China Highlights
China | Apr 18 - Apr 28, 2025

Dawn
Dawn D.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 06, 2025

The trip was perfect. It just kept getting better. The variety of activities and the guides were the real standouts. Most of the drivers were very good; one was a bit scary and it was obvious he smoked because the car would wreak a bit when we got in. One guide, Bobo (sp?) picked us up at the airport in Beijing because our guide was busy. We saw him the next day and said "hi," and he pretty much ignored us; same thing when we ran into him again the day after. Seems he could have been a little friendlier. The hotel in Shanghai was the best of the bunch. The hotel in Guilin was a good location, but the breakfast was a zoo. The elevators were so crowded it would take a long time just to get downstairs. Nina, Jacob and Li were awesome. We only spent one day w/ Roy. He was good too, but didn't have the same connection w/ him.

All-in-all, a great trip and I would highly recommend Kimkim.

Hotel Reviews
SSAW Garden Hotel Beijing
Beijing

Great location. Room and facilities were fine.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Great restaurants nearby.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hilton Garden Inn Xi'an Bell Tower

Good location and nice property. Breakfast was adequate.

Authenticity & Character
I don't really recall, but nothing noteworthy.
Location
Staff
Nothing great, nothing bad.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Guilin Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

I guess the location was good, but the elevators were so bad they are the most memorable part of the stay, and not in a good way. Breakfast was so-so; very crowded and avg. food.

Authenticity & Character
Big hotel, not so authentic and no character
Location
On the water
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Moondance Resort
Guilin

Nice countryside location, but no so convenient to the town. The room itself was nice w/ the balcony and large bathroom, but is dangerous, especially for older people who get up during the night. The bed on the floor doesn't help and the stairs down to the toilet are a fall hazard. Breakfast was the worst of all the properties. It was very small and boring.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sunrise On The Bund

Good location, good breakfast and nice toilet.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
  The Shanghainese People's Secret Recipe
The Shanghainese People's Secret Recipe
Shanghai

Didn't do this. Went to Jewish quarter instead. That was great.

Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo
China

So beautiful

Quality of Experience
Food
Boat food is boat food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bejing Train Station Private Transfer
Beijing

Didn't take the train.

Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square
Beijing

Great being there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Warriors
Xi'an
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide Jacob was awesome; driver only gets an "ok."
Transport
Learn How to Make Terracotta Warriors from Local Artisans
Learn How to Make Terracotta Warriors from Local Artisans
Xi'an

This originally didn't sound so exciting, but I loved it. Our warriors are on our bookshelf and are a fond memory of the experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jacob great, John so-so
Transport
Driver was a smoker so car wreaked a bit. He was not a good driver.
Full-Day Private Tour: Longji Terraced Rice Fields and Ethnic Minority Culture
Full-Day Private Tour: Longji Terraced Rice Fields and Ethnic Minority Culture
China

The topography and scenery were amazing.

Quality of Experience
Li knows so much it was wonderful sharing this w/ him. The restaurant was in a great location and the food was good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr. Lee was a great driver.
Transport
Ancient City Wall
Ancient City Wall
Xi'an

Wanted to ride bikes, but didn't have one small enough for my friend. We tried the tandem and then they couldn't raise the seat to accommodate me (and I'm only 5'5"). The bike rental people couldn't have cared less. We ended up walking and went to an adjacent park that was lovely. Jacob did a great pivot here.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Same as before; Jacob great, John so-so
Cooking dumplings
Cooking dumplings
Xi'an

Just like making the warriors, didn't sound exciting, but enjoyed it a lot and the food was great. I really like that Jacob had so many good relationships w/ the people we met.

Quality of Experience
Yangshuo Chinese Cookery Class
Yangshuo Chinese Cookery Class
Yangshuo

Jenny at Cloud Nine was great. She made it fun and the food was tasty.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower
Shanghai

Loved it

Local specialist: Carol Wang
Carol
Carol Wang
Local specialist in China | Replied on May 07, 2025
Hi. Dawn
Thank you for your valuable feedback! I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and found the variety of activities and our guides to be highlights.
I appreciate your comments about the drivers and will address the concerns regarding the one who was less pleasant. I am also sorry to hear about your experience with Bobo. I'll take this feedback on board to ensure that all our guides provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our guests. It's great to know that you enjoyed... Read more

Hi. Dawn
Thank you for your valuable feedback! I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and found the variety of activities and our guides to be highlights.

I appreciate your comments about the drivers and will address the concerns regarding the one who was less pleasant.

I am also sorry to hear about your experience with Bobo. I'll take this feedback on board to ensure that all our guides provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our guests.

It's great to know that you enjoyed the hotel in Shanghai and the location of the hotel in Guilin, though I apologize for the breakfast situation. I have told my customer-care team about it, and they will look into ways to improve this for future guests.

Thank you again for your insights. I hope to welcome you back soon!