If you’re traveling in China early in the year, you’ll probably notice a buzz that seems to creep up out of nowhere. Typically composed and reserved as a people, you may even find a sense of anticipation and excitement permeating the air everywhere you visit in China.
Well, it’s no surprise. With Chinese New Year celebrations literally just around the corner – in 2020, it starts on 25 January – it’s all action stations as people make ready for this auspicious celebration.
Unlike New Year in Western culture, Chinese New Year is celebrated in an altogether different way. Rather than flutes of champagne, party poppers and countdowns till midnight, Chinese New Year is a tradition that sets it apart from other celebrations.
Want to know how to celebrate Chinese New Year? Let’s show you how it’s done.
Chinese New Year is all about tradition
If you’re going to celebrate Chinese New Year, you’d better prepare yourself for a tradition that some say goes back millennia.
It’s not entirely clear just when Chinese New Year first kicked off, however it’s believed to have come about during the Shang Dynasty, which ran from 1766 BC to 1122 BC. Like many Chinese traditions, this means it originated a long, longtime ago.
There are others who believe Chinese New Year emerged even earlier, attributing the tradition to the time of Emperors Yao and Shun, around 2300 BC.
While historians may debate the origins, there’s little argument the Chinese New Year tradition, we have Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (206BC to 220BC) to thank for creating a set way to measure the lunar year, including establishing the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar as the start of the year.
If all this talk of dynasties and emperors is confusing you, don’t let it. If you want to celebrate Chinese New Year, just remember it occurs around a month after the Gregorian calendar’s New Year on the first day of the year. Think of it as a bonus celebration and opt in to the ways the Chinese commemorate this important annual event.
What happens at Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is not just any ordinary celebration. In fact, it’s the country’s most significant, which is no small feat considering there are a seriously large number in the Chinese calendar. Chinese people say Guo Nian (过年), which is literally translated as pass overNian, but actually means to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year is also called Spring Festival. Running over seven days, Chinese New Year is a public holiday throughout the whole country. If you’re traveling during this time, expect to find unusually quiet streets in otherwise busy cities. On the other hand, domestic travel to just about any destination in China can be a challenge.
People take advantage of the opportunity to slow down by visiting family and friends (often in some other part of the country). It’s a time of reunion and reconnection. Everyone tries to return to their hometown to reunite with parents and relatives.
Food is how you celebrate Chinese New Year
Food is such an integral part of Chinese life that it’s impossible to think of Chinese New Year without it.
First, there’s the essential big family dinner or Spring Festival Dinner – Nian Ye Fan (年夜饭) on New Year’s Eve. Considered a sumptuous affair, it’s a meal that finds every family going all out with meats, seafood, and of course, dumplings. Apart from being utterly delicious, having dumplings to celebrate Chinese New Year is significant. Shaped like an ancient Chinese gold ingot, making the dumplings together as a family means wrapping up wealth and prosperity, as well as living in happy union with family members.
But there’s more than dumplings to be enjoyed. China is a vast place and every region has its own food traditions to celebrate Chinese New Year.
While a northern Chinese family will prepare a feast around dumplings, a southern Chinese family will dine on sticky rice balls, or spring rolls as part of their banquet to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Like dumplings, the sticky rice balls are symbolic too. The spherical shape of the tang yuan signifies family reunion and happiness.
Fish (鱼Yu ) is also a staple main dish. Why? Because in Chinese, both the pronunciation of fish and its meaning are potent symbols. Meaning prosperous, fish or Nian Nian You Yu (年年有余) confers good wishes on the recipient, literally meaning Have savings every year. The Chinese are deeply poetic and it’s any wonder that Chinese New Year food is all “good luck” food.
What’s the color of Chinese New Year?
It’s probably no surprise to learn that red is the color of Chinese New Year, particularly given that it’s so much a part of that culture.
During this celebration, you will find it everywhere. Think of it as Christmas decorations, but all in one color – on everything.
You’ll find special Chinese lanterns, gifts, decorations, and clothes all in the color red. Why red?
Good question.
According to Chinese tradition, there was a mythical beast called “Year” or Nian (年), who had an uncanny resemblance to an ox with the head of a lion. Every New Year’s Eve, “Year” (Nian年) would emerge from the sea to wreak havoc on animals, people and property. Eventually, people realized that the color red, fire and loud sounds were deadly to Year. This led to the tradition of hanging red Dui Lian (Chinese New Year crafts) and red lanterns at the front of houses, as well as firecrackers and fireworks.
A big tip for celebrating Chinese New Year: Makes sure there’s some red involved.
What are common Chinese New Year traditions?
Other important customs to observe: Avoid speaking any negative words during the Chinese New Year period, especially on New Year’s Day. Don’t borrow money or collect debts on New Year’s Day. And another bonus, don’t finish cleaning all the dishes from your New Year’s Eve Dinner! We love that! Time to relax and enjoy all those dumplings you’ve prepared.
While Chinese New Year traditions have evolved over time, some practices have been retained. Now you will find local Chinese people going Spring Festival shopping for food, gifts, special decorations, and new clothes. Playing Mahjong at home with family and relatives is another typical celebratory activity.
And if that’s not enough to keep you happy, hang some red lanterns, decorate your doors with red Spring Festival couplets (poetry written in gold and black on red paper), paste paper-cuttings on the windows as decorations, and keep the lights on all night.
If you’re in the right location, you might even set off a few firecrackers. *Side note here: Many cities now have banned firecrackers and fireworks due to safety and air pollution concerns.
The festive mood is literally worn, with many people parading new clothes at Chinese New Year. Traditionally children are gifted red packets with money (now you can even do so via WeChat !), while paying a visit to neighbors, relatives, and even deceased family members are all part of how locals celebrate Chinese New Year.
Want to get out and about for Chinese New Year? You can do that too. It’s common for people to attend a Chinese New Year Temple Fair after setting off firecrackers in the morning.
Chinese New Year greetings
Now your Mandarin may not be what it could be, however there are a few expressions you can practice and use with confidence when you celebrate Chinese New Year.
First, Kung Hei Fat Choi is the standard Chinese New Year greeting, although it’s most often used on Spring Festival couplets found on doors. In mainland China, typically, people will say, “Happy New Year” or “Wishing you a happy Chinese New Year”.
If something like furniture or crockery accidentally breaks, it’s customary to say Sui Sui Ping An (岁岁平安“), which means May you have peace year after year or Luo Di Kai Hua, Fu Gui Rong Hua (落地开花, 富贵荣华“), essentially confers the best of good fortune, honor, glory and splendour on the recipient.
Wondering how to communicate best at Chinese New Year? While many people travel at this time, like Westerners, the Chinese rely on technology too, often making a New Year call via phone, WeChat, or a video call online. You can do the same, especially if you’re like modern Chinese people who’ll even take an overseas trip. As China has opened up to the world, some less traditional families are getting away from the Spring Festival travel rush, which occurs the 15 days ahead of, and 25 days after Chinese New Year. Incredibly, in 2019 alone, there were an estimated three billion trips made during this period.
Come prepared to celebrate Chinese New Year with your zodiac animal
Every year is a Chinese zodiac year with a different zodiac animal. In 2020, we’re celebrating the Year of the Rat.
There are 12 different animals in the Chinese zodiac and the Rat is the first of a repeating 12-year cycle.
This makes 2020 is a big deal. It’s regarded as a year of new beginnings and renewals and is considered a year that will be strong, prosperous and lucky for almost all Chinese zodiac signs.
So who are you in the Chinese Zodiac? Check out the table below to discover your animal.
The specifics of how to plan a trip to China can stump even the most experienced of international travelers. Amidst the challenges posed by the many China ‘unknowns’, you might even wonder where to start with making arrangements.
While asking friends and family who’ve been there, done that can be helpful, sometimes, it can create even more confusion. One person’s negative experience can taint your perception and leave you unnecessarily concerned about planning your travel arrangements. It might even make you apprehensive about how to manage once you’re on the ground.
If you’ve scoured Google for every tip and trick on how to plan a trip to China, you’ve probably discovered much of what’s written comes from lifestyle bloggers. Sure, you’ll find some helpful information, but many of these bloggers have planned and prepared for just a single trip to China.
Over a decade of researching, designing and planning holidays to China means we know a thing or two about how to create beautiful travel memories for customers, so in the spirit of transparency, we’re sharing our insider knowledge about how to plan a trip to China when you have no idea where to start.
Let’s do this!
How to plan a trip to China: Start with destinations
If this is your first trip to China, your biggest hurdle will be narrowing down your list of must-see destinations.
Covering a landmass that is larger than either Australia or the USA, this won’t be an easy task, so it’s essential you pull out a map before you get too far into your planning.
A quick scan and you’ll soon see that favourite destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Lhasa aren’t exactly within easy reach of each other (they’re actually three corners of a very large triangle across the country!). So knowing how to make plans for your China trip means understanding travel distances and the potential limitations imposed by geography, available transport, and accessibility.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with our list of recommended destinations for first time China trippers. Plan to visit Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, and Shanghai, however if your schedule doesn’t allow, stick with the Golden Triangle – Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai.
