Lost Plate China Food Tours: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and More (Spring 2026 + Code ADAMANDLINDS)
Lost Plate runs food tours in seven Chinese cities. Here's our spring 2026 guide to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian and beyond — plus how to save $5 with code ADAMANDLINDS.
China has been on our radar for a while. We've been to Hong Kong twice — most recently for two weeks in early 2025, which was exceptional — and we've done a lot of research on mainland food culture. The plan for 2026 is to get there properly, and when we do, Lost Plate will be our first call. They operate in seven Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Xian, and Lijiang. That is a remarkable geographic and culinary range, and it represents something genuinely rare: a single trusted operator you can use across almost any Chinese itinerary you're likely to build.
Spring is one of the best times to visit China. The brutal summer heat hasn't arrived yet, cherry blossoms are still in season in some regions through April, and the shoulder-season crowds mean you're not competing with peak summer tourism for every seat at every acclaimed dumpling counter. Use code ADAMANDLINDS at lostplate.com for $5 off any Lost Plate China tour.
Beijing: Hutong Breakfast and Evening Food Tours
Beijing's hutong neighborhoods are among the most culturally dense food environments on earth. These narrow alleyways date back centuries and still contain vendors operating the way families have for generations: dou zhi (fermented mung bean milk, an acquired taste that divides Beijing residents themselves), jianbing (a savory crepe that is breakfast perfection), and dan dan mian (sesame-chili noodles). Lost Plate runs both morning and evening tours through the hutongs, with guides who grew up in these neighborhoods. The Beijing food tour starts at $49 per adult. Code ADAMANDLINDS saves $5. For serious Beijing food travelers, Lost Plate also offers a Beijing in 4 Days multi-day itinerary.
Shanghai: The Cosmopolitan Food City
Shanghai's food identity is one of the most interesting in China precisely because it has absorbed so many influences without losing its own character. Shanghainese cuisine — hong shao rou (red-braised pork belly), xiao long bao (soup dumplings), sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns) — is technically refined and deeply satisfying. The Lost Plate Shanghai food tour navigates the line between the city's historic food culture and its modern culinary evolution. Shanghai is typically the entry point for visitors doing a China transit visa (72 or 144 hours) and the Lost Plate tour is an outstanding way to make the most of a short visit. Tour prices start at $49.
Chengdu: Spice, Pandas, and Tea Houses
Chengdu is a bucket-list food city. Sichuan cuisine has conquered the world's restaurant scene for good reason: the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorn (ma la) is one of the most distinct flavor experiences in any food tradition, and Chengdu is where it's done with the most sophistication and variety. Mapo tofu, dan dan mian, Sichuan hot pot, and the endlessly inventive cold dishes called liang cai are all represented across the city's food stalls and restaurants. The Chengdu Panda, Teahouse and Evening Food Tour combines the Giant Panda Research Base with a traditional Chengdu teahouse and an evening of Sichuan street food. It starts at $59 per adult. Lost Plate also offers a Chengdu in 4 Days multi-day itinerary.
Xian, Suzhou, Guangzhou, and Lijiang
Lost Plate's China footprint beyond the three major cities is equally impressive. Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors, has one of the most diverse food cultures in China thanks to its history as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. The Muslim Quarter's street food — lamb skewers, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), cold noodles — is extraordinary, and Lost Plate's Xian food tours cover both morning and evening options starting at $49. Suzhou's alleyway food tour focuses on the canal city's refined local cuisine, which is softer and sweeter than most Chinese regional styles. Guangzhou's evening food tour covers Cantonese cuisine — dim sum, roasted meats, fresh seafood. And Lijiang in Yunnan province offers both a cooking class and tours focused on the unique Naxi ethnic minority food culture of southwestern China.
| City | Tour Type | Price From | Highlight Dish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Hutong Morning & Evening | $49 | Jianbing, Dan Dan Mian |
| Shanghai | Evening Street Food | $49 | Xiao Long Bao, Sheng Jian Bao |
| Chengdu | Panda + Teahouse + Evening | $59 | Mapo Tofu, Sichuan Hot Pot |
| Xian | Morning & Evening | $49 | Roujiamo, Lamb Skewers |
| Suzhou | Alleyway Tour | $49 | Sweet local noodles, pastries |
| Guangzhou | Evening Tour | $49 | Cantonese dim sum, roasted meats |
| Lijiang | Cooking Class + Tours | $49 | Naxi ethnic minority cuisine |
Multi-Day China Food Trips
For travelers who want China through the lens of food, Lost Plate's multi-day itineraries are the most ambitious options in their catalog. The Best of China in 11 Days covers multiple cities. Yunnan options include Yunnan in 8 Days and Shangrila in 6 Days. All multi-day trips are available privately, starting around $600 per person.
Getting Connected in China
A practical note that matters enormously in China: Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps are blocked. You need a reliable eSIM with VPN capability. We've tested the Holafly China eSIM personally in Shanghai, and it has a built-in VPN that gets you through the Great Firewall. This is the real thing — we've verified it works. Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off any Holafly destination eSIM, or 10% off a Holafly Plans subscription ($49.90/month for 25GB or $64.90/month unlimited across 160+ countries). Book your Lost Plate China tour at lostplate.com with code ADAMANDLINDS for $5 off. For help building a full China itinerary, Lindsay is available at [email protected].
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Using code ADAMANDLINDS on Lost Plate or Holafly earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full affiliate disclosure here.
