- Home
-
China Tours
- China tours »
- Join-in China Tours »
- Private China Tours »
- China Expeditions
- China Family Tours
- Guilin Tours
- Beijing Tours
- City Tours
- China Guide
Chinese cuisine, with thousand years of creative and accumulative efforts, has become increasingly popular among overseas gourmets. This savoring tour will bring to taste authentic and delicious Chinese cuisines, e.g. Hui cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Cantonese cuisine. Begin our tour in Beijing, you can witness and climb the magnificent ancient construction of the Great Wall, enjoy private family feast at one restaurant in the depth of Hutong, also a sumptuous emperor’s dinner is served there. Also included is a memorable visit to Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, be seated comfortable tasting the snacks while intoxicating in the wonderful sceneries. Pay a visit to Huangshan Mountain and degust the Hui cuisine. We flight to Chengdu to sample the spicy Sichuan food. Our tour ends in Guangzhou, be amazed at how many materials are used in the Cantonese cuisine. You are warmly welcomed to join us and start this delicious tour.
) : Always very easy to go! Sometimes getting around on your own, up and down steps and carrying your own small backpack.
) : Light walking or hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels.
) : May include moderate hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking and other activities that require only an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy.
) : May include high altitude hiking of up to 4-6 hours per day some days of the tour or other activities that require a moderately high level of fitness.
) : High altitude trekking suitable only for those with a higher level of fitness and endurance. ) : Little or no adjustment at all is required. The comforts of home are here for the most part. ) : A generally easy trip but there may be the occasional local home accommodation, remote lodging or some public transportation, simple meal or language barrier. ) : Expect an occasional cold shower and remote or even multi-share accommodation, and public transportation or train ride without shower on board…Remember though, this is all part of your CET authentic travel experience! ) : Expect to rough it here and there. This may mean a packed public bus, very remote and rustic accommodation, and no access to western-style food. ) : You are totally off the beaten track with none of the comforts of home, and are exposed to a totally foreign culture to what you are accustomed ... Sounds fantastic, doesn't it!
Our tour guide will meet you in the airport and will accompany you to check in the hotel once your arrival in Beijing.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Meals:(B, L)
In the morning, we will travel to[Mutianyu Great Wall] ,80 kilometers northeast of Beijing. Mutianyu Great Wall is characterized by many watchtowers on overlapping mountain ranges. The wall, built with slabs of stone, is crenellated on both sides with bricks. It is said that a visit to Beijing isn't complete without trying the crispy and tasty [Peking duck dinner], so we arrange a featured dinner for you at Quanjude restaurant. Due to the special cocking methods, the Peking duck has unique flavor that will enable you to have unforgettable dining experience. When roasting and drying, the duck looks dark red, shining with oil and crisp skin. Seeing its appearance, few people could resist the temptation to try it.
In most cases, the chef will show you the whole duck with thin pieces with both skin and meat on. There are other ingredients for you to add such as onion, and sauce in a pancake or a sesame bun. Other parts of the duck are served as either cold dishes or hot dishes. The bones can even be decocted together with Chinese watermelon and cabbage. So it is really not only a taste feast but also an eye feast.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Meals: (B,L)
[Hutong] (Chinese word for alleys in Beijing) is very traditional building constructer in Beijing, and also a good place to start our China gourmet. Hutongs in Shichahai area are former residences of many influential officials in the past. Twisty and peaceful Hutongs best displays the culture and history of ancient Beijing. So in this morning we will drive to the [Shichahai area] located in the vicinity of second ring road. The reason why we choose to visit it to experience traditional Beijing image is that this area still looks as it did in ancient times. You can go through Hutongs sitting in a rickshaw, enjoying the centralized old Beijing. The family feast of the Mei Mansion Restaurant is our first stop to explore the eating culture in Beijing. This mansion is the former residence of Mr. Mei Lanfang- the famous Beijing opera performer who is well-known around China. People usually wonder what makes Mei family private feast distinguished among the various restaurants in Beijing, but they will understand it after they go to experience themselves. It's believed that there are three principles about the meal for Mr. Mei, one is not fat and greasy, and second is food must good to throat and protect voice, third is benefits skin. The Mei family feast successively combined Huaiyang dishes in south and Beijing Tan family dishes, and especially famous for its unique cooking of fish. It's a worthy trip if you try the "Seven Color Shredded fish". Mr. Mei took chicken conjee as a daily dish, which is daintily made with thick fragrance of chicken soup, adding vegetable juice to the conjee when ready, making it delicate and tasty.
