4-Day Hangzhou Food Tour

Hangzhou is the birthplace and development center of Zhejiang Cuisine (including Hangzhou Cuisine), one of China’s Eight Major Cuisines. This gourmet tour is based in Hangzhou. Upon your arrival in Hangzhou, a professional driver and tour guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in. You may then rest at leisure or explore the surrounding area of the hotel.

After breakfast, head to West Lake. Stroll along the Su Causeway, admire the lake scenery, and embrace the tranquility and natural beauty of West Lake. Afterwards, proceed to a local Hangzhou Cuisine restaurant, where you can taste authentic Hangzhou specialties such as West Lake Vinegar Fish, Dongpo Pork, and Longjing Shrimp, while listening to your guide narrate the stories behind each dish.

West Lake

In the afternoon, visit the China Hangzhou Cuisine Museum. Explore 20 restored historical scenes and over 300 simulated classic dish models, and learn about the evolution of food culture from the imperial delicacies of the Southern Song Dynasty to modern state banquets.

Our guide will take you to a local market. You will select fresh vegetables under the guide’s lead, practise bargaining, and chat with local stallholders to gain an in-depth understanding of local daily life. Later, join a hands-on Hangzhou Cuisine cooking experience. Under the guidance of a professional chef, learn to prepare the iconic Hangzhou dish — Longjing Shrimp, and enjoy the pleasure of cooking.

Hangzhou Famous Dish — Longjing Shrimp

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Taste authentic Jiangnan delicacies at a time-honored local Hangzhou Cuisine restaurant. Visit the China Hangzhou Cuisine Museum to explore the history and food culture of Hangzhou Cuisine. Experience making classic Hangzhou dishes and enjoy the fun of hands-on cooking.

Educational Focus:

What is the relationship between the light-oil, mild-flavor cooking feature of Hangzhou Cuisine and the climate of the Jiangnan region?

Takeaway:

Hangzhou is located in a subtropical monsoon climate zone with mild temperatures and abundant rainfall. Thanks to such favorable climatic conditions, local ingredients remain exceptionally fresh. There is no need to use excessive oil or strong seasonings to mask ingredient flaws or prolong preservation; instead, Hangzhou Cuisine focuses on preserving the original natural flavor of ingredients.

Thought Challenge:

When inheriting a traditional cuisine genre, do you think preserving its flavors, cooking techniques, or dietary philosophy is the most important?

We will take you to Meijiawu Tea Village, known as an ideal retreat back to nature. Boasting picturesque scenery, the local tea farmers will lead you into the mountain area, where you will be amazed by the rolling terraced tea fields. You will not only witness the whole process of tea picking and tea making, but also take part in the tea experience personally like a tea artisan: walk into the tea garden to pick fresh tea leaves, visit local tea farmers’ homes, and appreciate the authentic local tea ceremony.

Meijiawu Tea Terraces

Enjoy a distinctive farmhouse lunch featuring scented tea, Hangzhou Cat Ear Noodles, crispy pastries, and other local delicacies.

In the afternoon, head to the local food street. Follow your guide to taste a variety of classic Hangzhou snacks and savour their unique flavours. As night falls, go to a themed bar by West Lake. Sip a signature cocktail or simply enjoy a cup of Longjing tea, relax amid the stunning night scenery of West Lake, and wrap up a fulfilling day.

Explore Hangzhou Special Snacks at the Food Street

Your Journey’s Rewards:

Walk through the tea mountains with local tea farmers in Meijiawu Tea Village, and experience tea picking, tea processing and tea tasting. Wander along the food street to savour authentic local delicacies and embrace the lively street atmosphere.

Educational Focus:

How is Longjing tea incorporated into dishes to form the unique tea-infused Hangzhou Cuisine system?

Takeaway:

Longjing tea is integrated into dishes by simmering with tea soup, cooking together with tea leaves, seasoning with tea powder, and smoking with tea aroma. It infuses delicate tea fragrance into ingredients and creates signature tea-flavoured Hangzhou dishes, such as Longjing Shrimp, Longjing Tea Fragrant Chicken, Longjing Tofu, and Tea Aroma Pork.

Thought Challenge:

Why is it important to inherit the traditional hand-stir-frying tea craftsmanship, and what are its differences from machine-made tea in terms of flavour and technique?

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in the morning. A driver will transfer you to the airport or railway station as scheduled, marking the end of the tour.