Thanks, Speeder. Yeah, I also thought of calling the embassy. When it comes to visas and such, they're not the most helpful outfit, but maybe this is different. Otherwise, I'll surf the web some more and try to tap some Chinese organizations in DC for suggestions.

I think I need to find both a minibus and a Mandarin guide for them. It seems unlikely I can get it from the same source, but you never know!

BTW, if anyone has suggestions for how to move a group of 16 people around Washington economically (even without speaking Mandarin), please let me know!