Each trip is dedicated to one of the eight great Chinese cuisines. In 2025, the focus was on Lu cuisine, the famous Shandong cuisine. After an intensive introduction in Shanghai at the CieCAS campus, the participants discovered the roots of this traditional cooking culture in Yantai - where Shandong cuisine originated. The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical cooking training - including a cultural framework.
The definitive key points for 2026 will be put out to tender at the beginning of December 2025.The programme usually takes place during the autumn holidays. This also coincides with Golden Week in China.
The dates for 2026:
Spring
◆ Mon 6.4 - Thu 16.4.2026 (prov)
◆ Educational trip for teachers
◆ Start programme on Tue 7.6
Autumn
◆ Mon 5.10 - Thu 15.10.2026 (prov)
◆ Educational trip for teachers
◆ Start programme on Tue 6.10
These dates are still provisional and will be definitively confirmed by December 2025.
◆ Training course 10 days in Shanghai & a 2nd location
◆ Including 10 hotel nights (Sunday to Wednesday)
◆ Including domestic flight or high-speed train, metro tickets, entrance fees and transfers by bus
◆ Including 7 dinners in selected restaurants
◆ Accompaniment during the week by a German-speaking CFA assistant or English-speaking translator
Extension before or after the programme is possible on an individual basis.Recommendation
◆ Outbound flight: direct flight Zurich → Shanghai with Swiss (Thursday or Saturday)
◆ Return flight: direct flight Shanghai → Zurich with Swiss (Wednesday)
The international flight is booked independently by the participant. According to SWISS, the direct flights from Zurich to Shanghai (Pudong PVG) fly several days a week. However, participants are free to book a different flight themselves. For teachers and educators from the fields of:
◆ Catering (cooks, service specialist)
◆ Butchery professions
◆ Other professions in the hotel industry and
◆ The price will be communicated in December 2025
◆ A minimum of 5 participants is required to organise the trip
◆ In order to guarantee an optimal experience, the maximum number of participants is limited to 10
Support from Movetia
The local organisation submits an annual application to Movetia in order to receive possible financial support for participants with a multiplier function (teachers and educators). The responsible Movetia committee decides on the allocation of funding at the end of May of each calendar year. Movetia's final decision will be made in May 2026. It is then clear whether support will be provided.
Hint
Movetia's funding criteria are adjusted annually and tend to become stricter. A commitment cannot therefore be guaranteed. However, the China Foods Alliance makes every effort to facilitate co-financing in order to reduce the participation costs for participants.
◆ In order to facilitate registration with Movetia, a registration form recommended until the end of January 2026
◆ With the payment of a reservation fee, the registration becomes binding, regardless of whether Movetia grants financial support or not.
Hint
The travel destinations, domestic flights, visits to educational institutions and local resources are booked 6 months in advance, so registrations (if still available) can be accepted until 15 March 2026 at the latest.
Over the course of the year, the participants are prepared for the trip by the China Foods Alliance and receive all relevant information about the locations, cultural insights and the necessary knowledge about Chinese culture and everyday life on site. There is also an online webinar where participants and organisers can get to know each other.
VisaCurrently, a visa is not required for travelling to China for up to 28 days, which makes preparations easier.
Implementation of what has been learnt
