Kimkim Trip Reviews for China

Our trip was wonderful. Planning and booking was easy thanks to Lisa and all her advice was spot on.
We had absolutely no issues throughout the trip - all drivers and guides were excellent - particularly Yestin in Beijing & Betty in Chengdu. Would also like to make a special mention to Chow (Mike) in Zhangjiajie - he went above and beyond to make our visit fun, despite the terrible weather that could not be helped - excellent service and a lovely man!
We loved visiting the Pandas (we love animals!) and Betty was wonderful in navigating us away from the crowds and long line ups. The Zhangjiajie region was spectacular, but we really loved everywhere we visited. Thank you to everyone who made our trip very memorable!

Hotel Reviews

Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Chengdu

Great location and very lovely hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Guilin

Great hotel for Guilin stay - the location is excellent and view from the bistro is amazing.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Li River Resort

Our favourite hotel on our China tour - very relaxing with a lovely river view!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunrise On The Bund

A good location for Shanghai’s Bund!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Beijing Highlights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City & Hutongs

Beijing

Excellent way to start our China experience. Our guide Yestin was very good and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

We had a wonderful day visiting the Great Wall. Our guide, Yestin was excellent, especially at helping us avoid the really crowded areas and lone line ups!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

A highlight of our China trip, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is spectacular, we had a wonderful time thanks to Chow, our guide who was a superstar in guiding us through all there was to see!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie

Unfortunately the weather was not ideal for our visit to Zhangjiajie’s Grand Canyon & Tiananmen Mountain - but despite this we had an amazing time anyway! Thanks to Chow, our Guide who helped make the day memorable and fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River

Guilin

The Li Cruise was lovely - a relaxing way to see the spectacular scenery along the beautiful river.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore Chengdu: Pandas, Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Ancient Street

Chengdu

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Pandas! Even though the Panda Centre seemed to be crowded, Betty our guide was able to keep us away from long lines and we had plenty of stress free time to just watch the beautiful animals. One of our favourite days in China.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Yulong River Rafting Experence

Yangshuo

The bamboo rafting experience was a little bit of fun and a great way to see the scenery of the river.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore the Scenic Countryside in Yangshuo by Cycling

China

We opted out of this activity due to the weather!

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Chongqing City Highlights One-Day Tour

Chongqing

The Chongqing City is pretty cool but this tour was not one of our favourites of China’s city tours. Yudy the guide was nice, but the spots we saw were pretty lame and not really that interesting and we didn’t see everything that was listed (didn’t get taken to Raffles City to do the Sky Bridge or see the Hongya Cave light up at night - only during the day with almost nothing happening). Overall the tour seemed a bit rushed - it would have been better to start in the late afternoon into the evening.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Visit the Highlights in Shanghai

Shanghai

We enjoyed our Shanghai City Highlights tour, with the highlight being the Yu Garden.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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When I think about this trip, the first thing that comes to mind is the incredible level of planning required for a 12-day trip in China for my wife and I. Planning our trip through KimKim was an incredibly smooth and stress-free experience. The initial setup was simple, and we were quickly connected with our local China specialist, Heidi, who was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was responsive, accommodating, and consistently offered thoughtful solutions that made our itinerary even better. Heidi made me feel like I was her only client, while also going above and beyond to create an unforgettable experience for my wife and I. I was unfamiliar with how accessibility works in China, but Heidi handled every single detail flawlessly. From coordinating transportation between hotels in different cities, to selecting ideal locations to visit, arranging private tours, and ensuring smooth drop-off/pickup at airports and train stations -- nothing was overlooked. We literally felt like royalty the second we got off that plane as Heidi thought of everything. One of the standout aspects of the trip was the thoughtfully designed itinerary. Each day included planned activities, but there was also flexibility built in for leisure time.

What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destination, but was how personal and thoughtfully curated every moment felt. Traveling in a new country can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with KimKim everything was handled so professionally that we could simply relax and enjoy the experience. That level of organization made traveling around the country very easy.

At every step we felt safe, comfortable, and well looked after by the excellent bi-lingual tour guides. The tour guides made this journey extraordinary, especially Emma (Beijing), Kathy (Xi’an), Ethan (Zhangjiajie), and Autumn (Shanghai). Thanks to them, we enjoyed our China adventure and now have very fond memories that will last a lifetime. The tour guides would come and get us from our hotels and bring us back to our hotels. They would check in with us daily to make sure we knew where we were going and had any questions. They were all knowledgeable, warm, and clearly excited to share her culture and stories with us as well as learning about our culture (especially learning about our county’s slang). Their enthusiasm made the experience feel much more personal and engaging. Their warmth and good humor even outshined their obvious depth of knowledge and skill of communication. Every guide made us feel like we traveling with a family member. They selected fantastic restaurants throughout each city where we could enjoy authentic local food without worrying about our dietary needs. Every recommendation was spot-on. They were so much fun to spend time with!

And I would be remiss not to mention the hotels KimKim selected, which elevated the trip even further. Everywhere we stayed, we felt less like guests at a hotel and more like we were being welcomed into someone’s home. Also, all of our drivers were excellent as well—professional, safe, and reliable.

As this was our 2nd trip with KimKim, all the arrangements made by them have always been 100 reliable, including accommodation, transportation and activities. Overall, this trip exceeded every expectation. The itinerary was the perfect blend of city action, historical insight, and natural wonder. Overall, KimKim, especially Heidi, made our China trip feel personalized, well-supported, and wonderfully memorable. Highly recommended them for anyone seeking a well-organized, locally informed travel experience.

