China Tours Reviews

All the services from China Tours were more than satisfactory. It would have been stressful to try to navigate our way across China without the help of our expert guides who met us at airports, train stations and cruise ships on every step of our journey from Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, and on to Shanghai. Lora Li was our wonderful advance travel consultant who tailored our trip to coincide with meeting our son in Beijing to join in a two-week trip providing an overview of beautiful mainland China, and she also arranged an extension for a short visit to Hong Kong. All Hotel accommodations were nice.

Williams

Our trip to China in May 2015 was wonderful. Thank you, Candy Tang, for your prompt emails and replies to our questions. We thoroughly enjoyed all the places we visited. The guides (Maggie/Beijing, Helen/Xi"an, Katherine/Guilin, Sunny/Chongqing, Kelly/Yichang, and Leo/Shanghai) were excellent, knowledgeable and helpful. All travel within China went smoothly and the guides' assistance was greatly appreciated. The hotels were excellent and their breakfast buffets were extensive and catered to a variety of tastes. Lunches, which were all Chinese cuisine, were good and food was plentiful. Activities included in the itinerary were interesting especially the visit to the tea plantation and tea ceremony. The evenings were free for travelers to dine and explore on their own, or participate in a visit to a theater recommended and organized by the guides. We especially enjoyed the dumpling banquet in Xi"an and the acrobatic show in Shanghai. Due to low water level on the Yangtze River, the first leg of the cruise was by bus from Chongqing to Fengdu. The cruise was comfortable and enjoyable, especially the excursion on the Shannong Stream.

Mrs. Hastings

We have just completed a fantastic 2 week trip with China Tours.com. All aspects of our tour were excellent. We appreciated the great variety of experiences and activities and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. China is an amazing place. Every guide we had was excellent. Their care and attention to each traveller, organisation, flexibility, knowledge, English and ability to relate to each member of the group was outstanding. Each guide was different in age, gender and background and we greatly appreciated their generosity in sharing some of their life experiences with us as this gave us a greater understanding of life in China. We enjoyed the huge choice of breakfast dishes and the mix of Chinese and Western food. Lunches were fantastic too. Each restaurant was different and interesting and the food was delicious and each time different. Our guides were most helpful in assisting us to choose a range of dishes to suit the group’s individual preferences. Chinese food is soooo different to most of the Chinese food we have in Australia –so much better. Our hotels were all excellent-some outstanding. We choose the 5 star option and highly recommend this. The hotels were conveniently cited so that in the evening, when we had free time, we could stroll around the local area and get something for dinner and enjoy the night life. Western restaurants were usually nearby and we often had a snack in the hotel cafés as we weren’t very hungry after the huge breakfasts and lunches. We really enjoyed this opportunity to explore on our own or just relax in our superb accommodation. We highly recommend the Yangtze cruise. This was a relaxing and enjoyable trip with interesting daily land excursions. The boat was very comfortable and our fellow travellers friendly and easy to travel with. There were 80 Chinese and 20 Westerners on board – the ship can accommodate 180 people. The crew looked after us very well and gave extra and special attention to the Westerners. We recommend the hair wash and dry. It includes an amazing massage. You can also have a full body massage or do Tai Chi or sit on your balcony, or go on deck, to enjoy the scenery and river life. The Li River boat trip was wonderful –the scenery was amazing. The food is bland but fine. The staff specially kept food aside for us which was very thoughtful – a thoughtfulness that we commonly experienced throughout our trip. The ‘Impressions Show’ at Yangshou was incredible as is the acrobat show in Beijing. The area of the Great Wall that China Tours,com goes to is far, far better than the crowded section visited by most other companies. There were few people, and The Wall was in excellent condition. The views were amazing. We loved visiting the local family in a village and the family in the Hutons in Beijing – things other companies may not do. So many highlights, so many amazing experiences. It is impossible to mention all of them. We congratulate ChinaTours.com on their flawless organisation, attention to detail and their obvious aim to continually improve on each aspect of their operation. We have no hesitation in recommending them to our friends and any other prospective travellers to China. For us, China was even more wonderful than we expected. An amazing place with lovely, friendly people. Hints for fellow travellers: * Take a European adapter plug – 2 round prongs * Half fill your suitcase to leave room for purchases * Buy a silk doona (they are amazingly good) – but only from the Government place recommended – others may be contaminated and they"ll take them off you at customs in Australia * Don’t go from October 1-7 – The National Holiday. The crowds are incredibly bad Any of us are happy to be a referee And warmest regards to you, Candy. Best wishes from the 5 Australian ladies – and thank you for such an amazing holiday.

