Hands-On Immersion: Chinese Culture & Family Food Tour

From $95.00 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 10 travelers in total.

Senior (66-85) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10

Adult (18-65) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 10

Youth (11-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10

Child (4-10) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10

Infant (1-3) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Hands-On Immersion: Chinese Culture & Family Food Tour

2 Adults x $95.00

$190.00

Approx Total

$190.00

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Email to advise of any dietary requirements such as vegetarian and gluten-free diets
An English-speaking local food and craft lover guide
Enjoy an authentic Chinese meal cooked by a local family.
Master the art of paper-cutting to create stunning paper designs.
Rice paper and brushes for Chinese calligraphy and panda painting
Watch a traditional drum-beating performance, echoing the timekeeping practices of ancient times.

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Overview

Join us for a day that blends history, art, and flavor, offering a unique glimpse into the heart of Beijing. Step into the charm of Beijing’s ancient hutongs, where history comes alive in narrow alleyways and traditional courtyards. On this tour, you'll walk these storied paths and dive into the city’s cultural soul. Start with a hands-on calligraphy session, capturing the elegance of Chinese characters, and try your hand at paper-cutting, crafting a keepsake to cherish. Next, enjoy an authentic Beijing meal in a local family’s home, experiencing true Beijing flavors. End your day at the Drum Tower, where a powerful drum-beating performance will echo the rhythms of ancient China.

Meeting points

Please meet at Shichahai subway station exit A2, in front of the Starbucks

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Hutong Tour

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Beijing’s ancient hutongs. These narrow alleys, lined with traditional courtyard homes, offer a rare glimpse into the soul of the city, where time seems to stand still, and every corner tells a story. Our guided hutong tour leads you to explore the maze of alleys that have shaped Beijing for centuries. As you wander through these charming lanes, you'll uncover hidden gems—quaint teahouses, bustling markets, and artisan workshops where time-honored crafts are still practiced today. Our knowledgeable guides will share fascinating tales of the people who lived here, from imperial officials to ordinary citizens, bringing the history of the hutongs to life. Marvel at the stunning siheyuan courtyard homes, with their intricate architecture and peaceful gardens. Experience the warmth of the local community as you visit with residents, who will welcome you with open arms and share their personal stories.

1 hour
Hutong Calligraphy Class&life Awakening Tour

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture with lessons in calligraphy and paper-cutting art. Picture yourself in a serene traditional Chinese home, brush in hand, as you delve into the ancient art of calligraphy. Each stroke of the brush connects you with centuries of tradition, as you learn to create elegant characters that blend artistry with language. The rhythmic motion of the brush is both calming and invigorating, offering a profound connection to the cultural heritage of China. Next, explore the delicate art of paper-cutting. With each precise cut, ordinary paper transforms into intricate designs that symbolize luck, love, and happiness. The process is both intricate and rewarding, allowing you to create beautiful works of art while uncovering the deep meanings behind each pattern. These lessons provide more than just new skills; they offer a heartfelt journey into the essence of Chinese artistic traditions.

1 hour
Shijia Hutong

A Taste of Tradition: Sharing a Home-Cooked Meal with a Chinese Family Imagine the warmth of a family home as you step into a traditional Chinese household for a home-cooked meal. The air is filled with the tantalizing aromas of freshly prepared dishes. As you gather around the table, the lively conversation and laughter of the family create an inviting atmosphere, making you feel like a cherished guest rather than a visitor. The meal itself is a celebration of flavors and textures, with each dish lovingly prepared and presented. From savory dumplings to fragrant stir-fries, every bite tells a story of cultural heritage and family recipes passed down through the years. Sharing this meal with a traditional family not only allows you to savor authentic cuisine but also offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Chinese culture and hospitality. It’s an experience that goes beyond food, creating lasting memories and connections with the warmth and generosity of a local family.

1 hour
Bell and Drum Towers

Step into history at Beijing's Drum Tower, a place where the past comes alive with every step. As you ascend the stairs, the anticipation builds, knowing you're about to witness something truly special. At the top, the air vibrates with the deep, resonant sound of drums. Musicians in traditional attire perform with precision, their powerful beats filling the space with a rhythm that once guided the entire city. Each strike of the drum reverberates through your chest, creating an atmosphere that is both exhilarating and deeply moving. This isn't just a performance—it's a living connection to the heartbeat of ancient Beijing. As you stand there, captivated by the intensity of the moment, you feel a profound link to the city's rich cultural heritage. Visiting the Drum Tower is more than a journey into history; it's an unforgettable experience that immerses you in the soul of China's capital.

45 minutes

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Free Cancellation

April 26100% refund

April 27No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Reviews

5.0

6 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

6
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 6 reviews with 5 stars

Very Enjoyable!

Published on Aug, 2024

We had a great tour with Bruce today! Although we’ve both lived in Asia most of our life and have eaten plenty of Asian food, everything we tasted was top-notch, and we learned so much we didn’t know about the history of Chinese foods and culture. Very enjoyable tour and we left with full bellies!

Great tour!

Published on Aug, 2024

The tour was great. We are a family of 5 with three small kids(6,10&12). The kids loved it. The places they took us were great and the food was fantastic. You get to have so much real Chinese insights. From sweets, drinks, soups to the dumplings. The guides were fantastic, they speak good English and were so kind to the kids. We had a blast of a time and recommend this to each and everybody.

Great tour + incredible guide!

Published on Aug, 2024

I would HIGHLY recommend this food and culture tour! The selections of food were excellent. The tour was well-paced with a leisurely period at the end to sit and enjoy multiple different foods. Our tour guide, Amy, was very welcoming and our group had so much fun exploring the city with her. We also learned about the neighborhood of Hutong and its history, which was fascinating!!

Loved the experience!

Published on Jul, 2024

I visited Beijing for a few days and booked this tour. What can I say - if you are there you have to do this tour! Mike was amazing - we walked through the old Beijing neighborhood and he showed me to so many super delicious food places! I loved the calligraphy experience as it turns out I am quite good in painting pandas! Mike was very attentive and knows so much about the history, the culture and gives you many tips! It was so fun and I totally recommend it !!!

Fantastic!

Published on Jul, 2024

10/10! My fiancé and I had a fantastic time. Our tour lead, Bruce, was so knowledgeable and very funny. It was the perfect mix of educational and fun. He took us to areas that we would never have known about on our own. Great amount of food, we were quite full. Food was all delicious and were things that we wouldn’t have known to try, or would’ve been too cautious to try if not on the tour. Definitely the highlight of our time in Beijing!

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