Private Tour/Small Group Tour
11 Days China Real Food Adventure
Eat Your Way Through Chengdu, Xi’an, Beijing, and Shanghai
Route: Chengdu - Emei Shan - Xi'an - Beijing - Shanghai(11 days)
from USD$5698.00 p.p.
Embrace the flavors of China's most iconic food regions on this 11-day culinary adventure. From the spicy Sichuan dishes of Chengdu to the traditional dumplings of Shanghai, explore China's rich culinary heritage while also visiting some of its most famous historical sites, including the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors.
Trip Highlights
- Learn the art of noodle-making in a local home in Xi’an
- Dine on Sichuan hotpot in Chengdu and Peking duck in Beijing
- Visit spice markets and a family-owned tea plantation
- Explore the Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall
- Take a cooking class to master Shanghai’s famous dumplings
Attractions You'll Visit
Hotels You'll Stay At
Restaurants You'll Dine At
Customizable Tour Itinerary
Welcome to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by a dinner featuring an authentic Sichuan hotpot.
Accommodation: InterContinental Century City Chengdu (5-star)
Dining: Dinner
Transportation:
Private vehicle
Start the day with an authentic Sichuan breakfast, followed by a visit to a local spice market. Learn to cook classic Sichuan dishes like kung pao chicken in a cooking class with a local chef.
Accommodation: InterContinental Century City Chengdu (5-star)
Dining: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation:
Walking
Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base before heading to a family-owned tea plantation in Leshan. Enjoy a plant-based lunch at the plantation, then travel to Emei Shan and stay overnight in a peaceful monastery.
Accommodation: Lodge (1 night)
Dining: Lunch
Transportation:
Private vehicle
Optional visit to the Leshan Giant Buddha in the morning, followed by a high-speed train journey to Xi'an. Upon arrival, take a brief orientation walk in the city.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an (5-star)
Dining: Free time to explore at your own pace
Transportation:
High-speed train
Visit the Terracotta Warriors in the morning, followed by a food crawl in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter, tasting the city's famous snacks.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an(5-star)
Dining: Breakfast, Dinner
Transportation:
Private vehicle
Learn the art of noodle-making in a local couple's apartment, followed by a delicious home-cooked lunch. The afternoon is free to explore Xi'an at your own pace.
Accommodation: Yangchen Hotel Xi'an (Yongxingfang Ming City Wall) (4-star)
Dining: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation:
Walking
Take a high-speed train to Beijing and explore Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. End the day with a traditional Peking duck dinner.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing (5-star)
Dining: Dinner
Transportation:
High-speed train
Visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in the morning, followed by a tour of the hutong markets and a traditional tea ceremony.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing (5-star)
Dining: Free time to explore at your own pace
Transportation:
Private vehicle
Travel to Shanghai by fast train. Explore the Bund and other historical sites during a walking tour, followed by an included dinner.
Accommodation: Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai (5-star)
Dining: Dinner
Transportation:
High-speed train
Participate in a dumpling cooking class in the afternoon and learn how to make Shanghai’s famous xiao long bao. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own.
Accommodation: Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai (5-star)
Dining: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation:
Walking
Your culinary adventure ends today. Depart at any time.
Accommodation: Free time to explore at your own pace
Dining: Breakfast
Transportation:
Private vehicle
Price: What’s Included & What’s Excluded
Price:
from USD$5,698.00 p.p.
The above price is based on a group tour for 2 people sharing one standard double-bed room in 5-star hotels.
Price varies depending on travel date, group size, hotel class, program in your itinerary, and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate.
Price Includes
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Train, private vehicle, public bus, subway transportation
- 10 nights in hotels, 1 night in a lodge
- Activities such as cooking classes, market tours, and visits to the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, and more
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Chinese tourist visa
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities and excursions
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
Important Notes
This tour is ideal for food enthusiasts who want to explore China’s culinary traditions. Please note that the cuisine includes a lot of meat and seafood. Vegetarians and vegans should review the itinerary to ensure they can fully enjoy this trip.
Private Tour
- Exclusive Experience: Enjoy a truly personalized journey—your group will have the guide's undivided attention.
- Dress Code: For your comfort, we recommend smart casual attire and comfortable walking shoes.
- Pricing: Rates are based on twin occupancy. Please note, this pricing is not applicable during China’s Official Holidays.
- Itinerary Adjustments: Your guide will ensure you have the best experience possible and may adjust the itinerary if certain sites are closed, such as museums on Mondays.
- Optional Add-Ons: We are delighted to offer additional tours to Suzhou, Hangzhou, Watertown, or other cities to enhance your experience.
- Flexible Entry/Exit: You have the flexibility to enter or exit China via Hong Kong or Taipei. Should you wish to extend your stay in any of these cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Taipei—we’re happy to arrange it for you.
Small Group Tour
- Group Size: Experience a well-planned itinerary while traveling with a small, intimate group of up to 12 fellow travelers.
- Dress Code: We suggest smart casual clothing and comfortable walking shoes for your convenience.
- Pricing: Our rates are based on twin occupancy and are not available during China’s Official Holidays.
- Itinerary Adjustments: Your guide will prioritize your experience, making itinerary adjustments as needed, such as if museums are closed on Mondays.
- Airport Transfer: We offer a convenient hotel-to-airport transfer in Shanghai, available upon request for an additional fee.
- Flexible Entry/Exit: Should you wish to extend your stay in any of the entry or exit cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Taipei—we are more than happy to assist.
Other Important Information
- Booking: To secure your reservation, please complete the Passenger Information Form within 72 hours of purchase.
- Surcharges: For your convenience, please be aware that online credit card and PayPal payments may incur surcharges.