Activity Reviews

Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City

Beijing

Quality of Experience

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Peking Duck Experience

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Visit the Picturesque Summer Palace

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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The Tang Dynasty Show (1hour)

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Chinese dumpling dinner

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore Xi'an City: Ancient City Wall and Drum Tower

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Water Town with Boat Ride

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore the Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

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Day Trip to Suzhou

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

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Full day Tour with Golden Whip Creek&Ten Mile Gallery & Baofeng Lake

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

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Zhangjiajie Park Tour - Grand Canyon with glass bridge

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Half-Day Discovery of Shanghai's Historic & Cultural Landmarks

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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The trip was seamless from planning through departure. We had a great time and would highly recommend using KimKim for a China trip. Our guide, Alan, met us at the airport, even after our flight was delayed 5 hours. We needed to take a sick child to get medicine at the hospital, and he helped navigate and translate the whole time. Alan and our KimKim Planner, Heidi, mentioned they always support the human needs of their clients first. Because of this, help at the beginning of the rest of our trip was a breeze. We were able to change the date of our rest day to make up for the late arrival. We thoroughly enjoyed the rest of our activity, including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Hutongs, and the Vegetable market. Because of our schedule change, we had a second guide, Jim, who was helpful for our last day of exploring. We had full service the entire time, from lunches curated to our needs, to pickup and dropoff at the airport. This experience was a truly all-inclusive easy way to relax into China!

We just got back from our China trip and wanted to say thank you to Heidi from KimKim for putting everything together so well. Traveling across multiple cities can be complicated, but the whole itinerary flowed really smoothly and made the experience easy and enjoyable.

Each stop had something memorable. In Beijing, walking through the Forbidden City and visiting the Great Wall were real highlights — so much history, and you can really feel it when you’re there. Xi’an was another standout, especially the Terracotta Army. It’s one of those places that’s even more impressive in person than you expect.

Chengdu was a different kind of experience — visiting the pandas outside the city was a lot of fun and definitely worth it. And then Zhangjiajie… that was probably the biggest surprise for us. The scenery in the national park is just unreal. Photos don’t really do it justice.

Shanghai was a complete contrast — very modern, very energetic. The skyline and the scale of development there really stood out.

The hotel accommodations throughout the trip were great — comfortable, well-located, and made it easy to relax after long days. The logistics between cities (both trains and flights) were also very well handled. Every transfer was smooth, and what we really appreciated is that each guide stayed with us all the way through the train station or airport, right up to the security checkpoint, which made everything stress-free.

We also want to mention the guides, because they made a big difference. Candy in Beijing, Key in Xi’an, April in Chengdu, Ethan in Zhangjiajie, and Sophie in Shanghai (with help from Linda) were all excellent. Everyone was knowledgeable, helpful with translation, and always looking out for us.

On top of the planned itinerary, each guide gave great personal recommendations — places to eat and extra things to see that we wouldn’t have found on our own. Things like the Muslim Bazaar in Xi’an, the Tibetan street in Chengdu, Peking duck in Beijing, and even checking out silk-making in Shanghai added a lot to the trip.

Overall, we had a great time and really appreciated how everything was organized. Thanks again to KimKim for arranging such a memorable trip.

Our trip to China was truly spectacular, the Great Wall totally met our expectations and to visit it during snowfall made for a uniquely beautiful experience. Xi'an is a lovely, warm-hearted city that we really enjoyed strolling through. Our excellent Xi'an local guide Coco was very well paced and knowledgeable. She had a cheerful, welcoming personality, and was happy to answer all our questions about the old city. She shared so much of the city's interesting history with us, adding even more to our feeling of awe. In the scenic area of Guilin, our local guide, Fei, was very eager to share the beauty of her home with us, ensuring we went to all the best spots. Chongqing, our last destination on the trip, totally blew us away with its futuristic cityscapes. Our local guide, Yudy, was so energetic and excited to introduce us to all the mesmerizing sights of Chongqing. Yudy spared no effort in ensuring we did all we wanted to do and made our Chongqing experience so captivating that we would love to return. Of course, our local specialist, Heidi, was such a great help every step of the way, checking in to make sure all was well and that we were making all our transfers successfully. We are so happy with how the trip turned out!

In Beijing, Edward was professional, attentive, punctual and knowledgeable on our tour of The Forbidden City and The Great Wall. We have no complaints about him and would unhesitatingly recommend him for future tours.

In Xi’an, Coco was an absolute delight. She was charming, a sweet personality and extremely knowledgeable on our tour of The Terracotta Warriors. We were sorry to have spent such a short time with her.

In Luoyong, the energetic Lili joined us in our 1hour exercise at the kung fu school and was knowledgeable of the tour of the Shaolin Temple and the Pagoda Forest.

In Guilin, Fei was down to earth and we quickly bonded with her. She was friendly, helpful, talkative and looked after us well.

Finally in Chongqing, the unforgettable Udy was funny, entertaining, engaging. We took great delight in touring Chongqing city with her and were sad to say goodbye.

Coordinating this trip with Heidi was seamless and she helped us to curate a wonderful and unforgettable customized experience.

Throughout the booking process, the website was very glitchy, it was very difficult for me to download documents, and I had several failed attempts to pay for the trip. At every step of the way, the website itself didn’t work. It was a technical problem.

Once we were on the trip, everything was fantastic. All of our local guides were energetic and informative, and took excellent care of us meeting our every need.

I would like to thank and commend Heidi who made my very complicated trip very seamless. I just cannot fault anything . Everything was managed professionally and allowed for flexibility when I wanted to change tickets hotels etc
This trip would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication from
Heidi the best
Xi’an : Shannon she went over and above her guidelines
Chengdu: Ricky thorough entertainer
Chonging : Yudi fun
Zhanziaje : Justin hardworking and dedicated
Shanghai : Shiuli flexible

They ensured that everything was meticulous . This was indeed the most memorable trip made thanks to Heidi and her team
This is my 3rd time using them and I will continue to do so

Hotel Reviews

Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel Xian

Xi'an

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Hyatt Chengdu

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

ISEYA HOTEL (Chongqing Jiefangbei Flagship)

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Zhangjiajie Tianmenshan Wyndham Garden Hotel

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Hyatt Shanghai

Authenticity & Character

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Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Tour of the Treasures of Ancient China: Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and Ancient City Wall

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Panda Encounter and People’s Park in Chengdu