Making plans for a China holiday: Getting there and getting around
The destinations at which you start and finish your trip will be dictated to some extent by the city you fly into.
Beijing and Guangzhou are the main international arrival hubs, but they’re not the only ones, so you may want to consider how to get the best deal to save money on flights, keeping in mind you may need to book in country flights or train travel.
Booking international flights yourself, rather than relying on a travel agency, means more holiday spending dollars in your pocket. Be sure to access these flights directly from an airline’s website instead of third party booking platforms. You might even be lucky enough to find a great seasonal promotion or offer.
Another point to keep in mind is that international flights with a stopover are less expensive than direct flights. If you don’t mind the longer travel time – or you want to take advantage of the opportunity to visit another destination, this is a great way to see more of the world. US travelers flying from Los Angeles to Beijing could stop in Tokyo for a couple of days. Similarly, if you’re on route from Shanghai to LA, why not consider two days in Osaka? Breaking up your travel this way just makes sense, and with leisure travel plans seriously curtailed, we envisage travelers will look for ways to maximise their vacations when borders reopen.
Choosing an China travel company: How to know what’s best
When it comes to choosing an in-country China travel company, the decision-making process can become very confusing, very quickly.
As tourism has boomed over the past decade, we’ve seen astronomical growth in China-based travel companies. It has become highly competitive, which is great for western travelers. It means you can pick and choose a provider according to your values.
As travelers ourselves, we always look for companies that tailor the experience to what the customer really wants; not what they think the customer wants. It’s on this point that many China travel agencies miss the mark. For example, companies offering commission-based shopping don’t realise that the majority of western travelers seek a real experience of China, not a shopping expedition. The opportunity to meet and connect with locals and their culture has far more value to them than visiting an overpriced retail outlet selling wares of questionable authenticity.
Another important tip: if you can, avoid making price your number one buying decision. Because there is such a vast difference between the good, the average, and everything in between, it pays to spend time doing your research.
Ask questions like what hotel chains do they use and where are they located? A quality hotel located in a premium city location means less time lost on unnecessary travel to and from sights. China’s big cities are notorious for their traffic, which seems to be on a perpetual peak hour. It’s not uncommon to be delayed a least an hour because of busy roads.
Choose wisely when traveling with a guide
Tour guides can make or break your experience, so it doesn’t hurt to investigate the quality of guides used by the company. This is easily done by checking out online reviews.
Experience tells us that a China travel agency with quality guides is worth its weight. With their ability to share deep local knowledge, an appreciation for service, and a sense of humour, for many customers, a wonderful guide adds to your bank of travel memories. Often, the connection made with local China guides is the best opportunity for customers to connect with a local and really understand a little more about Chinese culture.
We understand how pivotal a guide is to our customers’ travel experience and it’s why we’ve continued to invest in attracting and retaining the best guides.
Planning your China trip: Deciding the best time to travel
The challenge with deciding the best time for a trip to China is coming up with a simple answer. This is because there are so many things to consider: Seasons, destinations and highlights on your bucket list, personal interests (are you fascinated by history, but not a fan of big cities?), how much time you have, and of course, your budget.
As a general rule, there is no one best time to go to China, however the most common advice from those who know is to plan your travel for April, May, September and October. Why? Well, these are the most enjoyable from a weather and season perspective.
Spring falls in April and May (and March), making these months ideal times to visit China. Equally appealing for seasonal travel are September and October, when it is Fall in the northern hemisphere. As the months that land either side of the super busy, crowded Summer, planning your holiday to align with these times will make for comfortable travel weather. It also means avoiding the bitter cold of winter, which is a feature of high traffic destinations like Beijing or Tibet or bypassing the searing heat of places like Turpan or even Shanghai with its more humid climate.
If the weather doesn’t bother you, traveling in the off-season means there are smaller crowds of domestic and foreign travelers, which in itself can make for a more enjoyable time.
Getting organized: Visas and money
China is a country where a visa is required for most international travelers, however, changes made in 2024 that are in place until the end of 2025 have loosened visa restrictions. If you are planning a two week holiday, for example, there is good news. China has made it easy for international travelers from many destinations. In July 2024 it was announced that from December 1 2023 to December 31 2025, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from 15 countries: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. Citizens from these countries are eligible for a visa-free entry if they come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 15 days. If, however, you are traveling from elsewhere, don’t be overwhelmed by the visa application process. If you’ve booked a tour, your travel agency can help by providing the items required for your application.
You will need an invitation letter and the details relating to destinations, as well as how long and where you’re staying. Photos and the completed application form are also required. Whether you’re traveling as part of a small group, private, or custom China tour package, be prepared to do a little legwork to meet all the China visa requirements.
The best way is to connect with your local China Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Center to understand where the application process fits in terms of timing for your travel arrangements. If in doubt, ask for help from your travel agency. They can advise of any changes which may affect your application or travel.
In terms of money and payments, a visit to China is not complete unless you’re purchasing with Alipay and WeChat Pay. These two apps are ubiquitous, so it makes sense to download them on arrival. China is very much a cashless economy. You’ll quickly discover that even street food stall holders accept payment via WeChat Pay and AliPay.
Credit cards are also accepted widely throughout China, although a certain amount of cash is a necessity. Let’s say you’re traveling on the 8 day Beijing, Xian and Shanghai tour, allow for USD1000 to buy small souvenirs, handcrafts, meals, and pay gratuities to guides and drivers in every city.
Small group, private or custom tour? Which should you choose?
There is nothing worse than embarking on the holiday you’ve been planning for months only to discover you are herded about like sheep in a large group by your trusty guide.
Apart from the opportunity to connect with a friendly, knowledgeable local, small group, private or custom tours are simply a much more enjoyable way to experience China.
Our small group tour numbers are capped at 12 people, while our private and custom tours are even smaller, accommodating only you and your family or friends. A small group tour is an ideal choice if you’re happy to hit the road with other like-minded travelers. Go for a private or custom tour if you’d prefer extra flexibility. This applies especially to custom tours where you can create your own adventure.
Read any review from western travelers who’ve chosen one of these options and you’ll see why they’re so popular. And if you’re stuck for suggestions, here are our CEO’s top recommendations for first time travelers to China.
The famous Golden Triangle of Beijing, Xian, Shanghai with the bonus of Chongqing and a Yangtze cruise
A final word on planning your China trip
There are many resources for finessing the details of your trip to China, however one of the best you’ll find is a competent, caring travel consultant. With experience and knowledge of what works best down to the last detail, you can feel confident that by working together you’ll experience China as the kind of place you always imagined it would be.
Experienced international traveler, but finding it hard to get the details right for the ideal trip to China? Relax! We can help. Explore our library of articles about all things China travel, or simply get in touch to discover what’s really possible when you plan and design a tour with people who truly care about your experience. We welcome online enquiries via direct contact and with responses delivered within 24 hours, we’re sure we can help create your next beautiful travel memory.
The perfect ingredient for creating beautiful travel memories is sampling Shanghai street food, available at any time of day from breakfast through until late in the evening.
With Shanghai street food so much a reflection of the melting pot that is Shanghai itself, it’s not surprising to find it profiled on travel and food sites around the world. Diversity, exotic flavors, and unusual dishes make for a culinary experience you’ll savor long after the last sticky dumpling has been devoured.
Come on tour with ChinaTours and on our Shanghai tours, a day tour or Shanghai layover or a longer multi-day China tour starting in Shanghai, make the most of the opportunity to expand and excite your palate. For a real experience of China – food adventurers can take to Shanghai streets with their dedicated ChinaTours.com local guide for a completely different edible experience.
Where to find Shanghai street food
Shanghai street food snacks can be discovered at well-known locations like the Shanghai Long Tang Food Court. Famous for the houses built in the area from the second half of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century, the public area between townhouses in the community acquired the name ‘LongTang’.
Now a busy intersection of food, commerce, leisure and entertainment, the Shanghainese keep tradition alive with their Shanghai street food businesses. From the early morning to the evening, all kinds of snack vendors line the alleys and the selling sounds echoed in various Long Tangs in Shanghai. On the top of the Mei Luo Mall, be sure to visit the Shanghai Long Tang Snack food court. There you’ll take a step back in Shanghai history as you discover the many hundred-year-old stores which have been serving traditional food to locals and travelers alike.
Ready for a food adventure? Let’s hit Shanghai’s streets and make some beautiful food travel memories.
Discover the origins of Shanghai street food
Steam Bun (小笼包 Xiao Long Bao)
The most famous steam bun in Shanghai is the Nanxiang steamed bun. Like just about everything in China, this iconic steam bun has a history spanning a hundred years. The bun’s skin is very thin, and the filling is made with lean pork meat, pork jelly, ground sesame, bamboo shreds and shrimps. So delicate is the outer skin of the bun that it’s said to have at least 14 layers of folded bread, and the flour used for 10 buns weighs just 100 grams. Virtually transparent, small and delicate, these delightful buns are juicy with each bite.
