China Visit assistance requested
May 10, 2008 | 4:05 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Tundra Land (MSP)
Programs: DL Plat, DL SkyClub, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, National Emerald Exec
Posts: 269
Prices unfortunately have been going up for car service. OP said various sights plus tickets for several places. I've used one steady driver for several years and his price has gone up in past 16 months (and I speak Chinese). OP also got a taxi and maybe not a 'regular car'. Usual market price for chinese speaking driver around rmb500 in town, rmb600 out of town sights plus OT if you return later in evening.
RMB800 doesn't sound that high. I recall one thread dedicated to drivers/car service - couple of months back.
RMB800 doesn't sound that high. I recall one thread dedicated to drivers/car service - couple of months back.
With only three days on the ground (thanks to an entire day lost in transit out of Hong Kong), I opted to hire a personal guide for two of them. This was THE BEST MONEY SPENT, and was wildly affordable, using PersonalChinaHelper.coma site I learned about here on FlyerTalk. My guides name was Holly...great English, very responsible, lovely young woman, who knew her stuff about sites, getting around, etc. Not once did she opt for or ask for anything costly; in fact, if there was a way to save money, she found it.
The full day (8 hours) fee for hiring a guide through Personal China Helpers is 300 yuan ($42.90 US). Each additional hour is 30 yuan ($4.30 US). You pay all expenses, like food, water, transportation, entry fees, etc. Even if Holly hadnt used her student ID for everything possible (which she did), the total cost would have been well under $80 for the entire day. Theres no better deal, trust me.
My other thought is about hiring a car. Through Holly, I hired one to go to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (since its not as overrun as Badaling), which ran 500 yuan for the entire day, all fees and tolls included (approx. $71.50 US). It was a nice carif memory serves, a newer VW Passat or similarwhich we had for our use the entire day. After the Wall, we went to the Summer Palace. Didnt get home until early evening, so all together, ran about 8.5 hours or so.
Id do both exactly the same if I had the chance. Cant stress strongly enough what a great investment Personal China Helpers isespecially for the money.
Travel well!
