Culinary

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13 days Culinary tour of Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, HK

The Chinese nation has a civilized history of 5,000 years and Chinese cuisine has evolved over time. Its culinary techniques, preparation, serving and appreciation of food have been developed to the highest level. This tour will focus on the four major regional Chinese cuisines. You will have opportunity to learn how to make them and taste delicious local food in each city such as Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine and Shanghai cuisine. We will also experience the warm welcome of the Chinese people as we visit their charming country and colorful vibrant cities. We begin in Beijing, capital almost without interruption since the 12th century. Xian most vividly exemplifies the extraordinary continuity of Chinese civilization.…We will also explore Shanghai, China's largest city and vibrant commercial heart. Our time in Shanghai will give us a sense of emerging China and provide a lovely ending to the tour.

Day 1: Arrive Beijing

Arrive at Beijing, China's exciting and cultural heart. The local guide will meet you at airport and transfer to hotel. Rest day is free for jet-leg.

Day 2: Beijing B,SL,D (breakfast, special lunch, dinner)

The day begins at Tiananmen Square, the largest City Square in the world. From there you will enter the Forbidden City, a powerful maze of ancient palaces and courtyards from which the emperor ruled the land for 500 years. Also visit the Emperor's Clock Collection and the Jewelry and Relic collection (which westerners rarely see). Special Imperial lunch at Beijing Fangshan Restaurant in Beihai Park, Afternoon, we will take you to the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties prayed for good harvests. The temple is not only especially glamorous, it is an architectural wonder because not a single nail was used for its construction. Enjoy Chinese Kongfu or Peking Opera show after dinner.

Day 3: Beijing B,L,SD (special dinner)

This morning you will take trishaw into Hutong, which is an ancient city alley, to experience the life of the local people. Visit the old quadrangles inhabited by Beijing residents. Tour in the Prince Gong’s Palace and have a cup of tea. You also have an opportunity to visit a local family and chat with local people. You also have an opportunity to learn how to make Chinese traditional food—Jiaozi (dumpling) and have lunch with local people. After lunch, you will be taken to CTS hotel for a Cooking class, where you will learn a few different dishes and see how they are made from beginning to end learning the secrets of excellent Chinese cooking. You will prepare one dish yourself with the help from the experts of the hotel. This is a hands on learning experience. The Peking Duck banquet will be at famous Duck King Restaurant.

Day 4: Beijing B,L

Today's excursion to the Great Wall (Juyong Guan section) of China promise to be a highlights of our travels. We'll have a chance to take a hike along one of the most beautiful sections and examine first-hand one of the most scenic portions of its 3700 miles length. Then visit the workshops of a Cloisonne factory to see workers practice this unique art. After lunch, you visit Ming tomb,including the Sacred Way and the Ding Ling Museum. You will be able to enter one of the tombs. In the Ding Ling Museum you can see artifacts and replicas from the tomb itself. Evening is free on your own.

Day 5: Beijing/Xi’an B,L

This morning you will be taken to The Summer Palace, a vast and beautiful landscape of elegant garden, lakes and pavilions. We’ll admire the famous Marble Boat and take a Kunming lake cruise during the visit. Then visit Silk Market or Hongqiao Market, which is where the Beijingers shop. Here, you can find many incredible deals on things, if you know what you are looking for and you know how to bargain. After buffet lunch at four star CTS hotel, we take afternoon flight to Xi'an, China's former capital, and gateway to the legendary Silk Road, Upon arrival, meet and transfer to your hotel.

Day 6: Xi'an B,L,SD (special dinner)

Today's highlights is the most spectacular and important places in China: the Archaeological

Museum with more than 6000 life-size Terra-cotta warriors and horses excavated from the tomb of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty. Oftentimes, one of the farmers who discovered the site is actually there. You could possibly ask him some questions through your guide. Then visit Relics of Banpo Village, a civilization of well over 6,000 years old, an entire chapter of Chinese history. Also walk to get to know the Moslem Quarter of this ancient city, including the Great Mosque, and open-air food markets under the ancient city walls. Enjoy Tang Dynasty dinner show at Tang Dynasty Palace.

Day 7: Xi'an/Chengdu B,L

This morning, you will stroll along the South Gate, a lively pedestrian quarter where you'll see locals practising Tai Chi exercises, street artists demonstrating their wonderful skills. Sightseeing today features the ancient city wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shanxi provincial museum. The experience of riding bicycle at the top of the wall will be unforgotten. After lunch, you will have a Chinese Noodle Cooking Class in local restaurant. Then take flight to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan

Province. Meet and transfer to hotel.

Day 8: Chengdu B,L.SD (special dinner)

The first stop of today is Panda Research Center, a study center that is home to more than 20 pandas. You’ll learn about China’s panda conservation efforts and get an up-close view of these magnificent

animals. Then visit Sanxingdui Museum, which is Sichuan's most important archaeological finds linked to the ancient Shu culture. Dinner will be served at a local popular Sichuan Food restaurant. Evening

enjoy Changing Faces, a performance featuring the unique, magical skills of the Sichuan Opera.

Day 9: Chengdu/Shanghai B,L

Today you will visit Marquis Wu Shrine and Thatched Cottage of Du fu, which are famous historical sites in Chendu. For lunch, we will feast on delicious Sichuan "xiaochi" delicacies, which is very famous in China. These are comprised of an assortment of dishes ranging from meat and seafood, to preserved vegetables to hand made noodles. Each dish is brought out on a small individual plate, allowing you to sample a wide variety of flavours. Afternoon we fly to Shanghai, China's largest city and vibrant commercial heart. After finishing checking-in, our guide will take you to visit the Chinatown cultural Center to learn Chinese painting on masks. Then walk around Xin Tian Di, which is a newly developed recreation area in Shanghai with old styled buildings. You may find a cafe or western-styled restaurant to have your own dinner.

Day 10: Shanghai B,L,D

Today our guide will take you for a walk along the Bund, the city's landmark, to view the neo-Classical and Art Deco buildings from Shanghai's heyday of 1930's and do some shopping through the bustling

Nanjing Road for some shopping. Then visit Yuyuan Garden, formerly a private garden with rookies, pavilions, halls and ponds. Also walk around the Chenghuangmiao Area (old town), the most-lively place in Shanghai. Lunch will be at Seagull Palace (Shanghai Cuisine) beside Huangpu River. Afternoon you will visit world-class Shanghai Museum with its many fine exhibits (especially of note is the Chinese Minority exhibit).. Enjoy Portman Acrobatic show after dinner.

Day 11: Shanghai/Guangzhou B,L,SD (special dinner)

Take morning flight to Guangzhou. Meet and transfer to hotel. Today’s includes Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Ancestral Temple of Chen Family and Temple of Six Banyan Trees, one of the most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. Also visit Qingping Market if time permit, which is on Qingping Road and Tiyan Road covers a distance of one kilometer and has 2,000 stalls. Enjoy Cantonese dim sum for dinner.

Day 12: Guangzhou/HK B

Take express train to HK. You will have a good opportunity to mingle with local people on the train. Meet and transfer to hotel. Half-day Hong Kong Island tour, starting with a peak tram ride to the mid-level of Central District, then on to the Victoria Peak. You will then visit the Repulse Bay, Aberdeen and the Stanley Market. Rest day is free to explore HK on your own.

Day 13: Leave HK B

Departure transfer to airport. Fly for home

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