13/09/2025

LYFE SATURDAY | SEPT 13, 2025

22

Taste of China D ESIGNED for travellers seeking deeper immersion beyond the usual landmarks, Taste of China seven-course dinner is part culinary tour, part theatrical journey – a unique reimagining of how food and culture can come together in travel, right in the heart of Shanghai. Taste of China is a bold multi-sensory dining show that blends fine cuisine with digital storytelling, cultural meaning and live performances. o Immersive dining show that gives you expansive tour of country’s culinary heritage

From left: Nourishing hot pot, Peking duck and mapo tofu.

Four Jiangnan delicacies.

Follow Cheng BaoBao on his culinary journey.

offers a unique entry point to discover China’s rich heritage, reflecting the global travel service provider’s strategic push to develop innovative, culturally rich tourism products, especially in the fast-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. Immersive new experiences such as this show how personalisation, discovery and interaction can expand the possibilities and inspiration of travel,” said Trip.com Group co-founder and chairman James Liang. Housed in a panoramic dining theatre within the newly renovated Bund City Hall Plaza, the

region’s chapter, where mapo tofu is elevated with wagyu beef cubes and lobsters. Chinese values are also woven into each chapter, such as wisdom, responsibility, benevolence, integrity, heritage, connection and innovation. Along the way, Cheng BaoBao encounters these values in action. From Guilin fishermen honouring a fishing ban to allow ecosystems to thrive, to a Sichuan chef insisting on three-year-aged bean paste for authentic mapo tofu, these narrative moments provide a window into the philosophies that shape the country’s culinary heritage. Immersive storytelling through sight, sound, interaction Taste of China’s dynamic projections and live performances also bring each course vividly to life. Dancers in elegant hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) glide through Suzhou’s gardens, echoing the rhythm of the digital scenery. In another chapter, a performer wields a staff in a powerful display of Shaolin martial arts, while in a fishing season storyline in Guilin, guests can virtually “catch” fish in an interactive tabletop game. The show reaches its dramatic finale with a live Sichuan opera face-changing performance, where artists swap masks with speed amid an unexpected rock rhythm. Step into tradition Guests are recommended to arrive two hours in advance to dress up in traditional Chinese costumes. The venue offers professional styling services featuring a range of Chinese attire, such as Song dynasty hanfu , Qing-era cheongsam, Tang-dynasty inspired outfits, and the distinctive garments of Miao and Tibetan communities. A 3D screen and intricately designed sets outside the venue also provide the perfect backdrop for photos and social sharing. Food as gateway to travel According to Trip.com Group’s latest data, in the first half of this year, culinary travel bookings rose by 30% year-on-year, with Paris, London, New York, Madrid and Milan topping

Culinary journey through seven regions In a 90-minute show, animated panda chef Cheng BaoBao leads guests on a culinary journey through seven regions of China. Each regional chapter is paired with a signature dish from that locale, inviting travellers to taste their way across the country. Diners can enjoy crispy, succulent Peking duck served with refreshing jasmine tea in the north. In the southern region, they can savour tangy sour soup fish balanced by mellow Pu’er tea. A nourishing herbal hot pot with premium ingredients such as marbled beef, abalone and rare fungi awaits them in the chapter of central China, while spice lovers will enjoy the western

Sour soup fish.

Sweet fermented glutinous rice balls.

for today’s modern travellers who seek authentic cultural adventures. By developing its own flagship experiences such as Taste of China, the group aims to drive destination demand, increase visitor arrivals and inspire the industry to create more world-class offerings. Looking ahead, the Taste of China experience will continue to evolve with seasonal menu updates, overseas pop-up events and touring editions designed to bring new stories and new flavours to audiences worldwide. Taste of China, located in Shanghai, is now open for reservations on Trip.com platforms. Average dinner sets start from RM525 per person. Nearby attractions such as The Bund, Yuyuan Garden and the Shanghai Museum make for a great 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.

the list of global dining destinations. Within China, foodies are flocking to cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Changsha. Among these, Shanghai and Beijing stand out with strong restaurant bookings, highlighting the growing appeal of their dynamic food scenes. Taste of China is part of the group’s greater focus on culinary tourism. Each course in the experience doubles as a destination guide: menus feature QR codes linking to curated destination tips for featured regions, making it easier for diners to turn inspiration into travel plans. This focus is further reflected in Trip.Gourmet, the group’s one stop food guide on Trip.com that offers global restaurant rankings and lists, travel-centric food content and reservation options. Driving innovation in destination experiences From a broader perspective, Taste of China goes beyond a culinary showcase – it is a cross-border, user-friendly experience designed

Shaolin martial arts performance.

Guests can dress up in traditional Chinese attire.

Guests can enjoy dazzling performances enhanced by modern technology.