Far East Foodies - A Food Tour of China

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Far East Foddies

Of epic proportions and with a tumultuous but fascinating history, China is an unfathomable land of contrast and diversity. Now once again a major player on the global stage and increasingly accessible to outside visitors

China | Sample Itinerary

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Mandarin Journeys Asia

After arriving from your international flight we will meet you at the airport. From here we will transfer you to your hotel. We recommend you un-pack, rest and explore around your centrally located accommodation. Overnight in Beijing

International Arrival in Beijing | Day 1

The Meal Plan for Today ü  Breakfast ü  Lunch ü  Dinner

Where to Stay: The Opposite House Beijing


In the morning , begin your tutelage as a student of Dongbei (North East) Chinese cuisine. As the locals practice Tai Chi and exercise, you will head to a local market to pick up ingredients for a full-day cooking class. You will have a chance to shop (and haggle!) with locals as your expert guide tells you what will be needed for your self-made feast. Afterwards, head to your cooking school located in a beautiful Beijing Hutong (a small cobblestone-lined alley found in the old parts of the city). Here, you will learn how to make traditional dumplings, noodles, and other Dongbei delicacies. For the grand finale, enjoy your handwork with a lunch on-site surrounded by this authentic setting. In the evening, enjoy the best Dumpling house in Beijing, Mr.Shi’s Dumpling House, which will provide you a beautiful hutong setting to dine and enjoy Beijing nightlife. Overnight in Beijing

Beijing | Day 2




Today, will be an experience of ‘farm-to-table dining’ where you will see how organics are taking hold in the Far East. Enjoy a tour of Beijing’s premier organic farm and see the healthy growth process at work here. Then enjoy a picnic on the farm house premises, using fresh ingredients hand-picked by you! Afterwards, take a tour of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, your private guide will discuss the history of these sights, as well as the favorite dishes of China’s past and modern emperors (from Pu Yi to Mao). Along the way we will take you to our favorite hidden foodie haunts of Beijing. To conclude your time with farms and leaders (forever intertwined in Communist China), we will take you to the restaurant of Mao’s personal chef. Here, in a sumptuous setting, you will dine on farm-to-table sourced entrées all based on the personal favorites of the Chairman himself. Overnight in Beijing

Beijing | Day 3




After breakfast, head to one of the largest farmers markets in Beijing to watch as the top restaurants in the city bid for their daily produce. Afterwards, we will take you to the top Peking duck restaurant in Beijing. Here you will have a chance to dine the famous Beijing delicacy, carved before your table, privately, by an expert chef. Afterwards, head to the Great Wall. Not commonly thought of as a foodie destination, the small villages around the Mutianyu section of the wall offer travelers a true ‘local taste’ of Dongbei culture far away from Beijing’s urban foodies. You will enjoy dinner with a local family before retiring to your Great Wall villa for stunning views of this natural wonder. Overnight in Mutianyu Please note that due to recent government regulation, Mutianyu has been placed under slightly more regimented procedures for visitation. It has been decided that in the interest of logistics, safety and preserving the Wall NO PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION will be allowed further to the Mutianyu Great Wall Site. When visiting the Great Wall at Mutianyu, your private car will park at the Park Visitor Center. From here you and your guide will take a park shuttle bus to the Wall site. Your private car and driver will be waiting for you to return from visiting Mutianyu. Please note to pay for this service a 20RMB per person fee has been instituted by the tourism authorities. Please also note due to an agreement between the Brickyard property and the Mutianyu Tourism Authority, private transportation may be used for any client who is staying at the Brickyard. This is the only such accommodation with this agreement. Please note the 20RMB per person surcharge will still be incurred for visiting Mutianyu via Private Car.

Beijing – Great Wall | Day 4


Where to Stay: The Brickyard Mutianyu


From the Great Wall, you will depart for the Beijing International Airport. From here you will head west into the city of Kashgar, in the Muslim Province of Xinjiang, for a gourmet and cultural adventure fit to the exquisiteness of Marco Polo. After checking into your hotel, please rest. You will have a full day of adventures ahead of you tomorrow. Overnight in Kashgar

Great Wall - Kashgar | Day 5


Where to Stay: Stay at the best local hotel

4/20/15 Mandarin Journeys Asia 8

Welcome to the Far West of China! Since the 1300s, Xinjiang has evoked the image of Marco Polo and the Middle East as a crossroad for Chinese, Arab and Asian Cultures. Here Arabic script sit side-by-side with Chinese characters, observing camels being used to cross the dessert, as it is still common in this area. Along with amazing cultural and historical sites, you will be introduced to some of the best food in China. For your first day, enjoy the melodic call to prayer and head off to visit a local mosque. The most notable difference in Xinjiang is the large presence of Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group. Around the mosque, bakers will be preparing Naan bread stuffed with meat or offal, a delicacy of Xinjiang. You will be able to witness the intricate and beautiful design of these baked goods as well as trying your own hand at their construction. In the afternoon, visit the Old Town of Kashgar. Here, you will be able to witness Uyghur and Tajik vendors selling wares of beautiful Arabic rugs, stunning Dutars (a ubiquitous stringed instrument found in Xinjiang) and of course sumptuous fruits, vegetables and meat. The best lamb and produce exists in Xinjiang and your guide will show you where to find the best of the best! In the evening, meet a traditional Uyghur family. Here, they will show you step-by-step (with your guide translating) how to make Laghman, the pulled noodle delicacy which has begun to bring international fame to Xinjiang province for its amazing texture and taste. Prepare a feast with your hosts and dine on your creation afterwards. Overnight in Kashgar

