HANDBOOK  /  PART 10  /  WHERE TO GO

China for food lovers

Chengdu

Choose Chengdu (成都) for Sichuan cuisine, Mapo Tofu, hotpot, noodles and casual food culture.

Chongqing

Choose Chongqing (重庆) for hotpot, noodles and dramatic late-night dining.

Guangzhou

Choose Guangzhou (广州) for morning tea, dim sum, roast meats and Cantonese seafood.

Xi'an

Choose Xi'an (西安) for Roujiamo, noodles, lamb and Muslim-influenced food traditions.

Shanghai / Suzhou / Hangzhou

Choose the Jiangnan region for Xiaolongbao, Shengjianbao, freshwater cuisine and refined flavors.

Yunnan

Choose Yunnan (云南) for rice noodles, mushrooms, herbs and diverse regional traditions.

The best food trip

Balance:

one famous dish + one neighborhood restaurant + one market or breakfast stop.

Want the whole handbook offline?

All 80 chapters in one printable PDF, for no-signal days in China. Every chapter stays free here.

See all chapters

Last verified 2026-10-05. Procedures and limits change — check official sources before you travel.