After arriving in Beijing be met at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Beijing is China's capital city and the starting point of this culinary pilgrimage. Here one can not only find Beijing cuisine, but cuisines from all corners of China including Uighur, Sichuan, Cantonese, as well as international food. Time to roll up those sleeves and dig in!

The day starts from the center of Beijing walking Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. This was once the Chinese Imperial Palace and has a history of almost five hundred years. It is said to be the world's largest existing palace complex with 999.5 rooms. While walking in the city, one can retrace the Chinese history from Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. After lunch, visit Jingshan Park. "Jingshan" literally means Prospect Hill. The hill inside the park is "Coal Hill," which overlooks the Forbidden City. Walk to the top of Coal Hill for a bird's eye view of the Forbidden City's yellow rooftops. ...read less

Today, experience Beijing and its food in a more modest way by walking through the Hutongs, narrow alleys in old Beijing, on a "Hutong food walk." This will include traditional local dishes and those from other parts of China. Start at the center of Beijing at the Bell Tower to taste Beijinger's traditional dishes before walking through the market, and have lunch at an authentic Uighur restaurant. Finish at Houhai Lake area where Yampu Travelers are free to explore. In the afternoon transfer to Huanghuacheng Great Wall for a short hike. Huanghuacheng, literally means "Yellow Flower", which is known as the only Great Wall section that is submerged in water. Hike the west wing of Huanghuacheng, pass several fruit yards and bushes towards Yaoziyu Village. Finish the hike in nearby village and overnight. ...read less

This morning depart for the Mutianyu Great Wall for a hike along this Chinese icon. This section was built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) on the remnants of a Wall originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 577). The Mutianyu Great Wall has been restored and renovated and is mainly steps. Return to the city in the evening for the famous Peking Duck, a famous dish from Beijing that has been prepared since the Imperial era and is now one of China's national foods. Ducks are bred especially for the dish, which consists mostly of the thick, crisp skin with a moderate amount of meat, which the cook carves in front of the guests. The duck is generally eaten together with thin pancake wraps, spring onions and hoisin sauce. ...read less

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Terracotta Warrior Museum. The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors is praised as 'the eighth wonder of the world and provides a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world. The silent army and its impact on Chinese culture represent a wonderful highlight of any tour. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a well-preserved ancient building, one of the oldest surviving structures of its kind in China. This evening, take in the exciting Tang Dynasty Show with dinner in the Grand Theater. ...read less

Morning flight to Chengdu. Chengdu is well-known for two things: its relaxed lifestyle and adorable pandas. The city itself is awash with colorful characters that should make for some interesting subject matter, especially when viewed down the lens of a camera. Today is the day of being a Chengdu local. Upon arrival, visit a local park to see a typical weekend here, join some local dance, sip some tea, play Chinese chess and learn to play Mahjong, a traditional Chinese game using little cubes instead of playing cards. Mahjong is an essential part of the locals' daily life, and one will see it being played in people's houses, in tea houses and even on the footpath if the weather is conducive. Later in the day, watch a Sichuan Opera - the art of Bian-Lian or face-changing. ...read less

Today, visit the Chengdu Culinary Museum to trace the history of Chinese food back to B.C. Enjoy a cooking class to learn the famous Sichuan food while visiting. In the afternoon visit Qingchengshan, a lush holy mountain that has been a Taoist retreat for more than 2000 years. In the evening, explore the night market in Chengdu for quick snacks and shaokao, which is a local barbecue featuring chili-rubbed grilled skewers of meat and veggies. These treats are local favorites and are quite hard to find. Most of them are hidden in small hole-in-the-wall restaurants or temporary evening markets. Sichuan cuisine: A prominent style of Chinese cuisine famed for its intense flavors, particularly the pungency and spiciness resulting from copious use of garlic and chili peppers, as well as the unique Sichuan Peppercorn. Some of the more recognized Sichuan dishes include Sichuan Hot Pot, Spicy deep-fried chicken, and Dandan noodles. ...read less

Early this morning, transfer to the Giant Panda Breeding Center for a close look at this amazing animal. After lunch, transfer to the airport and fly to Shanghai.

Today, see the city on a bicycle. Starting from Xiangyang Park, ride through Cite Bourgogne; Stone-gate buildings, Former Residence of Song Ziwen; Tianzifang, Huaiyuanfang, Residence of Zhou En Lai.

Morning walk around the French Concession, where there was a foreign concession from late 18th to early 20th century. Today, the catholic cathedrals and European style houses that give the area a distinct character can still be seen. Walk around in Xintiandi & Tianzifang area. Enjoy cooking lessons at a private kitchen, taught by a five-star hotel chef. Learn two typical Shanghai dishes at the kitchen, then enjoy one's own cooking for lunch! Shanghai cuisine: Quintessentially characterized by the use of alcohol. Fish, crab and chicken are usually drunken with spirits before being cooked briskly or even served raw. The use of sugar in combination with soy sauce is also common in Shanghai dishes as is most notable in Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs. ...read less

Today is free to explore. If one is interested in art, the Suzhou Creek Art District and Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art, are good choices. For history buffs, a walk around the Old Town neighborhood and a visit to Sun Yatsen's Former Residence could be done. If one is a fan of new modern architecture, Shanghai World Financial Center, towers 414 meters above the ground and will not disappoint. Finally, for the shoppers, Shanghai has a range of everything from mega malls to independent boutiques, offering great bargains where everyone can satisfy their needs. ...read less

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight back home.