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Hangzhou-Chengdu, the art of the table
2 stops
6 nights
964 miles
Chinese gastronomy comes in infinite flavors and aromas that, surprisingly, do not always cross the borders of its own provinces. This journey between Hangzhou, in the province of Zhejiang, and the city of Chengdu, in the heart of Sichuan, is a real invitation to discover this mosaic of taste, by exploring its varied herbs and spices, more esoteric aromatics and teas (including the incredibly refined Long Jing, cultivated for a millennium). Recognizing the exceptional breadth of its restaurants and street vendors, UNESCO named Chengdu a ‘city of gastronomy' in 2010.
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Departure
Recommended duration : 3 nights
Hangzhou
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Stroll along the banks of the West Lake
For centuries, the banks of the West Lake have inspired some of the greatest poets and painters of China. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, its landscapes continue to offer a sense of serenity to all those arriving from nearby Shanghai. You can walk or cycle between temples, pagodas, pavilions and gardens with the impression of entering part of China that time forgot. The ancient capital of the Song dynasty has retained all of its charm.
During your stay
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Tour the Longjing tea plantations
Known as the tea capital of China, the city of Hangzhou is dominated by the Longjing plantations, which grow the most prestigious tea in the country. Known as ‘Dragon Well', this tea was traditionally reserved for emperors before being offered to foreign dignitaries on official visits. Always harvested by hand, these powerful green leaves have been cultivated here for over 1,200 years. From the village of Longjing, your eye will be drawn across the 800 acres of surrounding plantations.
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3 hPlane
Recommended duration : 3 nights
Chengdu
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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A traditional tea tasting
Tea houses are to Chengdu what café culture is to Paris. These traditional meeting places, where you can sip your favorite tea, have become institutions in their own right–Chengdu is, after all, surrounded by some of the most renowned tea plantations in the country. As well as the many flavors and varieties you can expect to choose from, you'll also find your cup of tea accompanied by sweet skewers of fried sweet rice balls coated with sesame seeds–a local delicacy called<em fontscheme='2'> tangyouguozi. Locals will tell you that these tea houses represent the true soul of Chengdu.
During your stay
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Discovering Sichuan gastronomy
Known for its spice blends and dishes that combine myriad flavors, Sichuan cuisine is one of the four principal cuisines of China–and considered by many gourmands to be the best. Often flavored with the region's eponymous pepper, along with ginger and chili, Sichuan cooking often gives pride of place to bean pastes or fermented tofu. In some notable sweet and sour or spicy dishes, it's possible to detect more than 20 different flavors working in harmony. It is practically impossible to leave Chengdu without having tasted two of the region's signature delicacies: smoked duck and twice-cooked pork.
Itinerary suggestions