Hi,

I am planning to travel from HK to Beijing on early Dec04. I am having quite a difficult time to find a good and reliable travel agent in HK since I am only transiting in HK. Would appreciate if you could refer me to any travel agent that you have positive experience with and might offer a HK- Beijing package. Also, would appreciate any info on any good tour operator in Beijing. Many thanks before hand.

ttt

I tried earlier to post a response, but it got lost in cyberspace, so trying again.

It's not necessary to take a tour of Beijing from Hong Kong. You can easily purchase airline tickets right at HK Airport to Beijing.

Get a good guidebook and see Beijing on your own.There's plenty of local transportation, the fastest is probably the metro.

In a way, your question is somewhat akin to asking how to get a tour from Frankfurt to London. You'll see a lot more on your own.

However, if you are bent on getting a tour, try dragonair's website or www.swiretravel.com. These are very westernized and reliable agencies, but be prepared to pay more for their services.

Have a good trip!

Hi there,

Many thanks for the advice. I am a bit anxious going there since this is my first trip to Beijing. Will follow your advice though. BTW, could you by any chance share with me on the security issue i.e. is it safe to wondering around on your own and whether the local transportation has the post sign in english? Many thanks before hand.

If you are anxious, I suggest you to join the package of dragonair. I've heard a lot of positive comments from westerns as well as expatriates in Hong Kong. They provide English guide wating at the airport and guided tour. http://www.kaholidays.com/kah/hk/searchDestination.jsp

In terms of security, it's perfectly safe in Beijing city. Personally, I feel more comfortable wondering around in Beijing than downtown of Los Angeles.

Beijing is very manageable on your own. The major sites within the city are accessible via subway or taxis which are quite inexpensive. Taxi drivers do not speak any English so be sure to have the hotel concierge write out your destinations in Mandarin and English (so you know what's what!) or use one of their standard "taxi cards" that list many of the most popular sites. You may want to book a day tour to the Great Wall through an operator though. Try Panda bus tours (http://www.chinaonlinetravel.com/pan...ndabeijing.htm) or hire a private car for other Great Wall locations (Simitai, Badaling).

Hi LGH, I agree with everyone...you can really do Beijing on your own and perhaps just have a few day tours of the Forbidden City and maybe out to the Great Wall. I do know a very good agent that specializes in China and can get you fantastic hotel rates - they will happily book hotel-only for you or hotel with transfers...very flexible and easy to work with. Let me know if you might want their e-mail address, etc. Cheers!