Soup Bun (灌汤包 Guantang Bao)
As with most of China, Shanghai street food wouldn’t be considered complete without a mention of these flavor (and nutrient) rich broth laden tasty morsels. Soup buns are in fact a kind of dumpling that is filled both with soup (broth) and seasoned pork filling. Eating these buns requires the help of a straw – first to ‘drink’ the broth inside the dumplings, then leaving you free to devour the bun in its entirety.
Pan-fried Pork Bun (生煎包 Shengjian Bao)
Yes, it’s another pork bun found among Shanghai street food! While the tasty, moist pork filling is similar to others we’ve mentioned and is wrapped with dough, these delicious dumplings are pan-fried, making them part soft, part crispy. Try eating just one – we don’t know anyone who has!
Shumai (烧卖)
Shanghai Shumai, more commonly known as pork shumai, is a very common breakfast Shanghai street food. It’s different from the ubiquitous dim sum shumai, which is made with pork and shrimp. Shanghai Shumai is filled with sticky rice and pork. Why not skip the hotel breakfast and get amongst the local Shanghai residents making their way to work and play?
Fried rice roll (糍饭团 Ci Fan Tuan)
There are few amongst us who don’t love fried rice, but what about a fried rice roll? Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. A fried rice roll is one of the four breakfast warriors famous in Shanghai. It’s a sticky rice ball filled with Chinese fried dough (You Tiao), pork sung, and pickled vegetable. We recommend starting at least one day on a Shanghai tour with this famous Shanghai street food.
Crab Shell Cake (蟹壳黄 Xieke Huang)
Crab shell cake is a type of shortbread baked from fermented flour with oil, sesame seeds and salty or sweet fillings. The name comes from its yellow/brown color, which resembles a cooked crab shell. There are many filling options so there’s no need to feel limited: spring onion, pork, crab meat, shrimp, sugar, rose petals, bean paste and jujube paste. The cake is crispy with a sesame flavor. Delicious!
Meat Wonton Soup (小馄饨 Xiao Wonton)
Wonton soups are found all over China and Shanghai is no different. The wontons in Shanghai’s wonton soup are filled with freshly minced pork. Just prior to serving, the wonton soup is added with three fresh delicacies – egg pancake slices, dried small shrimps and dried laver (dried seaweed).
Glutinous Rice Dumpling in Sweet Rice Wine (酒酿圆子 Jiuniang Yuanzi)
Perhaps not a breakfast food, but certainly worth a sample at some time while taking in the streets and sights of Shanghai, this dish has tiny glutinous rice balls or dumplings boiled in a sweet rice wine recognized as Chinese yeast fermented glutinous rice. Low in alcohol content and sweet tasting, with the additional flavor of goji berries or Osmanthus added, this is a Shanghai street food dish to indulge in.
Make your stay in Shanghai a totally memorable street food experience
Apart from the wonderful culture and history of China, local Shanghai street food makes for a wonderful travel and culinary memories. When in Shanghai, be sure to take in this wonderful city’s street food with your local guide for an experience to truly savor.
Tour China with ChinaTours.com
A ChinaTours.com China tour package is synonymous with authentic travel experiences, taking in the best of China’s culture, history, cuisine and people. Looking for a real experience of China but don’t know how to create the perfect tour itinerary? Our dedicated team of travel consultants who know China tours will take care of every detail. Traveling to 20 unique China destinations, including Shanghai, we’ll make sure you create beautiful travel memories when you tour with us. Have a look at our Beijing tours, Chengdu Panda Tours, Taiwan tours or Hong Kong tour packages, you won’t be disappointed!
Who doesn’t love snacks? Every country has their own takes and variations, and China is no exception! Some Beijing Streets, in particular, are known the world over for their incredible street vendors and snack streets. If you join one of our Beijing Tours we will take you to the Top 10 Best Beijing Streets for Snacks.
As a metropolis, Beijing tantalizes hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world year after year. To serve this tremendous flow of people, because eating still a very important part of any vacation, restaurants and snack stores are playing an ever-increasing role in Beijing.
Beijing is an incredibly large area to traverse, but here are 10 Beijing Streets to nibble away on.
Top 10 Beijing snack streets
#1 Qianmen Street
Chinese Name: 前门小吃街 Location: Qianmen Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
With a long history and many time-honored restaurants, this street doesn’t quite bustle with people like the other snack streets on this list. Qianmen Street is a way to gain a taste of upper-class Beijing. When you find yourself surrounded by fantastic buildings in the traditional Chinese design, be sure to try these delicacies:
Old Beijing Hotpot
Beijing Duck
Siu Mai
Wonton and Syrup of Plum
You will see enough delicious food and awe-inspiring architecture here to fill any Instagram in style.
#2 Wangfujing snack street
Chinese Name: 王府井小吃街 Location: Wangfujing Snack Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Usually, ‘Wangfujing’ only reminds people of shopping. However, due to the popularity of the famous shopping street, and a testament to Chinese ingenuity, the now booming snack street was established, taking position number two on our list.
Different from Qianmen Street, these vendors set up small snack stores and stalls filling the Wangfujing Snack Street. The benefit of its proximity to the shopping hub is that all the food sold there is able to be eaten on-the-go. which is convenient for everyone.
We recommend the following:
Baodu (Fried beef tripe)
Strong-smelling preserved bean curd
Bingtanghulu
Grilled Mutton
Fried Scorpion, or one of its relatives.
#3 Guijie snack street
Chinese Name: 簋街 Location: Inside Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Praised as the first popular snack street in Beijing, Guijie earns its place at Number 3 on our list as one of the only streets where all the stores are open 24/7. It stretches about 1.5 kilometers and is also called the Ghost Street, for the street is extremely busy at night with an old saying that ghosts would enter the city in the night to have their dinner. Want to dine like a local? Try one of these specialties:
Hot and Spicy Crayfish
Sautéed Bullfrog in Chili Sauce
Beijing Hotpot
Wheat cake boiled in meat broth
Lamb Spine Hot Pot.
We loved these, but with almost every snack imaginable able to found here, you are really spoiled for choice!
#4 Niujie Muslim snack street
Chinese Name: 牛街 Location: Niujie, Xicheng District, Beijing
The area is most famous for the Niujie Mosque, which is the largest and oldest mosque in the city, Niujie quite literally translates to Ox Street in Chinese. It hosts a large variety of ethnicities in this downtown Beijing street, the Hui people making up the majority, it is said that this cultural cooking pot has roughly 23 distinct ethnic groups living there. Both traditional Beijing snacks and Muslim delicacies are served here, giving all visitors an exotic experience, with our favorites being:
Seasoned millet mush (Miancha),
Douzhir
Jellied bean curd
Fried sugar cake
Lǘdagunr
Yam and date rolls
#5 Fucheng Road
Chinese Name: 阜成路 Location: Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing
At number 5 on our list, located near a booming business district, customers frequenting the restaurants on Fucheng Street are generally business people. Which explains why the majority of restaurants here are known for providing premium and luxurious morsels. Many Chinese regional cuisines from Hangzhou, Huaiyang, and Sichuan can be found here.
The seafood sensations offered by Cantonese restaurants is also praised as being some of the best in Beijing. Be sure to sample everything!
#6 Ping’an Street
Chinese Name: 平安大街 Location: Ping’an Street, Shunyi District, Beijing
Ping’an Street, also called Ping’an Avenue, is a snack street actually made famous for its ancient buildings and surprisingly not its amazing restaurants. Stretching for approximately 7 kilometers, the street houses a number of structures and buildings constructed in the Qing dynasty; among which several of them housed members of royal families. Don’t let that deter you from a good meal though, the snacks available here are unbelievable with the likes of Baodu, Douzhir, and Zhajiangmian.
#7 Suzhou Street
Chinese Name: 苏州街 Location: Suzhou Street, Haidian District, Beijing
Lucky Number 7, Suzhou Street is near the famous hi-tech center of Beijing, Zhongguancun. With restaurants originally serving to provide take-away options for the technicians that lived there. Dishes served in several restaurants were highly praised by their patrons, and rumors quickly spread across the city about the delicious food near Zhongguancun. This attracted more restaurants to buy there, which laid the foundations of the popularity of the renowned street that Suzhou Street is best known for today. Keep an eye out for Cantonese and Hunan cuisine, as well as the seafood.
#8 Fangzhuang
Chinese Name: 方庄 Location: Fangzhuang Area, Fengtai District, Beijing
Fangzhuang is the new kid on the block of best Beijing Streets for dining and snacks. Compared with the other snack streets on this list, this Beijing street’s most advantageous selling point is the restaurants here serve dishes from all across the world.
We definitely recommend sampling the: hand-pulled noodle soup, Peking Duck, Grilled Fish, dumplings, Siu Mai, and the hot pot.
If Ping’an or Niujie Street are identified as ethnic or local cuisine, then Fangzhuang defiantly could be described as an international smorgasbord.