Kashgar | Day 6


Where to Stay: Stay at the best available local hotel


In the morning, visit Kashgar’s famed animal market. Occurring every Sunday, this outdoor market is an amazing experience, as you watch Uyghur farmers buy and sell the livestock they will use for food and agriculture. Your guide will explain to you the intricate customs and traditions that go into conducting business. Afterwards, you will be able to dine on some of the freshest lamb, goat, donkey and other animals that you just saw roaming the market a little earlier! In the afternoon you will visit an authentic Uyghur Teahouse. Here enjoy the slow pace of life amongst Uyghur men chatting about their day and watching pedestrians cross through latticed windows. In the evening, visit the Kashgar Night Bazaar. For your final Kashgar adventure, try your hand behind the grill as you doll out Kebabs to hungry pedestrians, before sitting down for a well- earned meal yourself! Make sure to order the Xinjiang delicacy, the Da Pan Ji (or Big Pan Chicken), a fiery mixture of meat and produce sure to enliven your taste buds. Overnight in Kashgar.

Kashgar | Day 7

Where to Stay: Stay at the best local hotel



In the morning, you will drive from Kashgar to Lake Karakul along the Karakoram Highway, through a stunning landscape of snow-covered mountains and Sand Dunes. You will arrive at the alpine plateau holding crystal-clear Lake Karakul, one of the highest lakes in the world at an altitude of 3600 meters. Surrounded by three mountain peaks it truly is a highlight of China. For your foodie experience, you will be staying with a traditional Kyrgyz family in a local Yurt (a domed reinforced tent). These simple structures will buffer you against the wind and cold of the Himalayan plateau at night. For your time here you will explore the stunning lake and mountains, before enjoying a traditional Kyrgyz feast at night of yak milk tea and yak ( meat? Milk?), along with the hospitality of your local hosts. Overnight in Karakul

Kashgar – Lake Karakul | Day 8


Where to Stay: Kyrgyz Yurt or best available local hotel


In the morning, you will have a full day of travel as you return to Kashgar for your flight to Urumqi and your connecting flight to Chengdu. You will be leaving the ‘Middle East’ of the Middle Kingdom for the spicy and fiery heaven of Chengdu. Here you will enjoy some of the best cuisine and culture in all of China. Overnight in Chengdu

Karakul – Chengdu | Day 9


Where to Stay: Buddha Zen Hotel


Today, rest in the morning. If you would like, you may explore the areas around your centrally- located accommodation. After you are rested, take a foodie tour of the Wenshu Temple area of Chengdu. Here you will be able to try local food specialties such as braised rabbit, walnut candy and other Sichuan favorites. Your tour will culminate at a restaurant specializing in the Sichuan delicacy of Mapo Dofu (Spicy Tofu). Enjoy just how flexible tofu is in the hands of trained Sichuan chefs. In the evening you will enjoy cooking at the hands of a true Sichuan master at Yu’s Family Kitchen. This now internationally recognized Sichuan eatery is credited with bringing Sichuan cuisine recognition on a global scale. Overnight in Chengdu

Chengdu | Day 10




In the morning, please rise early. You will be enjoying a tour of the little-seen Chengdu Spice Market. Here you can watch as chefs and traders barter over the seasonings which make Chengdu’s world-famous heat. Afterwards, you will enjoy a full-day cooking class in Chengdu. You can do your shopping with your guide at a local wet market, or have ingredients chosen for you. Enjoy being a pupil of a master chef and learning how to control and subdue Sichuan heat in your very own cooking. To conclude, in the evening, a private dinner and training session with a Kung Fu Master will be arranged. While food tourism has put Chengdu on the map, this will be an opportunity for you to witness how food and culture have intersected for hundreds of years in Chengdu while also learning more about this ancient and misunderstood martial art-form. Overnight in Chengdu

Chengdu | Day 11




In the morning you will fly from Chengdu to Lijiang, crossing over from Sichuan culture into Yunnan’s varied rituals and traditions. After checking into your hotel, you will have your first foodie adventure. Venture out with your private guide and a local botanist to search for wild mushrooms, Yunnan’s most prized delicacy. A full day of foraging will be before you. Afterwards, you can take your prized findings to a local market to barter and talk shop with local fungus retailers. In the evening, venture out to the quaint village of Baisha, where you can enjoy a traditional Yunnan meal. We’ll also introduce you to the good people of ‘Chine Chine’, a quaint little café in the heart of Baisha where a group of Europeans set up a wonderful little wine-bar in total harmony with the local people. Overnight in Lijiang

