One food city
Changsha or Chengdu, eaten thoroughly.
Theme tours · Food tours
Eat your way through China, the way locals do
Chinese food is far more than one cuisine: fragrant Hunan heat, numbing Sichuan spice, Cantonese dim sum, northwestern noodles… We plan food routes for travelers who love to eat, from morning markets to late-night snacks.
Food tours
Eat your way through China, the way locals do
For many visitors the hard part is not whether Chinese food is good, but knowing what to eat, where and how to order. Menus are unreadable, spice levels unpredictable and famous places have long queues.
On our food trips, guides take you where locals eat, order for you and explain each dish; we mix morning markets, snack streets and home-style restaurants, and respect your tastes and dietary needs.
What you may wonder
Three common questions about eating in China
- 01
What if it’s too spicy?
Every region has famous mild dishes; your guide orders them or asks for less chili.
- 02
Is it hygienic?
We choose well-reviewed, busy places, and street stalls with a fast turnover.
- 03
What about dietary needs?
Tell us about vegetarian, halal or allergy needs and we plan around them.
A typical day
A day of eating
A local breakfast
Rice noodles or steamed buns with the locals.
Morning market
See what locals buy and meet regional ingredients.
Home-style lunch
A long-running local restaurant and regional dishes.
Snacks or tea
Old-street snacks or a teahouse, as appetite allows.
Night market
In many cities the best food starts after dark.
Where to go
Recommended food destinations
Changsha
Hunan cooking and late-night snacks — stinky tofu and rice noodles are local staples.
View destinationChengdu
Xi’anSichuan food and hotpot, with plenty of non-spicy snacks too.
Guide coming soonNoodles and Muslim Quarter street food, eaten on the move.
View destinationGuangzhou
Morning tea and Cantonese dim sum that can last all morning.
Guide coming soonHow long
How long for a food trip?
Food and scenery
Changsha with Zhangjiajie: eat, then see the peaks.
Across cuisines
Taste the differences between Hunan, Sichuan and Cantonese food.
Recommended tours
Tours for this theme
Tours for this theme are being prepared
We are tagging each route with the travelers it suits. Browse all tours for now, or tell us what you need and a specialist will arrange it, free.
Questions
Food tours: frequently asked questions
Are meals included?
See each tour’s “What’s included”; special food experiences are itemized in the quote.
Can vegetarians join?
Yes — tell us in advance and we choose vegetarian-friendly places and dishes.
Can you arrange a cooking class?
Ask and we will check what is available at your destination.
Is street food safe?
We choose busy stalls with fast turnover; sensitive stomachs can try small amounts.
How do I control the spice?
Ask for mild or no chili when ordering; your guide will help.
Create your ideal China trip
Tell us where you want to go, your dates and interests — a specialist designs a private itinerary for you, free of charge.
Start customizing