Itinerary: PANDA Odyssey 2025
Hoi! Are you ready? By joining PANDA Baijiu Cocktail 2025, you could win a free opportunity to explore China’s major first-tier cities with us! And if you don’t take first place, don’t worry! We also offer highly subsidised participation opportunities for silver and bronze medalists.
The current plan is to create an immersive experience that showcases Chinese Baijiu culture and symbols of Chinese civilization for the talented Dutch bartenders. This itinerary is inspired by Hans Ngo Wurfbain’s past cycling journeys across China, immersing himself in traditional Baijiu production and Sichuan culinary arts, and within the limited span of just 12 days, we aim to provide a meaningful glimpse into the China he knows: what he admires, what he finds challenging, and, ultimately, the truest, most profound experience of the country.
Given the time constraints, we can only capture a small part of the larger picture, offering a taste of the vast Eastern culture. Our hope is that this journey will become a memorable story for participants, sparking curiosity and understanding of Eastern civilization, and fostering deeper connections among people worldwide.
An Experience that Money Can’t Buy: PANDA Odyssey 2025
Explore 3 Unique First-Tier Cities
• Beijing: China’s capital, featuring the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
• Xi’an: Ancient capital for three dynasties and home of the Terracotta Army.
• Chengdu: Capital of Sichuan Province, the hometown of Panda, one of China’s oldest cities, unchanged in name for over 2,000 years, known as the home of pandas and the Sanxingdui archaeological site (which pushed the documented history of Chinese civilization back to 2000 BC); visit 3 distilleries in Sichuan, one of China’s top regions for fine spirits. Chengdu is important part of CHEMSTERDAM, as chemsterdam=Chengdu+Amsterdam.
It is a FREE trip for the winner of PANDA Baijiu Cocktail Game in Feb. 2025.
Travel Itinerary of PANDA Baijiu Odyssey: Cultural Immersion & Baijiu Mastery Tour in China
Day 1: Departure
• Gather at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Departure from Amsterdam to Beijing.
Day 2: Arrival in Beijing
• Arrival in Beijing, transfer to hotel.
• Welcome Banquet: Celebrate the start of our journey with a welcome dinner featuring classic Beijing cuisine, introducing participants to China’s rich culinary heritage.
Day 3: The Great Wall Experience
• Mutianyu Great Wall: Explore the iconic Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, marveling at this ancient wonder and enjoying breathtaking views.
Day 4: Beijing’s Historic Heart & Bar Takeover
• Tiananmen Square: Discover the world’s largest public square, a symbol of China’s historical and cultural significance.
• Forbidden City: Tour the world’s largest imperial palace complex, originally built in 1406, immersing in the grandeur of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
• Bar Takeover: Dutch bartenders take over a local bar, sharing their cocktail creations with Beijing’s cocktail enthusiasts and showcasing international mixology.
Day 5: High-Speed Train to Xi’an
• Lunch in Beijing.
• High-Speed Train to Xi’an: Experience China’s efficient high-speed rail system, arriving in Xi’an for dinner.
• Welcome Banquet in Xi’an: A dinner to introduce local flavors and hospitality, celebrating the ancient capital’s rich food culture.
Day 6: The Terracotta Army
• Terracotta Warriors: Visit the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army, an awe-inspiring historical site that serves as the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, and a marvel of ancient craftsmanship.
Day 7: Tang Dynasty Vibes & Bar Takeover
• Great Tang All Day Mall (大唐不夜城): Visit this dynamic cultural site, filled with music, art, and entertainment inspired by the Tang Dynasty.
• Bar Takeover in Xi’an: Engage the local cocktail scene, with Dutch bartenders taking the lead for an unforgettable night of mixology.
Day 8: High-Speed Train to Chengdu & Bar Takeover
• Lunch in Xi’an.
• High-Speed Train to Chengdu: Arrival in Chengdu for a new round of cultural and culinary experiences.
• Welcome Banquet & Bar Takeover in Chengdu: Kick off with a Sichuan-style dinner and a bar takeover, introducing Dutch cocktail flair to the Chengdu crowd.
Day 9: Panda Research Base & Sanxingdui Archaeological Site
• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: Observe giant pandas in their natural habitat, a unique experience of Chengdu’s wildlife conservation efforts.
• Sanxingdui Museum in Guanghan: Explore the Sanxingdui archaeological site, uncovering artifacts that date back thousands of years and offer insight into the mysterious Shu civilization.
• Overnight Stay: Enjoy a night at a private mountain villa in Mianzhu, surrounded by nature.
Day 10: Baijiu Distillery Tour
• Baijiu Distillery Visit: Dive into the world of baijiu, China’s traditional spirit, learning about the unique fermentation and distillation techniques that define this iconic drink.
Day 11: Baijiu Brewing Experience & Return to Chengdu
• Hands-on Baijiu Brewing Workshop: Participate in a half-day brewing session, guided by local distillers, to gain practical knowledge of baijiu-making techniques.
• Afternoon return drive to Chengdu.
• Bar Takeover in Chengdu: The Dutch bartenders host another night, blending Western and Eastern mixology influences.
Day 12: Yibin, the “Liquor Capital of Sichuan”
• Yibin Distillery Tour: Visit one of the most advanced automated distilleries in China, experiencing the modern industrial aspects of baijiu production.
Day 13: Luzhou – Baijiu Heritage Tour
• Luzhou Laojiao Cellars: Tour the ancient fermentation cellars of Luzhou Laojiao, home to centuries-old baijiu craftsmanship.
• Dinner with Baijiu Master Chen Qingming: Enjoy a unique dining experience with the 21st-generation master distiller of Luzhou Laojiao and their apprentices, delving deeper into baijiu culture and techniques.
Day 14: Return to Chengdu
• Morning travel by high-speed train or car back to Chengdu.
• Packing and Farewell: Final preparations for the journey back, reflecting on the rich experiences and friendships formed.
Day 15: Return to Amsterdam
• Departure from Beijing to Amsterdam, bringing memories of China’s vibrant culture, historical wonders, and newfound baijiu expertise back to the Netherlands.
Hans Ngo Wurfbain
P.A.N.D.A
Premium Alcohol Network and Distilleries Alliance
On the Mission to Bring People Together at a Table with Food and Drinks
30th, Oct. 2024
Price for the Epic PANDA Odyssey
The top participants in this event will be awarded free access to join the P.A.N.D.A Odyssey 2025 based on the total number of registrations, while other participants will also enjoy subsidized travel eligibility. For example, if the number of registrations falls between 40 and 49, both the first and second places will receive a free 15-day trip with P.A.N.D.A for PANDA Odyssey 2025, and the third place will need to pay €800. The fees corresponding to each ranking are outlined below according to the number of registrations.
Number of Registrants |
≤19 |
20-29 |
30-39 |
40-49 |
50-60 |
1st |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2nd |
2000 |
1200 |
800 |
0 |
0 |
3rd |
2500 |
2000 |
1200 |
800 |
0 |
4th |
2800 |
2500 |
2000 |
1200 |
800 |
5th |
3000 |
2800 |
2500 |
2000 |
1200 |
6th |
3000 |
3000 |
2800 |
2500 |
2000 |
7th |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
2800 |
2500 |
8th |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
2800 |
9th |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |