xian/beijing tour guides or drivers

we, (3 adults and one 9yr old) are travelling to China at the end of march. I need some advice as to the best way to see the sights in Xi%26#39;an and Beijing and wonder if and how we could book an English speaking driver/guide and is it best, given the time constraints, to do this before we arrive.

We will fly from Shanghai and arrive in Xi%26#39;an at 13.50 on 29/3 and stay 2 nights, departing 31/3 at 14.50. We would like a driver to pick us up from the airport and take us back in both cities. We know we want to see the terracotta warriers, any other suggestions would be appreciated. We are staying on Dong Yan Yin Road.

We leave Xi%26#39;an and arrive in Beijing at 16.30 31/3 and stay 2 nights, departing 2/4 at 08.00. In this time, we would like to see The Great Wall, The forbidden Palace, Tiannamen Square and go to the zoo. We are staying on Wangfujing Avenue.

also, would the above be feasable in the time we have

xian/beijing tour guides or drivers

posted the above by mistake before thanking anyone in advance for helping me!!

xian/beijing tour guides or drivers

Airport transfers can be handled by hiring a regular taxi from the taxi queue at the airport if you have the name of the hotel written in Chinese. This is much cheaper than hiring a car.

You can also easily visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square on foot from Wangfujing, and you can get to the zoo by taxi. Have someone at the hotel write your destination in Chinese and use a hotel card to get back.

The main times hiring a car makes sense is for the Great Wall and for the Terracotta Warriors.

You may do best booking a driver in advance. If you search this board, you will find some suggestions. Some appear genuine and some appear to be promoting themselves or co-workers, but I think you can work it out.

Alternatively, it should not be hard to arrange a car and driver through your hotel, though the cost will probably be a bit higher.

thanks for your advice, i will look thru the forum for drivers etc.

For a reliable, recommended driver with a reasonable rate in Beijing, contact Mr Song at (+86)13801358901. He has been recommended to me by another forum regular and Beijing expat, my friends have personally tried him out and they were satisfied with the service.

i used to work in China travel Service and i still have mnay frined sthere.

i wish can offer someuseful infromation to you ,no matter the car,hotel, tour guide.

as far as i know , local driver( include taxi driver) who know english is few and find a good guide keep company with is better.

anyway, have a good trip in China

Happy chinese lunat new year !

jeff

thanks very much for your advice, much appreciated, we are sure to have a fabulous time in China