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.
Petria Spinoza
USA
We planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to China and are glad we trusted NCT (Nihao China Tour) to handle the travel logistics. We only arranged flights to Beijing and departing from Shanghai, and left everything else to NCT. Their staff were very professional, flexible, and most importantly, punctual. At every stop, there was always someone to meet us, never leaving us feeling lost or wondering what to do next and where to go. The schedule was flexible to meet our needs. We enjoyed private tours in Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, and Zhangjiajie, and all the guides were very knowledgeable and courteous. Our travel coordinator, Lucy, was exceptional. The guides were excellent. We couldn't recommend NCT more enthusiastically. Thank you all for making this trip enjoyable and worry-free!!!
Destination(s): Beijing, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai
Date of Experience: 2023-12-22
Tour Customized by: Lucy
William Johnson
United States
Our family of four had an amazing 15-day trip to China organized by NCT. Our travel consultant Stella did an excellent job in planning all the connections, train and car tickets, local guides, and safe drivers. We also had a four-day trekking tour, and our guide Elva and driver were both outstanding. The food provided was delicious, and the campsites were beautiful and picturesque. All pickups were done on time by friendly local drivers and guides. We had a fantastic experience in Beijing and Xinjiang. We will definitely recommend NCT to any friends or relatives.
Destination(s): Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
Date of Experience: 2023-03-14
Tour Customized by: Stella
Roni Lkz
Indonesia
After experiencing a very slow and chaotic booking process with another travel agency, I reached out to Travel China Guide. With only two weeks left before our trip to China, I was starting to get worried. I sent an email before going to bed, and when I woke up, I had a reply from Lucy with a preliminary itinerary! Wow! The itinerary was exactly what we were looking for, and we were very excited. Our entire trip was smooth, enjoyable, and professional. Every guide was very knowledgeable and gave my wife and me a deep understanding of a culture we knew very little about. The tips they shared with us each day enhanced our experience. Thank you all. Make sure to consider using Travel China Guide for your once-in-a-lifetime experience—you won’t regret it.
Destination(s): Kunming, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: 2023-04-04
Tour Customized by: Lucy
Karen McPhee
United Kingdom
Thanks to NCT, our trip to China was fantastic. We would highly recommend them. The hotels were excellent, and all logistics went smoothly. Drivers were punctual, and all guides were knowledgeable and helpful. We greatly appreciated their quick responses to all our questions while planning the trip.
Destination(s): Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai
Date of Experience: 2024-05-02
Tour Customized by: Snow
Emily Davis
United States
This was the most adventurous trip our family has ever experienced, exceeding our expectations. The organization and pacing of the entire journey were perfect. I contacted NCT in January 2024 to start planning our 12-day family trip in July, and Lucy responded very quickly to help us craft the perfect itinerary. We adjusted the schedule to meet our family's needs, adding a visit to the panda base and a day to explore Beijing on our own. Within a week, all details were finalized and booked. Now, let's talk about the actual trip! All our guides and transfer services were private. Our guide in Chengdu and Sanxingdui was Grace. She was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic in sharing the history of each site we visited. We gained a deep understanding of Chinese culture and hope to continue learning more, thanks to Grace. Our guide in Tibet was Andy. He was also very knowledgeable and passionate, taking many wonderful family photos for us. We had ample time to explore the Potala Palace with several breaks. Special thanks to Lucy, who helped resolve logistical issues and answered our pre-trip questions! Also, thanks to our driver, Ben, who safely took us to each destination! I will recommend NCT to everyone and hope to book another trip with them in the future. This was a once-in-a-lifetime journey, and we will never stop talking about this experience. Thanks again to Lucy and the team!
Destination(s): Beijing, Chengdu, Lhasa
Date of Experience: 2024-07-01
Tour Customized by: Lucy

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