Chengdu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Enjoy a Spicy Sichuan Hotpot Meal

Chengdu

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera

Chengdu

Quality of Experience

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Chongqing City Highlights One-Day Tour

Chongqing

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Full-Day Stylish Tour in Chongqing

Chongqing

We didn’t get to do this

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Food

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Tianmen Mountain – Skywalks, Cliff Roads & Heaven’s Gate

Zhangjiajie

Exceptional but very tiring

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Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

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Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Huanglong Cave and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Including Glass Bridge)

Zhangjiajie

This can be done the same day as the cave and forest

Quality of Experience

Food

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Visit the Highlights in Shanghai

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Highlights of Shanghai with Yu Garden and the Bund

Shanghai

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Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Old Town

Shanghai

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My husband and I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit China, and it truly exceeded all expectations. From ancient history to breathtaking natural landscapes, this trip had everything we could have hoped for and more. I want to thank Lisa for helping us put this amazing trip together through KimKim. She was so helpful and patient with us.

Highlights of the Trip

The Great Wall of China was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Walking along this historic wonder, we couldn’t help but be amazed by its sheer scale and beauty. The panoramic views from the top were unforgettable, and standing on such an iconic piece of history was an emotional experience.

We visited Chengdu to see the adorable pandas—and they definitely lived up to the hype! Watching these playful creatures in their natural habitat was a highlight of the trip. The conservation efforts here are truly impressive, and it was a joy to witness their charm up close.

In Xi’an, we were fortunate enough to see the Terracotta Warriors, a monumental archaeological discovery. The sheer number of life-sized statues and the detail in each one was staggering. It’s amazing to think that this army was created over 2,000 years ago to protect China’s first emperor in the afterlife.

One of the most stunning natural attractions was Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar. The towering sandstone pillars surrounded by mist create an ethereal, almost otherworldly landscape. It’s a photographer’s dream and a must-see for nature lovers.

Finally, Guilin was a peaceful escape, with its surreal limestone karst mountains and tranquil Li River cruises. The views were unlike anything I’ve ever seen and felt like something out of a dream.

Cultural Immersion

One of the aspects of the trip that stood out was the incredible cultural immersion. We had numerous opportunities to experience China’s rich traditions and daily life. Whether it was a calligraphy lesson, a traditional tea ceremony, or learning about the history behind local markets, we were able to connect with the culture in meaningful ways.

The people of China were warm, welcoming, and eager to share their stories. Our guides were exceptional—they were incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and made sure we felt comfortable and engaged every step of the way. They took the time to answer all our questions and ensured we had a smooth and enjoyable experience.

We want to thank all our guides: Zhang Yaping (Amy - Beijing), Ma Jun (MJ - Xian), Xiao Tuanming (Nancy - Zhangjiajie), Lin Xue (April), Owen (Guilin) and Vivian (Shanghai). You were all wonderful to get to know and helped make the trip memorable.

Food: A Culinary Adventure

The food in China was another highlight of the trip. Every meal was a delightful adventure! We had the chance to try authentic dishes that we’d never seen in the U.S. The flavors were bold and varied, from the spicy Sichuan cuisine in Chengdu to the savory dumplings in Xi’an. I particularly loved the Peking duck in Beijing—crispy, tender, and simply delicious. The variety of textures and flavors in Chinese cuisine was incredible, and I came home with a newfound appreciation for their culinary traditions.

Overall Experience

All in all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I will never forget. The sights, the food, the culture, and the wonderful people I met along the way all made this an unforgettable adventure. The expert guides and well-curated itinerary ensured that we didn’t just see China—we truly experienced it.

If you’re considering a trip to China, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Kimkim can help you design the best trip. I can’t wait to return someday!

Activity Reviews

Beijing – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City,Temple of Heaven with Peking Duck Lunch

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

We had a great day to visit the wall.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Visit a Local Family and Learn to Cook Homemade Dishes

Xi'an

This was an enjoyable experience. The family opened their home and we had a lovely time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Discover Xi'an: the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Highlights of Shanghai with Yu Garden and the Bund

Shanghai

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Cooking Class in Yangshuo

Yangshuo

This was extemely fun! Well worth it

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at China's Most Picturesque River - Li River

China

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore the Scenic Countryside in Yangshuo by Cycling and Rafting

China

We didn't get to cycle but the rafting was very fun!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore Chengdu: Pandas, Wuhou Shrine,Jinli with a Hot Pot Lunch

Chengdu

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Discover the Beauty of Longji Terraced Fields and Learn to Make Bamboo Tube Rice

Guilin

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Explore Xi'an City: Ancient City Wall and Drum Tower

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All of our guides were very good and spoke English well. They were each proud of their individual provinces and well informed about the history of the region. All worked hard to be a good guide and make happy memories for us. The choice to stay in 5 Star hotels was worth the price for the luxury but the Guilin Hotel was a 3.9 star in my opinion. The drivers and cars were all excellent! It helped to have a free day in Shanghai after arriving so late. The hotels in both Xi’an and Shanghai offered free laundry equipment for self use.

Hotel Reviews

New World Beijing Hotel

Beijing

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MaxX By Steigenberger on the Bund Shanghai

Shanghai

The main problem was that the hotel had disengaged the cooling system in all the rooms. They offered an upgrade but it also had no cooling. The provision of a self serve laundry was exquisite. The location was excellent

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No cooling in the rooms

Wyndham Grand Xian South

Xi'an

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sheraton Guilin Hotel

Guilin

The hotel is out of date and was a 3.9 star rating at best. The Guilin Shangri La was reviewed highly by some fellow travelers

Authenticity & Character

Change the advertised rating until it upgrades everything

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Hyatt Chengdu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Victoria Cruise (Executive Suite)

It’s a typical cruise with pandemonium because of the large crowds and a la carte service and upselling of services throughout the trip. The executive lounge dining included in the executive suite price was excellent as the second floor dining room was overcrowded. The included excursions were not remarkable but Ghost City and Feng Du Show that night were good values. The food was just okay even with the upgrade to the 6th floor dining area.

