• To: China (Xi'an)
• Theme: #FamilyBonds · #HolidayAwayFromHome
"They even flew in a Thanksgiving turkey and had it cooked for us at a 5-star hotel… They really went the extra mile!"
Complete with American Thanksgiving Turkey!
We had such a great time in Xi'an thanks to our tour guide, Windy, and all those at China Highlights. They even flew In a Thanksgiving turkey and had it cooked for us at a 5-start hotel because our American family was sad to be missing out on that this year. The director and his wonderful wife even hosted us at his home for Thanksgiving. They really went the extra mile! We also got a lot of sight seeing in with our very knowledgeable guide. Learning how to make dumplings AND a dumpling feast at a fine restaurant were truly special added touches! We also enjoyed making terra-cotta warriors and wearing traditional clothing and printing Chinese characters. Windy gave the kids darling panda hats as a Thanksgiving gift. Xi'an is a charming city! China Highlights knows just how to prove that!
MoreLaura planned a big Thanksgiving trip for her extended family to Xi'an, China — expecting terracotta warriors, dumpling feasts, and panda hats for the kids. What she didn't expect was the one thing they couldn't find: a Thanksgiving turkey. For an American family, it felt like something was missing. That's when our team stepped in, determined to turn regret into a memory they would cherish forever.
Thanksgiving had always been Laura's favorite holiday — a time for family, gratitude, and of course, turkey. When she brought her big family from the U.S. to Xi'an for a holiday adventure, everything seemed perfect: wandering the ancient city walls, crafting miniature terracotta warriors, trying on traditional robes, and learning to fold dumplings with their guide, Windy.
But there was one thing no tour in Xi'an seemed to offer: a Thanksgiving turkey. "It just didn't feel right to celebrate without it," Laura admitted.
When Travel Expert Alisa and Customer Manager Wendy realized how important this was, they sprang into action. They called every Western restaurant and 5-star hotel in Xi'an — but the pandemic had shuttered kitchens, and no turkey was on the menu. It looked like the family would have to let go of the tradition.
That's when creativity — and a little magic — stepped in. Wendy found a turkey online, shipped it directly to the home of Mr. Tian, the director of our Xi'an office. Mr. and Mrs. Tian then invited a chef from a 5-star hotel to roast the turkey to perfection. Once ready, it was carefully brought back to their home, where Laura's family was welcomed for an unforgettable feast.
On Thanksgiving Day, Laura's family sat down not in a restaurant, but in a local Xi'an home, welcomed as guests of honor. There it was: a perfectly roasted turkey, golden and fragrant, surrounded by the warmth of people they had only just met. "They even flew in a Thanksgiving turkey and had it cooked for us at a 5-star hotel… They really went the extra mile!" Laura later wrote in her review.
That evening, between dumpling feasts, laughter, and her children unwrapping panda hats gifted by Windy, Laura realized this Thanksgiving was unlike any she had ever celebrated before. It wasn't just about having the turkey — it was about the lengths people would go to make her family feel at home, even halfway around the world.
For Laura and her family, Xi'an became more than history and heritage. It became the place where gratitude itself took center stage, and where strangers became family for a day.
At Highlights Travel, we believe travel isn't just about where you go — it's about the people who make your story possible.
Start planning your own Closer Moment today — because every tradition deserves its place at the table.
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