Gastronomic Tour of China with Fuchsia Dunlop

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From$9,630
Join the Waitlist
From$9,630

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    12 Days
    Availability : May 5th - May 16th, 2026
    Beijing
    Shanghai
    Min Age : 9+
    Max People : 12
    About this Journey

    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.

    What we love
    • Savoring a variety of the best that Chinese cuisine has to offer, from Peking duck to xiaolongbao to the spicy flavors of Sichuan
    • Dining on exquisite Jiangnan classics, prepared by an experienced head chef in a refined, garden-setting.
    • Learning to make Fuchsia's favorite Sichuan dishes
    Map
    Itinerary

    Day 1Arrival in Beijing

    Your WildChina Beijing 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 2Beijing

    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 Mongolian-Style Hotpot dinner.

    Day 3Beijing

    Explore Tiananmen Square and the imposing Forbidden City, where emperors ruled for 500 years • Wander the popular hutong neighborhoods around Houhai before tucking into a delicious lunch • Visit the incense-filled courtyards of Beijing’s Lama Temple • In the evening, enjoy a Peking duck dinner.

    Day 4Beijing to Chengdu

    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 Chengdu • Grab a late dinner at one of Chengdu’s most famous and long-established snack joints.

    Day 5Chengdu

    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 • Learn kung fu at Wangjianglou Park • Stroll through Kuan Zhai Alleyways to enjoy the local vibe • Enjoy a rambunctious Sichuan hotpot dinner at one of Fuchsia’s favorite spots.

     

    Day 6Chengdu

    In the morning, stop by the Giant Panda Breeding Center to get a close-up view of China’s national icon • Savor a lunch of hearty countryside cooking accompanied by your local guide • Ascend the serene Qingcheng Mountain by cable car and foot to explore its tranquil temples and summit vistas • Conclude the day with a magnificent Sichuan banquet dinner.

    Day 7Chengdu to Hangzhou

    Step into the Sanxingdui Museum to encounter the astonishing bronze relics of an advanced ancient kingdom • After lunch, fly to Hangzhou • Enjoy the evening at leisure.

    Day 8Hangzhou

    Glide across West Lake to discover the legendary landscape that inspired poets and appears on the 1RMB note • Savor a lunch of various classic Hangzhou dishes • Journey into the hills to wander fragrant rows of Longjing tea and taste its distinctive, chestnut-like flavor • For dinner, dine in a private room on exquisite Jiangnan classics, prepared by an experienced head chef in a refined, garden-setting.

    Day 9Hangzhou to Shanghai

    Make your way through the town’s old streets and stop by a traditional pharmacy • Board a high-speed train to Shanghai, where the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy.

     

    Day 10Shanghai

    Experience vibrant local life at Fuxing Park, a former private garden now filled with spontaneous music and dancing • Stroll through the elegant, tree-lined streets of the French Concession • Enjoy a lunch of delicious xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) at a restaurant of Fuchsia’s special pick • Explore the winding alleyways of the Yuyuan Bazaar, a bustling market in Shanghai’s old town perfect for souvenir hunting and local snacks • Stand atop the world’s highest observation deck in the Shanghai Tower for awe-inspiring panoramic views of the city • Walk along the iconic Bund, where the city’s historic architectural marvels face its dazzling modern skyline • Sample the diverse and delicate flavors of Shanghainese cuisine for dinner.

    Day 11Shanghai

    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 12Depart from Shanghai

    Your WildChina guide and driver will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

    Hotels
    Waldorf Astoria Beijing

    Waldorf Astoria Beijing

    5 stars

    The Waldorf Astoria Beijing blends Chinese heritage with modern luxury, providing an elegant sanctuary steps from the Forbidden City and Wangfujing.

    The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu

    5 stars

    Overlooking the provincial capital’s central Tianfu Square, the contemporary-styled Ritz-Carlton Chengdu offers guests a cosmopolitan experience in the heart of the city.

    West Lake State Guesthouse, Hangzhou

    5 stars

    Experience state-level grandeur and Chairman Mao’s favored retreat at the West Lake State Guesthouse, offering panoramic lake views and impeccable service.

    The PuLi Hotel and Spa, Shanghai

    5 stars

    The PuLi Hotel and Spa, Shanghai, offers a luxurious, centrally-located retreat with restful suites, handcrafted service, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

    Details

    Dates for this journey

    May 5th – May 16th, 2026

    What’s Included

    • Services of an English-speaking WildChina local guide
    • Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfasts included
    • All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
    • Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
    • Domestic flights and trains, as noted in the itinerary
    • All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
    • Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

    What’s Excluded

    • International flights plus relevant taxes
    • Chinese tourist visa, which is required for many foreign passport holders
    • Travel and medical insurance
    • Meals, apart from those included in the itinerary, and alcohol
    • Expenses of a personal nature
    • Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
    • Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

    Trip Costs

    $9,630 USD per person  

    Single Supplement: +$1,680 

    (Please note that 6.72% Value-Added Tax (VAT) is already included in the prices above) 

    Next Steps

    How do I secure my spot on this tour?

    Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com. If you’d like to customize a private pre or post trip to explore more of China, please let us know and we’d be happy to work with you on that! 

    For international bookings: Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount. 

    Is this trip guaranteed to run?

    We will need a minimum sign up of six travelers to run this trip (maximum sign up is ten). Should the journey be canceled due to lack of sign-ups or for any other reason, WildChina will fully refund any deposits or fees paid.

    What is your cancellation policy?

    Why WildChina

    We’re on the ground with you 

    During the planning phase, our team of specialist travel advisors based in China will design every detail of your trip with you. When you’re on the ground, they will then orchestrate your entire journey, maintaining close contact with each of your guides throughout your trip to ensure you’re having the best journey possible. With offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we are committed to ensuring that your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end. 

     

    Your trip, your way 

    Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. With over two decades of experience, we’ve run just about every type of journey you can imagine. No request is too strange, too extreme, or too exclusive. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life. 

     

    We embody passion 

    WildChina’s guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China. 

     

    The little things, the big picture 

    We firmly believe that supporting local people and economies allows you to experience the soul of a destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s cultures. From watching artisans’ hand-make shoes in Yunnan, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm in Fujian, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.