Discovering China: Culinary Traditions and Cultural Treasures 2027

Cost (not including international airfare):

$4790.00 per person (double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $890

Includes:

- Airport Transfers from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with the group

- Transfer flight from from Chengdu to Shanghai

- Trains in-country from Beijing to Xi’an and Xi'an to Chengdu

- Hotel Accommodations as indicated in itinerary (or similar top-rated hotel)

- Delicious Meals as indicated in the itinerary

- Guided Breakfast Tour in Hutong, Beijing

- Cooking Class at Chengdu Culinary Museum

- Tour & Cooking Class at market in Shanghai

- Agricultural Visit to village in Qingpu

- Entrance & Speaker Fees

- Transportation by private bus

- Some Tips/Gratuities for guides and drivers

- Whisper Sound Systems to better hear guides

- Expert English speaking Trip Guides

- Dedicated Tour Director from Sunlight Tours

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Does Not Include:

- International Airfare*

- Some Meals as indicated in the itinerary

- Some beverages with meals. More information provided upon registration. Alcoholic and/or specialty drinks are not included.

- Any added Tips/Gratuities

- Incidentals/Personal expenses

- Any passport/visa fees not already indicated in itinerary

- Travel insurance (can be purchased through Sunlight Tours)**

- Extra airport transfers (if you arrive or depart outside of the group arrival and departure times, you may be responsible for your own transfers)

Trip Notes

Other things to know before you go...

Registration Deadline is April 1, 2027

Note about activity levels: While we make every effort to accommodate mobility needs, please note that this tour includes walking tours on uneven surfaces and stairs, standing for extended periods of time, bus tours on uneven roads, travel by boat/cruise rides, etc. For more information or questions regarding activity levels and mobility, please contact us.

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

**Travel insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes are available. Please contact us with any questions.

A non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: first half payment is due by April 11, 2027 and final payment is due by July 11, 2027. If booking through Sunlight Tours, airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.

*meals provided listed in ( )

Day 1: Monday, October 11

[Departure Day]

Depart from various locations in the United States.

As a note: We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).

Day 2: Tuesday, October 12

[Arriving in Beijing]

Upon arrival at Beijing Capital international airport (PEK), you will be greeted by your local guide to transfer you to the city center and our accommodations. You have an opportunity to rest and prepare for the evening. We’ll then gather for our Beijing Roast Duck Welcome Dinner. This famous Beijing dish has been prepared since the Imperial Era and is now one of China’s national foods. Overnight accommodations are at Beijing International Hotel (D).

Day 3: Wednesday, October 13

[Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven]

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll visit the site that witnessed the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Gaze across Tiananmen Square and take in the full weight of its historical and cultural significance. We’ll then visit the Forbidden City, where emperors once ruled and where The Palace Museum is now the best-preserved palace complex in China. We’ll then pause for lunch at local restaurant to taste Beijing Noodles. Our journey continues with a visit to the Temple of Heaven which is widely regarded as the highest example of religious architectures in all of China. We’ll also visit a local pearl market and have dinner together at a local restaurant. Overnight accommodations are at Beijing International Hotel (B, L, D).

Day 4: Thursday, October 14

[The Great Wall]

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, renowned for its outstanding preservation and viewing of the Great Wall including 23 watchtowers. We’ll then pause for lunch at a local restaurant followed by a visit to a jade carving factory. We then return to our hotel for dinner on your own. Overnight accommodations are at Beijing International Hotel (B, L).

Day 5: Friday, October 15

[Breakfast Food Tour & Summer Palace]

We begin our day with a Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour, where we get to discover Beijing’s best kept food secrets. We’ll visit several authentic family-run eateries that are off the beaten path and be able to walk around a residential Hutong neighborhood to witness the city’s awakening. Not only will we be able to watch some of our food freshly prepared in front of us, but we’ll also learn about the captivating tapestry of Beijing’s living history. We’ll then spend a leisurely afternoon playing royalty amongst the pagodas and gardens of the Summer Palace. We’ll then return to our hotel for you to spend the rest of the day exploring on your own. Overnight accommodations are at Beijing International Hotel (B).

Day 6: Saturday, October 16

[Train to Xi’an & Dumpling Lessons]

After breakfast at the hotel, you are invited to explore at your leisure with lunch on your own. We’ll then gather back together to travel to Beijing West Railway Station to depart on a high-speed train to Xi’an. Upon arrival in Xi’an, we’ll be greeted by our local guide at the railway station to lead us to our next adventure. In the evening, we’ll roll up our sleeves and dive into the art of dumpling making. Xi’an is known for its culinary traditions, where the art of dumping-making is passed down through generations. After our dumpling making (and eating!) We’ll head back to our hotel for the night. Overnight accommodations are at Hilton Grand Inn Xi’an Bell Tower (B, D).

Day 7: Sunday, October 17

[Terracotta Warrior Museum & Culinary Delights]

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll visit the famous Terracotta Warrior Museum, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. Then we’ll have an educational visit to a Terracotta Warrior Factory to learn more about the complex production process (unchanged from Qin dynasty times) of these fascinating artworks. We may even have the opportunity to visit one of the farmers who discovered Terra-cotta, and listen to the stories he has to tell. Our day continues with lunch at a local restaurant, where you have the opportunity to try Biang Biang noodle (biang is onomaetopia for the sound it makes while being slapped and stretched on the work surface) and other local delicacies  Following lunch, we’ll visit the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and one of the oldest surviving structures of its kind in China. Our day concludes back at our hotel with dinner options on your own.(excl. climb the tower). Overnight accommodations are at Hilton Grand Inn Xi’an Bell Tower (B, L).

