Imperial Tours

19/08/2025

I’ve always associated pandas with Chengdu and Sichuan Province - but in fact their natural habitat stretches into Shaanxi Province, close to Xi’an. Its panda reserve, in the Qinling Mountains, only opened to the public in 2024 but in doing so has expanded public awareness of the panda’s territory. This is also where I met the world’s only brown panda, named Qi Zai (七仔)! She has this warm mocha-colored fur - absolutely adorable and one of a kind. This rare colour is due to a natural genetic mutation, so far only seen in the world at Qinling. It’s almost a reason on its own to visit Xi’an!（Terence）

08/08/2025

Once the heart of the Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju is a living museum where every corner tells a story. From royal tombs and centuries-old temples to scenic lotus ponds and traditional hanok villages, this timeless city is one of Korea’s top destinations for history lovers and culture seekers.

Korea is a place where contrasts live in harmony.Energy and stillness, culture and nature, tradition and modernity—all coexisting in one vibrant country.We'r...

11/07/2025

Growing up, popsicles were a rare summer treat. Options were limited: often just sugar and ice, or perhaps red bean flavor. One of my favorites was shaved ice topped with fruit syrup. Of course nowadays you can buy so many types - tour site-themed popsicles are particularly popular! My siblings and I still keep this tradition alive; on a hot summer evening after a long day’s work, we’ll hop in a car to chase that taste from our childhood. Sometimes I will still buy the simplest sugar and ice one. (Lilly Tian)

27/06/2025

When summer heats up, these Chinese dishes offer a delicious way to cool down. Liangpi (冷皮), chilled wheat noodles in a spicy sesame sauce, are a street food staple. Or you can try liangban cucumber (凉拌黄瓜), served cold and crisp, marinated with garlic and vinegar. If you are adventurous you may try bitter melon (苦瓜), known for its cooling properties. For something sweet, one of my personal favourites is douhua (豆花), a silken tofu pudding, often served with light syrup. To drink, suanmeitang (酸梅汤) is a tart and sweet plum drink over ice whereas for fruit, watermelon is particularly popular to combat heat and humidity. (Terence Parker)

20/06/2025

Hangzhou’s Longjing (Dragon Well) is a pan roasted green tea native to the West Lake area and harvested in the weeks approaching Qingming - typically early April. However, many don’t know that these same fields are also a source of black tea, harvested after the festival and left to oxidise naturally. I’ve been drinking tea all my life, but to experience the process has given a new appreciation and understanding of the drink. We do this at a private villa at the foot of the Longjing Hills, where we arrange a tea harvesting & processing experience against the lush green backdrop of working tea fields. (Terence)

11/06/2025

Just attended a wonderful exhibit at the Tate Modern in London of captivating works by Korean artist, Do Ho Suh. It’s been a long time since we experienced an exhibit that is so unique. As we walked into the space, we literally heard gasps. The artist has taken a life-size imprint of his childhood hanok home in hanji paper. And then one walks through a tunnel created using fabric in the subtle colours so reminiscent of Korean traditional dress. Korean culture continues to mesmerize not only in film, tv, cuisine and beauty, but also in contemporary art.

30/05/2025

Café hopping in Korea isn’t just about grabbing a cup of coffee or tea—it’s a cultural experience. From soft, layered cakes with seasonal fresh fruit to intricately crafted desserts that look like works of art to delicate, traditional Korean sweets, Koreans take dessert seriously. Pair these treats with rich hand-drip brews or beautifully poured teas, in gorgeous settings that rival any fine dining experience.

14/03/2025

Spring dishes capture tradition, freshness, and the beauty of a city. One seasonal gem is bamboo shoots (春笋 or Chūnsǔn), at their most tender in March—crisp, earthy, and perfect for stir-fries or even steamed. One of my favourites sees them braised with soy sauce and pork belly, a dish that balances the sweetness of the shoots with the richness of the meat.

Last spring, I visited a village on the outskirts of Shanghai, where a friend’s family owned a small bamboo forest. We spent the morning digging for fresh shoots, a task requiring patience and a keen eye. The reward? A basket full of young shoots, transformed into a simple yet unforgettable meal. Every bite was a celebration of spring — fresh, vibrant, and deeply connected to the land. (Lily)

28/02/2025

As winter fades, I anticipate the culinary delights of early spring. My standout is stir-fried river snails (螺蛳), an eagerly-awaited delicacy. Stir-fried with garlic, ginger, chili, and Shaoxing wine, these tiny snails offer a fragrant, slightly spicy burst of umami. And eating them is an art—coaxing the tender meat from its shell with a toothpick or a quick suck. My first taste was at a bustling Bund street market, guided by a cheerful vendor. As I savored the dish by the Huangpu River, the city lights shimmered on the water, and the air carried the scent of magnolias—pure Shanghai magic. (Lily)

14/02/2025

The Lantern Festival, marking the end of Chinese New Year, has always felt magical to me. Streets glow with beautiful lanterns—classic red globes, intricate animals, and legendary figures—turning everything into a fairy tale. One of my favorite traditions is solving lantern riddles with my family, sharing laughter and friendly competition. And of course, there’s tangyuan, sweet glutinous rice balls that symbolize warmth and togetherness. More than just a celebration, the festival reminds me that light and joy always return, even after the darkest winters. It’s a feast for the eyes, heart, and soul—an experience I cherish and one you shouldn’t miss! (Lilly)

07/02/2025

Growing up in Hong Kong with our unique traditions, I remember as a child placing a red packet under my pillow on Lunar New Year’s Eve to keep evil spirits at bay. Now as a parent, the practice continues with my son. At home, we bathe with pomelo leaf water, and enjoy the short-lived fragrance of our blooming Narcissus plant. We’d watch the televised fortune stick draw at Che Kung Temple, where the city's fate is predicted for the year ahead. Living amongst the villages, I still enjoy the spectacle of Lion Dances, where businesses are blessed for prosperity upon their return to work. (Terence Parker)

25/01/2025

As the Spring Festival approaches, I look forward to the annual preparations. Whether choosing the best couplet slogans ("chunlian") or blessing characters (“fuzi”) to hang, I must make sure all doors are covered. New Year's Eve is when my family gathers for dinner to talk about everything, and it brings warmth to our hearts. For many workers, it is the one opportunity to travel home. Trains will be busy in what’s regarded as the largest annual movement of people worldwide. Some relatives we do not see often, but when we gather, the atmosphere carries our full hopes and wishes for the year ahead.(Lilly Tian)