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Activity Reviews

Discover the Forbidden City

Beijing

The crowd was overwhelming on the day we traveled, but the pictures from a friend who traveled the next day showed a much lower number of people.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tiananmen Square

Beijing

The crowd was overwhelming on the day that we went, but our friend who went the next day found it almost empty.

Quality of Experience

It was an historic experience, but nothing artistically or architecturally impressive. The crowds were stifling.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car)

Beijing

The offer of the cable car was a game changer! Thank you very much. The distance away from the city also helped to mitigate the crowd.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Xian City Wall with Bicycle

Xi'an

Because of our age, we both have mobility restrictions so we chose to not do the bicycle tour. We did climb the steps successfully and were able to experience enough of the wall to be understanding the history and the architecture.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Xi'an

The colors, architectural design, and the historical stories were intriguing.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo

China

Our guide enthusiastically and patiently pointed out each point of interest that she felt that we would not want to miss including the view of the hills on the 20 Yuan Bill and interjected stories about each of those points of interest.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Panda Breeding and Research Center

Chengdu

The crowds were overwhelming, and everyone was pushing to get a good photograph of the charming pandas. Our guide was adequate, but not outstanding. I don’t believe that there is anything that he could have done to help us get closer to the pandas for good photographs. I think that arriving early as we did probably helped us to see the pandas during their most active feeding time of the day.

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The bund

Shanghai

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Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Quality of Experience

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Summer Palace with Boat Ride and the Garden of Virtue and Harmony

Beijing

The access to the upper area was closed because it was a Monday, but this did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the palace grounds.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Yangshuo Countryside Visit

China

Our guide bravely accompanied two ancient and decrepit seniors on scooters which probably added years to her life, but subtracted years from ours. It was a delightful, fun and unique experience.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Chengdu Kuan-zhai Lane

Chengdu

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Hutong Walking Tour in Dongcheng District

Beijing

We had gone to the most popular hutong Street the day before our tour so our guide took us to a different hutong area with a lake that was much nicer than the most popular street which was so packed with shops and food vendors. I would recommend that you take that Area as your first choice in the future.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Terracotta Warriors

Xi'an

Despite the presence of the crowd and our early arrival, our guide was able to successfully direct us to a visual access of the warriors that we had not anticipated. We had hoped to get closer to them on the ground level, but that access was restricted many years ago.

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Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Cooking dumplings

Xi'an

This was a delightful and unexpected highlight of our experiences in Xi’an. The guide knew the woman who lived in the place where we made the dumplings and noodles and the whole cultural experience was joyful and wholesome.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Train station Transfer (Chongqing)

Chongqing

Our guide went above and beyond her assigned duty to help us be comfortable, experiencing the brief time we had there and getting some dinner before helping negotiate the arrival onto the cruise ship. She was helpful with communicating with the cruise ship people who were adamant about things which they were wrong about.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shore excursion to Shibaozhai/Option of visiting Fengdu Ghost City (RMB295/p.p).

China

We were glad that we chose the option to visit ghost city, and hear the stories from our guide. I noticed that you did not give the option for reviewing the show that night, which was a mistake on your part. That show in the evening about the three kings was probably the most outstanding theatrical performance I have seen in my many years of life. It was very exciting and was not to be missed by other future visitors.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Yuyuan Garden

Shanghai

It was a delightful experience with an excellent guide.

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Full-Day Private Tour: Longji Terraced Rice Fields and Ethnic Minority Culture

China

Our guide was patient and wonderful and lovingly presented this visual gift of the people and lifestyle of the area that is not usually seen by China tourists. The stories that the guide inserted were charming.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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Cruise pier Transfer (Chongqing)

Chongqing

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Shore excursion to the Three Gorges Dam/Option of Three Gorges Dam Ship Lift (RMB295/p.p)

China

Honestly, it was a little boring and felt like it was something that the government wanted to make sure that we saw so that we noted how wonderful they were. It is outstanding that they provided mass transportation with escalators to the top of the hill. Without that, the whole trip would not have been worth it.

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Shanghai Tower

Shanghai

It was a unique lifetime experience.

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Nanjing Road

Shanghai

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Lingering Garden

Suzhou

It was very crowded and our guide was not lingering for pictures.

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Transport

Rickshaw Ride in Suzhou

Suzhou

The guide expertly picked a friend of hers that she has used for years to provide a unique China culture experience riding through the alleys of the town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pingjiang Road

Suzhou

We had a wonderful cultural experience in a restaurant on the road. At the end of this three week tour, it was a little bit redundant unavoidably because there are so many roads and hutongs and Muslim quarter places that are very similar packed with food vendors and hawkers.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tongli Water Town (with boat cruise)

Suzhou

To fill out the charm of the experience, our guide took us into several homes, which had been converted to museums before getting us onto the wonderful boat ride experience. She gave us a lot of history about the customs of the region. It was a quieter, more laid-back rural experience than we had had in other places.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lisa our travel expert was wonderful. Everything worked like clock work and she checked on us daily and reminded us of our schedule and guide for the next day. When our flight to return home was 52 hours delayed from Shanghai she was in constant contact with us extending our stay at our hotel, planning a tour for our extra unplanned day and even having the guide buy snacks and drinks for us to have at the hotel.
Japan and China were beautiful places to visit. They were both very clean, people were friendly and there were lots to historical places and natural beauty to see.
All our guides and drivers were excellent.
Jason our driver to Hakone was just suppose to be our driver, but he helped us with all the tickets and told us where to go. He was more like a guide and spoke excellent English. He was very helpful and considerate.
Ken our guide in Tokyo was very good, knowledgeable and helpful, and his English was good. He was always early for our meeting times and took pictures for us.
Victor our guide in Kyoto and our trip to Osaka was great. He took us to extra places not on our itinerary and he paid for the entrance fees. He bought us drinks because the days were really hot. He took us to a place where we could buy souvenirs at cheap prices. He was very helpful, friendly, always early and spoke excellent Engish. Took pictures for us so we could be in them.
Duke our guide in Beijing was always early, very helpful in telling us the best place to take pictures and took the pictures for us so we could both be in them. He spoke good English.
Johnson our guide in Xian had excellent English, was always early and was very helpful to my husband who is 82 to make sure he had places to rest when he was tired.
Lilli our guide in Chengdu had excellent English, was very friendly and helpful when I needed to buy some souvenirs. She bought us some snacks and was careful that my husband had places to rest when he needed. Always early for our meetings and helpful to take pictures for us.
Alice our guide in Guilin was friendly, had good English, helped me when I needed to exchange money, took pictures for us and was helpful to my husband even buying him milk tea. Was on time for our meetings.
Autumn our guide in Shanghai had good English, was on time, brought us bananas and Chinese knot souvenirs and helped us take pictures.
Vivian was our guide when our flight was delayed. She spent lots of time on the phone with the airlines and at the airport trying to get us on an earlier flight but unfortunately was unsuccessful. She was very friendly and had very good English. She was early when we met.

