Imperial Tours, a company based out of San Francisco, Calif, takes connoisseurs of Chinese cuisine and history on a trek through the Pearl of the Orient. While the company offers several different tours catering to different lengths of stay, size of groups and interests (including a photography and family tour), guests of Imperial Tours are assured luxury accommodations at five-star hotels and guides knowledgeable about the country. Among the epicurean delights of Imperial Tours are a white linen banquet atop the Great Wall of China and lessons in dumping making, noodle pulling and dim sum creation.

Imperial Tours' Culinary Tour won't be available in 2008, but according to Margot Kong, the company's director of sales and marketing, private tours can be tailored to focus on cooking activities, and will still feature dining at world-class restaurants in China.

© December 2007/January 2008 Hi Luxury Magazine