#9 Xiaoyun Road
Chinese Name: 霄云路 Location: Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Xiaoyun road is an oasis, surrounded by skyscrapers as well as highrise villas giving the area a strong sense of being one part removed from the bustle that is Beijing. An assortment of restaurants populate the roadside, serving delightful foreign dishes, such as spicy and unforgettable Thai foods, and simple French cuisine. Xiaoyun also offers patrons unique and exciting African temptations.
#10 Huguosi Hutong snack street
Chinese Name: 护国寺小吃街 Location: Huguosi Street, Xinjiekou, Xicheng District, Beijing
Taking the last spot on our list is Huguosi Hutong snack street, where local Beijing residents visit the time-honored Beijing food snack stores. The alluring smell of traditional cuisine in the air can be intoxicating, with authentic Beijing dishes being served.
Put these traditional snacks on the menu for your stroll down Huguosi Hutong Snack Street:
Fermented bean drink
Glutinous rice rolls with sweet bean flour
Yellow split peas cake
Wontons
Donkey Burger (a kind of sesame seed cake)
Come on an adventure with ChinaTours.com
When you tour Beijing with ChinaTours.com your professional China tour guide will use their expertise to help you to locate the best Beijing Streets for restaurant and snacks. With over a decade of experience in first-class China tour packages, we invite you to join us on tour so you can experience the REAL China.
Are you a culture aficionado who wants an authentic experience when you travel? The team at ChinaTours.com is too. With over 10 years of experience, designing China tours is in our DNA. As a family-owned business, we’re committed to opening up a whole new world of China to Western travelers. We focus on giving our guests a genuine experience of the history, culture, and cuisine of Beijing and other areas of China in ways that build bridges and forge understanding between people. Ready for a China tour made of beautiful travel memories? Talk to ChinaTours.com – the friendliest China tour company.
Are you searching “China itinerary 2 weeks” because you’re looking to book your next travel adventure?
If that’s the case then chances are, you’ll want some good old-fashioned guidance on what to see and do, and importantly, how to see and do it.
In a country that is literally a trove of culture, history, and an incredible 56 UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s a feat just choosing where and when, but take heart; we’re here for you. This blog, written especially for the avid travel researcher (yes, you who searched China itinerary 2 weeks, we see you!), will answer just about every question you’ve thought of, and then some, so let’s dive right in.
Do I need a Chinese visa and how do I get it?
Getting clear on your Chinese visa requirements is a very good place to start your adventure because let’s face it, visas are one of those tedious administrative hurdles that are part of international travel, and they are best dealt with right up front.
If you are planning a two week holiday in China, there is good news. China has made it easy for international travelers from many destinations. In July 2024 it was announced that from December 1 2023 to December 31 2025, China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from 15 countries: Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. Citizens from these countries are eligible for a visa-free entry if they come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for no more than 15 days. How good is that? It’s perfect for the adventurer wanting a two week holiday in China. You can read more about transit visas and how they work here.
If your plans include a multi-city tour around the country or even a short tour to several destinations, you won’t need a China tourist visa, and it’s wise to get help to ensure your application right the first time around, however, if you do need a visa for whatever reason (for example, you’re not from one of the 15 countries listed above), then engaging assistance from a knowledgeable travel consultant can help, saving you time as you navigate the ins and outs of the application process. Even choosing the correct visa can be a challenge, simply because there are so many, so we strongly advise doing your research.
This is why getting help is a good idea. You definitely don’t want to be left dazed and confused at your local China embassy or China Visa Application Service Centre when you realize you haven’t quite ticked all the necessary boxes. As you’d expect, getting the details right is essential, so enlist the help of someone who knows.
Our tip? Contact your local embassy for information.
Now of course this is going to depend on where you’re traveling from, however, you might be very surprised to learn that it’s possible to make your way by land and sea.
It’s no secret that major airports in China are serious travel hubs, not just for domestic travelers, but for international visitors too, including those just in transit. Let’s just say that when it comes to traveling to China there are options – and lots of them.
As you’d expect, jumping on a direct flight to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou from most countries is straightforward. There are even direct flights to other cities like Xi’an, Chengdu, and Kunming from the US, Europe, and Australia. This means you won’t be left languishing, waiting on that one weekly flight to start your two-week China holiday.
You’ve probably heard about China’s expanding rail network that is connecting all corners of the country. Not only is this a fabulous way to get around while you’re in China, it also makes it easy to connect up with rail networks beyond the border.
Fancy something a little exotic? Who doesn’t when they’re visiting somewhere new? Travelers from Europe can reach China by taking the Trans-Siberian train from Moscow. Likened to a steel ribbon across Russia, who wouldn’t want to start their China holiday soaking up a little luxury.
Proving train travel is definitely not a thing of the past, the Pan-Asia Railway Network, linking China (Kunming) to Laos (Vientiane), is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2021. Travelers can also travel by train between Beijing and Hanoi; a fantastic route that showcases the very best of expanse that separates these two countries. Plans are already afoot to join China and Bangkok, Thailand in the near future, so if train travel is your thing, there’s no shortage of options.
As for travel between cities, well, the sky’s the limit. There are over 50 flights daily between Beijing and Xi’an, more than a hundred between Beijing and Shanghai, and 40 between Shanghai and Xi’an. Keep in mind, however, that China’s airports are busy, making travel by train an appealing option. Travel times are not hugely different, you have the chance to see more of the country, and it is very affordable.
There are plenty of options for moving within and around a city too. Public transport by bus, train, and metro are immensely popular, and you can always hail a taxi. But our pick is traveling in a private vehicle with a driver who knows how to navigate the craziness that is the roads of China’s big cities, ensuring you arrive at your destination and make it back to your hotel safely.
This question is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string? Truthfully, you can visit China at any time of year and find the kind of weather you love, depending on your preference.
Geographically a northern hemisphere country, you’ll find autumn/winter months from September to February and spring/summer from March to August. It can get bitterly cold – think snow and ice castles like the kind Harbin is famous for – and tropically hot, as it does in Hong Kong and Macau. You will even find places where it’s hot and cold in one day, like the desert region in which Turpan is located.
It’s fair to say that the most popular tourist cities can be visited at any time of year, but it’s highly recommended you avoid traveling during important holidays such as Chinese New Year and the China National Holiday, both of which bring the country to a standstill as locals return home to spend precious time with family.
If food is your ‘thing’, expect to be dazzled and delighted by the incredible array of dishes that are representative of every palate and minority people in the country.
A food tour of China will expand your mind and blow away your taste buds. Every region has its specialties, and every city has its famous snack streets. Expect flavorsome, spiced delicacies for sale alongside the unique and unsavory.
While on tour, be sure to make a meal of every meal, starting with breakfast. Whether you’re a traditionalist at heart, or you prefer to go a little avant-garde while on the road, China can cater to your every dining need. There is huge diversity from back lane food carts to Michelin fine dining. Really, the choice is yours.
Keep in mind too that different cities feature different foods. Order the very best Peking Duck you can find in Beijing, a roujiamo (or two) in Xi’an, and mapo tofu in Chengdu.
Now while we’re the first to say ‘no shopping tours’, it doesn’t mean we don’t love to gather up a collectible or two during our travels. In this department, China has much to offer, so if it’s beautiful, one-of-a-kind, a memory-evoking treasure you want, then we have secrets only insiders can share.
Yes, there are high profile and sky-high shopping malls that modern China is famous for; cathedrals to consumerism and every imaginable electronic, souvenir, and item of clothing. Amidst the glamor and glitz, however, you will find artisans aplenty too. Remaining true to the unique arts that have endured for millennia – calligraphy, silk weaving, porcelain, tea, jade, pearls; the list goes on – these fine arts still capture the hearts of those who hunger for something just a little special. If that’s you, expect to be fully laden on your return home.
For the complete lowdown on shopping, dive into the blogs below.
Hotels in China are a wonder. For a start, can you imagine that back in 1980 there were just 203 hotels designated for international travelers? Today it is a completely different story because accommodation has come a long way since the very rudimentary offerings that were available a little over forty years ago. Today there are a whopping 350,000 different accommodation options for those traveling from around the world, including 20,000 four and five-star hotels.
In terms of service, expect a standard that complements the accommodation. International and domestic brand five-star hotels equate to five-star service where nothing is too much trouble. At the other end of the spectrum in hostels and homestays, you can rely on a relaxed and down-to-earth vibe that provides an insight into life for locals; an experience that is often missed in the larger corporate alternatives. Keep in mind the price of inner-city hotels is a reflection of the location and the ease with which many of the city’s highlights and attractions can be reached. While it may not seem to be a significant detail, the location of your hotel can make a real difference to your overall travel experience. Our guides’ number one tip is to choose the best hotel that fits with your travel budget and make sure it’s located close to a subway line.
