2 friends, my wife and I took a private Beijing China tour this January. The reason why we chose January, for we are almost 60 years old and not like to visit high season; secondly the price in January is lower. But not in February, because Chinese New Year is in Feb.. Chinese New Year is so important for Chinese and most Chinese coming home or take tours with family. Flight tickets, train tickets and hotels are very tight in whole Feb..
I went to agent to get itineraries and quote firstly. When I search China travel tips, I find out there are local agents, who offer China tour. And then I sent email to several Beijing China tour operator. They gave me quotes based on the itinerary I got from agent. I compared and found out the price from local Beijing China tour service is higher than that from agent. I asked and they told me that the price they offered me is private Beijing China tour and another one is group China tour. And then I called to agent to ask how much if it is a private for 4 of us. I got a very high price. I talked with friends and my wife. At last we decide to take a private Beijing China tour arranging by local Beijing private tour service.
During our Beijing China tour, we used 2 domestic flights and 1 soft sleeper train. From Beijing to Xian, we use soft sleeper train. There are 4 beds in a cabin. It is about 12 hours. We thought maybe it's not comfortable, for there is 12 hours in the train, but it was good and clean. Not only can save money, but also a good memory trip. From Xian to Guilin and from Guilin to Shanghai, we took domestic flights.
We stayed 4D3N in Beijing. First day, we are welcomed from airport and then private transfer to hotel, after check-in,free on our own. We were arriving in Terminal 3. It is very large.
Second day, we visited Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven. Watch Acrobatic show at night. They are top to see in Beijing. The show is excellent! Originally there is no Peking duck in the itinerary, but we talked with our tour guide and then he brought us to a local Beijing roast duck restaurant.
Third day, we went to great wall area to visit. We hiked there for 1.5 hours. 4 of us are hiking lover. In the afternoon, we went to Summer palace, where is so beautiful and we saw many photographers were taking photos nearby the bridge and some elder were playing kites. BTW, we did not go to Ming tomb, for we searched by internet and we were not interested it. It was winter in Beijing. That's good point to take a private Beijing China tour and local Beijing China tour service can tailor made for you.
Day 4, to started to go to Yonghe temple, Hutong to take rickshaw and Panda house. After ending Beijing tour, we went to train station to take soft sleeper train. It is overnight trip. In the morning of second day, we were arriving in Xian. After having breakfast, we drove to Terracotta and in the afternoon came back to downtown. On the way to visit Big wild goose pagoda. BTW, it maybe no Tang Dynasty Dancing Show off season. Unfortunately, we did not watch the show.
Second day in Xian, we were visiting in the city including city wall,
great mosque, Muslim street to try some local food. In the late afternoon to take a flight to Guilin.
After check-in, we walked outside to have dinner as local Chinese. Yes, we did not know how to speak Chinese, but normally there are picture menu in restaurant, so that it is not hard to have a good meal.
Guilin and Yangsuo are lovely city. The highlight of Guilin is scenery and local people. Tut-tut ride. Day 2 in Guilin, we take Li River Cruise. And then arrived in Yangshuo. There is western street, where many bars. Day 3 to go to Elephant truck hill and Reed flute cave. And then take a flight to Shanghai.
Day 9 of Beijing China Tour, to go to Shanghai museum, the bund, Nanjing road, oriental pearl TV tower. At night to take cruise in Huangpu River.
