Food has a special meaning to Chinese people. With thousands of years of history, there is a remarkable diversity of cuisines and food in China, which will take ages if you want to taste them all. We list the following must-taste Chinese food in major tourist destinations for your reference.

1. Beijing Roast Duck, Beijing

A saying that is often heard is: "There are two things you must do in Beijing: eat Beijing Roast Duck and see the Great Wall." When roasting the duck, compressed air is injected into the duck between its skin and flesh to make the skin glossy and shiny. The manner of serving and eating Beijing Duck is also unique. One duck may produce about 120 very thin slices, each containing both meat and skin.

2. Rice Noodles, Guilin

Guilin rice noodles are pliable but strong, fragrant but mellow, and not to mention cheap. Rice noodles, gravy, fried peanuts or soybeans, chopped scallions and thin slices of different kinds of meat are added for various versions of this renowned and tasty dish. Soup may be ladled on or dispensed from an urn.

3. Soup Buns, Shanghai

Soup Buns refers to a kind of bun that contains soup on the inside. Soup Buns in Shanghai tend to have chrysanthemum-like shape, thinner dough exteriors, and stuffing which comes in a wide range of choices. The buns are served hot in bamboo baskets in which they were steamed.

4. Hotpot, Chengdu

Sichuan hotpot tastes very spicy. The broth is flavored with chili peppers and other pungent herbs and spices. The main ingredients include hot pepper, Chinese crystal sugar and wine. Slices of kidney, chicken breast, beef tripe, goose intestines, spring onion, soy bean sprouts, mushrooms, duck and sea cucumber are all common additions to the hotpot.

5. Dumplings, Xi'an

Dumplings are a traditional food widely popular in China, especially in North China. Dumplings generally consist of minced meat and finely-chopped vegetables wrapped into a thin, elastic piece of dough. Popular fillings are minced pork, diced shrimp, fish, ground chicken, beef, and vegetables. In Xi’an, you can enjoy dumpling banquets serving various kinds of dumplings.

6. Dim Sum, Hong Kong

If you visit Hong Kong your trip will not be complete without trying Dim Sum. Traditionally eaten during the morning or lunch, Dim Sum is a local specialty. The wide range of snacks are delightfully served in bamboo baskets and accompanied by tea. You can stop at Dim Sum restaurants at any hour. The waiters push carts full of dishes and when they come by, simply point at the dishes you want, and the waiter will put them on your table.

(source: Chinahighlights.com)

(Edited by Doria Nan)