Our second stop for dinner is arranged in Fang Shan Fan Zhuang , and it is courtyard in [Prince Gong Mansion], one of the best preserved courtyards in the capital. Here you can experience being treated as Emperor and nobles and savor the sumptuous imperial dinner; the food take keeping good health as priority and successfully combine primes of all Chinese dishes
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Meals: (B)
Located at the center of Beijing City is Tiananmen Square, where you can visit Tiananmen Tower, Monument to the People's Heroes, Great Hall of the People, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and see the national flag raising ceremony. So it is pleasant to take a walk on the [Tian'anmen Square] after breakfast. Our second destination is [Forbidden City] -- imperial palaces for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The city contains 800 ceremonial buildings, 9,999 rooms, and a courtyard that can hold 100,000 people. There are best preserved ancient Chinese architectural styles here, providing an imposing view for visitors. Then we gather and go to the Zen –Cool Restaurant located at east Beijing. Once you enter the restaurant, the decoration style and clothing of waiters will make you feel that you are in a "prison-house" to enjoy your meal. Indeed it is a prison theme restaurant. However, dishes here are delicately made and converging flavors from different areas. Those tasty dishes with funny and smart names can give you a brand new dining experience. The seafood barbecue indicates that you will start well and ends well, and be release soon.
Next our tour guide will lead you to the Fortune Street, a fantastic street gathering gastronome and tasty foods from all over the world. You can arrange your time freely to look around, try different snacks and dishes. Dinner is also for your own choice, and there are lots of choices waiting for you such as an Italian restaurant with its bizarre shape pizzas welcomes you, a Thailand restaurant with its famous golden crab in thick soup etc.
Stay overnight in Beijing.
Meals: (B)
In the morning, we will go to Shanghai by train and we will arrive in Shanghai at about lunch time. We will set out to the Laozao Restaurant to savor the elegant Shanghai Benbang dish after a short time rest. Every dish was delicious without monosodium glutamate, to retain its original taste of the material, telling you special cooking art. After lunch, we will pay a visit to the [Jade Buddha Temple], an elegant structure famous for its Buddha statue which is carved of solid white jade and decorated by jewels. [Outer Bund] can provide magnificent view of Shanghai to, at that time you may marvel at how modern this metropolis is while still containing its old traditions. You can also walk on the [Nanjing Road], the most prosperous commercial street to experience the excitement of modern Shanghai. In the evening, you can either eat western food or Chinese food for your dinner.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Meals: (B)
[Yuyuan Garden] that you can find more delicate handicrafts and tasty Chinese snacks is our first stop in today’s tour. More than 500 kinds of snacks are gathering here, so you really have various choices. We highly recommend the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Stuffed with Pork and Crab Roe and Spring Rolls. After that, we will take a flight to Huangshan.
We will reach Huangshan by dinner time, since the food. Since Huangshan locates in Anhui province, the food in Huangshan lies within Hui cuisine style, which is one of the eight famous cooking styles in China. Anhui Cuisine chefs take high priority in temperature when cooking and they are good at braising and stewing. Often hams will be added to improve taste and sugar candy added to gain. You will eat your dinner in a local restaurant to savor the Huangshan food, especially the dish of strange flavor fish, stone chicken, sesame seed cake and others.
Stay overnight at Huangshan City.
Meals: (B)
Early this morning we [take cable to climb the Huangshan Mountain]; you can enjoy the spectacular view along the way to the top. Mt. Huangshan is characterized by the four wonders, namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation, seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. It is said that you won't want to visit any other mountains after seeing wu yue (Five Great China Mountains), but you won't wish to see even wu yue after returning from Mt. Huangshan. This saying may give you some idea of the beauty and uniqueness of Mt. Huangshan. In the afternoon, we take cable downwards and take our car/van/bus going back to Huangshan City. In the evening, take a flight to Shanghai.
Stay overnight in Shanghai.
Meals: (B,L)
Before we take a flight to Chengdu, you are free to arrange your time. Our tour guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to check in the hotel. The markets and street hawkers fill the streets dealing in everything beyond your imagination. And they are products ranging from snakes and snails to fortunes and foot scrubs. It is a very pleasant city to do just this: feast on some great food and soak up some of the mellow atmosphere in one of the thousands of tea houses dotted about the city.
Stay overnight in Chengdu.
Meals: (B,L)
The tour of experiencing Chengdu City will begin after your leisurely breakfast. Chengdu is also a famous Chinese cultural city, endowed with unique natural conditions, beautiful environment and profound history. [People’s Park] and [Kuanzhai Alley] are on our tour destination list, where we can experience local people’s leisure life, feeling the relaxing pace of this southwestern city that boasts “Heaven of Abundance”.