Now we know China is a vast country, but what if your passion for travel means you want to use the opportunity by exploring the region beyond its borders? Well, there’s good news. China shares its border with 14 countries: Mongolia to the north; Russia and North Korea in the northeast; Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, and Nepal to the south; Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to the west. Maritime borders are also shared with Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Its location at the center of so many countries makes it an excellent launch pad to just about anywhere in the region. Travel by plane or train for the greatest comfort and speed and to make the most of your vacation. For example, flights or train travel to countries in Indochina can be taken from Kunming. If sitting on top of the world is your thing, jump in a car or board a plane bound for Lhasa or Kathmandu. Or if you’re after something a little more exotic, book a ticket on the Trans-Siberian, allowing you to travel from Beijing to Mongolia or even Moscow. There is virtually no limit on destinations, making your greatest challenge what to choose for your China itinerary.
Solo v. group travel: Which should you choose?
For some travelers, this is an easy question to answer based on well-established views and previous experience. It’s good to remember, however, that China is a country unlike any other, which is why you may want to consider your options, particularly on your first visit. A group tour is great if you’re limited on time and want to ensure you cover the absolute ‘must-see’ essentials. If you have a little more time on your hands and enjoy wandering off the beaten path – and your health and age permit – there is certainly plenty to keep you interested if you’re traveling solo. Backpackers can enjoy low-cost transport by train and the opportunity to mix it with locals, while those more interested in comfort will appreciate the flexibility, structure, and day-to-day care provided by a guide on a private tour.
Okay, so we’ve covered a lot of information here, but what if that doesn’t answer the big question, What’s the most popular China itinerary? The magic number here is Two weeks! In this next section of the blog, we cover the all-important details about what to see, what to do and eat, and where to do it, city by city, based on our most popular 14 day best of China adventure
Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Hutongs
Food
Peking duck and any famous Beijing foods found on local snack streets
If you love a little culture
Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum, National Museum of China, Beijing Capital Museum, Beijing Zoo, 798 Art Zone, Songzhuang Art Colony, and Peking Opera Museum
Experiences
● Live like a local: Visit local parks and join the morning Tai Chi class, take the bus or metro, or visit the local markets. ● Ride a rickshaw through the hutongs or take a Great Wall hiking or camping tour ● Try a class: Indulge your senses at a Chinese cooking class, learn to make clay figurines, try your hand at calligraphy, kite-making, or a Peking Opera mask.
By night
● Enjoy a drink: Visit the bars in Sanlitun or Shichahai ● Enjoy a concert or show: Choose from Peking Opera, acrobatics, kung fu, and Beijing folk art performances. ● Take a night tour: See the city’s landmarks in a whole different light
Shopping
● Bargain hunt: Search for a travel memento or kitschy tourist trinket by visiting one of Beijing’s many markets. Try the Hongqiao Pearl Market or the Panjiayuan Antique Market, shopping centers in Wangfujing, Xidan, and the Qianmen shopping precincts.
Terracotta Army, Xi’an City Wall, Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Shaanxi History Museum, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
Food
Savor one of Xi’an’s famous roujiamo (Xi’an burger) and other famous street food found in iconic destinations like Muslim Street
If you love a little culture
Bell and Drum Tower, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an Museum, Stone Steles Museum, Mount Hua, Famen Temple, Han Yang Ling
Experiences
● Enjoy a show: Xi’an is famous for its selection of entertaining shows. Among our recommendations are The Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show or Song of Everlasting Sorrow). ● Food tour or cooking class: If food is your ‘thing’, team up with a local guide who shares your passion by taking a local specialty food tour. And if you like to cook, then take a class and learn to make biang biang noodles, dumplings, or other dishes unique to this fabulous city. ● Craft a soldier: Make the master craftsmen who assembled the thousands of terracotta soldiers that are part of the Terracotta Army. A perfect activity for families and those who like to get amongst it. ● Appreciate local art: Join a local artisan and learn the ancient craft of paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, or shadow puppetry.
By night
● Sights at night: Want to double your sightseeing time? Visit some of Xi’an’s highlights at night. Be sure to include the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, City Wall, North Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Datang Everbright City on your list. ● Market visit: Xi’an’s markets go well into the evening. Visit the Dongxin Street Night Market or the famous Muslim Quarter. ● Dine out: Xi’an’s bar and dining precincts are great destinations for food and entertainment, including live music. Stop by the South City Gate and spend time with the locals.
Reed Flute Cave, Li River, Yangshuo West Street, Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng
Food
Make a beeline for Guilin’s rice noodles, Yangshuo Beer Fish, or sticky bamboo rice in Longsheng. Guilin also has its own selection of local food and snacks, so try these as you wander its old-style, relaxed streets.
If you love a little culture
Wander the area surrounding the impressive Elephant Trunk Hill and spend time learning about China’s historical contributions to science and innovation in Seven Star Park. In Yangshuo, take a drive through the idyllic countryside and see why the city’s backdrop is so famous when you look upon Xianggong Mountain and the expansive Yulong River.
Experiences
● Enjoy nature: Absorb the beauty of the local countryside with a bike ride through charming villages or a leisurely bamboo raft ride down the Yulong River. ● Cook like a local: Join a cooking class that combines sightseeing, local ingredients, and the savoring of regional specialties.
By night
● Night markets: Experience the liveliness of night markets in Xicheng Street, Zhengyang Street, or Yangshuo West Street. ● Night show: Enjoy the famous show, Impression Liu Sanjie in Yangshuo, a performance involving local farmers that are staged on the water and showcase traditional local music, stories, and costumes.
Fengdu Ghost City or Shibaozhai, Three Gorges (Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge), Shennong Stream or Shennv Stream, Three Gorges Dam.
Food
Enjoy the food onboard the cruise, with menus including both western and Chinese cuisine at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If you love a little culture
Depending on the cruise selected, you can also visit White Emperor City, Baiheliang Underwater Museum, and the 816 Underground Project.
Experiences
● Onboard activities: Relaxing in river cruising style by taking advantage of the Chinese culture lectures, morning Tai Chi lessons, or specialty cooking classes. The cruises also make stops for the open-air Three Kingdom show and Three Gorges Project Ship lift.
Shanghai Museum, The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Garden, Chenghuangmiao Bazaars, Shikumen Museum, New Spot, Former French Concession.
Food
While visiting the Pearl of the Orient, indulge in xiaolongbao (steamed bun) and other famous local snacks.
If you love a little culture
Shanghai has much to offer, so make a list. Be sure to include Jade Buddha Temple, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Shanghai History Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Museum, Shanghai Disneyland, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
Experiences
● Shanghai-style: Sit back and listen to a performance by The Old Jazz Band at the Peace Hotel ● Dress in style: Channel your inner 1920’s Shanghai diva with a tailor-made Chinese Qipao or cheongsam ● Get married: Well, maybe you won’t, but a visit to the People’s Park marriage market puts a whole different spin on partner selection. Observe the way parents and grandparents ‘market’ their unmarried adult children to the best available option. ● Family-friendly: Shanghai caters to all ages, with families a special focus. Visit Shanghai Disneyland (fancy a night at the Toy Story hotel?); Shanghai Zoo (see cute pandas); Shanghai’s Wild Insect Kingdom; Shanghai Ocean Aquarium; the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel; and Shanghai Natural History Museum. ● Fulfill your need for speed: Climb aboard the Shanghai Maglev, China’s fastest commercial electric train or shift down a gear or two with a bike ride that traverses both old and new Shanghai.
By night
● Join the fun: Relish the spectacle of the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Show, a Huangpu River night cruise providing views of the Bund, bars, and restaurants at Tianzifang or New Spot.
Shopping
Tea, pearl, silk, porcelain, and various kinds of hand-crafted items could very easily top your Shanghai shopping list. Apart from shopping centers housing international luxury brands, there are markets for fabric, antiques, glasses, and homewares that are worth visiting; not to mention countless boutiques with one-off mementos.
Whether you’re a savvy traveler or a first time visitor to China looking for the best two week itinerary, doing your research is the best way to make the most of your vacation in this amazing country. Be sure to get the information you need on travel costs, including hotels, tours, food, and experiences from people who truly care about your holiday. Talk to the ChinaTours.com team. We’re travelers too, and we’re committed to helping you create beautiful travel memories that endure long after you’ve arrived home. We welcome online enquiries via direct contact, with responses delivered within 24 hours.
Among the hundreds of traditional dishes, are some that you simply have to try if you’re venturing to China. A traditional Chinese hotpot is one such dish.
What is Haidilao hotpot?
Now there are hotpots – and there are Haidilao hotpots. For those just cutting their Chinese cuisine teeth, hotpot dining involves cooking raw meats, fish, tofu, vegetables, and noodles in broth or oil, which is placed at the centre of the table.
There are different soup bases: tomato, mushroom, clear oil spicy, chicken, and pickled Chinese cabbage, as well as various dishes and noodles that are cooked in the broth. Feeling hungry? Well, you get more than a meal at Haidilao.
