hangzhou Show" from visionary director Zhang Yimou this show combines narrative with dance, opera, light, and special effects – all seemingly set on the surface of West Lake itself. As actors and dancers float across their watery stage, a sweeping score from grammy-winning composer Kitaro plays, completing this incomparable stage show.

We’ll begin our morning with breakfast before heading into the hills outside Hangzhou to visit the Dragon Well tea plantation. This region is known for producing China’s most famous green tea, grown on terraced slopes with views over the countryside. We’ll walk through the rows of tea bushes, stop by the spring said to produce the best brewing water, and visit the home of a local farmer who’s been working this land for decades. After learning how the leaves are harvested and pan-fired, we’ll sit down to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea.

Lunch will be served at Longjing Manor, a Michelin-starred restaurant set in a beautifully restored estate. We’ll dine in a private room overlooking tranquil gardens, sampling refined Hangzhou dishes that bring together seasonal ingredients, regional flavors, and a touch of poetic flair.

After lunch, we’ll transfer to the train station and board a high-speed train to Shanghai. On arrival, our Shanghai guide will be waiting to greet us and take us to our hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of the evening is ours to relax or take a stroll through the lively streets nearby.

After breakfast, we’ll set off to explore the Former French Concession, a neighborhood known for its leafy streets, art deco villas, and European-style cafés. Once home to revolutionaries, writers, and movie stars, the area offers a unique window into Shanghai’s colonial past and cosmopolitan identity.

From there, we’ll continue to Xintiandi, where restored stone buildings now house stylish shops, cafés, and galleries. As we wander, we’ll see how Shanghai blends history with modern life in a way few cities can.

Lunch today is at Din Tai Fung, an internationally acclaimed restaurant famous for its soup dumplings. We’ll watch as each dumpling is folded with expert precision, then dig into a spread of steamed bites, crisp greens, and savory noodles.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in China. Riding one of the fastest elevators in the world, we’ll reach the observation deck and take in panoramic views of the city’s skyline—from the historic Bund to the skyscrapers of Pudong.

We’ll wrap up the afternoon at Yuyuan Bazaar, a lively market filled with lanterns, antique shops, and food stalls. It’s the perfect place to pick up a few keepsakes and taste a few last bites of local snacks.

In the evening, we’ll meet up for a Shanghai Night Eats Food Tour. With our guide, we’ll walk through side streets and back alleys, sampling the best of Shanghai’s late-night eats—savory, sweet, and everything in between. It’s a fun and flavorful way to celebrate our last full night together.

We’ll enjoy one last breakfast together before transferring to the airport. Our guide will be there to assist with check-in and see us off as we head home with memories of ancient cities, peaceful tea fields, bustling night markets, delectable bites and everything in between.