Karen Wang - Our Professional Sales Director

Thank you Rita.

We are very sad that our trip is coming to an end. So far we have had a fantastic time and seen and done some amazing things.

I had a bit of spare time on the high-speed train so came up with this to help your customers. Up to you if you want to use it or make any adjustments (but I think it would be most helpful once people have booked) it reads as follows...

As part of your journey around fascinating and spectacular China, you will most likely take one or more of China Railways High Speed Trains.

These trains are both fast and efficient, enabling you to cover great distances quickly and in comfort.

You may be required to board the train without the assistance of a guide. This may occur depending on station regulations.

The following is suggested as information for travelers. Please note that this is not a definitive guide, as there may be differences depending on station and location, and may be subject to change.

First and most importantly, there are plenty of clean toilets at the stations, and the trains also have Western toilets in each carriage.

Whether you travel First or Second Class is up to you, but there is plenty of leg room in both classes. All trains are non smoking.

AT THE STATION.

Once at the station you will be required to go through security. You will need your passport for this. Your passport is linked to your ticket. We recommend wheeled suitcases or suchlike as luggage trolleys are not provided. Please note that your main bag will travel with you on the train. Unlike a plane where certain items can travel in the hold, prohibited items will be confiscated. Eg. Knives or souvenir swords.Check ahead for prohibited items to avoid disappointment.

You will need your passport, the train number, carriage number and seat allocation for your journey. This will be provided by your guide or on your itinerary. It will also pay to know your departure time.

There are departure boards in multiple places in the stations. These will link your train number with a boarding gate.

Your trains details will be in one of 3 colours.

Yellow: information stage

Green: boarding stage

Red: departure stage.

In order to run efficiently the trains do not wait. Please be in the correct place ready to board. Depending on the number of train carriages, there may be 2 boarding gates. Eg. 4A and 4B. These will correspond to the carriage number. Don't panic if you get it wrong, but it may result in having to walk a little further on the platform to get to your carriage.

You will need your passport to leave the station to go to the platform. There are lines for self check-in and another for passports/ assisted check-in. This may be detailed overhead, or look for the person manning the assisted check-in line. Use this line to proceed to the platform.

PLATFORM / TRAIN

If no train in platform: There are markings on the ground showing the approximate carriage location. You should wait there. If in doubt you can ask for help.

If train is at platform: Check the train number on the side of carriage.(in case two trains either side of platform)

Find your carriage number and board. Seat numbers are clearly labeled. Place your big luggage overhead. Some trains have additional storage at carriage end. Do not store drink bottles overhead as they may leak, due to cabin pressure.

Depending on the length of your journey some basic food may be available (cashless transactions.) You can take your own food if you wish. Hot water is also available on board.

Enjoy your safe and comfortable journey. Be sure to take in the scenery as you travel.

ARRIVAL

Not all train services may terminate at your destination. The next station is shown on a display at both carriage ends (in English also) . Knowing your arrival time will further assist you in getting off at the correct station.

If you are being met at the station your previous guide should give you directions where to meet, as the stations are normally large with multiple exits. You can also have your next guides name and phone number if you wish. You will need your passport again to exit the station terminal, at the manned checkout line.

Depending on the station layout you will be met at the terminal exit, or the arranged location. Your happy, smiling guide will have your name on a signboard to welcome you, and be ready to assist as required.

Dave

Hi Ariel,

It was really great! Thank you for organising!

Fritz

Hello Jack,

Good Morning!

Just a note to say thank you for organizing our Xinjiang tour from 9 April 24 to 24 April 24. We are now in Perth Australia.

Overall this was an amazing trip, we all enjoyed it so much. We are now working on a return visit to China and is looking forward to use your services again soon.

We will recommend you and your company to my family and friends.

Best regards

Alan and Lily

Dear Leo

I am writing this letter to express our thanks and gratitude to you for making our recent trip an unforgettable one.

The guides provided (David,Gila & Sally) were very professional and exhibited excellent attitude in providing a great service to us taking into consideration our needs and preferences. The group had a wonderful time thanks to your organisation and arrangement of the efficient team for us in this trip,

Overall this was an amazing trip, we all enjoyed it so much. We are now working on a return visit to China and is looking forward to use your services again soon.

On behalf of our group of 11 pax, we sincerely thank you for organising this wonderful trip for us.

Looking forward to more trips to China in the future with your company.

Best regards

Chan

Dear Rita,

Thank you for organising our tour.

We are satisfied with the service, especially day 1 tour in Beijing.

The guide was very professional and we enjoined the tour.

Wish you many more successful tours.

Best regards

Katarina

Hi Karen,

We wanted to write to thank China Discovery, especially Catherine for our amazing family holiday.

Catherine managed to accommodate all our requests and ensure we had an itinerary that kept a 15 year and a 17 year (plus their parents), interested and having fun each day.

All our travel arrangements were perfectly arranged, the accommodation meeting all the descriptions, and the drivers and guides were all well organised and very friendly - we simply had an amazing time.

Catherine was very helpful, friendly and quick to respond to queries throughout the process and was also able to answer queries and give guidance on what we needed to consider. Her helpful manner, clear communications and prompt responses are a credit to China Discovery, and we will be recommending your organisation to any friends and colleagues who want to travel to China.

We had the pleasure of meeting Catherine for a cup of tea and a bite to eat when in Chengdu. We were so pleased to be able to thank her personally, and were delighted she was able to spend some time with us after Catherine had spent so much time and effort in delivering our perfect family holiday.

Catherine is a great ambassador for China Discovery.

Many thanks once again,

Our itinerary was to fly from Hong Kong to Chengdu where we would be met at the airport by our guide (Tom) and driver (Mr. Den). From there we were taken to our hotel. As soon as we got into our transport Tom presented my wife with a huge bouquet of flowers and basket of fruit which I thought was a lovely touch and completely unexpected.

The next morning we set off bright and early to begin time with the giant pandas....We had been told that it would be a "Once in a lifetime experience" and it certainly lived up to it's billing. Normally you would be straining to get a view of these wonderful animals but here we were within touching distance. The work itself was quite physical (lots of sweeping and cleaning is involved when mucking out pandas) The staff at the sanctuary don't speak much English but, Tom, who was excellent throughout, was always on hand to assist with translations. Our supervisors seemed impressed that we were both happy to get our hands dirty for the privilege of being so close to the animals. Our duties in the sanctuary included cleaning the pandas enclosures and sleeping accommodation and also helping to feed them. We were also advised that we might be asked to help with other tasks that might crop up during our time there...In our case I was asked to assist with some heavy lifting to assist in transporting one panda from Bifeng to another sanctuary.

At the Bifeng Sanctuary visitors can have photos taken with young pandas which costs £100. They can also interact (play) with young pandas which costs £200 for a few minutes....We were told that the reason why this is so expensive is because although they want the money (it all goes towards the costs of running the sanctuary)....They don't want to encourage too much interaction between humans and the young pandas which one day they might be able to release into the wild....I can understand this and we decided not pay the extra....We were more than delighted with the level of contact we had already experienced.

Our adventure lasted four days...Two days travelling to and from Hong Kong and two days at the sanctuary....We both rated it as a fantastic adventure with good food and accommodation. As regards the organisation...I can't really fault it....Everything was as described and the trip ran like clockwork....On the basis of this trip I would have no hesitation in recommending China Discovery Tours to anyone travelling in that area and if we ever return, I would certainly use them again.

Happy Journey in Beijing