Review Author: Adriaan v

Review Date: 05 Mai 2026

Review Body: This was hands down one of the best experiences of our Yunnan trip. It starts at Lijiang’s oldest wet market, early morning, before the tourists are out. Megan guides you through the whole thing , the black pig butcher, the freshly made rice noodles, the mountains of ginger and garlic, the medicinal roots, the seasonal vegetables. Megan’s knowledge of Yunnan’s minority food culture is genuinely impressive, and her English is excellent — clear, detailed, and enthusiastic without being overwhelming. Then it’s back to the kitchen, where you cook three dishes from scratch: the Yunnan little pot rice noodle, a herb chicken salad with mint, cilantro and lime, and Palosda, a coconut milk and mango dessert we’d never heard of before. Oh, and try the yak butter tea on the market. Salty, rich, completely unlike anything called “tea.” Worth the experience. After the class, don’t skip the bakery next door, also run by Fancy. The yak cheese croissant and the pork floss croissant are the best pastries we found in Lijiang. Not an exaggeration. Fully recommended. Book it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: DFond

Review Date: 13 Apr. 2026

Review Body: My husband and I are amateur cooks who love exploring the local food and culture of every country we visit. This trip is one of the few still operating in the Yunnan area, and it was truly a highlight for us. After booking, you can easily reach out to Fancy via WeChat to coordinate. The activity kicks off at 9:15 AM at the largest local market in Lijiang. If you’re looking to buy authentic ingredients to take back home, this is the place to do it—the prices are much better than in the Old Town! The entire experience was incredibly fun, and the food we made was absolutely delicious. Fancy speaks excellent English, making communication smooth and enjoyable throughout the day. If you are still on the fence about whether to book this trip, don’t hesitate—just book it! It is worth every yuan.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Dreamer

Review Date: 13 Apr. 2026

Review Body: One of the most meaningful experiences in Lijiang! This cooking class was absolutely fantastic. The instructor was incredibly detailed, not just showing us how to handle the ingredients, but also sharing the rich culinary culture and professional tips on how to pick the best produce. I truly felt like my cooking knowledge leveled up! We hand-made three authentic local dishes. From prep work to the final toss in the pan, the instructor guided us through every single step, making it super easy even for a beginner like me. Seeing the final dishes I made myself was such a rewarding moment! Not only did I get to taste the authentic flavors of Lijiang, but I’ve also gained a new skill to take home. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Lijiang!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Meghna

Review Date: 22 Juni 2026

Review Body: It was an amazing experience in LiJiang. Fancy was awesome at explaining all the Naxi ingredients, history, and culture at the market and then taking us through how to cook the dishes. The environment was super cozy with small group size and Fancy's lovely personality. We requested the vegan option to cook (which I would recommend confirming after booking) but Fancy still took care of us by proving alternatives that were delicious and easy to make - I will definitely be trying the "ghost tofu" at home ;)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ambassador397609

Review Date: 22 Juni 2026

Review Body: Our host, Fancy, looked us on a tour of the local market in Lijiang and brought it alive with her insights into the medicines, mushrooms and meats of the local cuisine. A wholly different and better experience than simply pottering amongst the stalls on your own! Then we went back to Fancy’s kitchen where she led us through the cooking of a three course lunch. A delicious, original, authentic and informative experience! We came away with Lijiang Apple tea, 3 new recipes and full stomachs. A great day.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ngenyi B

Review Date: 09 Juni 2026

Review Body: My friend and I had an amazing time with Fancy who was an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide. Fancy taught us so much about Naxi cuisine and culture. The food was absolutely delicious. Fancy also has her own French bakery so after eating lunch you can grab a coffee next door. I’m excited to try to recipes I learned from Fancy when I get back home, I especially loved the chicken salad we made! I highly recommend this tour to others!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Conor

Review Date: 05 Mai 2026

Review Body: We can only recommend this tour and cooking class. Fancy brought our small group of 5 around the market, providing many insights into daily life and food in Lijiang and for Naxi people. The items she picked up at market were then used for the cooking class! We made all our dishes with her help and then sat down to eat together. She also provided a medley of fresh local fruits and a delicious apple tea.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ben

Review Date: 16 März 2026

Review Body: One of the best things we’ve done on our holiday in China! Fascinating visit to Xiangshan market with our host Fancy, with really useful explanations about the produce, and the cultural and ethnic background to the food. Cooking in Fancy’s Little Kitchen in a small group was so instructive, very hands-on and everyone got to cook. Then we sat down to eat a delicious Naxi meal.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Romina

Review Date: 22 Juni 2026

Review Body: The cooking class with Fancy is a very nice and authentic experience! The dishes which we cooked with the fresh ingredients from the market were very delicious. The kitchen studio and the small bakery is such a lovely place. We can definitly recommed the cooking class!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Natalia

Review Date: 21 Juli 2026

Review Body: It was better than I expected! Fancy has a great knowledge and she’s willing to share it with ease :) we went to market and we learn how to recognise specific mushrooms and herbs. Then we had a cooking lesson in her cute kitchen! It was so lovely :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah

Review Date: 21 Juli 2026

Review Body: We had a great experience with Fancy. She has great knowledge about Chinese cooking and the market. We learned a lot about Chinese ingredients and the food we cooked was delicious and so flavorful. A well recommended experience in Lijiang!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Visit a local market and learn to cook Yunnan dishes with a Naxi host

Itinerary Description: The experience begins at 9:15 AM at one of Lijiang’s oldest and largest local markets, where you’ll explore fresh produce and seasonal ingredients used in daily Naxi cooking, away from tourist areas. It’s also a great spot to buy ingredients at local prices. After the market visit, you’ll head to a nearby Naxi family home for a hands-on cooking session. Guided by a local Naxi family, you’ll learn about their culinary traditions and prepare three dishes per person, followed by a shared meal of what you’ve cooked.