Program : Beijing – Xi’an – Ping’an – Yangshuo – Shanghai – Macao – Hong Kong
Hello Stéphane,
Overall we are very satisfied with this trip.
The positive points:
- Good balance between city and countryside visits
- Good balance between cultural content (history, discovery of Chinese culture, etc.) and leisure content (hikes, walks, etc.)
- The schedule was very well adhered to. No delays or unforeseen events.
- The guides were very good (not so good for the one in Xi’an).
- The hotels were good (good balance between location and services).
- The free time was very useful for additional visits, shopping, and meals in restaurants of our choice.
- The Chinese are very friendly. China is very clean. A safe environment. We encountered a lot of tourists… but Chinese, so it was a real change of scenery.
Areas for improvement:
The circuit in Xi-an:
The schedule for the visit to Xi’an was impossible to keep. As a result, the bike ride along the ramparts had to be postponed until the following day, early in the afternoon in 38°C heat. The result: sunstroke and a bad mood.
The shadow puppet theater isn’t very interesting. It’s mainly intended to attract visitors to buy souvenirs in the adjacent shops.
The museum is not very interesting if you have already visited other museums (Shanghai, Beijing, etc.)
The guide wanted to take us to lunch in a tourist restaurant (on the site of the terracotta soldiers) even though we had asked for lunch in a fast food restaurant (there are many at the exit of the site). However, the day had started very well with breakfast in a hotel at the exit of the train.
The circuit in Beijing:
The content was very good, but a bit tiring. Keep it in your schedule.
Restoration:
Since our schedule was so busy, we rarely had time to choose anything other than the restaurants recommended in the guide. Luckily, we had free time to eat as we pleased.
Train journeys:
It’s hard to sleep on the night train. So we start the next day tired. Keep that in mind in our schedule.
Hotels :
No particular criticism, but perhaps we should give the opportunity to move upmarket in certain cities (Xi-an, Shanghai, Beijing (that was our choice)).
In conclusion, we are very satisfied. Thank you for your responsiveness.
We will highly recommend your agency.
Sincerely
Antonio Vaz