- Tour Start Dates: Private tours can begin on any day of your choosing, while small group tours have set start dates.
- Tour Start Cities: Multi-day small group tours commence in Beijing. Private and custom tours are flexible and can begin in any of the listed cities.
- Flights: Domestic flights are included in your package. For select destinations, international flights are also included. Please note baggage limits apply.
- High-Speed Trains: Enjoy the comfort of first-class seats with our luxury packages, or second-class seats with our superior packages. Upgrades are available upon request.
- Transfers: Your package includes airport-to-hotel transfers. We also offer post-tour airport transfers for an additional fee.
- Early Arrival & Stay Behind: Should you wish to arrive early or extend your stay after the tour, we offer a variety of accommodation options to suit your needs.
- Tour Guide: You’ll be in the capable hands of our bilingual guides, who possess deep local knowledge and are dedicated to enriching your travel experience. Rest assured, we do not include commission-based shopping tours in our itineraries.
- Accommodation: Enjoy the comfort of four or five-star hotels, centrally located in each city. Special bedding requests are available, though additional charges may apply.
- Child/Infant Policy: We offer tailored pricing based on age groups. Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meals: A daily breakfast is included. While lunch and dinner are generally not included, we are happy to provide local dining recommendations. Certain cruises may include additional meals.
- Passport & Visa: A valid passport is required for travel, and a tourist visa is necessary. We recommend obtaining your visa promptly after receiving the necessary documentation.
- Gratuities: Please note, gratuities are not included in the package price.
- Insurance: For your peace of mind, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
- Schedule of Fees: Should you need to make changes to your travel arrangements, please be aware that fees may apply. Cancellation fees are determined based on the timing of your request.
Reviews from Our Customers
Explore what our customers are saying about their private China tours with us. Read through their recent reviews on personalized itineraries, expert guides, seamless transportation, curated attractions, exceptional dining experiences, and premium accommodations. Let their stories inspire your next unforgettable journey.
Grace Young
Canada
This was the best vacation I've ever had. We hired a travel agency to help us create the simplest and best travel plan for me, my husband, and our children. My daughters are 12 years old this year, and I was worried that they would have trouble in a large group. This travel agency arranged a private tour for us, following our own pace. The guide, the scenery, and the country were all beautiful. My daughters loved the giant pandas, and my husband and I thought Yunnan was the most beautiful place. There were activities suitable for everyone, and the best guides, hotels, and staff. They cared about and listened to each of us. Not a single pickup was missed. Not a single detail was forgotten! Thank you, NCT! We will come back and bring more people with us. Nothing I bring can express how special this trip and these people are.
Destination(s): Hong Kong, Chengdu, Kunming
Date of Experience: 2024-04-12
Tour Customized by: Fiona
Emma Green
United Kingdom
We booked a 12-day trip to China and planned the entire itinerary with Fiona from NCT. I organized a trip for 8 people, and we had countless questions. Fiona was fantastic and patiently answered all our queries. From private transportation and transfers to helping us deal with flight cancellations, NCT consistently supported us. The hotels were all perfect! I highly recommend using this company to plan your trip to China, especially for Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhangjiajie.
Destination(s): Beijing, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: 2024-05-26
Tour Customized by: Fiona
Bêdõür Fõüâd
Egypt
From start to finish, we had a fantastic experience. Our itinerary included a culinary tour in Chengdu, then a visit to Tibet, and finally a flight to Shanghai. The organization and communication were flawless. We met friendly and knowledgeable people at every hotel and airport as planned. They truly took care of us and all the details. We booked private tours and transportation for the entire trip, and I highly recommend doing so. Our travel planner, Lucy, responded to all our questions promptly. All the guides were very friendly and took excellent care of us, especially Alex, who accompanied us for three days in Tibet with his driver, Don. If you're worried that organized tours mean following a flag-waving guide, this was completely different. It felt more like meeting friends who showed us around!
Destination(s): Chengdu, Shanghai, Lhasa
Date of Experience: 2024-04-10
Tour Customized by: Lucy
Ryan Kelly
Ireland
Hello China Tours is a fantastic choice for touring China. They provide English-speaking guides at every location. The guides are very knowledgeable. Elva and Andy were exceptional guides in Tibet and Xinjiang. The hotels we booked were excellent, and they provided us with necessary transportation. Overall, Hello China Tours offers the best China travel experience.
Destination(s): Lhasa, Shanghai, Beijing
Date of Experience: 2023-07-20
Tour Customized by: Snow
George Brown
United Kingdom
We chose a fast-paced tour of Xi'an and Zhangjiajie, feeling it was the best experience. Everything went smoothly from start to finish, and all the guides were excellent. Upon landing, our guide met us and took us to our first hotel, providing a detailed introduction of the entire itinerary and ticketing arrangements.
We toured the Li River and Yangshuo in Guilin and really liked our guide. She took us to some beautiful photo spots.
The guide in Zhangjiajie gave us great directions and suggestions, taking us through Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. He was an outstanding guide.
All the drivers and guides were very punctual and passionate about sharing their culture. They confidently answered all our questions during the trip and had great photography skills! The drivers safely took us to our destinations, and I felt well cared for overall.
Before the trip, Snow gave us a lot of useful advice, which helped me better prepare for the trip. She reminded me of things I might have forgotten (travel insurance, currency exchange, packing tips, etc.). She was very responsive to all my questions before the trip.
We greatly appreciated these details that made our experience effortless. The hotels were clean, and the hotel staff was friendly and helpful. My only complaint about the trip was that the hotel shower drainage was a bit slow. Other than that, the trip was fantastic!
Destination(s): Xi'an, Guilin, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: 2023-10-09
Tour Customized by: Snow