Hotel Reviews

The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku

Tokyo

The desk staff were friendly enough. The rooms were small but very clean. The restaurant staff were very friendly. The location was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was small but everything was very clean.

Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo

Kyoto

Desk staff was alright. Had to wait 10 minutes in line to get into breakfast. Clean and nice hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Forza Osaka Kitahama

Osaka

Desk staff not very friendly or helpful. Paid for breakfast but then ended up with an early flight. We had to leave 30 minutes before breakfast started and asked for a couple of croissants to take with us but were told no. Had a kettle in the room but no tea or coffee.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Could walk to the Osaka Castle.

Staff

Not friendly or helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dongfang Hotel

Beijing

Staff didn't even acknowledge me, only talked to the guide when we checked in. I assume they couldn't speak English. Elevators were very slow and always very crowded. Internet never worked while we were there.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel

Welcoming Staff and Cleaning Staff very friendly and Front desk staff alright. They had tea in the afternoon and goodnight soup in the evening. Gave us lots of water and had cold water. They let us in early for breakfast. Beds very hard and internet never worked.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Very close to walk to sights to see.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Guilin

Beautiful view from the breakfast area and great location to walk around. Staff was friendly enough but bed was very hard. Internet never worked. Room was nice with free soft drinks and juice in the refrigerator.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Good places to walk around.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MinShan Lhasa Grand Hotel

Chengdu

Cleaning staff were very friendly and helpful. The front desk was alright. Bed was very hard and the internet never worked. The carpet in the room was stained and the bathroom sink was all cracked up, but everything looked clean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunrise On The Bund

Very nice hotel with good location. Staff helpful when needed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near the Bund.

Staff

Helpful when we needed anything.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Had cold water in the refrigerator and also had sugar and creamer for tea and coffee. Room was comfortable and nice.

Activity Reviews

Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove and Tenryuji Temple Tour

Kyoto

Enjoyed the Bamboo Grove.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Victor our guide in Kyoto and our trip to Osaka was great. He took us to extra places not on our itinerary and he paid for the entrance fees. He bought us drinks because the days were really hot. He took us to a place where we could buy souvenirs at cheap prices. He was very helpful, friendly, always early and spoke excellent Engish. Took pictures for us so we could be in them.

Transport

Driver was good.

Half Day Nara Park & Todai-Ji Temple

Japan

Really enjoyed seeing the deer and being able to touch and feed them.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Victor our guide in Kyoto and our trip to Osaka was great. He took us to extra places not on our itinerary and he paid for the entrance fees. He bought us drinks because the days were really hot. He took us to a place where we could buy souvenirs at cheap prices. He was very helpful, friendly, always early and spoke excellent Engish. Took pictures for us so we could be in them.

Transport

Driver was good.

Yao Mountain (尧山)

Guilin

Beautiful views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alice our guide in Guilin was friendly, had good English, helped me when I needed to exchange money, took pictures for us and was helpful to my husband even buying him milk tea. Was on time for our meetings.

Transport

Driver was very good. Always made sure we had plenty of water.

Full Day the Leshan Giant Buddha

Chengdu

Long drive from Chengdu but Giant Buddha was amazing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lilli our guide in Chengdu had excellent English, was very friendly and helpful when I needed to buy some souvenirs. She bought us some snacks and was careful that my husband had places to rest when he needed. Always early for our meetings and helpful to take pictures for us.

Transport

Driver was good.

Hakone Exploration with Boiling Valley

Japan

Nice day trip from Tokyo. Enjoyed the boat ride on Lake Ashi.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jason our driver to Hakone was just supposed to be our driver, but he helped us with all the tickets and told us where to go. He was more like a guide and spoke excellent English. He was very helpful and considerate.

Transport

Visit Huaqing Hot Springs

Xi'an

Beautiful place but it was raining so really couldn't enjoy very well.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Johnson our guide in Xian had excellent English, was always early and was very helpful to my husband who is 82 to make sure he had places to rest when he was tired.

Transport

Driver was good.

Half Day Imperial Palace East Gardens and Senso-ji Tour

Tokyo

Enjoyed but there was lots of walking involved.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ken our guide in Tokyo was very good, knowledgeable and helpful, and his English was good. He was always early for our meeting times and took pictures for us.

Transport

Driver was good.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Tokyo

Nice garden.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ken our guide in Tokyo was very good, knowledgeable and helpful, and his English was good. He was always early for our meeting times and took pictures for us.

Transport

Driver was good.

Full Day Kyoto City Tour (Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle and Fushimi-Inari Taisha)

Kyoto

Enjoyed the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi-Inari Taisha.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Victor our guide in Kyoto and our trip to Osaka was great. He took us to extra places not on our itinerary and he paid for the entrance fees. He bought us drinks because the days were really hot. He took us to a place where we could buy souvenirs at cheap prices. He was very helpful, friendly, always early and spoke excellent Engish. Took pictures for us so we could be in them.

