8 Days Best China Food & Culture Tour

Full Itinerary Day by day (Can Be Customized)

Day 1 Beijing Arrival ( D )

Ni Hao! welcome to Beijing, the iconic city and capital of China! You will be met by our local tour guide at the arrival hall of Beijing Airport and escorted to your downtown hotel by a private comfortable vehicle.

In the evening, you can taste the most authentic Beijing snacks in Huguo Temple Snack Street. The street contains the essence of Beijing snacks and is very popular among the locals. Lǘdagunr, Cooked Beef or Sheep Tripe, Noodles with Soy Bean Paste Beijing Style, and Yellow Pea Cake are good choices for you.

Arrival Ideals: At present, there are many international and domestic flights to Beijing. Besides, you can take a high speed train to this capital city from Shanghai (5-6 hrs), Xian (5.5 hrs), Guangzhou (8-9.5 hrs), etc.

Day 2 Beijing ( B, L, D )

After breakfast, start to explore the historical face of Beijing with a brief visit to Tiananmen Square, now the largest city plaza in the world. Tiananmen Gate on the northern side of the square was the site where Chairman Mao announced the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Stepping into the Tiananmen, you will see one of the world’s five most important palaces - the Forbidden City, a huge palace complex of more than 9,000 rooms where 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties lived. Pass through various doorways in this magnificent structure to admire the beautiful and well preserved buildings decorated with yellow-glazed tile roofs, white marble bases and splendid colorful paintings.

After lunch, drive to the outskirts of Beijing to spend an enjoyable time in the Summer Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. Stroll around ancient pavilions, mansions, temples, bridges and corridors while feasting your eyes on the vast lotus in Kunming Lake and the colorful paintings in the Long Corridor.

After the tour, you will have dinner at Niujie Snack Street. The street is full of Muslim flavors and you can also eat many Beijing local snacks here.

Optional activities: 1) You can watch a wonderful Kungfu Show in the Red Theater (Hong Ju Chang) which usually starts at 19:30; 2) Enjoy the classic Chinese art performance of Beijing Opera at Liyuan Theater between 19:30-21:00.

Day 3 Beijing ( B, L, D )

After breakfast, drive about 70km to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall. Visit the Mutianyu, a less crowded yet well-preserved segment of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty. It will more than live up to all of your expectations! You’ll take a cable car to ascend the Great Wall, then hike the most beautiful and interesting part of Mutianyu and climb up its rising towers to enjoy scenic views of the wall as it wriggles along mountain ridges and you take brag-worthy photos. After the exciting time, descend by cable car. (Note: If energy permits, you can hike up or down which takes about 40 minutes to climb steps. Please tell your likes to your travel consultant.)

Continue your trip to Sacred Way, a 7-kilometer-long passage leading to the Imperial Tombs of 13 Emperors of Ming Dynasty. The Emperor, known as the Son of the Heaven, who came from Heaven to his country through the Sacred Way, also would return to Heaven through this road. Take a walk through the largest archway in China and Great Palace Gate and you’ll see the magnificent stone guard of 12 sets of mythical animals and 12 officials. Then drive back to Beijing city and take a short stop at the Beijing Olympic Village to view its famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube from the outside.

As for dinner, we prepare the flavorful dish of Peking Roast Duck or Hot Pot, Mongolian Style for you. You can choose as you wish. If you want to experience other Chinese cuisine, that's totally ok. All you have to do is telling your guide and he/she will arrange the dinner according to your request.

After the dinner, drive back to your hotel.

Day 4 Beijing & High Speed Train to Xian (B, L)

After breakfast, drive to the imperial site of the Temple of Heaven. Originally a site used to pay homage to Heaven and pray for good harvests, it is now a bustling place where locals take part in traditional activities such as Tai Chi, dancing, kite flying, water calligraphy, and others.

Then get back to the central city to hop on a rickshaw to experience the Beijing Hutongs - small alleys made by neighboring quadrangle dwellings. Shuttle among different Hutongs to get a feel of the old Beijing life style, visit various antique shops and small boutiques, and truly feel the historical changes of Beijing.