Find the best customer service at Haidilao hotpot
Considered by locals to the best hotpot restaurant, Haidilao is not only favoured for its wonderful food. It’s also appreciated for its outstanding customer service. At a time when genuine service is a rarity anywhere in the world, Haidilao surprises and delights even those who are hard to please.
Don’t believe us? Here are just a few examples of the way Haidilao impresses its guests.
Arrive early and waiting for your table? No problem. You’ll enjoy a free manicure or some time in one of the relaxing massage chairs found in the foyer to the restaurant.
Cold outside? In winter, expect to be greeted with wipes to clear you classes of the fog.
Want to avert a smartphone disaster? That’s easy. Every customer receives a zip lock bag for safe keeping of mobile phones.
It might sound over the top, but it seems like people can’t say enough good things about Haidilao.
Is it unforgettable? Well, yes, we think so. Do they provide unique and memorable customer experiences? A hundred percent.
But there’s even more to make Haidilao a place to visit.
New Beijing Haidilao restaurant is out of this world
Apart from the delicious food, a visit to Haidilao is a must if you’re a western traveler on tour in China. And although there are Haidilao restaurants all over China, if your China tour stops in Beijing , make a point of visiting their newest outlet there, located at B1-04, building E, Zhongjun World City, No. 8-9, Jinhui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Known as a dining amusement park, this restaurant took three years to build from planning to completion and required an investment of more than 14 million US dollars.
Here’s what you’ll find there.
Haidilao’s first smart restaurant
Haidilao is definitely at the forefront of technology, making their Beijing flagship store it’s first smart restaurant. Think Jetson-style technology in a dining environment.
The Beijing restaurant has integrated an intelligent kitchen based on AI, as well as intelligent serving that helps improve food safety standards. It seems Haidilao has thought of everything because there is even ‘intelligent customization’ allowing customers to create an exclusive hotpot broth. The power to personalize is in the hands of customers who can download the Haidilao app and create an exclusive broth file for themselves and share it with family and friends.
A visit to Haidilao is more than a meal; it’s a chance to unleash your creativity.
A waiting room with a difference
While reservations for this innovative new restaurant can be made online or by telephone, there may still be a slight wait on arrival. But don’t be concerned. The standard manicure and massage have been upgraded to a super-sized screen on which an interactive game can be played. Simply enter the game by scanning the code with their Haidilao app.
Accommodating 80 people at once, the giant screen makes waiting for your dinner a truly memorable experience, especially when you’re served pre-meal snacks.
Dining that’s a total immersion experience
The experience only intensifies when you enter the restaurant. Haidilao has gone all out to create a 360 audio visual hotpot immersion experience. Six different visual themes are projected onto the walls of the restaurant. At any time you’ll be treated to rich imagery that will surely surprise and delight. Starry sky, peach garden wonderland, and snowy mountain are just a sample of what’s in store.
The future of table service
A standout feature of the Beijing Haidilao smart restaurant are the robots that deliver meals. The future of table service really is here.
Taking just three minutes from the time an order is placed on an iPad to the moment dishes arrive at the table, the intelligent service certainly is speedy.
It’s all part of the smart restaurant model where every ingredient has its own unique RFID code, which is equivalent to ‘ID card’. When guests order through the intelligent ordering system, the robot matches the dishes. Its flexible robot arm can touch the top shelf which is more than two meters high. Prepared dishes are transported to the delivery robot or ‘waiter’ standing by in the restaurant.
After collecting the meal, the robot will automatically take meals to the right table. Once this job is done, it returns to wait for it’s next task.
After the meal, or when dishes have piled up, guests can call the waiter to collect them. The robot will automatically move to the table and help staff to remove the empty dishes. When the empty disks are returned to the kitchen, it will automatically report: “Empty dishes have arrived, please take them away as soon as possible.”
Dining here isn’t all robots though. At the end of the meal, enjoy the experience of watching a noodle master performing amazing traditional noodle making techniques. It seems robots can’t handle noodles yet!
Intelligent kitchen that has no need for master chefs
Another feature of this smart restaurant is the ‘intelligent kitchen’.
All dishes are prepared in the automatically temperature controlled and super clean food warehouse environment.
Food is directly delivered to the store through specially designed logistics before entering the automatic vegetable machine. There is also a large monitoring screen in the kitchen, which is used to observe the machine’s operations. On the screen outside the pantry, the remaining dishes are monitored in real time，allowing for accurate control of food shelf life. Expired products are discarded automatically. In addition, the kitchen is also equipped with intelligent equipment, such as an automatic dishwasher and meat cutter.
What people say about Haidilao hotpot
Here are just a few comments from people who’ve loved their Haidilao experience.
When it comes to Haidilao and its customers, it seems like there are no limits to the lengths their team will go to create a comfortable, enjoyable experience.
Their premium service concept has been enhanced with advanced technologies that make a meal at Haidilao more than a dining experience.
Looking for more AI experiences in Beijing? Why not visit HEMA Fresh, the new wave in supermarkets located just ten minutes from Haidilao.
Although ChinaTours.com does not have any affiliation with Haidilao Hotpot, we share their commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences. On all our China tours, we provide our customers with the flexibility to choose their meals for lunch and dinner. This means you have the opportunity explore the fabulous dining options, which are available in every region in the country. Haidilao Hotpot is just one example, but there are many others and we’d love to share them with you. When you travel with us, part of the experience is about ensuring you achieve what you set out to do on your travel adventure – and we’re here to help make that happen. Curious and like to know more about creating beautiful travel food memories? Enquire via our contact form and we’ll respond within 24 hours.
Shanghai cuisine, also referred to as Benbang cuisine, balances color, aroma and taste.
While appearances may not always be appealing to a Western palate (check out Hairy Crab below) – in general, Shanghai dishes feature a comparatively sweet and light-salt flavor. By contrast to the heavy and spicy flavor prevailing in China’s north, Shanghai cuisine offers a different culinary experience. Benbang cuisine is known for its thick red oil sauce and its method of braising or stewing in soy sauce and use of sugar.
A contrast to typical Shanghai street food, traditional Shanghai cuisine is somewhat different and readily available in local restaurants. ChinaTours.com is a reputable provider of China tours, and in writing this article our local tour guides have assisted by handpicking a few famous favorites, including some must-try Shanghai cuisine dishes for those visiting this fascinating city.
Traditional Shanghai Cuisine
Shanghai Old Restaurant / 上海老饭店
Find it: 242 Fuyou Rd Founded in 1875, Shanghai Old Restaurant is the origin of Shanghai’s Benbang cuisine and has a history of nearly 150 years, providing featured dishes such as Braised Jumbo Sea Cucumber with Shrimp Roe; Chicken, Mushroom and Ham Threads in Consomme; and Fried Shrimps.
Fu 1088 / 福1088
Find it: 375 Zhengning Rd Located at an old foreign-style house built around the period between the 1920s or 1930s, Fu 1088 features dishes from Shanghai’s traditional wealthy and influential families. Menu highlights include Stewed Pork with Brown Sauce, Braised Noodles with Yellow Croaker and Shrimp with Mustard and Sesame.
Wang Bao He Restaurant / 王宝和
Find it: 603 Fuzhou Rd Originally built in 1744, Wang Bao He Restaurant specializes in cooking river crabs, showcasing featured dishes such as Stewed Crab Meats with Tender Tofu, Crab Meat and Prawn Rolls, and Shrimp and Crab Cooked with Green Pepper. If you’re a seafood lover, you are guaranteed to love this form of Shanghai cuisine.
Yong Foo Elite / 雍福会 Michelin two stars
Find it: 200 Yongfu Rd Built at the beginning of last century, the garden villa of Yong Foo Elite earns every point of its two Michelin stars. Covering an expansive area of three mus (a traditional Chinese measure of land) on which the former site for British Consulate in Shanghai was located, Yong Foo Elite features dishes such as Stewed Crab Meats with Fins, Wine Preserved Crab and Prawns in Chili Sauce. Come ready to be impressed and enjoy the top-rated Shanghai cuisine at Yong Foo Elite.
Jardin De Jade / 苏浙汇
Find it: 388 Zhaojiabang Rd Built in 1999, Jardin De Jade brings together the dishes and flavors of Suzhou, Zhejiang and Huaiyang – all cities located within proximity of Shanghai – enhancing them to innovate traditional Shanghai cuisine. Feature dishes at Jardin De Jade include Braised Meatballs in Brown Sauce, Benbang Smoked Fish, and Steamed Reeves Shad. Ask your local guide for details on how to book a night out at this special restaurant.
Lubolang Restaurant (绿波廊)
Find it: 115 Yuyang Rd Built during the reign of Emperor Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, Lubolang Restaurant is a century-aged restaurant which boasts not only typical Benbang cuisines but also unique and exquisite pastries. With classical pastries available, including Flaky Pastry with Shredded Meat, Mushroom and Winter Bamboo Shoots, Osmanthus Jelly, and Pan-fried Turnip Cake, make sure you arrive ready to feast.
Looking for traditional Shanghai cuisine dishes to try?
