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Our China tour was in Jan. 2017.

We just returned from visiting China and had a wonderful time. I like to give CHINA CULTURE TOUR a big thumbs up! We are as you can call " WANDERLUST"! we have traveled to China at least 4-5 times. As most of the reviews for tour companies, they are usually help making arrangement to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu....and a group tour. We went with CHINA CULTURE TOUR which is a reasonable private tour.

We really want to explore the less traveled destinations this time. So we decided on going to visit Harbin for their famous 31st Annual Ice and Snow festival. Because Harbin is quite cold ( between -8 C to -25 C) while we were there, we decided to spend 4 days and 3 nights there and there went South to GUILIN City in the province of GuangXi. Then we go further south to Guangzhou for the rest of our trip.

I do speak Cantonese and OK Mandarin, but traveling to China is not easy. Heavy traffic, going from airport to airport ,and train station to station. I don't know how I could manage to have a relax time and worry-free to see these 3 wonderful cities in just 10 days without the help of Grace from the China Culture Tour company!!!

Grace was very helpful right from my first contact with her via email ( grace@chinaculturetour.com) .

I told her where and when I wanted to go and my budget range. She promptly gave me a quote outlining all the suggested activities and sightseeing unique to each locale, especially in Guilin, since the company is located in Guilin. After several back and forth email with several changes, She answered a lot of our questions and concerns. we were ready.

In Harbin, all we really knew of is to part-take in the Ice and Snow Festival 2017, however the China Tour Company arranged for us to see Ice Swimming exhibition ( Yes, Ice swimming in frigid cold water while I have to wear long John, down jacket, snow shoe, hat and face-mask!) Of course , We did snow mobile on frozen Song Hua River....Siberian Tiger park ....Snow Sculpture Park....Ice Lantern Park...Ice Bar..... several unique local Harbin culinary adventures. We would not have done all of that without the help of the great tour Guide ( Billy ) and the driver. Billy is so knowledgeable and speak such good English.

In Guilin, our experience exceeded our expectations! I have always known that Guilin is one of the most beautiful place in China as my mother had told me, but the tour arrangement had gave us some unbelievable memories of the beautiful scenery of Guilin. Furthermore, I had seen an National Geographic article several years ago about GuanXi unique Cormorant Fishermen. I really wanted to see for myself. To my surprise, Grace was able to arrange for me to meet Mr. Wang the fisherman himself ( the one in the Magazine!!!) He actually spent over an hour to let me photography him and with him. That was the biggest highlight of my trip.

Of course, I spent the rest of the time hiking up ChuanShan and DeiCai Hill to get the view of Guilin.

Our Guide Helen was so attentive and she stayed behind at the pier waiting for us returning from the River night cruise even after she finished her tour just to make sure we were able to get back to the hotel safely. Where do go to get this kind of caring and services. We became friends! Did I mention? Grace, the owner of the tour company, came out to meet us and take us to a local hiking trail up in a mountain to get the best view of Guilin. She rewarded us for our efforts in climbing up the mountain at sunset, she took us out for dinner at one of the local Guilin popular restaurant, Thank you grace.

In Guangzhou, It is a big city and can easily get lost. The tour company arranged a guide and driver to take us from the train station to the hotel. We mainly went on our own because we just wanted to ring in the New Year in Guangzhou.

Overall I am glad I engaged CHINA CULTURE TOUR to help us navigate thru our holidays vacation. As much as we are avid travelers, hiring a tour guide and driver is a must in CHINA. You will not go wrong with CHINA CULTURE TOUR company.

I already have plan to come back to China to other beautiful attractions. Huangshan ( Yellow Mountain), Jiuzhaigou, in Sichuan, Dongchuan Red Land and YuanYang Rice Terraces, Yunnan ....

I will be calling Grace at CHINA CULTURE TOUR to make it happen.

Thank you, Grace and CHINA CULTURE TOUR for your personal touch and made our trip a memorable experience.

Will be taking a cruise that stops in both Shanghai and Beijing. Was thinking of an overland tour leaving the ship in Shanghai, touring the city and then flying to Beijing, touring the city before we rejoing the ship. Any recommendations for a private tour company?

Thanks

If you are looking for a good company that can tailor make your own tour in China, try http://www.google.com search with words best China tour companies and you can find some reviews and catch the one you like.