Tour Details

Experience Xi’an: Dumpling Making and Family Cooking Class

From: £35.72

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in local Xi’an culture than taking a small-group cooking class! Whether you’re a beginner cook or an expert chef, this fun and informative cooking course will get you sautéing, stir-frying and steaming the way the locals do. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to cook traditional Chinese favorites, including dumplings!

As a traveler, visiting museums, temples or large tourist attractions is not enough to learn about the country you’re visiting. Cuisine plays an important role in understanding a country’s culture, and there's no better way to indulge in a region’s cuisine than to try and make the food yourself!

With a small group of no more than six individuals, you’ll visit the home of a local family who will teach you how to make traditional Chinese dishes. Depending on time constraints, learn how to create one or two delicious, authentic Chinese dishes, such as Yangzhou fried rice with barbecue pork, shrimp and egg yolks; fried sauce noodles with wheat noodles and ground pork; Beijing shredded pork with sweet bean sauce; or one of the best-known rib dishes in China, sweet and sour spareribs.

Of course, you will also learn how to make dumplings -- a fun and easy process for both children and adults. If vegetables are more your style, learn how to make home-style tofu, among other things. (Please be advised that vegetarian dishes must be specified at the time of booking). Wash your delicious meal down with two glasses of local beer.

Don’t worry about having to memorize the steps, because you will be given a recipe to take home with you! Best of all, you and your English-speaking guide will get to chat with the family and learn about Chinese culture straight from the locals.

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Culture Shock Rating

We have a wide range of tours designed to give you an insight into the destination you're travelling in and there is something for everybody. The culture shock ratings considers the destination visited, transport used, activities undertaken and that "Wow, I'm really not at home now!" factor. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

This is the least confronting of our tour range. Transport used on the trip is either private or a very comfortable public option, the activities included are usually iconic sites and locations that are not all too confronting.

40%

The tour can include a mix of private and public transport providing a level of comfort that is slightly below what you would experience at home. Sites visited are usually iconic sites, tours can also include market visits, visits to communities etc that provide the traveller with a fantastic insight into destination.

60%

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether it's a packed public bus where you are forced to stand, a visit to a local market, a local community, you are sure to have an experience that is very different from what you're used to at home.

80%

The comforts of your home town and the environment you are used to are more of a rarity. Expect some challenging transport options, visits to local sites and areas that don't resemble anything at home.

100%

You're out there in the global community! You are likely to be exposed to the elements, travel in whatever means of transport is available and basically take it as it comes, whatever comes! It can be tough.

Physical Rating

Our physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our gradings is as follows…

20%

These tours have very limited physical activity. Usually climbing in and out of the transport provided, walking through sites, markets etc included in the itinerary.

40%

These tours have a bit of physical activity but nothing that should challenge you too much. This could be climbing on and off public transport through to a walk through the destination you're travelling in, they can include walking only tours or a combination of walking and transport.

60%

These tours involve a bit of physical activity from walking up and down hills in the destination you're travelling in or the surrounding areas. Climbing on and off local transport or riding a bike up to 30 kms along predominantly flat terrain or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

80%

These Tours will provide you with some solid physical activity. Whether its bike riding, walking, trekking, kayaking or riding on public transport you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

100%

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. These tours are our most challenging and involve some serious walking, hiking or bike riding. Can involve step climbs by foot or pedal and some challenging public transport options in the destination you are travelling.

Luxury Rating

Some trips are like a stroll on the beach, while others have you trekking alpine passes. Some of you thrive on camping out on the savannah, while others may prefer a hot shower and a comfortable bed in a lodge. Follow the grading systems below to find the right trip for you.

To help you choose the trip that's right for you, we've broken all of our trips down into four service levels. Measuring the comfort level of the accommodation and transport. So whether you're travelling on a budget and want to save money by using public transport, or prefer upgraded accommodation and are happy to pay a little more, then we have a level for you.

25%

This is grassroots travel at its most interesting

50%

Authentic experiences with some of the comforts of home

75%

For those who like to travel in comfort

100%

All the unique experiences wrapped up with a gold ribbon