New Chinese culinary tour
Travel Indochina has announced a brand new gastronomy tour of China, covering one of the richest and most varied cuisines in the world. The specialist operator's new 13-day "China Culinary Discovery" small group journey will explore Chinese cuisine in a number of ways, from back street food tasting tours to hands-on cooking lessons in special locations, such as typical hutong houses, with fabulous meals in restaurants favoured by the locals.
Departing for the first time on 8th April 2013, this special journey will visit some of the most famous food regions in China. Travelling through Beijing, Xian, Chengdu and Shanghai, guests will discover China's cultural offerings and iconic attractions, including the Great Wall of China, the countless Terracotta Warriors and enchanting Giant Pandas, with plenty of opportunity to experience the country's exceptional local specialties and regional dishes.
The journey begins in Beijing, the country's bustling capital, where travellers will visit the Forbidden City and taste their way through one of the few remaining hutongs (ancient alleyways). It continues to Xian for a food-tasting walking tour in the colourful Muslim Quarter followed by the chance to indulge in a sumptuous dumpling banquet. A short flight brings guests to Chengdu to see the captivating Giant Pandas and shop for ingredients at a traditional market to use in an afternoon Sichuan cooking lesson in a local family home. The tour culminates in Shanghai, one of the world's most exciting cities, where guests can immerse themselves in the lively back streets of the Chinese Quarter and watch the famed Shanghai acrobats in action.
Along the way, guests of Travel Indochina will enjoy an array of special 'Insider Experiences' designed to bring the enticing gastronomy of China to life. These include three hands-on cooking lessons at a typical hutong house in Beijing, a local home in Chengdu, and the former French Concession area of Shanghai; two carefully-designed food tours through the back streets of Beijing and Xian; as well as the chance to try the famous Peking Duck at one of the most popular roast duck restaurants in Beijing's hutongs.
Travel Indochina recognises that eating and cooking your way through China is one of the best ways to understand and enjoy its culture. The "China Culinary Discovery" small group journey offers some wonderful sensory experiences while enabling guests to discover, cook and eat authentic regional dishes that often tell the story of China. Furthermore, the operator's local English-speaking guides are the experts and will escort travellers through the tastes of their home towns. All this plus the added bonus of a Western tour leader (based on a minimum of 7 travellers) to help guests discover the unique cuisines of China.
"We are delighted to be able to whet the appetite of our customers with our new 'China Culinary Discovery' small group journey," comments Manda Churchill, general manager of Travel Indochina. "By travelling with us, customers can pick up local delicacies right from the markets, dine on authentic dishes in hand-picked restaurants and then cook the local treats they've encountered during interactive cooking classes. It is a real celebration of regional Chinese food, designed to showcase the very best highlights of this fascinating destination in the Far East."
Travel Indochina's 13-day "China Culinary Discovery" small group journey starts from £2,365 per person. Price includes 12 nights' accommodation, 3 domestic flights, all road transport in air-conditioned vehicles, sightseeing and entrance fees, Western tour leader (based on a minimum of seven travellers), local English-speaking guides throughout, airport transfers, and some meals. International flights and visas are not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.
Travel Indochina has been operating Small Group Journeys and tailor-made travel to the "real" Asia for nearly 20 years. Today, the company features the widest range of itineraries of departures to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos than any other tour operator in the UK, as well as a large variety of journeys to Burma, Thailand, China and Tibet, India and Japan. Unlike many other travel companies, Travel Indochina limits its group size to a maximum of 16 people. These smaller groups enable travellers to gain the best from both worlds - greater access to the local culture and plenty of opportunities for independent exploration.
For more information on Travel Indochina, visit travelindochina.co.uk.