Day 8: Monday, October 18

[Discovering the Heart of Xi’an]

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll continue to explore the heart of Xi’an. We’ll take a leisurely walk around the Ancient City Wall followed by lunch at a local restaurant. With many options to consider, we’ll visit the many food stalls in the Muslim quarter, a bustling neighborhood located in the heart of Xi’an. Here, we’ll engage with the friendly locals, witness their skilled craftsmanship, and feel the pulse of daily life that has animated these alleys for centuries. The Muslim quarter is not only a worthy destination, but a place where flavors dance on your taste buds and the stories of generations echo in every corner. Our day concludes back at our hotel for the evening with dinner on your own. Overnight accommodations are at Hilton Grand Inn Xi’an Bell Tower (B, L).

Day 9: Tuesday, October 19

[Chengdu Explorations]

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll take another high-speed train, this time, to Chengdu. Upon arrival, we’ll be met by our local guide. We’ll then have options for lunch on our own. After lunch, we’ll spend aleisurely afternoon in People's Park, the largest green area downtown. With a lake, gardens, teahouses, and monuments, it’s the best place to observe the lives of locals. Stroll along the lake, watch people sing, dance, paint water calligraphy, or take a cup of tea in one of tea houses and learn how to play Mahjong or Chinese chess. We’ll also visit the famous Wide and Narrow Alley, which are historical intersecting alleys where you will find a lot of traditional courtyards, or Siheyuan. Our day concludes with a signature Hotpot dinner. This is an exhilarating feast for the senses, where a bubbling, spicy broth surrounded by fresh ingredients, offer a fiery, flavorful experience that brings people together in the warmth of a shared tradition. Overnight accommodations are at Chengdu Sheraton Hotel (B, D).

Day 10: Wednesday, October 20

[Meeting Pandas and Sichuan Cooking Class]

Today, after breakfast at our hotel, we’ll visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center for an up-close look at China’s universally adored mascot. As you wander through this haven, you'll witness the pandas' playful antics and learn about vital conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding their future. After lunch options at a local restaurant, we’ll visit the Chengdu Culinary Museum to trace the history of Chinese food and participate in a cooking lesson focusing on Sichuan cuisine, that will also then be our dinner together. Overnight accommodations are at Chengdu Sheraton Hotel (B, D).

Day 11: Thursday, October 21

[Leshan Giant Buddha]

Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit the Leshan Giant Buddha. Standing over 70 meters tall, this statue is considered the largest Buddha statue in the world. This stout, smiling monk is believed to be Maitreya, a Buddha and disciple of Sakyamuni, who is said to have founded Buddhism. We’ll share lunch together at a local restaurant and then travel back to Chendu for an evening and dinner on your own. Overnight accommodations are at Chengdu Sheraton Hotel (B, L).

Day 12: Friday, October 22

[Travel to Shanghai]

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll transfer to the airport to fly to Shanghai. Upon arrival, we’ll travel together to our hotel, where you have the remaining of the day to rest and explore on your own. Overnight accommodations are at Shanghai Hengshan Garden Hotel (B).

Day 13: Saturday, October 23

[Wet Market, Cooking Class, Yu Garden]

Today, after breakfast at our hotel, we’ll spend the day exploring in Shanghai. First, we’ll visit the Former French Concession, a captivating blend of cultures and history, which stands as a testament to Shanghai's cosmopolitan past. We’ll continue with a visit to the Wet market, where we will also take a hands-on cooking class, exploring dim sum and dishes made in the wok. After enjoying the tastes of this region, we’ll continue our journey with a visit to Yu Garden, located in the old city centre. The gardens and their surroundings are a wonderful example of classical design. Constructed 400 years ago in the Ming Dynasty, the colossal city of Shanghai has sprung up around this older relative which was left undisturbed, to grow old peacefully, providing a fascinating window into the past. We’ll then visit a silk factory before heading back to our hotel for dinner offerings on your own. Overnight accommodations are at Shanghai Hengshan Garden Hotel (B, L).

Day 14: Sunday, October 24

[Zhujiajiao Water Town and Qingpu]

We begin our day with breakfast at our hotel. We then travel together to visit Zhujiajiao Water Town. Nicknamed the 'Pearl Stream', the ancient town of Zhujiajiao is the best preserved of the four existing ancient towns around Shanghai. Here, we’ll explore unique old bridges that cross bubbling streams, small rivers shaded by willow trees, and houses with courtyards that transport you back in time amidst the backdrop of the bustling city. Our explorations include a boat ride. We’ll then visit the village in Qingpu, a key agricultural area in Shanghai known for being one of the main rice producers. This will give you an opportunity to see the countryside and understand how farming is done in this part of China. Our time together concludes with a delicious Farewell Dinner. Overnight accommodations are at Shanghai Hengshan Garden Hotel (B, L, D).

Day 15: Monday, October 25

[Returning to US]

After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll transfer to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) for our travel back to the United States (arriving October 26). (B)