I\'d give this experience a solid C or a score of 3 out of 5. I\'ll list both pro\'s and con\'s for your consideration and I have traveled abroad extensively so I am comparing this experience to other similar 1 day tours.
Pro\'s:
1. West Lake was beautiful and well worth the trip (avoid weekends if at all possible)
2. My guide was very sweet and kind
3. It was worth the $145 USD
Con\'s:
1. You\'re on a huge bus where other tourists speak no English. It\'s 100% Asian, (not that there is anything wrong with that). His talking (I felt) was excessive (a solid 2 hours on the bus on the way to Hangzhou).
2. Even though I had an Asian guide who spoke English, you still pretty much have to stay w/ the Asian group for the majority of the trip. If you want to venture off on your own w/ your guide, don\'t book this tour and instead book the private tour, which I regret not doing.
3. The food for lunch is 100% Asian and you don\'t sit w/ your guide. So if you don\'t like the food, you are totally out of luck. I tried the food but did not like most of it and the restaurant is not sanitary at all.
4. They provide no bottled water and no snacks. Your day will begin at 7:00 a.m. and you will return to Shanghai at 8:00 p.m. and only an Asian lunch at noon. So bring your own bottled water and snacks and don\'t assume they will offer anything complimentary for you.
5. The bus ride back to Shanghai they do not stop so be sure to use the restroom before you leave the last location.
6. We had to be back to the bus at 4:30 p.m. but we waited for an hour while they shuffled passengers to other buses so we sat on a bus for an hour before leaving. For the elderly, handicapped, people w/ special needs or heavy set, this trip is not for you.
Overall, I enjoyed my experience and will remember it for years to come. For nationalities other than Asian, I recommend the private tour in a car. I believe you\'d get much more from the experience and not be corralled like cattle following someone with a red flag that you can\'t understand. A private tour would offer much more flexibility and be able to cater better to your specifics needs and wishes.
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[3 of 5 Stars!]