People who go to Sichuan always wish to Sample the Sichuan cuisine that is considered as the four major style of cooking in China, and it's famous for the spicy taste. In order to experience the authentic Sichuan spicy food, you are advised to eat a hotpot dinner. There are more than 400 kinds of dishes such as Sautéed Pigeon Breast in XO Sauce, Stir-Fried Duck Tongues with Sichuan Chili, Kung Pao Chicken, as well as 2000 kinds of snacks such as Sichuan Style Wonton, Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls) in Fermented Glutinous Rice Soup. People who cannot undergo the spicy taste should really take care of the stomach! Sichuan brocade, embroidery and lacquer ware are also the famous souvenirs.
Stay overnight in Chengdu.
Meals: (B)
This morning we depart by private bus to [Chengdu Giant Panda Researching and Breeding Base], locating on the mountain of Futoushan in the northern suburbs of the city. In order to have a better time to enjoy the cute bears, you should avoid visiting at their sleeping time, that is to say, you should visit them in the morning, between 8.30 and 10am, during feeding time. Then we go to a local restaurant to savor the variety of delicious foods. We will take a flight to Guilin this afternoon.
Upon your arrival, you can relax yourself in the hotel.
Stay overnight in Guangzhou.
Meals: (B)
Yue Cai (Cantonese Cuisine), one of eight Chinese famous cuisines, is definitely a must in Guangzhou, since Guangzhou is a paradise for gourmets. You can eat delicious food with ingredients you have never heard of before, which is really a new experience. Wenchang chicken, fish maw and mushroom soup, stewed abalone with fish maw is very famous, and we will head to a local restaurant to have the meal. After lunch we go to visit the [Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family] and the [Museum of Nanyue King's Tomb]. Built between 1890 and 1894 during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, the Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family is the biggest, best preserved, and best decorated ancient architecture existing in Guangdong province. Dinner is in your own decision, so you can dine in a seafood restaurant, where you can go to the glass bowl to choose swimming fish, crab, lobster, and others and the waiter will take them to the kitchen, you just drink tea while waiting, and then feast yourself on the juicy and delicious seafood.
Stay overnight in Guangzhou.
Meals: (B)
Guangzhou is a popular destination because it not only retains its traditional customs, but also a large city full of vigor and current fashions. After breakfast, we go to visit the [Yuexiu Park] where we can see the [Statue of Five Goats], the symbol of Guangzhou City. When you are standing on the top of [Guangzhou Tower], which is the highest TV tower in Asia, the whole view of Guangzhou is available to you. Later we will come to the [Shangxiajiu commercial street], a very long street with fashion clothing and various commodities displaying in shops on each side of the street. It is truly a lovely place where you can purchase some at good prices meanwhile you can see the traditional building style-Qi building. There's a popular saying goes "Where there are Chinese, there are Cantonese; where there are Cantonese, there is Cantonese cuisine". So you can see that Guangzhou's food is popular around the country and even overseas.
Tao Tao Ju Restaurant and Panxi Restaurant are considered great places for dim sum that is the most typical Cantonese snack. Therefore, a later lunch (Xiawucha) is arranged at Tao Tao Ju Restaurant locating at the Shangxiajiu Street or Panxi Restaurant which is in a garden.
Stay overnight in Guangzhou.
Meals: (B)
You can rest yourself this morning until you are ready to be transferred to the next destination or for departure to Hong Kong.
Meals: (B)
US Dollar
Euro
GB Pound
CA Dollar
AU Dollar
HK Dollars
Renminbi
| 1 person | 2-5 persons | 6-9 persons | ≥10 persons | Single Room Supplement | |
| First Class Tour | $4697 | $3008 | $2620 | $2159 | $920 |
| Comfortable Tour | $3855 | $2489 | $2097 | $1773 | $530 |
| Standard Tour | $3269 | $2162 | $1833 | $1443 | $350 |
How to Pack up
We suggest that each person packs up one rollable suitcase with the weight under 20 kg/44lb. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like iPods and mobile phones.
Checklist
It's only for reference and you may not need all of them. Choose from below according to the tour you pick up:
Passport (with photocopies)
Travel insurance (with photocopies)
Airline tickets (with photocopies)
USD cash and travelers checks
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
ChinaExpeditionTours vouchers and trip dossier
Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
Day pack for daily personal items
Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Water bottle and Plastic mug for train journeys
Ear plugs for train journeys or light sleepers
Small towel and swim wear
Toiletries (biodegradable)
Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
Money belt
Shorts for summer months (June – September)
Long pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes for Nov-April. Fleece, Jacket, hat and gloves
Umbrella or waterproof jacket
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry.
