My husband and I opted for the private tour package with our own guide and driver. We were very pleased with both our guide, Jenny and our driver, Liu because they allowed us to visit all sites in the itinerary but at our own pace, very leisurely. Also, we are very grateful for all the other extras they had accomodated us...Jenny had arranged for us to have accupuncture which we both had requested. Also, I had bought a pair of pearl earrings which I wasn't too happy with and both Jenny and Liu agreed to go back to the shop again the next day for me to be able to exchange for something I like even if the shop was quite a distance with some traffic! Extras also, was a side trip to the Olympic Bird's Nest Stadium, not included, but definitely an interest to us. We would definitely use China Tour again for our next visit!..
Positives: Airport pick up and drop off is a godsend. The car was clean, and the driver was patient and skilful. I saw all the important sights, and my guide, Wendy, provided a lot of information about each place. The Hutong tour and lunch, the Peking duck dinner and the acrobat show were highlights of the tour. Suggestions For Improvement: The guide should ask the tourist what he/she would like to eat. I had the same vegetable for three consecutive meals and pork for both lunch and dinner. Provide the itinerary well in advance, and allow the tourist to remove certain stops. For example, I specifically requested ahead of time that I not be taken to places to shop (silk, jade factories), but I was taken there anyway. Have small bottles of water in the car for the tourists. Provide a guide book with information related to the main sights visited as it is too difficult to write notes or to remember everything...
Enjoyed the tour. Jenny, our tour guide and friend in Beijing for 5 days, was very professional and showed us all the sights in the package along with drive by points of interest like the Bird Nest Arena built for the Olympics. Thanks, Will and Nancy..
We enjoyed our tour and our guide Wendy was very knowlegeable about the sites and history although we, a family of six, found it information overload and she was agitated when we didnt share her enthusiam for her information. I believed using this site as means of booking a tour would mean we would be protected from the risks we read about such as being directed to preferred markets, ie pearl markets, jade markets etc, to purcahse items where the tour guide would be favourable reimbursed, and as a result our cost price, unknowingly to us at the time, was increased accordingly. All this was made known to us when friends of ours visited similar locations, without guides and got purchases in some instances at half the price. Although i would like to again visit China/Bejing again this notion of being touched up on the sales and the friendly assertion we should save our money for her tip left a bitter taste in our mouth. Apart from that disappontment, and the reason for not providing an excellent rating, the sites we visited were well organised. The Hutong area was great and the visit to the Wall excellent...
My party of six arrived in China two days earlier than planned. On our arrival we called our agent, Sharon, from Hotel Guide China, who arranged for pickup from the airport and hotel for the two extra nights (with such short notice). She also enquired if we wished to start our tour earlier, which we did. Our tour guide, Rita, met us next morning and we were on our way. Rita was very informative and knowledgeable about the history and the sites we visited. We enjoyed the visit to Hutong Village and the local home cooked meal. It was quite tasty. (She should go into business) Rita was also very helpful with any requests we had. Our driver was also quite patient. Our hotel, the Paragon Howard Johnson, was in a good location, near subway line, shopping and restaurants. On a whole the trip was very good. I have recommend this tour to our friends and family...
Our tour guide Lily was nice and friendly. She spoke good English and had good knowledge of the tour sites. My family and I enjoyed her company very much. The driver was very good and courteous. The car was clean and comfortable. My suggestions: 1. Provide tourist(s) with detailed itinerary upon arrival. Describe any available options. Provide maps and general information about the city. 2. Provide drinks in the vehicle. Ask tourists about their food and drink preference...
I am satisfied with the tourist program you provided. Our guide Cindy was very nice and her historical knowledge really impressive. The only thing i could call "disadvantage" was hotel (Beijing International), i mean that nobody said ealier that this hotel is under construction(all days and nights) and that might be some disturbance (I could have choosed another hotel). My rating for travel office and for guide is very good and the only thing i'm not fully satisfied with is hotel. Tadeusz NIEZGODA..