Transport

Driver was good.

Experience Chengdu's Leisurely Lifestyle: Visit Wenshu Monastery and People's Park

Chengdu

Nice.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lilli our guide in Chengdu had excellent English, was very friendly and helpful when I needed to buy some souvenirs. She bought us some snacks and was careful that my husband had places to rest when he needed. Always early for our meetings and helpful to take pictures for us.

Transport

Driver was nice.

Hiking along the Majestic Great Wall, Summer Palace

Beijing

Always wanted to see the Great Wall and walk on it. One for the bucket list.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Duke our guide in Beijing was always early, very helpful in telling us the best place to take pictures and took the pictures for us so we could both be in them. He spoke good English.

Transport

Driver was good but this was the only place we had a car instead of a van or SUV so it was not as comfortable.

Elephant Trunk Hill

Guilin

Nice view.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alice our guide in Guilin was friendly, had good English, helped me when I needed to exchange money, took pictures for us and was helpful to my husband even buying him milk tea. Was on time for our meetings.

Transport

Driver was good.

A Glimpse into China's Imperial Past: the Fobidden City

Beijing

Always wanted to see the Forbidden City but we had to wait over and hour to get through security.

Quality of Experience

Had to wait over an hour to get through security.

Food

Food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Duke our guide in Beijing was always early, very helpful in telling us the best place to take pictures and took the pictures for us so we could both be in them. He spoke good English.

Transport

Driver was good.

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Old Town

Shanghai

Interesting town.

Quality of Experience

Food

Food was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Autumn our guide in Shanghai had good English, was on time, brought us bananas and Chinese knot souvenirs and helped us take pictures.

Transport

Driver was good.

Explore the Temple of Heaven

Beijing

Another for the bucket list.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Duke our guide in Beijing was always early, very helpful in telling us the best place to take pictures and took the pictures for us so we could both be in them. He spoke good English.

Transport

Driver was good.

Lama Temple — Biggest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Beijing

Beijing

Interesting but you can't take pictures inside.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Duke our guide in Beijing was always early, very helpful in telling us the best place to take pictures and took the pictures for us so we could both be in them. He spoke good English.

Transport

Driver was good.

See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Always wanted to see but it was very crowded so couldn't get pictures with us in them.

Quality of Experience

Food

Food was very good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Johnson our guide in Xian had excellent English, was always early and was very helpful to my husband who is 82 to make sure he had places to rest when he was tired.

Transport

Driver was good.

Panda Encounter in Chengdu

Chengdu

Enjoyed seeing the Pandas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lilli our guide in Chengdu had excellent English, was very friendly and helpful when I needed to buy some souvenirs. She bought us some snacks and was careful that my husband had places to rest when he needed. Always early for our meetings and helpful to take pictures for us.

Transport

Driver was good.

Marvel at the Li River: China's Most Picturesque River

Guilin

Beautiful boat ride. Not to be missed.

Quality of Experience

Food

Not much selection.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alice our guide in Guilin was friendly, had good English, helped me when I needed to exchange money, took pictures for us and was helpful to my husband even buying him milk tea. Was on time for our meetings.

Transport

Good Driver

Hike along the Picturesque Yulong River

China

Nice walk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alice our guide in Guilin was friendly, had good English, helped me when I needed to exchange money, took pictures for us and was helpful to my husband even buying him milk tea. Was on time for our meetings.

Transport

Driver was good.

Longsheng Full-Day Tour

Guilin

Nice views.

Quality of Experience

Long drive from Guilin.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alice our guide in Guilin was friendly, had good English, helped me when I needed to exchange money, took pictures for us and was helpful to my husband even buying him milk tea. Was on time for our meetings.

Transport

Good driver.

Visit the Highlights in Shanghai

Shanghai

Nice city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Autumn our guide in Shanghai had good English, was on time, brought us bananas and Chinese knot souvenirs and helped us take pictures.

Transport

Good driver.

One-Day Shanghai Cultural Tour

Shanghai

We didn't really see much this day because the guide was trying to help us get an earlier flight out after our flight was 52 hours delayed.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Vivian was our guide when our flight was delayed. She spent lots of time on the phone with the airlines and at the airport trying to get us on an earlier flight but unfortunately was unsuccessful. She was very friendly and had very good English. She was early when we met.

Transport

Driver was good.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and would confidently rate it an 8 out of 10—truly amazing. It exceeded our expectations and left us with many wonderful memories. Below, we’ve outlined both the highlights and constructive suggestions, organized by location:

----

🌍 Overall

Positives:

- The activities were engaging and well-suited to our interests.
- The itinerary offered a great balance—enough planned experiences during the day while still allowing time to explore independently.
- Almost all guides sent us a welcome message before meeting us, including a few key details that made us feel reassured and well-prepared.

Constructive:

- The agency could have provided a list of optional activities for our free time or instructed the guides to offer suggestions. We were the ones initiating questions about recommended places, shows, or things to do.

----

🏯 Beijing

Positives:

- Our guide respected our personal space, allowing us to enjoy meals alone. He even gave us a small gift at the end of our time together, which was a thoughtful touch.

Constructive:

- We felt the guide could have shared more explanations and interesting facts during the visits. His English was limited, and although we initially gave him a good score, in comparison to other guides, we realized we may have missed out on important information.

----

🏮 Xi’an

Positives:

- We had a wonderful experience with our guide, Susan. From the moment we met her, she greeted us with contagious positive energy and genuine warmth. Her passion for the job was evident in the way she shared fascinating and unique historical facts throughout the tour. Susan consistently found the best vantage points for us to view each site, ensuring we were always perfectly positioned to take in the beauty and significance of every location. She also offered us a goodbye present, which was a very kind gesture.

Constructive:

- We were disappointed with the hotel and its service. The staff didn’t speak English and made no effort to communicate. Thankfully, our guide was there to assist; otherwise, we would have struggled.
- For example, when I asked about the laundry service, a receptionist pointed me to another guest, who, despite not speaking English, kindly walked me to the laundry area.
- The room had a strong tobacco smell, even though it was supposed to be a non-smoking hotel.

