China Trip - Average Local Tour Operator. Review on Cox and Kings, Bangalore

Cox and Kings Bangalore arranged a China Trip from Bangalore in Apr 2013 for me and my spouse. The local Operator in China was Top View Tours. While we are satisfied with the service provided by Cox and Kings; We were NOT satisfied with the services of the Local Operator contracted in China. Hence my Average rating for the overall experience.

General Information  -

1. While late April was hot in Beijing and Xian, It was too cold in Shanghai(despite the lower latitude of Shanghai). Extreme Winter Clothing was needed in Shanghai at night(particularly during the Huangpu River Cruise). Some fellow travellers were unprepared for this extreme cold.

   
   




2. China is NOT an easy destination for Senior Travellers. If you have difficulty walking, are unprepared for extreme weather(Warm in Afternoon and Cold at night), have Food Restrictions, Do not already have knowledge on China and its Cities; China is not the destination for you(South East Asia would be a much better Alternative).

   
   

The good -

1. Indian Dinner was arranged at good Indian Restaurants. We were satisfied with the Vegetarian Food Options provided.

The bad -

1. The Local Tour Guides were more interested in taking us shopping than sightseeing(Though some of the fellow passengers in the trip are partly responsible for encouraging this behaviour). Some of the shopping excursions to Pearl, Jade factory etc are probably mandated by the Chinese Government. But our Tour Guides ended up taking us to Fake Markets multiple times needlessly while rushing us at Sightseeing Destinations.

   
   




2. The Local Tour Guides in Shanghai and Beijing dumbed down their explanation of places while we were expecting more detailed Historical explanations.

   
   




3. The Shanghai Local Tour Guide took us to the Bund only when I insisted and rushed us during our few minutes there. The Shanghai Bund visit should have been the highlight of the Shanghai Trip and this was almost skipped.

   
   




4. While there were Optional Night Shows in Shanghai, Beijing and Xian; We were almost compelled to take these up as skipping these optional shows would have meant waiting for the rest of the tour group for hours near the Show Theatre and not at our Hotel. There should have been separate pickup from Hotel to the Restaurant(for dinner) arranged for those who are not interested in these Optional Shows.

   
   




5. Per Itinerary, There was a day spent in a place called Zujiajiao(Water Village near Shanghai) which was totally disappointing and uninteresting. This was an unnecessary day wasted.