Are meals included in the trip cost?

Yes, all meals including soft drinks and beer are included during the trip.

Is the tour suitable for vegetarians?

While many traditional dishes contain meat, the guide can accommodate dietary preferences with advance notice.

Do I need to bring cash for this trip?

Most expenses are covered, but bringing some local currency for extra snacks or souvenirs is recommended.

What languages are the guides fluent in?

Tours are led by English-speaking Lost Plate trip leaders.

Is the trip accessible for travelers with mobility issues?

This trip involves walking on uneven city streets and is best suited for travelers able to walk comfortably for several hours.

Is airport or train station pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at Xi’an airport or train station are part of the itinerary.

Culinary Adventure in Xi’an with Lost Plate Food Tours | City Tour | Food Tour

Xi’an stands as a compelling destination where deep history meets vibrant modern life on the edge of China’s ancient Silk Road. It’s a city where towering city walls and terracotta warriors anchor a millennium of global connection—and Lost Plate Food Tours taps directly into this rich cultural fabric with their three-day culinary journey. Their "Uncover Xi’an’s Ancient Wonders and Hidden Eats" trip invites travelers to shift gears from traditional sightseeing to a flavorful dive into local gastronomy in small, intimate groups.

This trip centers on authentic, off-the-mainstream food experiences that have simmered through centuries. You’ll move through the city’s historic quarters guided by an English-speaking expert who uncovers Yi family recipes and bustling markets often missed by casual visitors. The feast spans hand-pulled noodles with their perfect springiness, crispy fried stewed chicken—a regional specialty—and refreshingly creamy organic ice cream that highlights local ingredients.

Beyond the food, Lost Plate anchors the experience with comfortable accommodations and private transportation that cushions travelers from the city’s energetic pace. Each day includes ticketed entry to cultural sites, helping paint a holistic picture of Xi’an’s importance as the terminus of the Silk Road, where East meets West, and flavors converge.

What sets this trip apart is how seamlessly it pairs culinary adventure with a grounding in Xi’an’s tangible history and lively street life. It’s not a typical tourist circuit; it’s a deep dive into a city fueled by millennia-old recipes and vibrant legend. For food lovers eager to see how culture and cuisine intermingle, Lost Plate’s offering makes Xi’an not just a place to visit but a destination to taste and understand from the inside out.

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.