Trip.com Group Invites You on 'A Culinary Adventure Through China': A Feast for the Senses

By 2025-08-27 16:08:04

• Taste of China Immersive Dining features a charming panda chef who brings meals to life with fun stories and special kids' menus, making it an ideal weekend destination for families to enjoy together. 

• A 90-minute immersive dining experience featuring seven iconic dishes from across China, enhanced by stunning panoramic visuals and live cultural performances

• Showcasing Trip.com Group’s commitment to culinary tourism and creative destination storytelling

Trip.com Group introduces Taste of China — a captivating multi-sensory dining experience that artfully combines gourmet cuisine, digital storytelling, and live performance to celebrate China’s diverse culinary heritage.


Designed for travelers looking to explore beyond traditional sightseeing, this experience offers a fresh and meaningful way to engage with China’s culture. It reflects the Group's ongoing effort to create immersive, culturally rich tourism products, particularly for the growing cross-border travel market.


“Innovation opens new horizons for travel, inviting travellers to connect with the world's destinations in richer and more meaningful ways,” said Mr. James Liang, Co-founder and Chairman of Trip.com Group. “Immersive new experiences like this show how personalisation, discovery, and interaction can expand the possibilities and inspiration of travel.”

Located in the beautifully restored Bund City Hall Plaza in central Shanghai, the seven-course dinner takes guests on a theatrical culinary tour—reinventing how food, culture, and travel can come together.

A Flavorful Journey Across 7 Regions
Over 90 minutes, guests are guided by an animated panda chef, Cheng BaoBao, through seven distinct regions of China. Each chapter of the journey is paired with a representative dish, allowing diners to savor the unique flavors of each locale.

Follow Cheng BaoBao on his culinary journey

From the crispy, aromatic Peking Duck paired with jasmine tea in the North, to the tangy Sour Soup Fish complemented by smooth Pu’er tea in the South—every dish tells a story. In Central China, guests enjoy a nourishing herbal hot pot featuring premium ingredients like marbled beef and abalone, while the Western region offers a luxurious twist on Mapo Tofu, made with wagyu beef and lobster.

From left to right: Nourishing Hot Pot, Peking Duck, and Mapo Tofu

Chinese cultural values—wisdom, responsibility, benevolence, integrity, heritage, connection, and innovation—are woven throughout the experience. Through Cheng BaoBao’s adventures, guests glimpse how these values shape local life: from fishermen in Guilin respecting fishing bans to protect nature, to a Sichuan chef using traditionally aged bean paste for authentic flavor.

An Immersive Feast for the Senses
Dynamic projections, interactive moments, and live performances bring each chapter to life. Dancers in elegant hanfu drift through digital Suzhou gardens, while a powerful Shaolin martial arts display amazes in another segment. During the Guilin fishing scene, guests can even take part in a fun interactive game, “catching” fish from their tables.


The experience culminates in a dramatic Sichuan opera face-changing performance, set to a modern rock rhythm.

 

Step Into Tradition: Dress the Part
Guests are encouraged to arrive early and dress in traditional Chinese costumes. Professional stylists are on hand to help visitors choose from a range of attire, including hanfu from the Song dynasty, Qing-style cheongsam, Tang-inspired outfits, and vibrant Miao and Tibetan clothing. A beautifully designed 3D screen and photo sets outside the theater offer perfect opportunities for photos and sharing.

Food as Your Passport to Culture
As food-led travel continues to gain popularity worldwide, Trip.com Group is highlighting cuisine as a gateway to cultural discovery. According to the company’s latest data, culinary travel bookings grew 30% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, with Paris, London, New York, Madrid, and Milan among the top international food destinations.
In China, food lovers are flocking to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Changsha—cities known for their vibrant dining scenes.

Taste of China is a key part of the Group’s expanded focus on food tourism. Each course includes a QR code that links to curated travel tips for the region it represents, helping guests easily turn culinary inspiration into real travel plans. This effort is supported by Trip.Gourmet, the Group’s food-dedicated platform featuring global restaurant guides, food content, and booking services.

Redefining Travel Through Innovation
More than just a meal, Taste of China is designed to be a cross-border-friendly, engaging experience that appeals to modern travelers seeking authentic cultural adventures. By creating flagship experiences like this, Trip.com Group aims to spark interest in destinations, increase visitor numbers, and inspire the industry to develop more world-class offerings.

The Group also promotes innovation through initiatives like the Tourism Innovation Awards, which recognize outstanding projects across the sector. Taking advantage of China’s expanded visa-free transit policy, Trip.com offers curated layover programs—including free cultural tours in Shanghai and Beijing—helping turn short stops into memorable experiences. With over 1,500 group and private tours available across China, the company provides tailored travel options for every kind of explorer.

Looking ahead, Taste of China will continue to refresh its menus seasonally and is planning overseas pop-up events and touring editions—bringing new stories, and new flavors, to global audiences.

 

Looking for a weekend spot that delights both kids and adults? Taste of China Immersive Dining offers a unique experience where delicious food meets playful storytelling. Children will be charmed by the restaurant's adorable panda chef Cheng Baobao, who stars in engaging and fun-filled culinary tales. With a dedicated kids' menu and an atmosphere designed for family enjoyment, it's the perfect place for parents to unwind while little ones are entertained. A meal here isn't just dining—it's an adventure filled with flavor, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Gather your family and head to Taste of China for a weekend treat that everyone will love!

 

Plan Your Visit

Taste of China is now open for reservations on Trip.com platforms.

Location: Unit LG1-03, THE BUND · CITY HALL PLAZA, 270 Henan Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Show Hours: 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Price: Average dinner sets start from RMB 1,000 per person

Dietary Notes: All dishes are pork/lard-free to accommodate Muslim guests. Vegetarian options are available.

Nearby attractions such as The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, and the Shanghai Museum make for a perfect pre-dinner excursion.

Whether guests are culture enthusiasts or curious foodies, Taste of China offers a unique way to experience the soul of a nation—one bite at a time.

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