Dear Ruby/Maggie,

My apologies for not answering this sooner but after we completed your tour we went on with friends to see more of China and then onto the USA and have only just returned to Australia yesterday.

Before I answer your questions I must say how good your drivers and guides in the following locations were fantastic. We had Juliett in Beijing, Echo in Xian and William in Guilin.

My wife and I found that the organised visits were terrific maybe could have spend a little bit more time but it is hard when there is so much to see and the great thing was that we were not rushed and were given ample time to see the exibits. The guides in Beijing, Xian and Guilin were very informative and ensured we understood what they were saying, their comprehension of the English language was very good. They were always early when meeting us of a morning and kept us very well informed in advance especially when we had to attend function of an evening and we were always made aware of any time factors ie evening meal when we were attending a show later that night so we were never late. the drivers in Beijing, Xian and Guilin were always there to assist especially ladies and gents where needed off the busses and always took good care of our luggage which made it very easy for us on our arrival and departure of the various locations.

The service attitude of the drivers in Beijing, Xian and Guilin were terrific they all greeted us in the morning and we had a few jokes with them and they all fitted in well with the group, they assisted us where it was needed. They always took care of our luggage when we arrived at the various airports and then organised the checking in when we had to leave that particular location thus making everything very easy for us as a group.

The only comment of criticism I would like to make is that the time of the flight from Xian to Guilin is far too late we didn't reach out accommodation until approximately 9:30pm and then were to have dinner which is far too late therefore we advised the guide (William) that we did not wish to have dinner, We advised William that it was not his fault as we felt he may have taken offence that he had done something wrong which he had not and after explaining it is him the following morning he was ok with that.

I would have no hesitation to recommending the same tour we did to anyone else as it was very enjoyable and very informative but you do need to do something about the Shanghai part, I would even suggest to cut that day out and extend either Beijing or Xian part to compensate.

I hope my comments assist you and with the exception of Shanghai both my wife and I enjoyed every minute of your tour and the accommodation and meals were supurb. The Holiday Inn in Beijing was a fantastic way to start the tour. The Hotel staff were terrific and really made you welcome. I have had an email from the General Manager of the Hotel in relation to an information sheet i filled out there and I have told him how good his staff were and friendly they were and that if I return to Beijing I would have no hesitation in staying there.

Wishing you a prosporus New Year and really enjoy those Olympic Games in 2008.

Kind Regards

Paul and Veronica blackwell