Day 1: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2-3: Beijing (B, L)
Over the next two days, visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Your culinary highlights will include an imperial lunch, a walking food tour through the hutongs and lunch at an authentic Uighur restaurant.
Day 4: Beijing (B, D)
Head to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section) for a hike along this Chinese icon. This evening, enjoy a Peking Duck dinner.
Day 5: Beijing – Chengdu (B, L)
Fly to Chengdu. Upon arrival, stroll through Wangjiang Park. Explore the local market and learn about the produce used in Sichuan cuisine.
Day 6: Chengdu (B, L)
This morning, head to the Museum of Sichuan Cuisine and explore the unique exhibits. After which, participate in a cooking class. Continue on to Qingchengshan, a Taoist mountain in an area of natural beauty. This evening, explore the night markets.
Day 7: Chengdu – Hangzhou (B, D)
Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Centre before a flight to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat trip on the tranquil West Lake. Tonight, try distinctive Hangzhou cuisine.
Day 8-9: Hangzhou (B, L)
Highlights for the next two days include, Linyin Temple, Huqingyutang Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine where you will investigate the popular Chinese notion ‘you are what you eat’ and a visit to a Longjing green tea village. A home-cooked lunch at a local farmer’s house is also included.
Day 10: Hangzhou – Shanghai (B, L)
Today, take a high-speed train to Shanghai. Upon arrival, visit Yu Gardens. Taste some local snacks in the area such as Xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings). Later, walk around the French Concession, Xintiandi and Tianzifang area. The evening is spent at leisure.
Day 9 Kanazawa – Kyoto
This morning, soak up the peaceful atmosphere of Kanazawa before travelling by train to Kyoto.
Day 10: Kyoto (L)
Explore the calmness, beauty and serenity of Kyoto’s castles, temples and shrines.
Day 11-12: Shanghai (B, D)
Spend the day at leisure before a Chinese farewell dinner. The next day, transfer to Shanghai Airport where tour arrangements end.