Tour Itinerary
Optional Activities
Price
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Tour Itinerary
- Place&Transport: Xi'an
- Today's Activities: Local Family Visiting, Dumpling or Noodles Making Class, discover Xi’an’s Culture at the Host’s Home
- Accommodation: N/A
- Meal: N/A
Meeting Your Guide in Xi'an
In the morning your guide meets you in the lobby of your Xi'an hotel or at the Xi'an train station, holding a 'Your Way Holiday' sign. From there you head to a local family's home for a short cooking class. You can pick one of two hands-on sessions before you start: a dumpling class or a noodle class.
A Local Family's Home
Your guide takes you into the home of a Xi'an family, where the hostess greets you and talks about everyday life in one of China's oldest cities. It is a chance to see how a local household lives and to ask about its customs and traditions before you start cooking.
Making Dumplings
In the kitchen the hostess shows you how to make dumplings, a dish with a history of more than 2,000 years in China. You roll the wrappers, fill them, and fold them by hand with her guidance, while your guide explains when Xi'an families make dumplings and what the shape stands for.
Handmade Noodles
If you choose the noodle class, the hostess demonstrates how to knead and stretch the dough into handmade noodles, a staple of Xi'an cooking. When the dumplings or noodles are done, you sit down and eat what you made with the hostess and your guide, who helps with the names of the dishes.
Inside the Host's Home
After you have cooked and eaten, your guide walks you through the house, pointing out features such as Chinese paintings on the walls, tended bonsai plants, and other family ornaments, and explains what they mean to the household. You can ask further questions about life in Xi'an.
At the End of the Day
At the end of the session your guide takes you back to your hotel or the Xi'an train station, so you can plan the rest of your day.
Questions Before You Book
Is this a dumpling class, a noodle class, or both?
You choose one hands-on session when you book, dumplings or noodles. The hostess runs that class and you eat what you make.
How long does the visit last?
About 3 to 4 hours, including pickup and drop-off from your Xi'an hotel or the train station.
Can children and older travelers join?
Yes. The cooking is done at a kitchen table, seated or standing, and is easy to follow. Tell us ages in advance so the hostess can set a slower pace.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No. Your guide translates between you and the host family, so questions and instructions carry over in English.
Can you handle dietary needs?
The food is cooked fresh in the family home. Tell us about allergies or a halal or vegetarian request when you book and we will confirm what the hostess can prepare.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes and a willingness to cook; the home provides aprons and utensils. Weekends and public holidays fill up early, so reserve a few days ahead.
Optional Activities
At Your Way Holiday, we strive to enhance the depth and flexibility of your travel experience by offering a range of optional additions to our core tour itineraries. Our itineraries are designed to provide exceptional flexibility, allowing you to tailor your journey according to your preferences. Select from a variety of activities and experiences to enrich your itinerary, ensuring a personalized adventure that perfectly aligns with your interests. With Your Way Holiday, you have the freedom to create a memorable travel experience that is uniquely yours.
Morning Market & Breakfast
If you desire to fell Xian life of local residents, local market is an amazing way. See how Xi'an wake up by experiencing the tastes, sounds and local way of life, you can bargin with them, buy quality and cheap goods. Of course, it is the best place to learn authentic Xian dialect. . By the end of the morning, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the local way of life and a full stomach from tasting some of Xi'an's best breakfast delights. Your guide will help you looking for the best local breakfast at places we know and you can't find on you own. How interesting!
Fantastic Tang Dynasty Show with Dumpling Banquet Dinner
"If you miss the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, you miss the highlight of the attractions", the locals always say. The Dance show takes you to a magical journey through the ancient and prosperous Tang Dynasty in Chang'an. Let you enjoy the splendid culture of Tang Dynasty while tasting the special banquet - Dumplings that made of only the finest ingredients and come in an unbelievable variety.
Price Per Person in US Dollars
Price Includes 1. Cozy Ride: Enjoy the comfort and spaciousness of our air-conditioned car, offering scenic views.
2. Bilingual Expert Guide: Benefit from a personalized experience with a guide fluent in your language, catering to your needs.
3. Entrance Fees: Access all attractions and activities mentioned in the itinerary without worrying about additional entrance fees.
4. Seamless Transfer: Enhance your experience with convenient hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service.
