China Food Adventure

We leave the capital and head into the countryside to the Great Wall, an approx. 2.5 hour journey to the north of the city. We go to one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall at Mutianyu which is an impressive sight, snaking across mountains and valleys into the distance. This section of the Great Wall used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. The wall here is up to 8.5 metres high and 5 metres wide, and has 22 watchtowers on its 2,250-metre-long stretch. There are some steep steps to navigate and clients who suffer from vertigo may find it difficult (there is an optional cable car).

Lunch will be taken at a restaurant on the way back to Beijing; we should expect some traditional northern Chinese cuisine involving vegetables (aubergine, lotus roots, mushrooms etc.), tofu, chicken and pork - and much more! During most meals a variety of dishes will be served for the group to share (frequently utilising the ingenious 'Lazy Susan' rotating table-piece) and our leader will help us select dishes depending on the groups' preferences.

Late in the afternoon we will embark upon a Beijing food adventure to remember as we wander around the busy streets of the capital to gain some real insight into local life. Our dinner will comprise of delicious street food and 'on the go' snacks and we'll explore the stories behind dishes such as 'Queen's dessert', mini hotpots and spring onion pancakes (dishes are seasonal so will vary). Along the way we'll meet local culinary masters, and there'll be an opportunity to practice some of our newly-learnt Chinese words and phrases as we go shopping in the market. 

Dong Fang Hotel or similar

Xi'an is one of China's former capitals, and one of the few cities in China to have retained its city walls, probably because they are so massive that no revolutionary was willing to tackle the huge task of removing them.

We walk from our hotel, past the Bell and Drum Plaza, to the Muslim quarter where we visit the Great Mosque. The Muslim quarter is a fascinating place to visit, especially in the evening when it comes alive with bustling bazaars and food stalls. Dinner is another sampling extravaganza; we follow a food trail to experience some of the very best cuisine that Xi'an has to offer; from the delicious 'roujiamou' (a shredded, braised meat burger) served with' liangpi' (cold noodles), hot and sour dumplings, flatbread in mutton soup (yangrou paomo) to some of the many 'chuan'er' (meat skewers) on offer. The food here is a delicious combination of flavours resulting from a fusion of Han Chinese and Muslim culture in Xi'an, and these bustling food markets have become food heaven for locals and tourists alike.

Skytel Hotel or similar

This morning we will take the bullet train to Chengdu; the capital of Sichuan Province. In China, Chengdu is synonymous with the country's beloved mascot, the Giant panda, which we will have the opportunity to see tomorrow. Sichuan is also well-known for being one of the biggest tea-producing regions in China; this has led to an abundance of different teahouses in the city which seem to define daily life for its inhabitants.

Sichuan is also recognised throughout China as 'the Spicy Province', and it certainly lives up to its name! Major flavour combinations include garlic, star anise, chili peppers, and the ever-present Sichuanese peppercorn (hua jiao) which is used in many recipes. This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of Chengdu Spice Market which is a delight to the senses! We will learn about the variety of peppers and spices that make Sichuanese cuisine so unique. After this it is time to experience one of the region's most iconic dishes; Sichuanese Hot Pot. Restaurants serving this hugely popular dish can be found on almost every street in Chengdu and we will see groups of friends and families gathering to socialise and eat together. Eating hot pot is quite interactive and everyone turns into a chef, as we each cook our own ingredients in a a steaming pot of hot broth placed at the centre of the table. The soup comes in both spicy and non-spicy forms and the extensive ingredients list includes a variety of meat, eggs, vegetables and tofu so there really is something for everyone!

Garden City Hotel or similar

We have a pre-dawn start as flights to Xiamen (on the South East coast of China) are limited and there is no other option but an early morning flight. Known for its sunny climate and picturesque seaside scenery, Xiamen is a popular holiday destination for both domestic and international tourists. Highlights include the vehicle-free Gulangyu Island which boasts classical and romantic European-style architecture.

This afternoon we will visit one of Xiamen's bustling seafood markets where hundreds of vendors offer the freshest of produce including crab, lobster and many types of fish. Our leader will help us choose from dishes such as BBQ squid skewers, king crab, Xiamen spring rolls and fried oyster omelette, all of which are freshly prepared using the days' catch.

Xiamen Huaqiao Hotel or similar

Transfer to the airport (approx. 1 hour) and fly to Shanghai (the flight usually departs around lunch time and is approx. 1hr 45mins in duration). Upon landing, we drive to our hotel, which can take an our or more depending on traffic. After checking in, we'll take a short walking tour of the famous Bund area to see the iconic buildings along the riverside lit up in all their glory. We end the night with a Xiaolongbao (steamed bun) dinner.

Shanghai Kingtown Plaza Hotel or similar

The trip ends this morning after breakfast. The group flights leave for London in the morning and arrive back on the same day.