Your Beijing tour is now about to end. Your tour guide will see you off at the Beijing West Railway Station for a high speed train trip to Xian (about 5 hours). You will be picked up by your tour guide at Xian North Railway Station and escorted to your hotel in Xian. The rest of the day is on your own to explore this ancient capital of China.

Day 5 Xian ( B, L )

After breakfast, drive about 40km to discover one of the greatest man-made wonders in the world - the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, built by the first emperor of China Qin Shihuang to protect him in his afterlife. Over 8,000 life-size warriors, horses and chariots, buried in 3 pits for more than 2,000 years until uncovered by a local farmer in 1974, form an ancient military army with complete battle units of infantry, cavalry, etc. Standing in front of these figures, one can’t help being amazed not only by the ambition of Emperor Qin Shihuang but also by the fabulous artistic skills of ancient Chinese artisans.

After lunch, return back to Xian to visit Da Cien Temple, a famous Buddhist sutra translation site during the Tang Dynasty. Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the most famous building in the temple. The pagoda, rising to a height of 64.5 meters, was built by the famous Buddhist master Xuanzang to preserve classic scriptures he bought back from India during the early Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang was the prototype character for Tang Seng in the famous Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. (Note: It costs an extra 30 RMB if you want to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.)

This visit is followed by a relaxing wander around bustling and lively Muslim Quarter, a place where you can try different local snacks and explore Muslim culture.

Optional activities: Enjoy a wonderful Tang Palace Dance Show (usually from 8pm to 9pm) after a hearty dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 6 Xian & Flight to Shanghai ( B, L )

After breakfast, you will go to take a wonderful stroll on the Ancient City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China. Enjoy panoramic views of modern Xian while you leisurely examine this well-maintained city wall which is 12 meters high and 18 meters wide with a total circuit of nearly 14 kilometers. (Optional activity: Take a relaxing cycling on the Ancient City Wall if you like.)

Then, you will visit a local family to check out what is the daily living of a traditional Chinese Family. You will also be taught to make Chinese dumplings under the friendly instruction of host. Enjoy the unique Dumpling Banquet.

The rest of today is free until you get escorted to catch your flight to Shanghai (about 2hrs), the most flourishing metropolis in China. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by local tour guide, then transferred to your downtown hotel in Shanghai.

Day 7 Shanghai ( B, L )

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to start your Shanghai exploration. Your will firstly visit Lujiazui and ascend to the 118th-floor observation deck (546 meters) of the Shanghai Tower for a panorama of the city, where iconic landmarks like the Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Oriental Pearl Tower appear almost within reach, and the historic Bund unfolds along the distant Huangpu River. Then, drive to the Shanghai Museum East, which collected many international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, jade from more than 5,000 years ago to the Qing dynasty. An Audio Explanation Device will be prepared for you to help you learn about the history and facts about the relics in the museum easily.

In the afternoon, you will take an interesting visit to Yu Garden, a shining star among all the ancient Chinese gardens in Jiangnan. This garden fully embodies the traditional design of Chinese architecture with jagged pavilions with elegant decorations, glittering pools with roving fish, and pine trees sprouting to the sky, all designed to refresh your mood and spirit. Adjacent to the garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar where you can savor tasteful local snacks and explore elaborate traditional Chinese handicrafts and art works. Then, head to Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s premier shopping street, ideal for a leisurely stroll and a taste of the city’s modern atmosphere. Lastly, you will stop at the Bund, originally a simple towpath for transporting goods but now transformed into a feverish trading district. You will stroll along the Bund, seeing and feeling the perfect fusion of Chinese and Western cultures while at the same time taking in the stunning Shanghai skyline with your own eyes!

Optional Activity - Take a relaxing Huangpu River night cruise to see the city’s most significant edifices and streets sparkling under the atmospheric cover of darkness (about 50 minutes).

Day 8 Shanghai Departure ( B )

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, you will pay a wonderful visit to Jade Buddha Temple, the site of the largest Jade Buddha in the world and numerous religious artifacts, ancient statues and Buddhist scriptures. This peaceful kingdom of Buddhism hidden among modern blocks and dominating mansions is a great place for a nice break in this very busy city.

