Call them what you like-Theme Parites, Fun Times, Aficiando Affairs-popular in Beijing and they're open to visitors groups who'd like to sample the foods, festivities and camaraderie. The route for incentive and similar group involvement is for the travel agency/tour operator to contract the hotel or event organizer.

Organized by the Holiday Inn Lido in 1994, the Chaine Des Rotisseurs is a group of distinguished professionals including

both Chinese and Westerners, who enjoy fine cuisine and the finest wines. The group welcomed ten new members last year and looks forward to a banner year in The Year of the Rat! 1997, conversely, will no doubt become known for its sumptuous Year of the Ox dishes and accoutrements.

Held in beautifully and authentically designed and decorated venues, the Beijing Food Street Theme Party and The Night of the Emperor Banquet represent opposite ends of the social scene in ancient China. The ordinary people went to crowded streets to eat, be entertained by street performers and watch the work of the Shadow Cutter, Calligrapher and Noodle Make, among others. Ceremony and the best in food and entertainment were expected in the palace courtyard when the emperor was present. The China World Hotels offers both for the choice of the visitor.