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.
Maria Peteva
UK
Every aspect of our China tour was perfect — from organizing the cities and attractions we would visit, to customizing unique short trips, to the logistics of moving from one city to another — everything was handled very professionally and smoothly. We visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhangjiajie, and honestly, this trip was one of the best experiences our family of five has ever had. Thanks to Stella! She didn't just arrange an itinerary; they made suggestions and customizations based on our likes/dislikes/interests (recommended attractions, hard-to-book restaurants, tours tailored to our interests — truly making it 'our' trip, showing they are indeed experts). I give my highest recommendation to NCT!
Destination(s): Beijing, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: 2024-01-03
Tour Customized by: Stella
Hiroshi Sato
Japan
Our trip to China was incredible. NCT (Nihao China Tour) planned every detail of the trip, and every part was fantastic. We booked the trip at the last minute and were so happy to book through NCT because they managed every detail perfectly. Throughout the entire process, Lucy was very friendly and helpful, as were all the guides and NCT staff we encountered. Thank you for providing a wonderful experience!
Destination(s): Beijing, Guilin, Chengdu
Date of Experience: 2023-11-09
Tour Customized by: Lucy
Jerry Joy
Australia
We've never used a travel planning service before, so I was a bit hesitant about this trip to China, but it turned out to be the best decision we ever made. Lily and her team at Nihao China Tour coordinated every aspect of the trip, from hotels to guides to city transfers. There’s no way I could have managed all the details on my own. They communicated with us throughout the entire process, and every part of the itinerary was meticulously planned. The guides showed up on time, and it was easy to find the drivers and contacts. They answered all our questions and made us feel comfortable the whole time. The price was reasonable, and we felt it was worth every penny. If you're considering a trip to China, I highly recommend Nihao China Tour.
Destination(s): Xi'an, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: 2023-11-27
Tour Customized by: Lily
Dunia Gamal
Egypt
From the very beginning, the customized itinerary and additional suggestions (Yulong Snow Mountain might be our favorite hike) provided by Nihao China Tour (NCT) made travel planning effortless. But from the moment we landed, the service and meticulous attention from the drivers and NCT representatives were impeccable. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we didn't have to worry about anything, allowing us to truly enjoy all the beautiful scenery and rich culture China has to offer. The hotels in Yunnan, Chengdu, and Shanghai were all centrally located. The hotel in Yunnan was a hidden paradise with stunning mountain views. Our favorite part of the trip was undoubtedly spending time with each knowledgeable and friendly guide. Learning about the history and background made us appreciate every step of our journey even more. Not to mention, these guides might also be professional photographers who know the best spots to capture memories. Overall, we couldn't have asked for a better trip and have already recommended NCT to all our friends and family. We are also considering our next trip to China with them.
Destination(s): Kunming, Chengdu, Shanghai
Date of Experience: 2024-05-10
Tour Customized by: Nina
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

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