Barbara Faye Szafraniec & her four friends

We had a fantastic holiday thank you. From the moment we made the first enquiry to our final transfer in Shanghai, China Tours provided excellent ,professional ,yet caring service. Our travel consultant, Rose Shi made the booking process a pleasure. Her response to questions and requests was always quick and professional. We appreciated her contacting us and offering us the opportunity of catching the G train as an alternative to the flight from Beijing to Xi'an. Our holiday plans were very well organized and managed. We appreciated the travel tips prior to leaving home and the recommendations on tipping our guides and drivers . A special thank you to Rose Shi! Our English speaking guides, Andy ,Cathy, Meiling, Jerry and Jack were all very polite, punctual and extremely knowledgeable, as well as amusing. They sometimes made jokes about their "Chinglish" but their English was well spoken. The drivers amazed me with their skills and patience in the busy cities. Even on our last transfer from Shanghai our driver and guide were waiting in reception at least 15 minutes prior to the arranged time so there were no anxious moments wondering if we would make our flight in time . At each airport it was easy to meet with our guides. We chose the 5 star option on accommodation and every hotel was up to expectation and the locations were good (maybe the Sheraton Guilin is getting a bit tired but was ok.) These days most guests want internet access and some hotels charge excessively. If you are a member of the hotel group it is free. Perhaps the tour guides could suggest to their guests to join up on arrival at reception- it only takes a minute and costs nothing. All the included meals were good except in Shanghai (25th May) where the lunch was almost inedible (cold) and the service non existent. There was wedding in progress which meant the other guests were ignored. We would happily recommend China Tours to any future customers. We really appreciated being offered the opportunity of catching the G Train from Beijing to Xi'an. It added a new dimension to our travel experience. Andy our guide was very helpful in guiding us through the crowds at Beijing train station and into the waiting room prior to boarding the train. It may be advisable to let future travellers know that suitcases can not be stored overhead but there is an area behind the first seats in each carriage to store bags. We were informed it was a non stop train to Xi'an but it actually did stop once. We knew it was a 4 hour trip so knew not to get off ,but other passengers in future may not be as wise. Let them know the approximate arrival time in Xi'an. Our guide was there to meet us so the trip went very smoothly and it was much better than a flight as we saw some of the countryside on the way. Kind regards Richard and Annie Farquhar

Mr. Farquhar

Just want to say thank you for All your help in organising our wonderful trip. We had a fantastic time and would definitely look at doing another tour with your company. Everything from the wonderful guides - Amy (Beijing), Helen (Xi'an) and Darcy (Shanghai) to the lovely range of food, the exceptional hotels and the tourist sites was perfect. Our tour group all got along really well too and we had so many laughs. I was glad that the tour guides were flexible on the tours and were able to rearrange places we visited to maximise our time and avoid unnecessary time in traffic or backtracking across the cities. Unfortunately we had to spend an extra couple of nights in Shanghai due to a typhoon and again China tours were wonderful in helping us. Thanks go to Fay for her contact and help in organising the extra 2 nights accommodation for us. Also one other thing our tour group would have loved is that the tour guides join us for the lunches each day. We would have loved to have informal chats with our guides and find out more about them and their country. Once again, thank you for all your help. Please pass on our thanks to Amy, Helen and Darcy and let them know they made our trip wonderful and everything we had hoped it would be. I hope that one day in the not too distant future you can again help us organise another holiday.

Mrs. and Mr. Lee

With three children of 15, 13 and 10 years old we decided to visit China for the first time in our lives. From the first moment we contacted them we received the pertinent information, answer to our concerns, tips for the trip, help, etc. We spent 4 days in Beijing, 2 in Xi'an and 2 in Shanghai. The experience was wonderful. The staff at China Tours was super efficient and professional. They provided everything for us to enjoy 100%. I was lucky to celebrate my birthday walking through the Great Wall of China. China tours surprised me with a birthday cake that was waiting for me at the hotel. We returned in awe of everything we saw in Beijing, the Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, The Summer Palace, all under a celestial sky, very cold but sunny. Every change of city we were accompanied by the guides until our boarding. In Xi'an we learned a lot about the history of the different dynasties. Our guide was passionate about these issues and shared very interesting information. The Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses and the Xi'an Museum are must go. We also enjoyed the bike ride through the Xi'an City Wall, 13 km you can easily make. Shanghai was wonderful, the contrast between the modern and the old is striking. In short, we came back delighted with both China and China tours. Thank you very much to Helen in Beijing, Helen in Xi'an and William in Shanghai. Thank you for helping us make this first trip to China a beautiful family memory.

