Ignore the noise; follow the flavour.

Puncture surface-level distractions and discover a China that is resolutely off-script. Bypassing tourist traps and geopolitical noise, we search for raw, regional reality – the kind found in a steaming bowl of noodles or a sprawling village market. Diving deep into the country’s energy and incredible kitchens, this is immersive, exhilarating travel that uses the shared table to change how you see the world.

Small-group food-focussed escapes taking you deep into local culinary culture, where regional flavours tell their stories, and centuries-old traditions come to life.

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Where we go

  • Person holding a tray with three dishes: a bowl of white rice, sliced meat, and a spicy salad with herbs and vegetables.

    Yunnan

    Join us in Yunnan, a breathtakingly diverse corner of China where rich traditions, distinctive local cultures, and incredible food come together against a backdrop of stunning landscapes and atmospheric towns. Wander vibrant markets, taste regional specialties, and experience the deep culinary heritage of China’s glorious southwest.

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  • River with stepping stones, surrounded by lush green trees and distant mountains, with a person crossing. Traditional village buildings in the background.

    Sichuan

    We’re crafting a food-focused journey through Sichuan, where historic towns, lush bamboo forests, mellow old teahouses, and the vibrant culinary capital of Chengdu await. Sichuan is home to one of China’s most celebrated cuisines, famous for in-your-face flavours and that tingly-spicy má là effect. And yes, there will be pandas!

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What they say

  • "I've seen Leanne in action for years and she doesn’t just visit a place; she dissects it. She’ll read everything, talk to everyone, and go back again (and again) until she’s got to the heart of a destination. Surface-level experiences just don't work for her."

    Antony Suvalko, Publisher, Red Pork Press, Auckland

  • "Travelling with Leanne is a riot... in the best possible way. She finds the backstreet bars, the hole-in-the-wall eateries, and the unexpected moments that turn a trip into a story. She makes travel into an adventure and somehow, you always eat much better (and take better photos!) when she’s around."

    Norman Andrews I.T. Professional, Sydney

  • "Leanne has an incredible knack for sniffing out the best food, the best markets, the best local quirks, and the best shopping options too! Her instincts are razor-sharp, her standards are high, and she’s the person you want leading you through any place, anywhere."

    Anne Barton, Creative Director, Uki

  • “Before a trip, I always like a catch-up with Leanne to get her take; she has a real nose for ways to get to the crux of a destination and under-the-radar food recommends are her forte. I follow her online articles on the Lazy Sunday Club too and love her sharp, honest take on travel and food; no fluff or BS.”

    Mark Elliott, Online Business Coach, Christchurch

Follow us on Instagram

View fullsize Craving the unmistakable flavours of Hà Nội, Huế, Hội An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta? Later this year, with the Lazy Sunday Club and Hello World Ponsonby, Leanne’s hosting a food tour to Vietnam! Think phở, bánh m&igra
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View fullsize In Yunnan and Sichuan, chillies aren’t just heat – they’re heritage. Carried west along old trade routes, they took root in the high plateaus and river valleys and rewrote the flavour DNA of two mighty food cultures. Here, every ch
View fullsize We’ve wandered through countless corners of China – both big and small. From Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, and Guangzhou to Hangzhou, Yangshuo, Xiamen, Pingyao, Fenghuang, Jinan, Wuyuan, Behai, Kaifeng, and many more besides, we’
View fullsize Holy claypot fish, Batman! This Xizhou showstopper – tender, meaty freshwater fish cooked whole on the bone, spiked with garlic, soy, Shaoxing wine and chilli, topped with zingy chives and Chinese celery leaves – still haunts our food dre
View fullsize In China, there’s a story around every corner. A steaming street stall, a vibrant market, a serene park, or a classic restaurant interior – sometimes it’s the quiet moments, like a waitress scrolling on her phone beneath a golden fi
View fullsize Ham, but make it Yunnan! This is Xuanwei ham (宣威火腿 / Xuānwēi huǒtuǐ). Dry‑cured with repeated salting and hung in Yunnan’s cool mountain air, it can even be eaten raw after 3 years of curing. It’s made using pork with a high fat content s
View fullsize Suji’s no secret to domestic tourists, but to outsiders it might as well be. Think misty mornings, ancient streets, riverside teahouses, steam rising off pots of soft tofu, and aromatic beef broth that’s alone worth a pilgrimage. This is

Contact us

leanne@elsewhereandbeyond.tours
WhatsApp: +61 422 657 617
WeChat: EandBTours