5. Connect Seamlessly: Stay connected with complimentary onboard WiFi, allowing you to share your experiences in real-time.
6. Complimentary Water: Receive a complimentary bottle of water for each person, keeping you refreshed throughout your journey.
7. Travel Agency Liability Insurance: Benefit from coverage under our travel agency liability insurance, providing added protection and peace of mind during your trip. |
| Price Excludes 1. Personal Expenses: This includes phone bills, laundry, additional tours, postage, and any entertainment fees not covered in the itinerary.
2. Meals: While meals are not included, our guide will recommend the best local food spots, giving you the chance to explore and choose based on your preferences. (Average cost per person for a regular meal at local eateries: 40RMB/6USD-80RMB/12USD)
3. Tips: Tips are not mandatory but are recommended for excellent service. If you feel satisfied with the service, you may consider leaving a tip. The tipping standards are as follows: Driver: 50-100 RMB per day/group; Guide: 100-200 RMB per day/group.
4. Insurance: Insurance coverage for personal loss, illness, or damages incurred during your trip is not included.
5. Optional Activities: Any optional activities listed in the itinerary are not included in the tour fees, allowing you to choose and participate based on your preferences. |
How Our Teams Serve you at Your Way Holiday
Personalized Travel Consultant
Experience the best of China with our expert travel consultants by your side. With years of local tourism experience, they are not only professional and knowledgeable but also deeply committed to making your trip unforgettable. Your dedicated consultant will craft a bespoke tour plan tailored to your unique interests, schedule, and budget, offering you the utmost flexibility. From the moment you start planning until the end of your journey, they will be in touch, ensuring every detail is perfect and that your trip runs smoothly.
Exceptional Local Guides
Discover it through the eyes of our exceptional local guides. All certified and experienced, they are passionate about sharing their deep knowledge of attractions, history, and culture. Whether you're interested in hidden gems or popular sites, they know the best places to visit. They can recommend top local restaurants, unique shopping spots, and must-see shows. Beyond just guiding, they provide enriching insights into the history, customs, and authentic daily life, making your experience truly immersive.
Premium Private Transportation
Travel in comfort and style with our premium private transportation. We offer a fleet of air-conditioned, non-smoking, clean, and meticulously maintained vehicles, all less than four years old. Our professional drivers, all locals with over a decade of driving experience, are friendly, courteous, and dedicated to your safety and comfort. Depending on your group's size, we provide a range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, business vans (MPVs), and spacious buses, all with ample luggage space.
Authentic Dining Experiences
We prioritize genuine local culinary experiences over pre-arranged tourist restaurants. Our local guides will recommend the best local restaurants where you can savor authentic flavors. This approach ensures you enjoy the freshest, most authentic meals, tailored to your preferences, and experience the true essence of the local cuisine. Whether your dietary needs are vegetarian, Muslim, Chinese, Western, Jewish, or Indian, we have excellent options to make every meal a delightful part of your journey.
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Great experience in Xian! Our guide John is very friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. He could lead us to avoid the crowds and find the best viewing places. We went to Big Wild Goose Gogoda, Shaanxi History Museum, Xian Ancient City Wall, Banpo Museum, Terracotta Warriors and more, every site was incredible. We got a lot of valuable information in the terra cottawarriors and the History Museum, and his explanation was very accurate and passionate. John was consistently caring about the welfare of us and made sure that everyone was comfortable. The restaurant was also very good, we tasted a lot of Xi'an cuisine. All in all, it was a wonderful two days tour in Xian.
Replied:28 October 2026
Hi Lisha, the market-and-home visit is the part people remember for years, and the family who opens their door is very special. So glad you experienced it.
Your Way Holiday - Your trusted partner for private tours in China!
This was an absolutely fantastic tour. Anita was very informative and friendly, accommodated our needs and had a wealth of information to share about the family and Xian food culture. It was a great experience to make our own dumplings in a range of different styles at the end of it and can eat as many as you like. The cooking class was great for beginners, and you receive a recipe to follow when you are back home. Lots of fun!
Replied:28 October 2026
Hi Kamal, Anita's food-culture storytelling is a real gift, and I'm glad she made space for your needs too. Thanks for the warm words.
Your Way Holiday - Your trusted partner for private tours in China!