Culinary discovery tours for gourmets 2026

Experience China with all your senses - where flavour, culture and craftsmanship meet. The tours combine cookery experiences, markets and cultural encounters to create an enjoyable journey of discovery. Whether browsing local markets or drinking tea in historic alleyways, you will learn how China's regions combine history, flavours and tradition.

The 7-day gourmet discovery tours combine China's regional cuisines with culture, markets, sights and practical workshops. Each trip focuses on one or two of the eight major Chinese cuisines.

The detailed daily programmes are available for download as PDF files.

Dates 2026

The exact dates will be defined when the groups are formed. For now, just put your name on the waiting list.

◆ May: Guangzhou & Chengdu

◆ June: Yunnan
◆ August: Qingdao & Guangzhou
◆ September: Suzhou & Hangzhou

The price includes

◆ Exclusive 7-day trip (Sunday to Saturday) in the specified region and surroundings
◆ 7 nights accommodation (Sunday to Sunday) in 4-5★ hotels (incl. breakfast)

◆ Including domestic flight, high-speed train, metro tickets, entrance fees and transfers by bus

◆ Including lunch and 4 dinners together in selected restaurants

◆ Accompanied by English-speaking local guides

Supporting programme
◆ Culinary supporting programme (regional cuisine, visits to places of interest)
◆ Guided city and cultural tours
◆ Short trips

Who the trip is for

People who want to experience China's cuisine in an authentic, well-founded and enjoyable way
◆ Gourmet:inside
◆ Food professionals
SME owners:inside
◆ Curious explorers

Costs

To be published in January 2026

Planning the trip

◆ Participants are responsible for booking their own international flights.
◆ An extension before or after the programme is possible on an individual basis.
◆ Additional hotel nights can be booked if desired.
◆ China Foods Alliance is happy to assist with planning.
◆ Care is taken to ensure that hotels meet Western standards.
◆ 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 is requested – but cannot be guaranteed.
◆ To facilitate registration with Movetia, it is recommended that you register by the end of January 2026.
◆ CFA books the venues approximately three months in advance to ensure smooth organisation.

Brochure Gourmet Travel 2026

Planning the trip

Destinations & Culinary Regions

Guangzhou - The home of Cantonese cuisine (Yue Cuisine)
Guangzhou is considered the cradle of fine, fresh and elegant Cantonese cuisine. Dim sum, teahouse culture and market cuisine have their origins here. The city combines modern city life with traditional food culture - from Michelin restaurants to cookshops in the side streets. Guangzhou is also the economic heart of southern China and stands for openness, trade and enjoyment.

🌐 More about the cantonal cuisine

Chengdu - The heart of Sichuan cuisine
Chengdu is the capital of flavour - chilli, pepper and a variety of flavours define culinary life here. The city is famous for its hotpot culture, spice markets and relaxed teahouses. Between temples, parks and colourful street kitchens, you can experience how Sichuan cuisine combines spiciness and harmony. No wonder Chengdu was the first Asian city to be named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

🌐 More about Sichuan cuisine

Xiamen - The home of Fujian cuisine (Min Cuisine)

Xiamen, the harbour city on China's southern coast, is known for its light, aromatic and maritime cuisine. Fujian cuisine combines seafood, soups and rice dishes with a fine balance of salt and sweetness. Colonial flair, teahouse culture and street food come together on the car-free Gulangyu Island - a paradise for gourmets who want to experience authentic south-east Chinese cuisine.

🌐 More about Fujian cuisine

Changsha - Capital of Hunan Cuisine (Xiang Cuisine)

Changsha is the capital of Hunan cuisine, famous for its strong, spicy and smoky flavours. Here, people cook with passion - chilli, fermented ingredients and local specialities dominate the scene. The city is lively, young and creative: street food stalls, modern restaurants and vibrant night markets reflect the energy of a region where spiciness is part of the lifestyle.

🌐 More about Hunan cuisine

Qingdao - Origin of Shandong Cuisine (Lu Cuisine)

Qingdao, the maritime city on the Yellow Sea, is considered the origin of traditional Shandong cuisine. Fresh seafood, savoury sauces and aromatic fried dishes define the taste. In addition to its famous beer culture, Qingdao offers an exciting mix of German colonial architecture, coastal romance and northern Chinese cuisine - down-to-earth, honest and full of history.

🌐 More about Cantonese cuisine

Suzhou - Centre of Jiangsu Cuisine (Su Cuisine)
Suzhou is famous for its classical Chinese gardens, silk factories and fine cuisine. Su cuisine stands for balanced, slightly sweet flavours and artful presentation. Along the canals and in the historic teahouses of the old town, you will discover dishes that combine beauty, flavour and craftsmanship. Suzhou - the „Venice of the East“ - is a place of tranquillity, elegance and good taste.

🌐 More about Jiangsu cuisine

Hangzhou - The heart of Zhejiang cuisine (Zhe Cuisine)
Hangzhou fascinates with its poetic landscape, rolling hills and the legendary West Lake. Zhe cuisine is known for its freshness, lightness and natural elegance. Famous dishes such as „West Lake fish in vinegar sauce“ or „Dongpo pork“ combine tradition with sophistication. A visit to the Longjing tea fields makes you realise how closely culture, nature and cuisine are interwoven here.

🌐 More about Zhejiang cuisine

🏔️ Yunnan - diversity of cultures and flavours
Yunnan in south-west China is one of the most diverse regions in the country - geographically, culturally and in terms of cuisine. The cuisine combines influences from Tibet, Southeast Asia and local minorities and surprises with fresh herbs, wild mushrooms, rice dishes and mild chilli. Cities such as Kunming, Dali and Lijiang offer authentic insights into the way of life of the Bai and Naxi peoples, where cuisine, nature and crafts blend harmoniously.

Register for the waiting list now

Are you interested but can't quite make up your mind yet? No problem. Sign up for the waiting list and we'll get back to you when things become more concrete. Deal?

Hint

The China Foods Alliance (mybow gmbh) is not a tour operator, but acts as a consultant and coordination partner. International flights and insurance are booked by the participants themselves. The travel package on site in China (hotels, transfers, domestic flights, guides, entrance fees) is organised and carried out by a Chinese partner.

Culinary discovery tours for gourmets 2026

Dates 2026

The price includes

Who the trip is for

Costs

Planning the trip

Destinations & Culinary Regions

Register for the waiting list now

Travel offer 2026 – Register now for the waiting list