
Tour Dates:
Apr 10 -18, 2027 (Full, Waitlist Available)
October 2027 (Accepting Travelers)
Nov 20 - 28, 2027 (Accepting Travelers)
December 2027 (Accepting Travelers)
January 2028 (Accepting Travelers)
Duration: 9 days
Cantonese Heritage Homecoming
Trace the footsteps of overseas Cantonese, Taishanese (Toisanese), and Kaipingnese (Hoipingnese). This is a journey designed for the Chinese diaspora and anyone drawn to the rich tapestry of Lingnan culture. We begin in Guangzhou, the soul of Cantonese heritage, savoring its legendary cuisine and exploring ancestral temples, classical gardens, and centuries-old trading streets. Then, we will venture to Foshan, the cradle of Cantonese culture and martial arts, and Shunde, the gastronomic heart of Guangdong, before following the diaspora trail to Taishan and Kaiping, the regions that sent generations of Chinese immigrants to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. There, we'll come face to face with the UNESCO-listed diaolous: fortified towers built by overseas Chinese as a promise to protect the families left behind and a testament to love that crossed oceans.
Return to the land your ancestors left behind.
In community. With intention.
Trip Highlights

Ancestral Village Tracing & Visit
Share any family artifacts you have and if our research leads us to your ancestral village, we’ll visit your village together.

Small Group Experiential Classes
Whether it be learning the secrets of Cantonese cooking or getting crafty with traditional arts, get hands-on in interactive local classes.

