We would love to visit China again and I would not hesitate to book my next trip with you. I recommend your service to anyone who will listen. China is a fascinating country to visit, but to experience it with knowledgeable guides, safe drivers, and all the arrangements taken care of for you takes all the potential stress out of travel. The fact that there is always somebody there at the end of a phone to help sort out any little problems that do arise is very comforting. (Please send on my thanks to Ms Luo Zhi in Guangzhou for her help!)

All of the guides and drivers were good. The guides all spoke excellent English, they knew their information, could present it well, and made excellent arrangements for our well-being and entertainment. Some guides had to entertain us for long hours as we waited for late train and plane departures, but most were able to make excellent suggestions for additional activites to keep us busy. Some guides gave us great advice on where to eat and two arranged for us to see shows in the evening.

Particular Highlights:

The Qin Terracotta Army Xi'an.

The dumpling banquet in Xi'an (I had it two nights running!).

The whole trip to Xiahe, especially seeing the Labrang monastery and the Binglingsi caves.

Everything from Jiayuguan to Dunhuang! Jiayuguanmen was brilliant. The Wei and Jin tombs were unexpected, beautiful and very interesting. The drive across the Gobi desert was great. Yulin grottoes were amazing and very well worth going to see. The Mogao Caves were also excellent, but had a very different feel to them. Our guide, Jessica was outstanding. She did so much more for us than was strictly required: we saw extra sites, she took us to a great show (The Charm of Dunhuang), she took us out to eat and to the market. She was very enthusiastic and seemed to be having as much fun as we were. She definitely enhanced our enjoyment of this part of the trip.

Turpan was fascinating, especially the Karez wells.

I loved having milk tea in the Kazak Yurt in the Southern Pastures outside of Urumqi.

The highlight in Kashgar was definitely the trip on the Karakoram Highway up to Lake Karakuli. The driver was brilliant, very friendly and helpful, though he spoke no English. We loved walking the last part of the way (roadworks had completely blocked the road), but the opportunity to get out and walk in that beautiful environment was an unexpected pleasure I do not think the guide enjoyed it, but we loved it.

I cannot tell you just how much we enjoyed the trip. My friends and family hear about nothing else from me at the moment. So thank you to Elaine Yang in Guilin for all the arrangements, Luo Zhi in Guangzhou for her help on the phone, and all our guides and drivers: they all helped to make our trip a great success for us.

Best Regards

Paule

• Client's Information: Paule

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