Camera, film and memory chip
Reading/writing material
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
Local Dress
Generally speaking, the dress standard is more conservative in China than it is in western countries. Things also changes quickly, nowadays the young Chinese share the same hobbies with their western counterparts. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of summers. In predominately Buddhist and Muslim regions we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites.
Spending Money
Every traveler is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travelers may drink more than others while other travelers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Money Exchange
As currency exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to internet for the recent exchange rates. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and MasterCard and other credit cards in most Chinese cities. We also recommend the use of cash and travelers checks in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in big shops but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. For the small shops and the street venders, they take cash (either Chinese Yuan or US dollar) only.
Meals
Eating is a big part of your traveling in China. Travelling with ChinaExpeditionTours, you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally breakfasts and lunches are included except dinners to give you the flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Your group leader or local guide will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip.
Emergency Fund
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an "emergency" fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control, necessitate a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in travel industry in Asia, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from $6-$10 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service, for driver, it could be half. If necessary, ask your tour leader or call your ChinaExpeditionTours tour advisor for specific recommendations based on the circumstances. If you have a tour leader for the whole tour, at the end of the trip if you felt he/she did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference. However as a guideline $6-10 USD per person, per day can be used.
Local Flights
All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are all e-tickets. They are issued locally and you will be given the information of them prior to the flight departure.
Laundry
Generally laundry facilities are offered by our hotels for a charge. You also can go to a laundry service center near your hotel to have your clothing washed at a lower cost. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
Safety and Security
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travelers' checks, cash and other valuable items. Many of the hotels we cooperate with have safety deposit boxes which are the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. When travelling on a trip, please note that your group leader or local guides has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader or local guides will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader or local guides will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time.
A Couple of Rules
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of China but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is not acceptable for ChinaExpeditionTours travelers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. Use of illegal drugs is completely contrary to this philosophy and local law. Our group leader or local guides has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or used.
Health
If you want to fully enjoy your trip abroad, a good health and confidence in physical strength are important. This trip may contain a fair amount of walking up and down steps in towns or climbing mountains. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders or local guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In China pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting a tour please carefully read the itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings in this dossier for trip specific information. For travelers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is highly suggested to bring forth. ChinaExpeditionTours reserves the right to exclude any traveler from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader or local guides they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
Medical Form
It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an "average level of fitness and mobility" is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travelers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own bags at a minimum. Travelers over the age of 70, or travelers with a pre-existing medical condition, are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that senior travelers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders or local guides work hard to ensure that all our travelers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. You must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for medical costs associated with hospitalization, emergency travel and repatriation back to your home country. Please take your insurance policy with you when you travel. You may take other cover, of course, but we require you to be adequately insured before we can allow you to participate in our programs. Your ChinaExpeditionTours leader or local guides will need to see and record your policy details at the pre-tour briefing at the starting city, so please bring a copy along to the meeting. If you arrive without travel insurance your tour leader or local guide will require you to purchase a policy before you continue your journey with us.
If you are covered by a policy arranged through your credit card company you will be asked to provide evidence of this cover, as well as a 24-hour emergency contact number. Many credit card companies do not provide an insurance policy number. In this instance, the tour leader or local guides will need to record your credit card number, as this is required to activate any request for emergency assistance. You should also bring along the travel insurance information booklet provided by your credit card company. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the requirements set out by your credit card company in order to be effectively covered and that the cover offered is of a suitable standard.
Passport & Visas
Well before travelling, please ensure that you have a current passport, with an accurate photo, that is valid for at least six months after your scheduled return home. Also check that your airline tickets are in exactly the same name as your passport.
Please note that visas for China and Hong Kong are the responsibility of the individual traveler. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. Americans, British, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders do currently require a visa for China. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your government. For the most up to date information please check your governments' foreign ministry website. It is important that you check for yourself. For most travelers there will probably have an embassy and consulate in the country that you live in. Please note if you are travelling from China, into Hong Kong then back into China, you will need a double entry Chinese visa. Note that on some occasions people transiting through China on way to Hong Kong have been made to go through immigration and had their single entry visa stamped making this invalid. Do not allow your visa to be stamped if you are only going through transit.
Keeping in Touch
If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the country, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travelers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact us so we can get into touch with your tour leader or local guide quickly by their cell phone and they can pass their cell phone to you! We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change.
Feedback
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us and we'll record you and give you ChinaExpeditionTours travel points so you can use the points to get discount for your next ChinaExpeditionTours trip or your friends' ChinaExpeditionTours tours.