Mallo

We have enjoyed an excellent tour organized by your company. The tour guides were very professional, courteous and very warm in conducting the tour. Evelyn has an excellent sense of humor with her professionalism whilst Linda and Jack are full of enthusiasm with similar professional qualities. We would definitely consider using your company for future traveling. Thanks again.

Mr. Ahmed

Overall, I thought China Tours did a great job. The guides were all very good (Maggie was amazing!). The places we were taken were very interesting; the restaurants excellent; my hotels were perfect. The only complaint I have is that I didn't stay longer. The group I traveled with were a delight. We all got along very nicely and plan to stay together. On Saturday night in Xi'an, we all went out for dinner together at a local restaurant. Though we missed our guide to translate for us, we had a memorable evening. I have enclosed a picture of a few of us after we climbed to one of the peaks of The Great Wall (an unforgettable day!) Thank you for all your kindness and assistance. I have already spoken highly to many friends in the states of your company and strongly encouraged them to use China Tours when they travel to your country. Being a very frequent world traveler, I was a bit hesitant to go on a tour. I now know that this was the best choice I could have made. I was very fortunate to be in the hands of China Tours.

David Weincek

Yes, we have completed the tour with your company and we are very pleased with the experience. I was hoping to meet you and thank you in person when I was in Xi'an but did not get the opportunity. So here I would like to express our satisfaction with our tour in China with your company. Kindly convey our special thanks to our tour leaders Michael in Beijing, Lisa 刘丽 in Xi'an and Sophie 李倩 in Shanghai for the good work they have done. I believe all our tour members share the same experience as I am and we would like to congratulate ChinaTours.com also for the good work you have all done. All the guides were superb. They are knowledgeable enough of the history of the places we visited. Michael from Beijing was entertaining and interesting, Lisa 刘丽 from Xi'an was knowleageable of the history of Xi'an and we learn a lot about Xi'an and Sophie 李倩 was competent and could rapport with us very well. Tours of souvenir shops was satisfactory and we did not feel pressured to buy anything from the shops. All the drivers were competent drivers and we feel confident of their driving. All tour vehicle were cleaned and equipped wiith air conditioners. They were patient too. Thanks to them. All the meals were satisfactory for group tour type of meal. Though nothing fanciful but acceptable. Both the Beijing and Shanghai hotels were very good. We all like them. Xi'an hotel was nice except that we have to pay for the internet access in the room which is a disappointment Yes, very much so. They were generous with the supply of mineral water in the bus. No complain here.

Mr. Ong Yee Heng

Thank you very much we had a lovely time on our trip. Maggie, our guide in Beijing was fantastic she really made our time there special and we would like to give here a special thank you. Helen our guide on Xi"an was also very good. In relation to our tour the only thing we would change would be a little more time on the Great Wall, every thing else was very good. Thank you for a great holiday. And please thank Maggie she was lovely.

Gordon & Anita

Very wonderful trip and well organized. Even the 4 star hotels seemed like 5 star to me. The weather was very humid for May. Andy in Beijing was fantastic. Cathy in Xi'an was incredible. I have rarely met someone as caring as her. Meiling in Guilin was also very sweet and caring. Both flights in and out of Shanghai were delayed, due to heavy air traffic. The train from Beijing to Xi'an was first class. Perhaps a different hotel could be selected for Guilin. The hotel was very nice, however the location was not within walking distance of sites and other restaurants in the city. I know the biggest concern I had was not knowing if someone would be there at the airport to pick me up. I can assure other clients they have no worries.