Next, you will be transferred to Tianzifang which is touristic arts and crafts enclave that has developed from a renovated traditional residential area. It is the typical tourist attraction to appreciate the preservation of local Shikumen architecture. In this place full of rich flavor of life, you can leisurely stroll along the clean old alleys to watch the daily life of local Shanghai people, savor a cup of drink at the open-air café, and find some interesting things in the novel shops to feel the international feature mixed with real Shanghai culture.

In the afternoon, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight to next destination or home.

The quotation for this trip is from Request Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2026.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1=RMB 7.00. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

1-on-1 Travel Consultant

Our travel consultants are professional, experienced and responsible, helping you from the very beginning to the end of your China trip!

After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.

Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in China, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.

We're working at Chengdu Bamboo International Tours, local based in Chengdu.

Local Tour Guides

Our local guide in every destination is not only very friendly, enthusiastic but also very informative and knowledgeable.

Once you arrive in the destination, the patient and punctual guides will pick you up and take you to get under skin of the city at your own pace. By in-depth discovery and explanation, they’ll show you more about the history, culture, customs and authentic local life. Throughout the journey, they're not only expert guides who take care of all the details but also fellow travelers who are dedicated to help you explore in comfort and style.

Our guides are passionate about what they do, and it shows all the way!

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Using our private transfer service makes you comfortable, relaxed and worry free all the way!

Our private service includes licensed drivers with many years’ driving experience and air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean and well-maintained cars/vans. Drivers are local, polite, friendly and helpful, taking you to your tourist sites, hotels, airport/train stations in safety. All kinds of vehicle are offered, and yours depends on the size of your group. Usually, we offer sedan cars, SUVs, business vans (MPV) and different types of buses, all with extra space for your luggage.

Our private transfer service guarantees you the highest comfort!

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

In each destination, you’ll enjoy a comfortable stay in a great location!

The hotels we choose are based on star rating, great locations, well-equipped facilities, cozy bed, high quality service and guests’ feedbacks. Choices are a lot ranging from luxury 5 star, comfortable 4 star to budget 3 star. You could decide where to stay to best suit for your budget and likes. Generally, the hotels have both Western and Chinese breakfast with a wide choices.

If you have already got an ideal hotel, please feel free to tell our travel consultants and they'll book the hotel for you.

Have good sleep in our well-selected hotels in all the destinations of China.

Meals & Dining

We can satisfy all the dietary requirements no matter you want Chinese local food, western food, vegetarian food or muslin food.

The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.

There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants to taste like Beijing Roast Duck, Xian Dumpling Dinner, Sichuan Hotpot, etc., if you are interested in local food tasting.

All the dining options will satisfy your stomach!

Check What our delighted customers are saying about our services

Hi Jack,

At the very top, the trip organization was faultless. The pickups and drop offs were all on time or a little early and everyone was ready to go punctually.

Drivers

All excellent. Safe, skilled, thoughtful.

Guides

All exceptional. English was good to fully fluent. All very caring and concerned for our welfare and willing to make changes to suit what we required.

Of special note Linda in Beijing and Cecily in Xian who went to some trouble to help us. Oscar, Richard and Morgan also fantastic.

Hotels

All very comfortable. The one in Shanghai seemed a little out of the way with nothing around it. The Eastern House in Xian was perfectly positioned as was the one in Yichan?? (at the end of the short cruise from Guilin). They were near places to eat and were in interesting places.

Generally

We would be very happy to recommend China Discovery to anyone wishing to visit China and we already have.

A suggestion

This is a communication issue rather than an organisational one

I think there is a big omission from your web site. It may be there and I may have missed it but I did look very hard.

These days people are very suspicious of scams and other unpleasant experiences so it's important for companies to present a clear, efficient and detailed process.

People need to know and have explained to them that they will get full details of the trip before they leave home.

I know that we got all this but should have been told rather than having to ask for each piece.

The perfect place would be to put this at the end of your payment section which everyone will read. EG. Plan the trip, make a booking, pay deposit, pay balance and then you will get all this other information. This last point seems to be missing. EG telling me I’d get a confirmation message really tells me nothing if I don’t know what is going to be in it. Telling me that I’d get an information pack and what would be in it would add a lot more confidence to dealing with the company.

