Royal Banquet Night Tour: Feast, Live Show & Costume Play

What’s it truly like to experience a regal imperial dinner in Beijing? Join us, and your private professional guide will lead you through an all-immersive journey of living like an emperor: donning ancient imperial attire, strolling through palatial grounds, enjoying spectacular live performances and feasting on authentic imperial cuisine. Over this unforgettable 4-hour experience, you will be transported back to a magnificent imperial banquet of ancient dynasties, sharing the supreme luxury and pleasure of imperial life with fellow distinguished “royal guests”.

16:30 - 17:00 | Depart for the “Imperial Palace” & Begin the Grand Celebration!

At approximately 16:30 in the afternoon, your private tour guide will meet you directly at your hotel, and accompany you by taxi to Yuxiandu Royal Cuisine Museum - the exclusive venue for this grand imperial feast. Rest assured, your personal guide will contact you one day in advance to confirm and adjust the pick-up time, tailored to the location of your hotel.

17:00 - 18:00 | Don Your Regal Costume & Step into Living History

Upon arrival, your first unforgettable experience will be stepping into the costume suite to transform into your chosen imperial persona. They offer a curated collection of over 300 styles of authentic ancient imperial costumes, spanning elegant Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) clothing to majestic Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912) court attire, all crafted with premium fabrics and exquisite workmanship. 

You may dress as a noble princess, imperial guard, court minister, dignified empress, or even the emperor himself - any regal role you desire. Professional makeup and styling artists will perfect your hairstyle, adorn you with elaborate traditional accessories, and complete your intricate imperial look. The entire styling process takes around one hour. Once dressed and coiffed, you will be the undisputed star of tonight’s grand banquet.

18:00 - 18:30 | Tour the Royal Cuisine Museum & Capture Timeless Photos

After stepping into your imperial costume, your guide will accompany you to the second floor to explore the Royal Cuisine Museum. Here, a stunning collection of ancient imperial dining utensils and lifelike replicas of classic imperial dishes are on display. Your guide will elaborate on their historical uses, strict imperial dining etiquette, the legendary stories behind iconic dishes, and captivating anecdotes about ancient emperors’ culinary preferences.This is also the perfect moment for memorable photography: pose amid the grand palatial architecture in your authentic imperial attire, and capture timeless, picture-perfect memories of this unique journey.

Following the museum tour, your guide will escort you to your reserved seats.

18:38 - 20:10 | A Feast for the Senses: The Grand Imperial Banquet Commences

This is the crowning highlight of the entire experience. The grand dinner performance will begin promptly at 18:38, centered around the story of celebrating the Empress Dowager’s birthday, featuring more than ten spectacular, sequentially staged programs. As the stage lights dim, an ethereal, regal atmosphere unfolds, with graceful court dances and vibrant ethnic traditional performances taking turns to captivate your attention.

The feast we present is hailed as “China’s Finest Imperial Banquet”, featuring eight meticulously crafted signature dishes including Steamed Abalone with Shark’s Fin and Fish Maw in Broth, Stir-Fried Prawn with Vegetables, and Braised Pork Ball in Brown Sauce‌, among others. Each dish is served in perfect rhythm with the unfolding theatrical narrative. Attendants dressed in traditional court attire, wearing iconic flower-pot shoes, will gracefully present each course directly to your table.Among the culinary treasures is a deceptively simple yet extraordinarily refined dish: Steamed Chinese Cabbage in Supreme Soup - a staple of China’s state banquets. While it appears as plain boiled cabbage, the clear broth is slowly simmered for over six hours with premium free-range chicken, infusing the cabbage with delicate sweetness and unparalleled freshness. 

As you savor each bite, you will be simultaneously entranced by the imperial and ethnic dance performances on stage, indulging both your palate and your eyes in pure delight. In this moment, you will not merely be an audience member - you will be a distinguished guest truly present at this grand imperial banquet.

20:30 | A Memorable Conclusion & Return to Your Accommodation

After the banquet concludes, you will change back into your personal attire. At approximately 20:30, this extraordinary royal banquet night tour will draw to a perfect close. Your guide will accompany you by taxi back to your hotel. Should you wish to explore more iconic attractions during your stay in Beijing, simply share your travel preferences with us, and we will craft a fully customized, bespoke Beijing tour tailored exclusively for you.