Sample these local specialty dishes when you’re visiting Shanghai, the Pearl of the Orient
Steamed Hairy Crab （蒸毛蟹Zheng Mao Xie）
I know. It sounds more like an animated character than seasonally popular Shanghai street food dish, but Hairy Crab is virtually revered among locals who recommend steaming with ginger and serving with a dipping sauce of rice vinegar, ginger and sugar.
Can’t face the prospect of pulling apart the crab? For local Shanghai residents, it’s all part of the ritual. Ask your local guide to share their insider secrets to the best Hairy Crab street stall. They’ll take you there – and we know you’ll be happy you did.
Braised Pork Intestines with Alfalfa (草头圈子 Cao Tou Quan Zi)
For the more adventurous Shanghai visitors, a foray into the unknown sampling braised pork intestines with alfalfa could make for the ultimate food travel memory. When you’re asked Did you try any usual Shanghai food? You can give a resounding Yes! as your answer. While it may not sound appetizing, braised pork intestines with alfalfa is old Shanghai cuisine. Ask your local guide to include it on your culinary tour.
Sauteed Shelled Shrimps (炒虾仁)
For seafood lovers, sauteed shelled shrimps – or you bao xia – are a Shanghai favorite. Sauteed in oil, and flavored with ginger, chicken broth, Shaoxing wine, sugar, black vinegar, and sesame oil, this dish is unique to this region. Keen to eat like the Shanghainese? Check in with your local guide while on tour or layover for the best culinary adventure advice.
Indian Kalimeris Herb mixed with Smoked Bean Curd (马兰头拌香干)
The Shanghainese love their vegetables, so trying Indian Kalimeris Herb mixed with Smoked Bean Curd (Ma Lan Tou) is a must. Others you may want to sample include Shepherd’s Purse, Chinese Little Greens, and Shanghai rape, a type of cruciferous green vegetable.
Make your visit to Shanghai a totally memorable food experience
Apart from the wonderful culture and history of China, local traditional cuisine adds to every travel and culinary experience, whether it’s a short layover or a longer China tour. If you want to experience Shanghai’s local cuisines come with us (ChinaTours.com) on a Shanghai tour and your local bilingual guide will ensure you enjoy the different flavors which will captivate and delight you.
Are you a culture aficionado who wants an authentic experience when you travel? The team at ChinaTours.com is too. Designing small group, private and custom China tours is in our DNA. As a family owned business, we’re committed to opening up a whole new world of China to Western travelers. We focus on giving our guests a genuine experience of the history, culture, and cuisine in ways that build bridges and forge understanding between people. Ready for a China tour made of beautiful travel memories? Have a look at our carefully designed China Tour Packages, including some of our Best China tours such as Beijing tours, Chengdu tours and Yangtze River Cruises and so many more…. Also, talk to ChinaTours.com – the friendliest China tour company. Enquire now.
Best hot springs in Xi’an? Looking for a Xi’an tour that encompasses the Xi’an hot springs?
Maybe you’ve booked a small group Xi’an tour, or your planning to travel solo to Xi’an. Whatever the case, mixing things up to make beautiful memories is what travel’s all about, right?
So most people wouldn’t put the best hot springs and Xi’an in the same sentence. That’s because whenever we think of Xi’an, there’s usually one thing that comes to mind. The Terracotta Army.
Awe-inspiring by any measure, it’s understandable we tick that bucket list item on our tour itinerary.
Hot springs near Xi’an
But what if you’ve time on your side – maybe a free afternoon or evening in your schedule on tour in Xi’an? Wouldn’t it be great to know there are options available, other than shopping and more sightseeing?
Well, the good news is, there are other options.
The Chinese draw on a long, rich history of therapies that contribute to long life and good health. While many of these have been adopted by westerners keen to absorb some Eastern wisdom, certain treatments aren’t practical to move beyond the Chinese border. And Xi’an hot springs are one of them.
But that needed stop you enjoying the benefits while you’re on tour in Xi’an. Few people know the very first hot spring in China was found in Shaanxi province where Xi’an is located. In fact, the province’s history was influenced heavily by the hot springs in the area.
Emperors and their royal courtesans knew they were on a good thing. Over dynasties and centuries, they built resorts and summer houses, taking advantage of the health-giving and restorative nature of these pristine destinations.
Want to soak up life like an emperor and restore aching muscles from walking travel miles?
Let’s take you on a trip through the best Xi’an hot springs so you can.
#1 Huaqing Hot Spring
Huaqing Hot Spring in Xi’an sits at number one on the list of the best Xi’an hot springs.
Over 6,000 years old, the Huaqing Hot Spring remains not only one of the most famous hot springs in China, it is also one of the oldest. Approximately 30 kilometers east of Xi’an City, the former royal spring has become a scenic area for tourists, with a resort now well established and providing every visitor with the pure delight only Chinese emperors and courtesans could enjoy in the past.
Noted for the quality of spring water available, experts believe the water from Huaqing Hot Spring will do more than simply provide relaxation; it will restore your sense of wellbeing too.
Sounds like a natural remedy from heaven.
In Chinese: 华清池温泉 Find Huaqing Hot Spring: 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District (30 kilometers east of Xi’an City), Xi’an.
#2 Mianxian Hot Spring
Nestled in Southern Shaanxi, about three kilometers away from Mianxian, we have number two on our list of the best Xi’an hot springs.
The Mianxian Hot Spring has an average temperature of 58.2℃ and a daily flow rate of about 5,000 tons of water. This vital spring has been used in therapy since ancient times and has been commissioned as a resort after WWII. Want healing and health? Make time to visit one or more Xi’an hot springs on your China tour.
Chinese Name: 勉县温泉 Find it: At the foot of Ma’anshan Mountain, Hanzhong City, Shannan
#3 Lantian Tangyu Hot Spring
With an enviable outlook, the iconic Lantian Tangyu Hot Springs shares another distinguished title, that of top 8 best views in Lantian.
Situated about 20 kilometers from Lantian county and 40 kilometers away from downtown Xi’an, the Lantian Tangyu Hot Spring draws both locals and tourists for healing, relaxation, and restoration.
The Chinese love a good saying and it’s fitting there’s one for Tangyu: ‘the water in Tangyu is much more precious than gold’.
As one of the best of Xi’an hot springs, Lantian Tangyu Hot Spring is so popular that even since its beginning at the time of the Tang Dynasty, people far and wide have traveled to gather here, just to take a dip!
When you visit, you’ll understand why.
In Chinese: 蓝田汤浴温泉 Find it: 20 kilometers away from Lantian County, Shaanxi
#4 Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring
China’s emperors had a deep affinity with Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring, so much so, that Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty built a summer residence here and named it the ‘Phoenix Spring Palace’.
Until the start of the Tang Dynasty, Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring was still used as a royal getaway destination during the summer.
Located about 10 kilometers from Xi’an where it’s nestled alongside the gate of Taibaishan National Forest Park, the Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring is also referred to Taibaishan Tangyu Hot Spring by outsiders.
Open from afternoons through to late evening, it’s the perfect way to round out a busy day on tour in Xi’an.
In Chinese: 眉县汤浴温泉 Find it: Tai’an Road, Tangyu County, Taibaishan National Forest Park
#5 Virgie Spring
Number five on our list of the best Xi’an hot springs – and the only hot spring not dignified by royalty – the Virgie Spring in Qia County of the Shaanxi province is a minerally rich spring and has unbelievable scenic surroundings.
Virgie Spring is named after a unique tradition in Qia County. It is said in ancient times, young women on the eve of their weddings would bathe themselves in the spring to embrace their impending maturity, believing this prepared their bodies for the gift of children.
Virgie Spring actually consists of a group of smaller springs forming a beautiful butterfly pattern – perhaps a nod to the mystical and magical so characteristic of Chinese mythology.
One of the perfect Xi’an hot springs to relax and enjoy.
In Chinese: 处女泉 Find it: Qiachuan, Heyang, Weinan City, Shaanxi
Ready to take the plunge on a China tour with stops in Xi’an and visit the best hot springs including the famous Huaqing Hot Spring? Book online now or connect with one of our China tour specialists.
Come and experience China with ChinaTours.com
ChinaTours.com provide the best China tours, as our tour groups are kept small so you experience the best of China whether it is one day or a tour of several days. We offer tours throughout China including tour packages in and around Xi’an, Beijing, Tibet and even Hong Kong.
A small group, private or custom tour is the ideal way to experience China when you travel with ChinaTours.com, the friendliest China tour company. Arranging specialized inbound China tours for over ten years, we understand the importance of providing comfort, safety, and a real experience of China. We can arrange private tours for one in twenty unique China destinations, or a custom tour to best suit you. We’d love to hear from you if you would like to know more.
A little bit like buying a fancy bottle of wine, knowing how to choose Chinese tea like a local can be, well, a little confusing.
