I just discovered flyertalk. Wow.

I have been travelling to Asia for many years, and a few weeks ago I finally got to move my family to Hong Kong. This Friday, my wife and I are going to take our four kids to Beijing.

I am looking to hire a van and driver from a reputable company. The few times I have been to Beijing on business, I have just taken taxis (without incident -- Beijing is a lot easier than many other places). However, it is just too complicated for this trip -- with six of us (incl. 2 teenage boys), we won't all fit in one cab, we want to go out to the great wall, etc.

Anyone had a good experience?

You can try Hertz -- They rent cars with Drivers (at least in Shanghai), and the prices seem fair.

Also you might try posting in the Asia forum.

Welcome to Flyertalk!!

I lived in SHanghai and Huizhou for 1 1/2 years ending last year. You might also want try CTCS. They rent car, driver and guide for a reasonable price. The guides are excellent and love speaking English. You might try and PM mjm and moondog. They are China residents.

removed

Sorry...it's CITS. Chinese International Travel Service.

www.cits.net
www.citsusa.com

I haven't used them personaly, but several of the other expats on my project did when they went to Beijing.

Redbeard, thank you for the indirect praise. OP: I just emailed a friend that has hooked me up with vans in the past. I will PM you when I hear back from him.

See post 109 in this thread. Cathy is in a different part of China, but might still be able to help.

edited to add: I mistakenly posted a reply that was meant for another thread; this is the correct post


Well, my friend got back to me so I'll post here:

The only Van guy I know is named mr. Hu:

1390-129-6175

Here are 2 taxis he uses often as well (his standards are higher than mine because he has a 2-year old daughter and therefore requires safe, newer cars with built in car seats):

Mr. Tian:136-9-153-0178

Mr. Jia: 139-1-173-0885

I feel compelled to add one more diver to my list because one of my colleagues has been using a guy this week that has quite a bit of style and is clearly proud of his job.

Mr. Hu Defu
13439381702

He drives a sparkling black Accord that feels more like a BMW and dresses to match his car, including some really pimp shades.

You probably won't need all that panache for your Great Wall trips, but he's great for airport runs (y100) and day hires (y400).

He's based in Palm Springs so if you stay there at the Marriott (highly recommed), you may well find him parked near the south gate eagerly awaiting to take you to your meeting for a small premium over a normal taxi.

I just snagged another Sonota this evening so I'm going to post his info (nothing special about him.... and no English at all, but he seems honest, competant, and drives a Sonota, so I figure he's a valid data point). BTW, the English thing isn't as big a deal as many of you think; these guys all want to get you there and back and they aren't morons (and neither are you).... so you can work around that whole languge thing (or find a guide at any Starbucks).

At any rate, Ma Song Qing appears to be willing to take you to any wall spot, including Simatai for y500 (he started at 600, but we bonded nicely en route to Babyface). His number is 13671122117.

In spite of plugging him here, I feel compelled to mention that the guy in the previous post is a cut above the rest; he has so much style that his Accord feels like a Rolls Royce. You will feel like a rock star by merely being in his presence. On the downside, I haven't gotten his prices down to the same levels as the rest, as of yet. Basically, he'll do Huanghua and points closer for y600 (ok, enough), but he still wants y1200 for Simatai (please never let him or anyone else get away with such, for the sake of our community's purchasing power).