Local History & Story Deep Dives
Meet local heritage preservation experts including a 4th-generation Chinese Cuban American and tour his family's diaolou museum.
Itinerary
Note: Itinerary may change, changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.
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In Hong Kong, visit centuries old Hakka villages in the New Territories to learn more about the Hakka people who migrated from Guangdong to Hong Kong.
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In Shenzhen, enjoy the high-tech scene and premier tax-refund eligible shopping. Your time in Hong Kong and Shenzhen is highly customizable, just let us know your interests and we will create an itinerary that matches what you're looking for!
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Step into Old Guangzhou, where clan halls honored your family name, city walls protected your roots, and temple prayers echoed the hopes of generations before you.
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Enjoy a classic dim sum feast, followed by a stroll through a serene park featuring restored canals, lotus ponds, and beautiful gardens.
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Wander a renewed historic neighborhood and cultural block. Stop by Bruce Lee's ancestral home along the way.
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Visit an enchanting island where colonial architecture tells tales of the past of old guanghzou as a concession port of the late 19th century.
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Enjoy masterpieces of Cantonese wood, stone, and brick carving. A must visit site for overseas Chinese, no matter what your surname is.
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Soak in Lingnan architecture and Guangzhou's ancient city walls. Hear the legend of where Guangzhou got its nickname "City of Rams" and see the statue that memorializes it.
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Travel with us to Foshan, the birthplace of Cantonese opera, lion dancing, and kung fu. Then, spend a day in Shunde, the Cantonese culinary capital of the world.
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Watch a vibrant lion dance, then explore classic gardens and parks. Connect with locals over dinner, then wander a restored old town.
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Walk an iconic pedestrian street for double-skin milk pudding, visit a food museum, then feast on Shunde-style roast goose, Chencun rice noodles, and more. Fun fact: Shunde is Bruce Lee's ancestral hometown and the chef capital of Cantonese cuisine.
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Travel with us to Kaiping and Taishan, the heartland of overseas Chinese migration to North America since the 19th century.
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Ancestral Village Visits: Embark on a root-seeking journey through ancestral villages around Kaiping (Hoiping) and Taishan (Toisan), with the route tailored to your family's ancestral village(s).
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To enable our team to plan this day for you, please provide all available family information (names of family members, birth certificates, places of family origin, etc.) at least one month in advance.
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We view this as a collaborative quest; our commitment is to deliver a profoundly connective experience, offering a window into the daily lives of your ancestors.
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On our way to Kaiping, we will visit a museum that tells the tales of overseas migration from Kaiping, Taishan, and the broader Wuyi region.
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Enjoy a farm-to-table meal where you can optionally choose to learn how to make your own clay pot rice! Then, explore a heritage education center.
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Visit various Diaolous, UNESCO-listed fortified towers built by wealthy overseas Chinese.
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Family Diaolou Tour: Meet a fourth-generation descendant of a Chinese Cuban American immigrant for an exclusive tour of his grandpa's diaolou museum.
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Visit the iconic site where millions of overseas Chinese began their journeys abroad. Explore villages, schools, and mansions built by the diaspora.
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Dinner in a Restored Schoolhouse: Savor Taishan yellow eel claypot rice and more at a restaurant housed in a school donated by overseas Chinese.
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And that's a wrap! After brunch, take a train from Taishan back to Guangzhou. Need to get to Hong Kong? Let us know, we can help you get to Hong Kong!
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Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time). Together, we are fluent in English, Mandarin, and Spanish. Working proficiency in Cantonese. Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.
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We believe where you stay matters as much as where you go. That's why we've curated Cantonese-themed accommodations, from a Lingnan-design hotel in Guangzhou to a UNESCO-adjacent Diaolou in Kaiping. Clean, comfortable, and deeply rooted in heritage.
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You'd be a perfect fit for this trip if you're a foodie who looks for that perfect wok hei, those delicate har gow dumplings, and a clay pot rice with the crispy bottom.
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On this trip, we're chasing those flavors at their source. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be covered for the entire trip, unless stated otherwise in the itinerary.
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If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you.
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In this virtual pre-departure orientation, we will cover essential apps (payment, maps, VPNs, eSIMs) and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate China like a local.
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It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!
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For any sites or workshops mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
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Included: All overland transportation throughout the trip—high-speed trains, buses, rideshares, and a private, air-conditioned van for our road journey. Metro rides within cities are also covered.
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Not Included: Transportation during free time, travel to the trip's starting point, or onward travel after the final day.
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To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip.
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What Is Included
I'm Interested! What's Next?
Submit Full Payment
Full payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you will be asked to make the full payment immediately. Payments are made on WeTravel.
Attend Pre-Departure Orientation
30 - 60 days prior to departure, we will host a virtual pre-departure orientation where you will view the full detailed itinerary, healthy and safety measures, what to pack, what apps to download, and any other details that will help you feel prepared for the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Our trips are fully conducted in English for our guests while our group leaders interact with locals in Chinese.
- Our groups are typically 4-6 travelers, so everyone has room to be themselves, build genuine friendships, and enjoy personalized care from our group leaders.
- If you are interested in a private family trip, we also offer customizable itineraries.
- Winter & Spring: January - April
- Fall & Winter: Mid October - December
- Our trips are typically 7-10 days.
- Our trip packags are all-inclusive and covers: your English & Chinese speaking group leaders, 3-4 star accommodations and boutique homestays, all meals, all ground transport, all entrance fees, complimentary custom short film, ancestral village search and visit, pre-departure orientation, and welcome goodie bag.
- What is NOT included: international airfaire, travel insurance (required for every traveler), chinese tourist visa, meals and activities not included in itinerary, alcoholic drinks, personal expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc), room service, laundry, hospital bills and related medical expenses, damaged or lost personal possessions, personal concierge type requests.
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Our public group trips are designed for adults aged 21 and older.
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For our private experiences, minors are accepted but will need to be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian aged 21+ who assumes responsibility for the minor.
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- We welcome anyone with a genuine curiosity for Chinese culture and heritage.
- Our trips are about connection that transcends ancestry.
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For our group trips, we will need a minimum sign up of four travelers to run the trip (maximum sign up is typically six).
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Should an experience be canceled due to lack of sign-ups or for any other reason, From Roots to Bridges will fully refund any deposits or fees paid, excluding bank transaction fees.
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Yes, we accommodate dietary restrictions/food allergies with appropriate notice prior to the experience.
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We ask that you indicate in your Interest Form what those dietary restrictions/food allergies are so that Grace and Yongjian can communicate those needs with the restaurants and hotels/homestays that the group visits.
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If you have a severe allergy (e.g. peanuts, shellfish, milk, insect stings, latex), please consult your doctor prior to the trip about what medications you should carry with you on the trip. It is your personal responsibility to administer your own medication in the case of a severe allergic reaction.
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In China, you will not need to bring any cash along with you, as everything you need can be paid for via AliPay or WeChat Pay. It is your responsibility to set up these apps prior to entering China, as each app requires a verification process that can take up anywhere from 24 hours to a few days.
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In Vietnam, you will need to withdraw Vietnamese Dong from ATMs or money exchange facilities to pay for goods/services. It is your responsibility to bring a card that has minimal or no withdrawal fees. Bring a card that has minimal or no foreign transaction fees (e.g. Charles Schwab Debit Card).
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In Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, you will need to withdraw Kazakh tenge, Uzbek som, and Tajik somoni from ATMs or money exchange facilities to pay for goods/services. Bring a card that has minimal or no foreign transaction fees (e.g. Charles Schwab Debit Card).
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If you decide to join an experience late or leave early, whether planned or unplanned, you will still be responsible for the full cost of the experience.
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To avoid unexpected expenses from early departures, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip interruption coverage.
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Firstly, submit the deposit for the experience you are interested in on WeTravel. This will go towards your total experience costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.
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Then, the remainder of the payment is due 60 days prior to Program departure. If you are booking within 60 days of my departure, you will make the full Program payment.
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Payment plans are not currently available.
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Please refer to our Cancellation Policy Page.

