China Highlights

Planning trip: Kimi did great job helping us to create interesting itinerary and as real itinerary execution showed, it was good balanced itinerary with efficient usage of our travel time. Unfortunately, Kimi started working on Tibet permit very late and it made us very nervous. We arrived in Chengdu without knowledge and confirmation if we have Tibet permit . Only Sophie's ( Sophie is probably Kimi's coworker) good and clear emails during first days of our trip clarified all necessary details .
After all payments were finalized Kimi stated that she missed flight from Lhasa into Xi'an to include in trip price. Now they asked to pay extra money through PayPal. Not sure how valid this request.
We worked with 3 guides : Michael ( Chengdu -Rilong with hiking) , Gelek - Tibet, and Jerry - Xi'an. All 3 guides were knowledgeable, responsible and flexible. They did great job

Hotel Reviews

Grand Noble Hotel Xi'an

It is truly luxury hotel where you enjoy your stay. Breakfast was awesome with everything what you even can't imagine

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Qomo Langzong Hotel

Shigatse

Everything worked there and breakfast had multiple selection with good quality food

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Tangka Hotel

Lhasa

Comfortable rooms with good breakfast

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Siguniang Shan Hotel

Rilong

Hotel's rooms had multiple problems like temperature thermostat were broken ( I had 28-30C in my room 4 nights and reception was not cooperative to fix it ). Breakfast had limited number choices , no juices and terrible coffee.

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Tibet Hotel Chengdu

Chengdu

This hotel has everything what you need. Their breakfast exceeded all my expectations. 10-20 dishes, juices, tea, coffee, pastries , all was super.

Authenticity & Character

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Close to river, shopping malls, no problems with taxi

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Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Xi'an Highlights: Ancient City Wall, The Terracotta Warriors and Horses

Xian

Terracotta Warriors and Horses is absolutely unique archeology museum only it was too crowded. Ancient City Wall was very interesting addition

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Shigatse–Lhasa | Enjoy the rest of your day in Lhasa

Lhasa

It was primary drive with visiting Shigatse Monastery.

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Lhasa – Shigatse| The Stunning Palcho Monastery, Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon, Karuola Glacier

Lhasa

It was long day with exploring nature jewels : Yamdrok Lake and Karuola Glacier. Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon is far away from our route, not sure why it was included.

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Full-Day Essence of Tibet Tour: Explore Potala Palace and Stroll Through Old Barkhor Street

Lhasa

Gelek's tour of Potala Palace was fantastic. Instead of Stroll Through Old Barkhor Street we attend Jokhang Temple

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Full-Day Tibet Highlights Tour: Explore Norbulingka, Drepung Monastery, and Jokhang Temple

Lhasa

It was absolutely unique tour with very knowledgeable guide Gelek.

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Haizi Valley Hiking

Rilong

It was challenging hike with multiple muddy sections . Surrounding views are fantastic

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Shuangqiao Valley Hiking

Rilong

Unique place, great hike

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Changping Valley Hiking

Rilong

Great Hike. No luck with weather, it was drizzling 90% of hike time

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Wolong Gengda Panda Research Center + Dengsheng Gorge Hiking (3 hours)

Wolong

Wolong Gengda Panda Research Center is amazing. We saw multiple Pandas and place was not very crowded. Dengsheng Gorge Hiking was not prepared. Stairs were destroyed by recent flooding and we had to turn around . It was muddy with crossing couple of local creeks. It is not a problem for our group if we knew in advance and put proper hiking shoes and proper hiking clothes. But we expect easy hike and were not prepared to actual trail conditions

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We had a great 2 weeks in China, with the highlights in Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshou and Zhangjiajie.
Our guides in each city were great. All had excellent knowledge of the history and culture. The guides took my vacation from a standard foreigners visit to an experience.
I appreciated that each guide warm transferred us onto the next guide and city. We had started to develop the relationship with the next guide even before we arrived.
All logistics went well. It’s an awesome benefit having the personalized touch. I experienced China in the moment as I didn’t need to think ahead on timing or logistics. I’m thankful for Tina, Mervyn, William and Bree. William went well beyond our expectations, he was my favorite guide.

There was a breakdown in communication with Carol and I. In hindsight I should’ve changed specialist as the dissatisfaction was felt immediately.
I would’ve liked to have been presented a wider selection of activities. At times I felt that I was on a ‘vanilla’ packaged tour (Yuk); Hot air balloon flights, motor bike, seats at the front with the 270 degrees view on the Li River cruise are a couple of examples which I would’ve been very happy to spend additional $$$. I was cost focused with Carol so to remove the 5 star hotels. I will always pay extra to for the experience, this wasn’t qualified as a necessity.
I booked 1 activity using GetYourGuide as it wasn’t an option thru KimKim which was weird.
Whilst I signed off on the itinerary, I failed to notice an activity we requested to be removed was still there, caves visit in Guilin. We didn’t do this activity, rather went on the search for antiques. Summer Palace boats activity was included in the itinerary, as it turns out the boats only available in the summer months, our visit was in November.

As I’ve used KimKim previously I know how great it is to have an online catch up with the specialist so the itinerary can be customized. Whilst my wider family and I will continue to use KimKim, I truly understand the criticality of the local specialist relationship. I feel disappointed that we had the plan and simple itinerary rather than something tailored to us. Of course this wasn’t known until we were in each city.

Our guides all made a difference!

We’ll be making the next booking or the next vacation; same time and place as this year.

Excellent trip to Japan and China. Carol made it very easy to complete schedule according to our like and adjusted itinerary favorable to us. Tour guides in Japan and China were very good communicators, knowledgeable of the sites visited, and again adjusted itinerary to complete an amazing trip.