Gastronomic Tour of China with Fuchsia Dunlop
Ready your chopsticks for a China foodie adventure with award-winning author Fuchsia Dunlop. On this National Geographic ‘Tour of a Lifetime’, you will taste your way through the imperial banquets of Beijing to the spice bazaars of Sichuan (while taking in all the sights, too). You’ll unlock the secrets of authentic Chinese food and learn how to shop, cook, and eat like a local. Each meal and dish on this gastronomic journey is carefully selected by Fuchsia herself. Experience China’s 5,000 year history with all your five senses on this journey.
A chef and award-winning author from England, Fuchsia Dunlop became an expert in Sichuanese food after living in Chengdu and becoming the first foreigner to graduate from the prestigious Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine. The Cambridge graduate has written for numerous publications and has published a number of books about her specialization in Chinese cuisine. Fuchsia’s latest book ‘The Food of Sichuan’ is out now.
Spring: 10th – 22nd MAY 2021 / 24th MAY – 05th JUN 2021
Cultural Immersion, Food, Must See Attractions
- Savor a variety of the best that Chinese cuisine has to offer, from Peking duck to xiaolongbao to the spicy flavors of Sichuan
- Explore the hustle and bustle of a Chengdu spice market
- Learn to make Fuchsia’s favorite Sichuan dishes
- Explore Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter
Day 1
Arrival Beijing (D)
Our team will meet you at the arrivals hall of the airport to take you to your hotel. Check in to your hotel and relax. Kick off your journey with an orientation with Fuchsia and celebrate with a welcome dinner in a lively courtyard restaurant.
Day 2
Beijing (B/L/D)
Head outside of the city for a hike along the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Enjoy a refreshing seasonal lunch at a local countryside restaurant by the Wall. Head back into town to relax before your imperial Peking duck dinner.
Day 3
Beijing (B/L/D)
Explore Tiananmen Square and the imposing Forbidden City, where emperors ruled for 500 years. Wander the popular hutong neighborhoods around Houhai. Rest your legs with a traditional noodle-making demonstration before tucking into a delicious lunch. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian hotpot dinner. After dinner, explore Wangfujing’s bustling and eclectic snack street.
Day 4
Beijing to Xi’an (B/L/D)
Channel your morning energy into a private tai chi lesson with a master at the Temple of Heaven. For lunch, head to one of our favorite local eateries for traditional wheat-based noodles. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. Head to your Xi’an hotel to check in and relax. In the evening, join Fuchsia to hunt down the best serving of lamb stew served with warm dipping bread.
Day 5
Xi’an (B/L)
Accompanied by Fuchsia, go behind the scenes of different Chinese kitchens and discover unexpected gems, such as Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter, where savory lamb skewers are roasted over red-hot coals and sweet glutinous rice is steamed in bamboo. Sample Halal skewers, roast mutton, and persimmon cakes on your way to Xi’an’s Great Mosque. Enjoy the savory flavors of Shaanxi cuisine for lunch. View the eternally stationed army of Terracotta Warriors. Talk over your trip so far as you enjoy a traditional dumpling banquet.
Day 6
Xi’an to Chengdu (B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer to the train station for your ride to Chengdu. Upon arrival, grab a late lunch at a local teahouse. Sample tea, watch mahjong matches, and discover local delicacies as you explore the city on foot. Enjoy a rambunctious Sichuan hotpot dinner at one of Fuchsia’s favorite spots.
Day 7
Chengdu (B/D)
In the morning, stop by the Giant Panda Breeding Center to get a close-up view of China’s national icon. Enjoy an array of authentic Sichuan cuisine, Fuchsia’s first love. Mingle with monks, worshippers, and fellow travelers at the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. Enjoy a cozy dinner in a private kitchen.
Day 8
Chengdu to Shanghai (B/L/D)
Sample and buy authentic spices at a wholesale spice market. Head to the Sichuan Culinary Museum for lunch, then roll up your sleeves for a Sichuan cooking lesson. Fly to Shanghai in the early afternoon. Enjoy dinner on your own before spending the evening at your leisure.
Day 9
Shanghai (B/D)
Visit Shanghai Museum’s world-class exhibits. Practice the art of eating soup-filled xiaolongbao. Stroll through the elegant, tree-lined streets of the French Concession. Straddle the line between two faces of China during a Huangpu River Cruise, which takes you past yesterday’s colonial outposts and tomorrow’s financial empires. Sample the diverse and delicate flavors of Shanghainese cuisine for dinner.
Day 10
Shanghai to Hangzhou (B/L/D)
Take an early morning high-speed train to Hangzhou. Make your way through the town’s old streets and stop by a traditional pharmacy. Enjoy a traditional Hangzhou lunch near West Lake. Relax on a boat trip across the tranquil waters of West Lake. Head to Fuchsia’s favorite Hangzhou restaurant for dinner.
Day 11
Hangzhou to Shanghai (B/L)
Travel to Longjing village to visit a tea farmer and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea in a working tea plantation. For lunch, savor the sweet and light flavors of a classic Hangzhou spread. Transfer to the train station for your high-speed train back to Shanghai. Take the rest of the day to explore or rest at your own leisure.
Day 12
Shanghai (B/D)
Spend your free day exploring, relaxing, or shopping at your own pace. End your gastronomic adventure with a farewell dinner in a grand colonial mansion.
Day 13
Depart from Shanghai
Experience zero turbulence as you zip towards Pudong International Airport at well over 400km/hour on the Maglev. Check in for your flight back home.
- Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
- Entrance fees where applicable.
- Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
- Transfers
- Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.
