Oct 24, 2002

I am sorry about the late response, but after returning from China it was quite hectic on our side...

We did have a nice trip and we enjoyed it a lot. Thank you very much for all your organization and advices. We never had to wait for a guide, they were all in time. The hotels were also very convenient and clean, we can recommend all of them.

Concerning our itinerary we would suggest to add the following sights: on the way from Chengdu to Emeishan we asked the guide to bring us to Jianjiang to see the 1000 Buddhas. Although we were a bit too late to enter the temple with the 1000 buddhas we enjoyed the scenery and the rocks with some carved buddhas a lot.

The dinosaur museum in Zigong was very interesting (none of the travel guide books list this unique museum) and also the one about the salt dwelling. It would have been nice to stop at a salt dwelling still in use, but unfortunately we only passed by.

We will definitely travel again to China since there are still many interesting parts left for visiting - maybe in 2004. In any case we will then contact you again.

Looking forward to using your agency again.

Oct 23, 2002

Tour members are very satisfied with all arrangements. Some bus trips too long. Changes in train/air schedules with introduction of winter schedule did affect the program, esp, in Turpan. Local guides all excellent. Tour group memebers appreciated most the chance to travel off the beaten track, eg Tashkurgan, and chance to visit local family (in Kashgar) By comparison, they felt Xian program was standard tourist treatment, but chance to attend university lectures was a privilege and gave them more in-depth understanding. Many tour members already had specialist knowledge, eg of textiles, Buddhism, etc, and expected to receive more serious treatment than "average tourists".

Please note: all staff were excellent and most helpful including office staff Molly and Lucy