In fact, because the art and science of tea has a modern history, as well as an ancient one. More recent influences on the maintaining the quality of tea emerged in China from the 1950s to the 1980s. During this time, the production of tea came under a system called the ‘commodity allocation plan’, which developed a standard based on eight elements for assessing tea quality. In true Chinese style, this assessment was multi-faceted, taking into consideration the ‘inner’ quality of tea and ‘outer’ quality of tea in equal measure.
The inner quality of tea refers to the aroma, taste, color and selection of tea leaves. Of these criteria, aroma and taste are most important. In terms of the outer shape of tea that influences tea quality, connoisseurs look for the shape and color of leaves, as well as the uniformity of shape, and how clean the leaves are. Although all elements are important, the shape of tea leaves takes priority.
With color, clarity, and aroma among the many factors to consider, it’s any wonder that western travelers on a China tour feel the overwhelm of indecision and confusion when pressed to choose a Chinese tea on their own.
The truth is, learning how to choose a Chinese tea involves more than a dose of good luck. There is an art and science to planting, growing and producing tea, so if it’s a genuine quality product you’re after while on tour, then take notes!
We’ve covered it all in this and other blogs in our article series on Chinese tea.
When it comes to tea, 8 is a lucky number
We’re the first to admit that 8 is an auspicious number in all things Chinese, that’s why it’s no surprise there are exactly eight things to look for if you want to choose Chinese tea like a local.
Ready? Here goes.
1. Look for a consistent shape
A consistent shape in dried tea leaves is just one of the eight elements considered important when assessing tea quality. Tiao Suo (条索) specifies the shape of dried tea leaves. For example, with panning green tea we look for long strips; for gunpowder (pearl) tea we look for the roundness of the ‘pearl’; with Longjing tea the defining characteristic in terms of shape is how flat the leaf is; while black tea is valued for the way it is crushed. When it comes to shape, there are different Tiao Suo which point to the quality of a tea. When considering tea shaped as a long strip, look for whether the leaves are tight, straight, strong, and heavy. For round tea, the tightness of the small round pearl, along with how solid and evenly distributed the weight in the pearl. For flat tea, smooth and even is the core factor.
2. Choose a quality color
Not surprisingly, the best Chinese tea must have visual appeal too. When looking at tea for its color, be sure to check for an even spread and gloss across the tea leaf.
3. Whole shredding? We’ve got you covered
Another term not immediately associated with tea, but is in fact, integral to how to choose Chinese tea like a local: whole shredding. It’s a term that can be a little confusing because whole shredding actually means the tea leaves must maintain their natural shape, even when dried.
4. Tea clarity
While clarity is a wine term referring to a wine’s reflective quality, that is, whether it is brilliant, dull, clear, or hazy, clarity in tea refers to the number of impurities. It goes without saying that the finest quality teas are free from contamination. This no doubt explains the reason some of the most expensive Chinese tea is produced in pristine regions like the mountains of Fujian and the Li Shan (Pear Mountain) tea district of Taiwan where the chance of contamination is greatly reduced.
5. Hmm…tea. How does it smell?
We all understand the term aroma, but when it comes to tea, what does it mean? Aroma in Chinese tea refers to the scent that arises from the steam after the tea is brewed. The various types of tea carry their own fragrance, for example, black tea is typically sweet, while a fruity or floral aroma is usually associated with Oolong tea.
6. It’s all in the taste
As you step out and try different teas, you’ll start to become familiar with the distinctive tastes that are associated with each. Naturally, a quality tea is strong and fresh; and not at all bitter or unpleasant to smell.
7. Soup color? Aren’t we talking about tea?
Well, yes we are, but soup color is the term used to describe the color of water after the tea leaves are immersed in boiling water. Soup color mainly depends on chroma (the saturation of color), brightness and turbidity. Want to add some green tea to your repertoire? Look for tea that is yellow-green and bright. On the other hand, black tea should be red and bright, while Oolong tea, a bright orange-yellow hue.
8. Leaf bottom
Who knew that the art and science of tea could be so complex? Leaf bottom or Ye Di (叶底), refers to the tea after it has been infused (and with most Chinese teas, this occurs several times). The literal translation of Ye Di is ‘finished tea leaves’, but the Chinese are a poetic bunch and instead use the term ‘leaf bottom’. Tea connoisseurs say that the leaf bottom is a good indicator both of tea quality – and the tea-making skills of the tea drinker.
The tea bottom is evaluated on the ratio of buds to young leaves, and the tenderness of the leaves, which should be uniform in shape and size, soft in texture, brightly colored.
Looking for the finest tea in China?
We can help with that kind of adventure – and just about any other kind of China tour, regardless of your interest. Whether it’s culture, history, food, crafts, or Chinese tea, our dedicated team of travel consultants can help custom design a China tour that inspires beautiful travel memories.
ChinaTours.com is dedicated to helping western travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere enjoy an authentic experience of China, including adventurers on the hunt for the very best Chinese tea. We are passionate Chinese tea drinkers too. In fact, we source the tea we drink from all corners of China – and would love to take you there. If you’d like to learn how to choose Chinese tea like a local, or even take a totally food-focused tour of China, just let us know. We’re here to share your passion. Enquire via our contact form and we’ll respond within 24 hour.
Located at the top of the luxurious Oriental Pearl Tower, the Oriental Pearl Tower Restaurant, or Oriental Pearl Revolving Restaurant, offers diners panoramic views of the city, 267 meters above beautiful Shanghai. This iconic venue is no mere restaurant. The tower is a destination as well for locals and travelers alike.
Delve into the detail below to discover why the Oriental Pearl Tower and its revolving restaurant should be on your Shanghai highlights list.
Oriental Pearl Tower – It’s a towering achievement
The Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower is a multi-purpose facility with sightseeing, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, the Shanghai History Museum, a cruise dock, and events center.
At 468 meter high, it stood as the tallest structure in China from 1994–2007, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center. Standing on the bank of the Huangpu River, it is central to Lujiazui and opposite The Bund, which is renowned for its grand architectural buildings with its variety of styles.
The Oriental Pearl Tower remains one of the most symbolic venues and tourism destinations in Shanghai. Classified as an ‘AAAAA’ scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration, it’s proclaimed The Oriental Pearl Tower Restaurant has one of the 10 best views in Shanghai.
The tower features 11 spheres, both big and small. The two largest spheres, along the length of the tower, are visible from great distances, as the tower is brightly illuminated in various LED sequences at night. The design and symbolism of the tower are said to be based on a verse of the Tang Dynasty poem, Pipa Song by Bai Juyi about the wonderful sprinkling sound of a Pipa instrument, like pearls, big and small falling on a jade plate.
‘AAAAA’ scenic views
Including the Oriental Pearl Revolving Restaurant, the tower has 15 Observation levels. The highest of these, known as the Space Module, is an awe-inspiring 350 meters high. Boasting an outdoor observation platform, not for the faint of heart, sightseers are protected from falling by a 50mm thick, transparent glass floor looking straight down onto the busy Shanghai streets below!
The lower sightseeing level is a still modest 263 meters above ground and the Space City floor rests at 90 meters. The Oriental Pearl Tower has a 20-room hotel, called the Space Hotel, between the two large spheres. There are also exhibition centers and a small shopping complex.
A basement museum and the history of Shanghai
The exhibitions of The Shanghai History Museum, in the basement of the tower, are truly incredible. The museum is a winding maze, full of great information about the development of Shanghai from its very beginning. Unsurprisingly, their attention to detail is impressive, giving great insights into the early lives of the rich and poor Chinese of Shanghai, and their ever-changing city. There are few better ways to understand Shanghai and its history than a visit to the Shanghai History Museum.
The Oriental Pearl Revolving Restaurant
Soaring at 267 meters above Shanghai’s bustling streets, this tower top revolving restaurant is an experience unlike any other, with its breathtaking views of the city in full vision beneath and all around you.
Traditional Chinese cuisine meets western-style cooking in epic fashion at the buffet. The food is delicious, however, if you don’t book your table in advance you’ll be watching the sights and the people eating! Our local guides help you through these processes to avoid missing out on any must-see sights, like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Revolving Restaurant.
When the sun goes down and the stars dot the vastness above. One of two breathtaking marvels can be seen. One is the night sky, scattered with countless stars, an unforgettable sight! The other is the mesmerizing illumination of the city-scape below and all around you.
Experience real Chinese sights with ChinaTours.com
Get more out of what you want in China! With our local experts guiding your holiday, you can discover what makes Shanghai culture so truly unique. The flexibility and freedom provided by ChinaTours.com mean every traveler can experience the real sights of Shanghai. Talk to your local guide on tour and take advantage of the buffet of lunch and dinner options available at The Oriental Pearl Revolving Restaurant.
A small group, private or custom tour of Shanghai is the ideal way to experience China when you travel with the friendliest China tour company. Arranging specialized inbound China tours for over ten years, we understand the importance of providing comfort, safety, and a real experience of China. What makes ChinaTours.com different? Our small group tour focus. We can even arrange private tours for one in twenty unique China destinations.
For the very best in China tours
Filter our search options to find the best suited tour