----

🐼 Chengdu

Positives:

- Our guide was extremely efficient. When, apparently, the hotel had only one night booked and we had an issue with the car, she immediately took action—even though it was already late in the evening. Her english was impressive.
- The hotel was amazing and very well located. The breakfast was immense and of extremely good quality.

Constructive:

- The car provided did not meet the luxury standards promised in our package. However, this issue was also handled efficiently.

----

🏞️ Guilin & Yangshuo

Positives:

- The hotel was outstanding—breathtaking views, incredibly friendly staff, well-thought-out amenities, delicious food, and a warm farewell gift of fruit and biscuits. Truly 5-star service. We loved it and hold it very dearly.
- Our guide was very passionate about his job. He constantly shared insights about the places we visited and offered local treats like fruits and juices. He also introduced us to an amazing coffee shop, which we loved—especially since we’re coffee enthusiasts. We appreciated the agency’s thoughtful gesture of offering us coffee, which truly felt like home.

Constructive:

- During the river cruise, we were not placed in the premium area despite having selected a luxury package. We were left wondering why our tickets didn’t reflect that.

----

🏙️ Shanghai

Positives:

- The hotel room was comfortable, with a good bed and a spacious bathroom.

Constructive:

- Upon arrival at the airport, we were greeted by someone other than our assigned guide. While this person was very friendly and engaging, we would have appreciated being informed in advance that our guide wouldn’t be meeting us.
- We were told by this person about the meeting time for the following day. Had we been in contact with our guide earlier, we might have opted to start the day sooner.
- I tried to contact our guide via WeChat, but he didn’t accept the invitation until we actually met.
- We didn’t feel the hotel met 5-star luxury standards. The breakfast staff seemed disengaged, and the food on the first morning appeared stale and lacked quality.
- The location wasn’t ideal—we had to walk about 30 minutes to reach the Bund.

That being said, although we’re pointing out a few less positive aspects, we absolutely loved visiting China — it truly surpassed our expectations, and everything ran so smoothly. The way the platform works made us feel reassured throughout, and Carol’s responsiveness was outstanding. We are seriously considering using KimKim for all our future travels.

Thank you again!

From start to finish we could not fault the level of service provided by kimkim. From our first enquiry right through to the end of our wonderful trip, everything was seamless. Lisa was very helpful and proactive in dealing with us and nothing was too much trouble to look into for us/answer. The guides and drivers in Beijing, Xi'An and Shanghai were all excellent and so keen to share knowledge and history of the area. The organisation was top class and we were never worried or concerned about any of the arrangements.

Hotels were great - all clean and in good locations.

One thing to note (as a UK visitor) that squat toilets are common there (most/many places also have western style toilets) and toilet paper is not (as a general rule) provided in public toilets - just one thing to be aware of

A fabulous trip to China - wouldn't hesitate to use kimkim again and have already recommended them to friends.

Hotel Reviews

Novotel Peace Beijing

Beijing

The hotel was in a nice area and conveniently located to walk to eating places and shops. The reception area/foyer and bar/lounge area were very nice. The room we were in was clean and spacious but more than a little "tired" looking, particularly the bathroom/shower area which was very rusted and as a result didn't look especially clean. Staff were nice, limited English but able to communicate. Good range of options at breakfast. Beware of the bar closing earlier than stated hours, it notes being open until 11pm but when we asked for a drink one evening at 10.30pm were told the till was already closed so we couldn't get one. Overall a good experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eastern House Boutique Hotel

Hotel was lovely, spotlessly clean, nice room, not the biggest room ever but more than adequate for our needs. Little or no English spoken by staff which did make things a little challenging sometimes but nothing that couldn't be overcome. We were not in the hotel for very long but we did like it. Breakfast was good.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunrise On The Bund

Loved this hotel. Great location for being able to walk down and along the Bund and the hotel itself was beautiful. Room was lovely with nice toiletries in the bathroom and a nice easy chair in the bedroom. We ate dinner in the restaurant on the ground floor and very much enjoyed what we had. The staff were pleasant and friendly. The spa was also very nice - had a massage which was most enjoyable and a nice swim in the pool. Would stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was easy walking distance to water front

Staff

All friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Highlights of Shanghai with Yu Garden and the Bund

Shanghai

A fabulous day spent in Shanghai - view from Shanghai Tower was amazing, the Yu Garden was spectacular to see and the delicious dumpling lunch was also a highlight.

Full Day Great Wall and Olympic Park Tour

Beijing

Our stand out highlight of the holiday - it was amazing to be standing on/walking on the Great Wall. I am glad we were there early in the day, as it gets very busy, very quickly.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

Loved seeing the Terracotta Army - the sheer scale was breathtaking. Would highly recommend.

We spent an unforgettable 18 days in China with thanks to Lisa and KimKim, as well as our exceptional guides along the way. Queena, Johnson, Shirlene, Jason, Faye, and Ran. We never experienced the common stress of travel (making it to the train station/airport on time or coordinating transportation, activities, etc.). Instead, we were always taken care of and we simply enjoyed our adventure to the fullest. We would highly recommend Lisa, KimKim, and all of our individual guides to anyone who is traveling to China. We hope to return soon to China and will certainly use their services again.

Hotel Reviews

Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing

Beijing

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Xi'an Eastern House Boutique Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Chengdu

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Zhuanjiacun Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Guilin

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Li River Resort

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Longji One Art Hotel

Extremely charming lodge owned and operated by very welcoming local family. Wonderful location and absolutely stunning views from the bedrooms and common areas. Felt right at home instantly and would love to return.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunrise On The Bund

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Relexing Bullet Train Journey from Guilin to Zhangjiajie

China

The trains across the country are always comfortable and on time. The journey was very picturesque and we found some time to relax.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to Qixianfeng Tea Plantation and Tea-Making Experience

Yangshuo

We learned a great deal about tea and tea production. It was truly special to make our own tea from picking the leaves to drying and toasting them. The tea plantation is very nice and also serves great food at its restaurant. We were treated to several local teas and bought plenty to bring home.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at China's Most Picturesque River - Li River

China

Stunning scenery and a pleasant journey. The boat is spacious and comfortable, and serves good tea, coffee, and food.