Chengdu – Lijiang | Day 12


Where to Stay: Banyan Tree Lijiang


In the morning, explore the old town of Lijiang before the tourists arrive. In this peace and serenity, enjoy an authentic and hardy Chinese breakfast. You’ll need the fuel for your adventure ahead. Today we will venture to Tiger Leaping Gorge, it is a stunning view though it will require some hiking. You can rest at the “Halfway House” A wonderful restaurant and lodge at a convenient location along the gorge (please dine locally here).Here, you will enjoy a great meal and one of the most stunning views of all China. Afterwards, we can pick you up and return you to Ljjiang. In the evening, enjoy a street food tour to taste some of Yunnan’s more ‘off the cuff’ treats. Here you’ll be able to sample such dishes as tree bark, fried dragonflies, and spicy chicken jelly. To reward you as adventurous eaters we’ll take you to the best restaurant for local Na’xi fare for a farewell Yunnan feast. Overnight in Lijiang

Day trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge | Day 13


Where to Stay: Banyan Tree Lijiang


Say good-bye to Yunnan and China. In the morning we will fly you from Lijiang to Hong Kong. Please arrive to Hong Kong and take a taxi to your hotel. We recommend this option as to save on cost, as private cars in Hong Kong are quite expensive. If you would like to be greeted at the airport and have a private car, we are happy to arrange this service too. In the afternoon, hit the ground running, as you enjoy a foodie tour of Hong Kong. From the best street food and Dim Sum, to other Cantonese delicacies, we will make sure you leave Hong Kong with an intimate understanding of Hong Kong’s extensive food culture. In the evening, enjoy one of several Michelin starred dining experiences chosen to personally cater to your tastes. Overnight in Hong Kong

Lijang – Hong Kong | Day 14


Where to Stay: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong


Frequented by both locals, revered chefs and movie stars, Hong Kong’s wet markets are a hidden joy. With your guide, you will tour these lively trading sites and have a chance to try some of Hong Kong’s freshest produce. Afterwards, if you would like to work off the calories from your foodie tour, for outstanding urban hiking, we recommend you explore the ‘Dragon’s Back’. This hiking trail, overlooking Hong Kong and Shek-O beach, is consistently thought of as one of the best views and experiences Hong Kong has to offer. In the evening, from either a skyscraper or beach shore, you will enjoy a stunning seafood feast overlooking picturesque Victoria Harbor. Overnight in Hong Kong

Hong Kong | Day 15


Where to Stay: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong


In the morning, please enjoy a final sumptuous meal of Dim Sum and a sip of milk tea. Afterwards you will fly to Taiwan, one of the most overlooked foodie destinations in Asia. In the afternoon, you will sup on Taiwan’s national dish of Niu Rou Mian (beef noodle soup.) Though all locals will have an opinion on which shop offers the best, we will be providing you our own insight as to who serves the best noodles of Taipei. Taiwan also has some of the best night markets in all of Asia. In the evening, we will take you to two of our favorites, the student-oriented Shi da Night Market, and the foodie mecca of Keelung Miaokou. After a full belly (and perhaps a couple glasses of the local brew) you will return to your hotel. Overnight in Taipei

Hong Kong – Taipei | Day 16


Where to Stay: Les Suites Tapei

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Reviews | What clients say

MJ planned an excellent leisure trip for me to Japan and China in July-‐August 2014. The trip was 2 weeks and included all hotels, both long haul and short hall flights, trains, local transportaHon, dinner reservaHons each night, and full day guides in each city. CiHes visited included Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The trip was planned and executed flawlessly. There was not one detail, reservaHon, travel arrangement that was miscommunicated or out of order. For this to occur on a two week, complex, internaHonal iHnerary speaks volumes to the quality, reliability, and thoroughness of Marc and Mandarin Journeys. The guides in each city superb and highly knowledgeable re. the local sights, culture, languages, and transportaHon. Stayed in a older courtyard house/hotel in Beijing (Hans Royal Garden) and 300 year old Ryokan in Kyoto. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed. MJ even arranged vintage motorcycles with side cars as the transportaHon from central Beijing to a non touristy, less travelled part of the Great Wall. I highly recommend Mandarin Journeys for anyone that wants a non touristy, comprehensive trip to the Far East Mr Steve Randich – CIO Finra, former CIO CiHgroup

Our family recently used Mandarin Journeys for a 3-‐week/5 desHnaHons trip to China and Thailand, and we highly recommend them. They were a[enHve and responsive during the planning process, which for us involved mulHple changes along the way, and they helped us manage everything seamlessly. They designed a premium, customized program with acHviHes suited to us and expert guides who completely enhanced the experience. And they were in touch throughout to ensure things went according to plan. They took the Hme to understand what we were looking for and delivered beyond our expectaHons. I'm sure we will be "repeat" customers. Mrs Mary Gerzema & John Gerzema – VP Global Media at The Estee Lauder Companies & NYT Bestselling Author

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Far East Foodies - A Food Tour of China

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Transcript of Far East Foodies - A Food Tour of China