Experience with BeijingService.com for Private Tours in China?

[Cruising Boomer]

We will be on the Statendam in April '08 with two days stops in both Shanghai and Beijing. BeijingService.com has a two day tour with hotel to Beijing from the port which is less than half the price of the HAL tour. Even in a deluxe hotel it would be about $325 per person for the two of us. If we get more to go from a Roll Call, the price would go down. But...are they any good? Any experience with them or other private tour companies for Beijing, Shanghai, or Dailan?

 

In Shanghai we thought we do the main sites on our own for one day but BeijingService.com has a one day tour to Suzhou that looks interesting. Anyone try them or other private operators in Shanghai for tours outside the City?

 

Thanks.

 

Doug

[Sandy R]

We used Beijingservice.com last October, while in Shanghai. Our contact was with Jasper. He helped us customize a day tour, which was wonderful (cost $90US per person). The guide spoke perfect English and the van (there were 4 of us) was clean and air-conditioned. Our tour consisted of: Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddah Temple, Old city, the Bund, Nanjing Road and a rest stop at a delightful tea shop, where we sampled different types of tea (the sales pitch was quite subtle). The price included pick-up from and return to a container port about 45 minutes outside the city center (we were on the Sapphire Princess), admission fees, lunch (which we really enjoyed... we ordered from a menu that had pictures). We paid the tour guide in cash at the beginning of the tour. I recommend the company highly. I actually gave his name to 2 couples and both had positive experiences.

 

In Dalian, 6 of us hired a van with an English-speaking guide, just outside the dock area. It was a great tour. If you do a tour of Dalian, be sure and ask them to take you to the new area... I think it's called Liaodong Provence. The area has a larger square than that of Tianimen Square in Beijing. The whole area is impressive.

 

Sandy

[Cruising Boomer]

Sandy,

 

Thanks for the info. We are going to Dailan so really appreciate that tip too!

 

Doug

[CruiseKidz]

appreciate the info Sandy. We will be in Shanghai & Beijing next April, time to start my research.