Beverly 🇺🇸🇨🇳
Grace and Yongjian went above and beyond in this Homecoming Guangdong trip. From the initial calls where they got to know my background and goals for the trip, to creating a schedule that explored many places in the entire province. They were able to find my family's ancestral temple and people associated to my family that I did not know, incredibly and unexpectedly. From tourist sites to off the tourist path, we saw the range of offerings. I loved meeting local people so I can continue to practice Chinese and learn about everyday Chinese life. They are also amazing company to be around on this extensive trip. Thank you both for a life changing trip through China for the first time.

Aline 🇫🇷
Although I had already spent a month traveling in China before joining Grace and Yongjian, the road trip I took with them to Kaiping and Jiangmen was unforgettable. Traveling in China without speaking Mandarin can be challenging and exhausting. But with Grace and Yongjian, everything went smoothly as we explored remote villages, interacted with locals, and enjoyed authentic Cantonese dishes. Their deep knowledge of Chinese history and culture made the experience enriching, relaxing, and well-organized, yet flexible. Above all, Grace and Yongjian are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. Their energy and love for sharing their culture made the whole experience so special.

Max & Nikki 🇩🇪
We had traveled to China independently before. This time, we wanted to delve deeper and get to know aspects of the country that remained closed to us as solo travelers without a Chinese driver's license and language skills. Grace and Yongjian organized a road trip to the less touristy province of Guizhou. They took us to remote villages, hidden viewpoints and neighborhood restaurants that we would never have reached on our own. The trip was characterized by their enthusiasm for the country, its people and food, as well as the very personal stories and experiences they shared. It was like a road trip with friends; except we didn't have to take care of anything ourselves.

Jurrien & Sandra 🇳🇱
Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN. Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well.

Sebastien 🇪🇸
China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends.

Angela & Yang 🇩🇪
During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!

Matt 🇺🇸
I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!

Ted (Aug '24) 🇺🇸
I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement
with the communities they visit.
I would definitely go on another trip with them!
What Our Travelers Say
Our Travel Philosophy
We started traveling around China in 2023 with a desire to reconnect with our ancestral homeland. From then to now, we have traveled to half of China's provinces & regions. In the process, we realized that the beauty, history, and cultural diversity of China goes well beyond the typical path that tourists take. We want to show you the real China, from the cities to the villages. We want to help you navigate all the complexities that come with traveling around China and foster an environment that allows you to connect on a deeper level with Chinese culture, people, language, and food.
Helpful Resources

From Roots to Bridges
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