Do I need to have cooking experience for the cooking classes?

No prior cooking experience is needed; the classes are designed for all skill levels and led by local experts.

Are all meals included on the trip?

Yes, all meals, including soft drinks and beer, are included and highlight local specialties.

What is the group size for this tour?

Small groups of 4 to 10 guests ensure personalized experiences and easy access to local venues.

Is transportation provided during the trip?

Yes, private ground transportation is included throughout, with daily transfers between sites.

Can travelers with food allergies participate?

Yes, but guests should inform Lost Plate ahead of time so accommodations can be made.

Will we have free time for shopping?

Shopping can be done during free time, but it's not a scheduled part of the itinerary.

Culinary Journey on Yunnan’s Tea & Horse Road with Lost Plate | Sightseeing Tour | Food Tour

Winding through southwest China’s Yunnan province, the historic Tea & Horse Caravan Road served as more than a trading artery; it was a conduit for culture, flavors, and stories. Lost Plate Food Tours brings this legacy to life with their eight-day culinary expedition from Dali to Lijiang, immersing travelers in the region’s rich cultural palette through an engaging food-focused lens. This isn’t a typical hike or sightseeing tour—it’s a deeply rooted experience connecting you to Yunnan’s unique gastronomy framed by stunning natural landscapes.

Starting in Dali, a city framed by Erhai Lake’s shimmering surface and backed by the Cangshan Mountains, you’ll traverse quaint villages and historic towns where time slows and local traditions endure. The journey includes visits to fairytale-like settlements, boutique cafes, and a sprawling rose farm delicately tended to cultivate ingredients for beloved rose cakes. Along the way, Lost Plate’s expert guides share hands-on culinary lessons and access to vibrant local markets where you shop side-by-side with Naxi and Bai ethnic communities.

A standout experience is spending the night in Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest river canyons, its sheer cliffs carved from shimmering quartzite rock, a dramatic backdrop to your private villa with panoramic balcony views. Here, mountain air sharpens the senses before another day of savoring Yunnan’s signature hotpots, fried cheese, and cured meats.

Lost Plate’s dedication to authentic, small-group journeys ensures personalized access and deep cultural connections while spotlighting the region’s extraordinary biodiversity and ethnic heritage. With all meals and transport included and an English-speaking guide, this trip is a seamless blend of outdoor adventure and culinary discovery. For anyone seeking a rare taste of Yunnan’s terrain and traditions, this tour is a genuine portal to an extraordinary destination rarely seen through any other lens.

About Lost Plate Food Tours

Lost Plate Food Tours is a Portland, Oregon–based company that curates immersive food tours and culinary experiences across Asia. The company offers guided market visits, cooking classes, evening food tours by tuktuk, full-day cultural trips, and multi-day culinary adventures in destinations such as Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, Lijiang, Yunnan, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap.

Tours include signature experiences such as a Xian full-day Terracotta Warrior, City Wall & Evening Food Tour; Phnom Penh and Siem Reap evening tuktuk food tours; Shanghai evening food tours in the French Concession; Lijiang cooking classes with local Naxi families; and Beijing hutong breakfast food tours. Offerings range from short evening walks sampling street food to longer itineraries like a six-day exploration of Yunnan’s Tibetan region and multi-day trips in Xi’an and northern Vietnam.

Lost Plate Food Tours emphasizes authentic local cuisine, small-group formats, knowledgeable local guides, and hands-on experiences like market shopping and traditional cooking. Many tours feature tuktuk rides, visits to historic sites such as the Terracotta Warriors or Angkor Wat, and opportunities to taste regional specialties including soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, clay pot rice noodles, and slow-roasted ribs.

With a program centered on culinary discovery and cultural context, Lost Plate Food Tours serves travelers seeking food-focused exploration in Asia while operating from a Portland, Oregon base. Programs are available as evening walks, morning market visits, full-day cultural excursions, and extended multi-day itineraries with comfortable accommodations and small groups focused on culinary learning and cultural immersion and hands-on storytelling elements.