China is a land of superlatives, and everyone will find something entirely different to love about it. For some it will be the Great Wall, for others the roast pork, and still others the mind-bending skyscrapers. For me, it was Daoism. Find your China.
South Korea is one of the most innovative societies of our age, and yet few countries are more mindful of their heritage. From the immaculately preserved courtyards of ancient Gyeongju to the K Pop studios of Seoul, discover the perennial cultural secrets of this gifted nation.
Discovery lies at the heart of travel – not only the desire to see new things in a different land but also to understand alternative ways of thinking and being. To the same extent that travelers seek with an open attitude, so is Imperial Tours’ goal to give you a platform to explore our a destinations, as if you had close family members introducing you to a country they love. Our passion and purpose is to learn your intentions and interests in travel and to respond with an enjoyable and insightful luxury travel experience.
Your holiday time is precious. That is why at Imperial Tours we go the extra mile to create and deliver the most relaxing and memorable luxury experiences. For over two decades we have been specializing in providing unparalleled service, quality and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Consider us as your personal guides introducing you to the country we love.
Imperial Moment was a term coined by one of our very first guests. They used this term to describe the feeling of wonder and excitement that enthralled them on their travels with us. From the sheer delight of being introduced to a site of unexpected beauty, an Imperial Moment also refers to the wide range of inside access we can provide from the remote villages of Gyeongju to the skyscrapers of Shanghai.
To best customize your itinerary, we need to know as much as possible about your travel preferences, tastes and expectations. The more information you provide, the more unique and enjoyable your itinerary will become.
In China, we offer two levels of high-end private touring to suit budgets and aims. In South Korea, where cultural affinities to Western travel demands are greater, we customize on an itinerary by itinerary basis.
Tell us how you wish to travel and then let us make your vision a reality. At Imperial Tours we take pride in individualizing tour itineraries so that your travels feel authentic and true to you. We will structure destinations, hotels, restaurants, guides and experiences so that they all respond holistically to your interests and traveling style.
We work with the top hotels in China and South Korea, matching them to suit your needs and style. Many top tier destinations already offer a plethora of world-class luxury accommodation, some considered destinations in themselves. On your journey with us we will also introduce you to hidden treasures in lesser known destinations.
East Asians have an instinctive passion for good food. “Have you eaten?” is a time-honored greeting across China and South Korea. Both offer a rich array of regional cuisines, and in major cities travelers can choose from a fine selection of Western restaurants as well as those conjuring up an eclectic fusion of local and Western kitchens. From “Bon Gourmand”-style holes-in-the-wall to fine-dining, from hang-over food to historic banquets, our restaurants will delight you throughout your stay.
South Korea is one of the few countries in the world with shopping available 24/7 at shopping malls and temporary market stalls. We invite you to rethink the position East Asian designers hold in the modern day. China’s traditional strengths in crafts and materials have inspired a new breed of contemporary designer, both Chinese and foreign, to create high-quality products for modern lifestyles at multiple price points. Similarly, Korean designers are as popular in Beijing as in Boston.
From designer homeware to haute couture to nationally-recognized artisans, the choice is yours. And because we never take commission, our guides’ only interest is in helping you find the items you seek.
Mr Chung-il Cho (last name Cho), founder of international fintech company Kona I, invested over USD 220 million to reconceive traditional courtyard, or “hanok”, architecture as a setting for a holistic experience of Korean heritage and thought, on a scenic mountain top. There is absolutely no ROI for this 130-acre (52-hectare) passion project. While Mr […]
What You Will Learn A Clash of Eras: Discover how centuries-old Confucian values of harmony and emotional restraint are colliding with the lightning-fast pace of modern society. The “Gender War” Decoded: Understand why feminism in Korea is more than just a debate; it is a “moral symbol” reflecting deep anxieties about identity and fairness. Economic […]
Publication: Lisa the Travel Girl / Artist First Radio Network Interview: Guy Rubin of Imperial Tours Discusses Modern China & Luxury Travel Host: Lisa K This interview originally aired on Lisa the Travel Girl on the Artist First Radio Network and is republished with permission as part of Imperial Tours’ media archive. Guy Rubin of […]
This article was published in the Bloomberg Weekend Edition (© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.) on January 8th, 2025. Written by Jinshan Hong, Josh Xiao, K Oanh Ha, and Danny Lee, with assistance from Spe Chen, Adrian Leung, and Jane Pong. Guy Rubin, founder of Imperial Tours, was a source used for this article. The billions of […]
On its 25th anniversary, Imperial Tours, the award-winning luxury tour operator, expands its services to the under-served and increasingly prominent East Asian destination of South Korea. Since 1999 Imperial Tours has played an instrumental role in presenting China to global travel and thought leaders. It has introduced this exotic destination to heads of state, iconic […]
Publication: Lisa the Travel Girl / Artist First Radio Network Interview: Guy Rubin of Imperial Tours Discusses Modern China & Luxury Travel Host: Lisa K This interview originally aired on Lisa the Travel Girl on the Artist First Radio Network and is republished with permission as part of Imperial Tours’ media archive. Guy Rubin of […]