Quality of Experience

Food

It's difficult to serve special or high quality food on a river cruise buffet. The food was good but not spectacular.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Temple of Heaven

Beijing

A must-do for Beijing. We were unfortunate to visit at one of the busiest days in the year but still had a great experience at the temple and surrounding park.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Queena effortlessly explains the history and modern context of all sites in Beijing with great detail.

Transport

Ancient City Wall with Cycling Experience

Xi'an

The well-preserved ancient city wall was our favorite part of Xi'an. At night the lanterns and houses light up to create a magical atmosphere. We cycled all the way around the city wall in 1 hour at a leisurely pace and would highly recommend the activity. I would have preferred solo bicycles but was able to fulfill my wife's dream of riding a tandem bike...

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Countryside Tour in Yangshuo by bike

Yangshuo

We really loved the bike trails through the village, surrounded by mountains, rivers, farms, and gardens. The ride is easy and beautiful. We would have been happy to bike around the area for a couple of hours more.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lama Temple — Biggest Tibetan Buddhist Lamasery in Beijing

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enjoy a Spicy Sichuan Hotpot Meal

Chengdu

We love to experience new local foods when traveling and this was certainly a highlight. We found it much better than the Beijing-style hotpot. Extremely rich in flavor. Shirlene taught us how to hotpot properly!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike through the breathtaking Terraced Fields around Ping'an Zhuang Village

Longji

Perhaps our favorite activity of our entire trip. The rice terraces and surrounding villages are a gem to be discovered in the mountains. We walked several trails through the fields and villages, each one more beautiful than the last.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were happy to connect on a personal level with Faye, who gave us a truly great experience in these days. She taught us how to play Mahjong and we spent each day in interesting and effortless conversation. We learned a lot from her and would recommend her to anyone traveling to this area.

Transport

Full Day Tiananmen Square and the Fobidden City with Chaowai Morning Market tour

Beijing

Tiananmen square is incredibly impressive and contrasts modern Chinese power with historical/imperial power on the other side of the gates to the Forbidden City. It's fascinating to see the past and the present connect in such a beautiful way.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Zhujiajiao Old Town

Shanghai

After a few peaceful days in the countryside, we were a bit skeptical of returning to a big city such as Shanghai, but it was great to find a smaller place outside the city that wasn't too overwhelming. Zhujiajiao certainly lives up to the title of the "Venice of China".

Quality of Experience

Food

Our guide, Ran, directed us to a local dumpling place that was one of our best meals in Shanghai.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Peking Duck Experience

Beijing

A truly authentic experience in one of the best local restaurants in Beijing. It was difficult to secure a table and we had to wait for a few hours, but it was absolutely worth it.

Quality of Experience

Food

The DUCK!!! And everything else ;)

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our lovely guide, Queena, went to the restaurant early to wait for a table and ended up waiting for several hours. This is just one example of her exceptionally professional service that we enjoyed in Beijing.

Transport

See the Terracotta Army

Xi'an

The museum and archaeological site are located in the serene countryside outside of Xi'an. It was fascinating to learn, in such detail, about the first emperor of China and what remains to be discovered around his burial site.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Revel in the Splendor of Zhangjiajie - Grand Canyon and Tianmen Mountain

Zhangjiajie

The bridge is certainly a sight to see, but the real beauty lies in the canyon below along the river. Unlike the bridge, which was very crowded, the walking path in the canyon was hardly touched. We discovered true beauty and peacefulness here.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Shanghai City Tour with the Yu Garden,Jade Buddha Temple,the Bund

Shanghai

Beautiful sites in the city. Perfect for one day in Shanghai.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were nearing the end of our trip and energy was running low, but our guide, Ran, was able to inspire excitement for the city of Shanghai and easily met our needs as we weren't as ambitious as we were earlier in the trip.

Transport

Full day with Great Wall and Changling Tomb in Beijing

Beijing

The Great Wall and Changling Tomb are a great stop for a tour in Beijing, not only to see the impressive sites, but also to escape the big city and enjoy more serene landscapes and tranquility.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Muslim Quarter

Xi'an

A logical first stop of any tour in Xi'an. Conveniently located in the center of the old city. Plenty of options for delicious street food.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We were able to spend some quality time chatting with our guide, Johnson, to learn the history of Xi'an and gain insight into local life in the city.

Transport

The center of Xi'an is small and walkable. Very convenient.

Experience Chengdu's Leisurely Lifestyle: Visit Wenshu Monastery and People's Park

Chengdu

We were very impressed by Chengdu's laid-back vibe and lively charm. Local people playing music, dancing, and drinking tea in People's park, and the Wenshu monastery was both peaceful and beautiful. Great food in both areas.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We enjoyed connecting with our local guide, Shirlene, and had the pleasure of her acquaintance for our few days in Chengdu.

Transport

Visit the Picturesque Summer Palace

Beijing

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Panda Encounter in Chengdu

Chengdu

The Tang Dynasty Show (1hour)

Xi'an

Excellent dining experience. Delicious dumplings in a beautiful theater. The show does a great job of replicating Tang dynasty music, fashion, and stories while using lights, screens, and modern technology.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chinese dumpling dinner

Xi'an

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marvel at the Picturesque Landscape in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie

One of the most beautiful places we have ever seen in our lives. Truly captivating and breathtaking.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jason guided us through a full-day itinerary in only 4 hours, and we never felt rushed. We perfectly timed the shuttle buses and avoided several long queues thanks to his experience. We very much enjoyed his company and had fun together for our short time in Zhangjiajie.

Transport