monicapileggi

Thanks travelgirl2 for letting me know about the problem Stu had. I did get a reply today from Clarence based on the same tour you had for 400rmb for two people; However, I have contacted two other guides, so I'll see how it goes and compare prices/tours. Clarence did say that there could be up to 10 people in the van.

Syl, sounds like a very good price if it includes all that you say. When will you be in China?

Thanks!

Monica

jodo

Thank you for posting this on the Asia board. I felt like I got to come along on your family journey. Wonderfully written. We will be in China in about 7 weeks...Our third trip there, and we drew some of the same conclusions you had....it's not the easiest country to travel in, but worth it all the way.

Syl

Monica,
It's "Syl" who also replied to you in Trip Advisor. As stated, we land in Beijing Oct.10 & leave China Oct.28.

monicapileggi

Hey Syl! Sorry, I didn't catch. I did reply to you - hope you got the chance to read my message.

Maybe we can hook up for a fodorite dinner one night. Email me.

Monica

SoCal_traveler

Monica,

Did you book with Clarence or did you have better luck with the other two guides you were checking with?

I checked with Clarence and for the special tour (with van,guide,entrance fees,lunch) to the qin terracotta warriors,cave dwelling village and then drop off at hotel he quoted 500 RMB per person, and there might be other travellers (unknown number).

That seems high in comparison - what do you think?

mishkah

travelgirl2, fantastic trip report, I really enjoyed it and it soooo accurately captures alot of the sense of wonder, discombobulation, frustration and contemplation I've felt travelling through China!

Thanks for posting.

travelgirl2

Thanks mishkah!

emd

Are you going to post the Japan portion of your report also? I hope so.

travelgirl2

I'll bring it to the top for you, emd. I was hoping you'd read it. You were a major source of inspiration for the portion of our trip in Japan!

monicapileggi

SoCal_traveler,

The other two that I contacted want to charge even higher prices. This is what Clarence emailed me for my tour: "The special package tour( including van,guide,entrace fees,lunch) to the qin terracotta warriors,cave dwelling village and a daoist temple cost 400 per person,I'll be your guide and the driver,maybe you will do the tour with other travellers."

I got one reply from another person but he was charing way too much.

Email me: mjpileggi @comcast.net

Monica

SoCal_traveler

Monica,

Despite confirming several times including about a day before we arrived in Xian, Clarence was a no show at the airport. For full disclosure, our flight did end up leaving about half hour late (domestic flight) thus arriving about half hour late however I don't think it's too much to ask to check the estimated flight arrival time and have waited 30 minutes.

We just booked a car at the hotel and didn't bother with a guide and we had a great time. Private car to and from warriors was 400RMB. We had a guide elsewhere in China and after that experience, we won't use a guide again in China - wasn't worth it or necessary in my opinion.

travelgirl2

I'm so sorry to hear Clarence was a no-show again. Very disappointing. I'm glad it didn't ruin your trip. The warriors are amazing, aren't they?

clarence

Hi, SoCal_traveler
This is the email I sent to you:
Hello,
I'm waiting for your replay.
My mobile0)13519197819


Clarence

Hi,Pls give me your flight number ?

Clarence

Hello,
1) pls give me your flight number.
2) Pickup at Xian hotel at 4:00 pm on April 28, 2008, stop at Hanyangling, then airport drop off at cost of 260 RMB for a car and driver , Tolls and parking included.Do not include entrance fees.


Clarence


--- Grace Huang <[email protected]>ŽÊ“¹:

>
> Clarence,
>
> Ok this is what we would like to do:
>
> 1) We would like to book on April 27, 2008:
>
> Airport pick up 10:35am with a signquot;Clarence
> taxitour"The special package tour( including van,
> guide, entrance fees, lunch) tothe qin terracotta
> warriors, cave dwelling village then hotel cost 500
> RMB per person, I'll be your guide and the driver,
> maybe you will do the tour with other travellers.
> 2) Pickup at Xian hotel at 4:00 pm on April 28,
> 2008, stop at Hanyang, then airport drop off at cost
> of 260 RMB total. Does not include entrance fees?
> Tolls and parking included.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Grace

flycatcher06

hi there, I LOVED your report - what an adventure! We are going in November, 2008. Do you remember how much they charge for a picture with the warriors? Could you pose with different ones or was it just one? Also any other statues or sugns that you saw that would make fascinating photo ops?

Thanks!

SoCal_traveler

Clarence,

I emailed you at least two times with my flight information.

Grace

SoCal_traveler

Warriors are amazing to see. I'm sorry I don't remember how much it is if you want a picture with the warriors. There was a poster with the information, it was in the primary tomb; as you walk into the main entrance it's on the left side.

Also, we went to the Han Yang Ling site as well based on the Conde Nast Traveler article in March 2008(http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/11931)

In some ways, we enjoyed Han Yang Ling even more - no warriors as this emperor was more focused on everyday life and it's much smaller, but the museum presents the excavation in a much better manner.

We had the hotel get us a taxi for a set price to take us there and wait for us.

Debbiekep2

travelgirl2-Just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your trip report. We toured China in Sept. 2006 and you brought back many memories! And, gave me some good laughs!