Wild China has some more unique tours than the other usual suspects.

We also tend to be more independent in our travels but were very happy with the trip we worked out with Chinatour.net.

We had a couple more days for our trip than you indicate and were able to (slightly modify and) combine 2 of their tours; the classic 8-day “China highlight” package that takes you to the must see attractions in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai along with the more adventurous 7 Day Guizhou minority tour (to satisfy my wife’s need to visit remote textile weaving villages.) We had been to other parts of China before and the Guizhou minority tour ended up being the highlight of our trip.

If you decide not to spend the time to go on the Guizhou tour, you could also add-in a visit to Guilin and possibly the nearby village of Yangshuo.

You might also look at www.imaginative-traveller.com. We did their trip to Japan. We are usually independent travellers and that was a good mix of organized and independent time. Good group of like minded other travelers too.

Check out Pacific Delight and ChinaPlus.
They both offer comprehensive tours and are highly rated.

Thanks all - cant wait to get readig!!

I never thought I would say this, but after having done it, ditch the tour. You can read my trip report if you click on my name. You can book the entire trip using C-trip. We did not have a problem with the language. Where enlish wasn't spoken, sigh language got us along. Only once did we not find someone who could speak english. Everything went very smoothly. Highly suggest you plan your own want to see list. If a tour covers it, fine. If not, don't fear going on your own.

Easy Tour planned a trip just for the two of us, which wasn't a lot more expensive than a group tour. Also, we got tosee exactly what we wanted. Also, we didn't want to go to bland restaurants that would satisfy all tourists. We got to sample genuine Chinese food ( there were no English menus or cutlery). Silvia Gan was our guide - she did a marvellous job. You can find her on Facebook.

I used Pacific Delight and was more than happy!!!! Amazing hotels, great food, and it included a trip down the River for days I think I was gone like 25 days. fabulous tour.

Leanna,
Thinking about the 17 day tour with Pacific Delight Tour in Oct. Anything you can add re: the tour it self and suggestions. Thanks

We took the China's Best Treasures tour with China Spree in October, 2012. I actually worried a bit about finding what seemed like too many excellent reviews but finally decided to book with China Spree anyway. All I can say is that the trip was wonderful, the reviews all true and we were so happy that we had gone with China Spree.

Your getting lots of good suggestions of tour companies but like I said I used PD and was very happy. No advice really..... everything was well taken care of and planned for us and we just had to dawdle along!!!!

I was there in 2003 and it was all sooooo fascinating. We walked in the bottom of the gorges as they had not yet begun to flood them.....our guide told us to take a rock and save it from drowning. I still have mine.

China is amazing!!!! Its one place that I have been I actually get homesick for.

Enjoy! xo

LEANNA: Are you in Nor Cal?