Mr. Haugen

Choosing from three tour organizers, I was very happy that I chose Chinatours. What really got me was the quick reply from Ms. Rose Shi and the itinerary that she presented. You offered the most interesting places to visit. Up to the time before I departed for the trip, all information and paperwork was efficiently handled by Rose. She was on top of everything! From arrival to departure and all the transportation transfers were on time, well-coordinated and amazing personnel. I have to say, your tour guides were exceptional!! I’ve been to many tours but your guides were ranked the highest in my book. They were all well-educated, well-mannered and really made me feel at ease. They were fun to be with. From Andy(Beijing), Tony (Pingyao), Carl (Guilin), Gao (Shanghai), and most especially Steven (Mt. Huangshan). I had to say all the guides were impressive. However, Steven was really exceptional for keeping my interest in Mt. Huangshan despite the rainy and very misty day. He described the places very vividly that I could almost imagine what the sight looks like. Very impressive! Thank you for a wonderful experience!

Mr. Arnulfo Ballesteros Quinto

We have just finished a two week private tour of China assisted by your wonderful guides and drivers who were organized by China Tours, to say we were impressed with their service would be an understatement, they were all brilliant. Jun in Beijing, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and The Great Wall, the sights were amazing as was Jun's warm smile and lovely nature. Siyi in Xi'an, great knowledge of the Terracotta Warriors the Great Mosque and History Museum, also thanks for explaining the Chinese family structure and work / life balance. Jerry in Chonqing, our plane was three hours late but he waited with a snack and drink at the airport, what a great bloke, big smiles late into the long bus trip, shame we did not have more time together. Jacky in Yichang, thanks for the quick tour of your City, your passion for the place rubs off on those who visit. Finally Autumn in Shanghai, Autumn made us feel like we were touring with an old friend, every day was fun and relaxed with a dose of history and local food thrown in, loved every minute spent with her. Finally, many thanks to the many drivers, we felt safe on every commute and they patiently waited at our beck and call while we traipsed around the place, their courteous nature will be remembered. Our whole trip exceeded our expectations, everything ran like clockwork, followed the schedule, was flexible, value for money and an amazing experience. Put a visit to China on the agenda and feel confident to use China Tours as your agent, we could not be happier with their service.

Stuart & Eva McLean

ChinaTours provided excellent guides and an itinerary that fit our interests exactly. We loved that our group was small, always between 2 and 8 people. The company also managed to deal expertly with the complications presented when one of the airports shut down due to fog. Our guide quickly found a flight from another city and accompanied us on a high-speed train all the way to the new airport, where he bought our new tickets and made arrangements for the next guide to meet us at the other end of the flight. We stayed on schedule for our next day's activities.

Mr. Jeffrey Whitcomb Stolz

China Tours are a most efficient and value for money tour company we have ever had the pleasure to book with from the very first email enquiry with Connie -Travel Consultant to our last goodbye hug from Sandy - Most excellent Beijing Tour Guide. All questions and requests were dealt with promptly until we were satisfied. You couldn't ask for more. Our guides cared for us like family, flexible to our needs, excellent knowledge of their countries history and fluent in English. We extended our value packed 11 day "Odyssey of the Yangtze" tour itinerary with extra nights in Beijing and Shanghai choosing CT's suggested hotels and were very happy with the 4/5 star standard. Beijing’s Mercure was a bit out of the way for walking tours but taxi fees were only $5/10 per trip to anywhere. Our "3 x adults" family required an extra bed in our double room and all were roomy enough. The cruise ship President No.7’s room was a little too cosy though so we took the option of a $150 upgrade for a larger cabin. Well worth the extra $. I suggest taking advantage of the $50/ cabin unlimited laundry service offer for the entire cruise, too. This service was exceptional. I even got to review the Medical staff on board, too, after being stung on the ear by a whopping big china wasp. Besides suffering a burning hot ear for the rest of the trip I now have a great dinner party story, with pictures to add to our China experience. Service from everyone involved with our tour was fabulous. We couldn"t fault any of the hotel staff and the food was delicious and fabulous. Adding spectacular scenery and the best presentation of China"s captivating history by the CT guides guaranteed us great memories that will last a lifetime. Highlights’ were the wall climb in Mutianyu. We took the challenging option up the steep end and road the luge back down. Great fun- wish we packed the GoPro. Take the bike trip option on the Xi'an Wall. It should only take 45 mins with a bit of effort to do the round trip. A bit hard on the butt though. I"m so pleased we took extra time to see Shanghai. You could spend a week there & still need more time. I highly recommend China Tours.com. Our holiday was amazing!

Mrs. Carmel Clayton