Another small matter. Once money is paid, it is important that people get quick and formal recognition that funds have been received. Having to ask for a receipt for payment also does not build confidence in the company.

Thank you for organizing the trip. It was outstanding.

Cheers

Graham

Graham‚ Australia, May 14, 2025

Dear Leo,

My wife and I are very grateful for your excellent trip organization. Everything went very well and smoothly. The guides were very professional and established an excellent rapport with us. I want to highlight the friendliness of the two young lady guides in Beijing and Chengdu. I also want to mention the good knowledge of the history of our guide in Xian and the professional and attentive attitude of the guide who accompanied us in Guilin, when my wife had an accident before boarding for Yangshuo. Fortunately, the accident had no consequences and she is fine.

All my best

Luis

Luis‚ Portugal, May 13, 2025

Good day Jack,

We want to thank you for the wonderful trip we took in China. You took good care of everything for us. Very nice! We enjoyed it very much.

Evaluation:

1. Yes. We always got quick and adequate answers to our questions.

2.The arrangements were very good and varied. Hotels were fine, also was the location of the hotels perfect and central. The guides were knowledgeable and knew a lot about the area or history. The meals in between were also very good. Nice to eat at local restaurants. Also, the transportation and driver were well arranged.

3. Yes I certainly will recommend our service.

4. General opinion: very good!

On behalf of my daughters also thank you so much for your panda gifts. They were very happy with the gifts. Very nice of you to do so.

We definitely want to make another trip to China in the future and will consult you again for booking the trip.

Thank you so much for everything.

Kind regards,

Michel and Irma

Michel‚ Neterland, May 12, 2025

Dear Jack,

Just to thank you and China Discovery! We are on the train to Xian business class. It has been a wonderful trip for us so far. Steven was a great guide and so accommodating. Mr Yang was also so helpful and a careful driver. Anne, Susan, Janet join me in thanking you all!

Regards,

Judy

Judy‚ Britain, May 11, 2025

Hello Rita,

I’ve just now uploaded the text below to TripAdvisor. I hope it appears properly (I don’t do this often) and that it helps with your annual bonus. Marian and I are indeed very pleased with what you organised and very impressed with how well it worked.

My wife and I spent two weeks travelling through China in April 2025 on a tailor-made tour organised by Rita Jiang at China Discovery. China is a beautiful country to visit; and Rita’s organisation of our travels was brilliant. Ahead of our holiday, she and I exchanged countless emails in which she provided quick and clear responses arranging the itinerary that we wanted. We flew into Hong Kong and visited Macau, then travelled by high-speed trains and river cruise ships to Guilin, Yangshuo, Yangtze Three Gorges, Zhangjiajie and Beijing, spending a couple of days at each to see the sights. Throughout these travels Rita was regularly in touch, ensuring that we knew in advance the names and mobile numbers of our drivers and guides at each destination, as well as our coach and seat numbers on the trains. Wherever we arrived, our drivers and guides were right there to meet us as planned – and took very good care of us through to boarding our next train or ship. Our days were filled with fascinating sights, excellent food, lots of information from our guides, and insights into Chinese history, culture and daily life; and our nights were spent in very comfortable hotels and a spacious comfortable cabin on the Yangtze cruise. All the arrangements made by Rita worked perfectly: our travels could not have gone more smoothly; and our experience of China could not have been more enjoyable.

Yours,

Martin

Judy ‚ Britain, May 10, 2025

Check What our customers are saying about us on Tripadvisor.com

We are one of the few China travel agencies who have kept active and received lots of feedbacks and reviews during pandemic years!

Richard

"This is my 3rd group trip with China Discovery planned by Jack Li. A wonderful itinerary of 19days/18days from Guilin, to Guizhou and Hunan..." read more »

Reviewed on April 30, 2025

Viona T

"China Discovery (based in Chengdu) organized our family of 6 (including 2 seniors) for 13 days private tour in China in April 2025. We entered China from Beijing, travelled to Xi'an, Chengdu..." read more »

Reviewed on May 15, 2025