Hi,
I was very happy with the trip to China. I don't want to leave you with any negative impression. All of the guides were very conscientious and cared about providing good services. All drivers did a good job.
Two of the guides really stood out from the others. In Suzhou, I think the guide's name was Philip. He went beyond cliche descriptions to really add enjoyment to our tour of the city. He was confident and spoke excellent English. While visiting the Ambassador's Residence, he asked us to sit and just enjoy the quiet and beauty of the garden. He described how Chinese moved from living in nature to the cities, they wanted to bring nature with them, leading to stone gardens, ponds and gardens that simulated nature. In contrast, he pointed out the distinction in Japanese gardens which are beautiful but more abstract not simulating nature. He was passionate and had so many interesting observations about each site we visited, combining philosophy, history and art in his explanations. I was really inspired after spending a day with him.
The second guide who stood out was Helen in Xian. She has an amazing mind; with an incredible depth of knowledge about history and religion. Her English was outstanding and there was no question she could not answer in detail. It was like getting a tour from a history professor. At the last minute, we added a museum to our tour which made her very happy. She took us through the museum and an explanation of Chinese culture beginning with the stone age to the present. Off the cuff, she could describe each of 8 schools of Buddhism and talk about the differences between the schools, founders and timelines for each. She is really brilliant!!
I would recommend your company to others.
Thanks--Jeff L Morris
I was very happy with the trip to China. I don't want to leave you with any negative impression. All of the guides were very conscientious and cared about providing good services. All drivers did a good job.
Two of the guides really stood out from the others. In Suzhou, I think the guide's name was Philip. He went beyond cliche descriptions to really add enjoyment to our tour of the city. He was confident and spoke excellent English. While visiting the Ambassador's Residence, he asked us to sit and just enjoy the quiet and beauty of the garden. He described how Chinese moved from living in nature to the cities, they wanted to bring nature with them, leading to stone gardens, ponds and gardens that simulated nature. In contrast, he pointed out the distinction in Japanese gardens which are beautiful but more abstract not simulating nature. He was passionate and had so many interesting observations about each site we visited, combining philosophy, history and art in his explanations. I was really inspired after spending a day with him.
The second guide who stood out was Helen in Xian. She has an amazing mind; with an incredible depth of knowledge about history and religion. Her English was outstanding and there was no question she could not answer in detail. It was like getting a tour from a history professor. At the last minute, we added a museum to our tour which made her very happy. She took us through the museum and an explanation of Chinese culture beginning with the stone age to the present. Off the cuff, she could describe each of 8 schools of Buddhism and talk about the differences between the schools, founders and timelines for each. She is really brilliant!!
I would recommend your company to others.
Thanks--Jeff L Morris
- Name: Mr. Jeffery L Morris and Ms. Yuko Tsuchida
- From: US
- ltinerary: 10-Day Luxury of Beijing - Xian - Luoyang (Shaolin Temple) - Shanghai-Hongkong
- Date: 8/11/2008
