Things to do in China

Explore the heart of Chengdu

This excursion with our resident guide takes you straight into the heart of Chengdu culture so you can truly discover this remarkable city….

By Lily Li

Product Manager at Asian Trails, Alfred&'s partners in China

This warm and welcoming city has a small-town spirit unique to other places you will have visited in China but when you’re only visiting for a couple of days it can be tricky to pinpoint. This excursion with our resident guide takes you straight into the heart of Chengdu culture so you can truly discover this remarkable city.

Tea is a quintessential part of Chinese society and teahouses make the perfect place for some people-watching. Join us for a cup of your favourite blend as we invite you to sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals and see for yourself the appeal of this much-loved past time. Away from the organised town centre, we’ll show you the real chaos that goes on behind the scenes at a hidden market, before arriving at Chengdu’s star attraction – the Chengdu Hot Pot.

No trip to this laid-back city would be complete without enjoying this famous traditional feast. The spices alone will leave a lasting memory for most people and those less accustomed to this level of heat often leave with hilarious stories drenched in perspiration. If you’re not feeling too adventurous we can always request a less spicy container in the main hotpot and order a few extra cold beers.

If you want to mingle with the locals and discover the real flavours this fascinating city has to offer, you won’t want to miss this experience.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

A leisurely voyage through China
by Suzanne McLaughlin

Length16 Days

Price rangeOn request
Itinerary

The ultimate tour of China
by Malcolm Holcroft

Length19 Days

Price rangeOn request
Itinerary

The very best of China
by Malcolm Holcroft

Length11 Days

Price rangeOn request

Alfred & Lily Li

Lily is the product manager for Asian Trails - Alfred&'s partners in China - and is based in their offices in Beijing. Asian Trails looks after our customers once they've arrived in China, ensuring they have access to the best guides and all the benefits that local contacts can bring. With five years experience creating bespoke trips and experiences for visitors to her home country, she loves sharing China's profound history, helping others explore the beautiful landscapes in the Chinese countryside and building relationships with those she works with.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Suzanne, who's travelled extensively in China. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the guides who can take you to The Great Wall’s quietest spots, the villagers who can show you how to create your own lucky clay cat and the cooks who can rustle you up breakfast pancakes, Shanghai-style.

Suzanne McLaughlin

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Living in Beijing for four years gave Suzanne the opportunity to travel extensively throughout China, always fuelled by her favourite Jian Bing pancakes! Rock climbing and abseiling in Yangshou was (quite literally) a high point. Her expertise also extends into Southeast Asia, where a fascination with the colourful history has inspired adventures around Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
Lily Li

Product Manager at Asian Trails, Alfred&'s partners in China

Lily is the product manager for Asian Trails - Alfred&'s partners in China - and is based in their offices in Beijing. Asian Trails looks after our customers once they've arrived in China, ensuring they have access to the best guides and all the benefits that local contacts can bring. With five years experience creating bespoke trips and experiences for visitors to her home country, she loves sharing China's profound history, helping others explore the beautiful landscapes in the Chinese countryside and building relationships with those she works with.
Simone Sturla

Inbound Manager at Asian Trails, Alfred&'s partners in China

Originally from Italy, Simone is the inbound manager and business development director for our partners in China, Asian Trails. Asian Trails look after our customers when they arrive, ensuring they have access to the very best local guides and all the benefits that local contacts can bring. From his early days guiding groups across South America and Africa to teaching guests about the wondrous world below the ocean surface as a scuba diving teacher, Simone is never shy of an adventure. Having sparked an affectionate relationship with China, Simone has mastered the Chinese language to a fluent level and is proud to call the world's largest country home. In his spare time, he enjoys diving deep into the world of ancient religions and philosophies as well keeping his advanced scuba skills up to date.
Xiaolin Zhang

Managing Director at Asian Trails, Alfred&'s partners in China

Xiaolin is the managing director of Asian Trails, our partners in China who look after our customers once they've arrived. Based in Beijing, Xiaolin has been with Asian Trails for over 10 years and has been country manager since 2016. Fluent in both English and French, Xiaolin loves to share her deep knowledge of her home country with visitors from around the world, helping them build extraordinary itineraries to places they perhaps would not otherwise visit. With a keen interest in both Chinese history and art, when she's not tailoring trips for her guests you'll find her immersed in books and visiting ancient landmarks and galleries.
Jim Spear

The owner of The Brickyard at Mutianyu Great Wall

Having lived under the Mutianyu Great Wall for over 25 years, Jim and his wife Liang wanted to give something back to the local community. An architect and designer by trade, when he looked at the remains of this old glazed tile factory he knew it was a wonderful opportunity to create a bespoke hotel. With its proximity to the Great Wall he wanted to maximise the views, but his primary aim was to create a physical refuge for their guests.

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Things to do in China

Explore the heart of Chengdu

Categories

Available in these itineraries…

A leisurely voyage through China

The ultimate tour of China

The very best of China

Alfred & Lily Li

Plan your holiday withAlfred&