by Heather Robinson
Our Spring Grand Heritage Tour was truly a journey I will never forget. We started in Beijing, where we spent four nights exploring incredible landmarks like Tian’anmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven. In between sightseeing, we visited jade and silk factories, then glided through the Hutongs by rickshaw, which was a relaxing way to take in the city’s charm. We also enjoyed a home cooked meal with a local family, and on other nights had amazing food including Peking duck and my favorite meal of the trip at Din Tai Fung with spicy wontons and noodles.
From there, we took a bullet train to Xi’an, where we biked along the Ancient Wall and learned how to make dumplings before enjoying a feast with more varieties than we could count. My favorite was the duck dumpling, and each one was beautifully made with different colors and shapes. Seeing the Terracotta Warriors in person felt surreal, and since we traveled in the spring and on a weekday, it was not too crowded. One of the most memorable experiences was dressing in traditional clothing for photos and fully embracing the culture.
Next, we traveled to Chengdu, home to China’s national treasure, the panda. Visiting the Panda Reserve was a highlight, and I could have watched them eat bamboo all day. We explored Jinli Ancient Street, relaxed at a teahouse in a bamboo shaded park, learned how to play mahjong, and enjoyed watching locals dance, sing, and take part in lively activities around us. That night, we attended a Sichuan opera and saw the famous face changing masks up close. We also took a cooking class where we made Sichuan dishes and panda dumplings that were almost too cute to eat.
Our final group destination was Guilin, where the Li River cruise was one of the most breathtaking experiences of the trip. Taking in the views from the boat was the perfect contrast to climbing the Great Wall earlier in the trip. We explored West Street, tried Guilin’s famous rice noodles, visited tea and pearl factories, and ended with the beautiful Reed Flute Cave before wrapping up the tour.
After the group portion, my family traveled to Guangzhou and then Zhanjiang, near my birth city of Lianjiang. Visiting my orphanage and finding spot was incredibly meaningful, and speaking with our local driver gave us valuable insight into how the city has changed over the past 27 years. This part of the journey helped fill in pieces of my story and made the experience even more personal.
Overall, the Spring Grand Heritage Tour was deeply fulfilling and a true full circle moment for me and my family. Experiencing my culture alongside my husband, who was visiting China for the first time, and my parents, who had not been back since adopting me, made it even more special. With great weather, fewer crowds, amazing guides, and incredible food throughout, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a meaningful heritage travel experience.
