EXPLORE WITH US.TAKE A TOUR WITH US.
Asian Heritage Tours by Chinese Community Center is a unique initiative that immerses local Houstonians, regional tourists, and interest groups to the rich layers of Asiatown Bellaire and Mahatma Gandhi District. We aim to support cultural activity in all its forms (food, ritual, display and more) believing there is much to gain. Whether that is an escape from the mundane, or broadening cultural horizons, we encourage you to partake in our bus tour and find out yourself!
REGISTRATION
To place yourself on our email list for classes, please email jtruong@ccchouston.org with the following information:
- Your name
- Phone number
- How many group members will be in attendance
We will email you to register when classes open up.
LOST IN TOKYO TOUR
SUNDAY, MAY 5TH, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM$45 PER PERSON
Tour Description:
On this immersive bus tour, you will explore the city’s hidden gems and meet the cultural groups preserving the dynamic history and legacy of Japan. Join us for a cultural odyssey that transports you to the Land of the Rising Sun without leaving the Lone Star State.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:00 AM Depart from Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Drive, Houston, TX 77036. Please arrive 10-15 min early to allow for check-in.
- 10:15 AM Claw Mania Kingdom & Reiwatakiya Japanese Beauty at Dun Huang Plaza | Get 11 tokens equaling 11 plays at the claw machines, check out Reiwatakiya where shop owners can take you through their supply of Japanese beauty items
- 11:00 AM Lunch at Kyuramen | Transport yourself to Japan with this beautifully designed Japanese-concept restaurant and your choice of specialty meal! Your ticket does not include lunch; you will purchase your own meal.
- 1:00 PM Kaminari Taiko | Kaminari Taiko is a Japanese drumming ensemble based in Houston, Texas that fuses traditional instruments with modern rhythms. You’ll take a workshop to learn basic taiko techniques and rhythms, with plenty of hands-on time on the drums- are you ready to move like how the Samurai warriors did on the battlefield to signal commands and frighten their enemies? Your ticket price covers the $15/student class
- 03:00 PM Shogeki Sumo | Learn about Shogeki Sumo, a competitive team that strives to promote a special piece of Japanese Culture through Sumo Wrestling, followed by a short demo of a typical wrestling match
- 04:15 PM Houston Kendo Kyokai | Learn about Houston Kendo Kyokai, a passion project that joins every week at the Chinese Community Center to practice modern kendo. See how Kendo is practiced with the use of protective armor and a bamboo sword (the shinai)
- 05:00 PM Tour End
CLASSIC ASIA TOWN TOUR
SUNDAY, MAY 12TH, 9 AM-4 PM$20 PER PERSON
Tour Description:
On Mother’s Day weekend, book a tour with us and we’ll take care of the rest to ensure you and your family/friends enjoy a full day of activities. Indulge in the serene beauty of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, savor classic Chinese dishes, and visit a much less-known but awe-inspiring Vietnamese Buddhist Center with the full comfort of a chauffeured vehicle so you can spend quality with your loved ones instead of dealing with traffic. To add to that, get an added layer of meaning and learn about the history and development of Southwest Houston while riding along Bellaire, Harwin, and Hillcroft Boulevards with our knowledgeable tour guide
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 AM Starting off at the Chinese Community Center (9800 Town Park Drive, Houston, TX 77036) receive a beginner lesson in the tradition of Chinese Calligraphy, a practical form of writing that became a respected art form
- 10:00 AM Ten Yen Tea and Herbs | Observe a Chinese tea ceremony at Ten Yen Tea and Herbs. This popular local shop has provided a wide selection of loose leaf and herbal teas to Houstonians for more than 20 years.Visitors enjoy a selection of quality, pure teas enjoying each beverage’s sublime flavor and unique characteristics. As we drive down the main corridors we learn about the history of Chinatown’s development and its’ key drivers.
- 11:10 AM Hunan Bistro | Enjoy delicious and class Chinese food at one of Dun Huang Plaza’s favorites. Afterwards, explore Dun Huang Plaza and treat yourself to Boba drinks at one of the many speciality drink stores or get some dessert! Your ticket does not include lunch; you will purchase your own meal.
- 1:15 PM Vietnam Buddhist Center | Find serenity at Vietnam Buddhist Center an impressive twelve-acre temple cultivating the teachings of the Buddha, one of the most beautiful temples in Houston yet little known of and visited
- 02:40 PM Mulan | Cement the day’s memories at Mulan and find your own mother-daughter bracelets or find each other’s Qipao. If you’re not a mother-daughter duo, find gifts for your friends or family! Mulan has a vast inventory of speciality gifts celebrating Buddhism and Chinese culture
- 03:50 PM Tour End
CLASSIC LITTLE INDIA TOUR
SUNDAY, MAY 19TH, 8:30 AM-4 PM$45 PER PERSON
Tour Description:
Book this unique dive into the richness of Indian heritage with us and enjoy a full day of activities with the full comfort of a chauffeured vehicle so you can spend quality with your loved ones instead of dealing with traffic. Take in the splendor of a revered Hindu temple, feel the rhythm of Indian dance through a captivating demonstration where you can even learn a few moves yourself. Delight yourself with authentic Indian cuisine, and conclude your journey with a visit to the inspiring Mahatma Gandhi Museum.
Tour Itinerary
- 08:30 AM Depart from Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Drive, Houston, TX 77036. Please arrive 10-15 min early to allow for check-in. Drive to BAPS, as we drive down Hilcroft District we will learn about the development of Little India, which parallels much of Chinatown Bellaire’s own development
- 09:00 AM BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir | Completed in the year 2004, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Houston is a popular Hindu temple built upon the principles of the Shilpa Shastras. The largest in the state, it consists of the open-air temple building, a haveli, a surrounding deck, open grounds and an Understanding Hinduism exhibition.
- 10:15 AM Qahwah House Houston | Though not Indian, this Yemeni sweet spot will be a much needed stop. The coffee and tea selection at Qahwah House is a true delight. From rich, aromatic espressos to velvety cappuccinos, each cup is expertly crafted to perfection. Purchase on your own.
- 11:15 AM Anjali Dance School Dance showcase & Demo | Dance workshop provided by Anjali School of Dance, discover the tradition of Indian Dance through this wonderful demonstration. Also be prepared to learn a few dance moves in this interactive experience.
- 12:40 PM Bombay Delight | Lunch at Bombay Delight. Your ticket does not include lunch; you will purchase your own meal.
- 2:10 PM Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) | EGMH is a cultural and educational museum dedicated to preserving and promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by cultivating the universal values of Truth, Nonviolence, Peace, Love, and Service. The museum will highlight the power of nonviolent conflict resolution through examples of peace leaders worldwide.
- 3:45 PM Tour End
ASIAN HERITAGE TOURS
CONTACT.MEDIA REVIEWS.
For all tours, individual ticket prices cover tour guide, service (coordination) fees, and activity fees specific to tour.
Your ticket does not include lunch; you will purchase your own meal.
All tickets will be refunded in the event a full booking of 12 is not met.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this tour or any other of our Asian Heritage Month activities,
E-mail:
Jo Truong, <jtruong@ccchouston.org>
PAST SOCIAL MEDIA REVIEWS:
“I loved the information about the area while we were driving, it helped give good context. The timing worked well overall and didn’t feel rushed. Lunch was really delicious and loved the family style so we could try different things we may not have known about and hear what is in them and personal connection to the food. It was a lot more interesting than what I ordered on my own!”
“The casual style of the tour allowing for individual questions was refreshing. Having so many different guides made it special.”