What if I have special dietary requests?

All dietary requests must be communicated at the time of booking. When booking online, you will have the opportunity to let us know if you have any dietary requirements or special requests. Please use the following information to understand if this tour is right for you.Since you will be cooking your own food, you can omit any ingredient that you prefer. Due to the nature of the dishes we prepare, we will need to know your requests in advance so we can prepare proper alternative ingredients. We do not recommend this tour for anyone with severe allergies. Travelers that don’t eat nuts are welcome, but the recipes and kitchen do use nuts and cross-contamination is possible.If you have any questions not answered here, please contact us prior to booking.

How much food and drink will I get?

In addition to trying a few snacks at the market, each guest will make three separate dishes, all of which are full portions. Since you are making each dish yourself, you’re also able to adjust each portion size. After lunch, a selection of snacks and drinks will also be available.We recommend eating a very light breakfast before meeting us at the market. You won’t be hungry again until (a late) dinner.

Will I need to walk very far?

You’ll be on your feet for about 1 hour while we visit the market, and the pace is very slow with a lot of (standing) stops to visit with local vendors. During the cooking class, you’ll be on your feet for another hour while you are at your cooking stations. You are welcome to take seated breaks at any time once we get to our cooking studio.

What ages qualify for child pricing?

There’s no charge for children ages 4 and under to join since they won’t be able to cook on their own. We will prepare ingredients for all participants aged 5 and over. Since we have limited cooking stations, all participants aged 5 and up pay the same price.

How many people will be in the cooking class?

Our minimum is 2 and maximum is 8. We make sure each class is small enough to be intimate so you’ll get plenty of face-time with your instructor. Bottom line is, you’ll have a super-local experience and make friends along the way.

How long does this class last?

The entire experience usually lasts about 3-3.5 hours. It’s not uncommon for guests to stay longer and enjoy the sunshine in the courtyard while chatting with other guests and your host.

What if it's raining or there is inclement weather?

This cooking class will operate rain-or-shine, so we suggest you dress for the weather. In rare cases of extreme weather, your host will cancel the tour and provide a full refund.

Do you offer private classes for special groups/events?

Yes we do! If you would like to book a private cooking class for your organization or group, just contact us and we’ll take care of you.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes! You’ll get a promo code in your confirmation email that will give you a 10% discount on all future Lost Plate tours. It doesn’t matter if the tour is in the same city or a different city, we want to keep feeding you as long as you let us. Also, children ages 4 through 15 receive a discount on all tours (3 & under are free).

What is your cancellation policy?

Bookings canceled 24 hours or more before your tour are fully refundable (100% refund). Bookings canceled within 24 hours notice are not refundable. If you would like to reschedule your tour with less than 24 hours notice, we will need to charge 50% of your total since we are unable to fill your spots at short notice.

Lijiang Cooking Class & Market Visit | Yunnan, China

Tue-Sat at 9:15am, Duration: 3 hours

$55 USD per person

Each participant will make 3 dishes.

The Essentials:

Start the day by exploring Lijiang’s oldest market to shop for your cooking class, with hands-on instruction led by a local ethnic Naxi family. The cooking class will take place in the instructor’s home cooking studio. Each person will prepare and eat three dishes.

Inclusions

A guided market visit, transportation to our cooking studio, all ingredients and hands-on instruction for preparing 3 dishes, plus snacks and drinks throughout the class.

Group Size

Small groups of 2-8 people per class.

Start Location

Meet your instructor at Lijiang’s “Elephant Hill” Market. An email will be sent with meeting location details immediately after booking.

Cancellation Policy

Reservations cancelled 24 hours or more before your class start time are fully refundable.

Dietary Requests

We can accommodate the checked dietary requests on this tour. All requests must be communicated at time of booking. Visit our FAQ section for more details.

What You'll Do:

Meeting Location

This class starts at Lijiang’s “Elephant Hill” Market, a 10 minute drive north of Dayan old town. An email will be sent with meeting location details immediately after booking.

Local Market Visit

Meet your host at one of Lijiang’s largest local markets (no tourists here!) and discover the unique selection of seasonal ingredients. From wild herbs used for traditional Chinese medicine to sipping on a local version of moonshine to trying a few local snacks, you’ll experience market life like a local.

Yunnan Ghost Chicken

Rich in folklore and flavor, this dish’s name comes from ancient stories that suggest chickens were the most common sacrifice for ancestral ghosts. In order to not waste the meat, it was prepared with local herbs as a cold dish. Still popular today, it’s the perfect starter for us!

Clay Pot Rice Noodles

Due to Yunnan’s high altitude, rice wasn’t always easy to cook. It was easier, however, after it was turned into flour and formed into noodles – which is today’s go-to staple food. Flavored with fermented soybean paste and local pickles, then cooked in a small clay pot, this is sure to become a staple in your kitchen too.

"Palooda" Dessert

Originally from Persia, these flavors were brought to India, through Myanmar, and into Southern Yunnan. Seasonal fruit, sago, and purple rice is added to a base of coconut milk for a delicious way to finish your meal!