Dear Alina,
To give you feedback on our Harbin Tour. Our guide, Nizi, was very good and very caring which we truly appreciated. She really went out of her way with everything. I shall give you some examples:
Firstly, it was so extremely cold; she brought us face covers, and ear muffs. And on a day when it was foggy from pollution, she brought us 3M face masks. She shared snacks with us on the van during travel. She also brought me a pair of gloves and snipped off 2 fingers so I could use my handphone easily without taking off my glove.
Before we went outdoors, she made sure we were all zipped up and covered properly.
She rearranged our tour, with our consent so we had a better flow and more even time as the arrangement on day 4 was too hectic. So we went to the ice festival and the Siberian tiger park on the first day which was much better.
She helped us pay cash for hotel deposit, attractions such as cable car as we were shocked to find that credit cards were not accepted anywhere, even at the hotel! I would strongly suggest that you inform all visitors in advance of travel that credit cards are not accepted in Harbin and give an estimation of cash required for meals, attractions etc. It was a surprise to us as this is the first place I've travelled to with no credit card acceptance.
At meal times, she gave good recommendations of restaurants and would always recommend that we do not over order.
She also brought us her own toboggan when we went to the snows, so we did not have to rent one. She also recommended that we ski at Volga Manor which was a third of the price at Yabuli, which was a good recommendation as we are beginners.
So we found that she was very genuine, unlike many chinese guides we have been with who want to make money out of you.
The driver was also very good, no complains, always there and Nizi coordinated with him very well.
If there was any improvement on the guide, it would be her English proficiency which she told us she is trying to improve.
With the pick up in Beijing airport, the driver waited at the wrong gate. Although we had clearly advised the arrival and airline. I think in future, you should provide client contact number and driver contact number. Thank goodness you answered your phone very late at night.
And the Beijing tours all went very well, tour guide English and explanations were excellent. We just got anxious as pick up messages were left quite late in the evening. SImilarly, contact number should be given so we can contact appropriately.
All in all, we had a great time. I hope you will share my comments with Nizi's tour company so she can be aware that what she has done has been warmly appreciated, which is so important for foreigners in a different country.
Janice
