FAQ

1. How do I know you are "real"?

We are happy to send you references.

See other parts of this WEBSITE for details.

2. I want to see different places not on your five basic
Itineraries. Can I do this?

We understand. Actually, we work best with no schedule or itinerary, but you must also understand that we have three or four concrete itineraries. Just tell us where you want to go. Northern Inner Mongolia is beautiful and blends nicely into Heilongjiang Province. "BeiJiChun" is the most Northern Town in China and is very nice. We can go anyplace.

We have only listed fixed itineraries to give you an idea of places and prices.

3. Your prices only include the basics. I want
everything included. Can you do this?

We can do anything you want. Because of the area, it is best to just include the basics. This way you can linger at a place, and we can eat at a close restaurant. Including everything puts us on a schedule you may not like.

4. But I want to see all of Beijing. How
can I do this?

Yes, we are only good Mongolian Guides. We know a lot of Mongolian history as it applies to China. If you want to see "all" of Beijing you should allow 5 to 7 full days in Beijing and we can arrange good guides in Beijing for you.

5. Is this kind of a trip good for me? I have
never been to China before.

Maybe, if you are independent, have an open mind, do not mind changes, travel light, don't care too much about bathrooms, or are used to camping.

If you have been to China several times before, this trip is ideal to take you to areas of China where foreigners are rarely if ever seen.

6. I am scared of flying into a strange city.
What should I do?

I understand. Me too. I sometimes am scared too.

In general, try to arrive during the daylight hours or early evening. The price you pay for your airline ticket will reflect this. Cheap tickets arrive in the early morning hours. More expensive flights arrive at "good" hours.

Don't worry. We will meet you no matter when you arrive. Beijing is a very safe city. There are lots of taxis, and they are quite honest. Things can, of course, go awry. Just be sure and have your hotel name, our local phone numbers, and our email addresses. It takes about 45 minutes to get from the airport to Central Beijing.

7. You said to bring money. How much?

This is very personal. Some people want to do a lot of shopping and buy many curios.

Just for basics, however, if you allow about $10.00 to $20.00 for lunch, extra taxis, other places (entrance fees), soft drinks,beer and so on. Maybe in the country this will be closer to $5.00 per day.

Bring cash to the country. Travelers checks are fine in Beijing. If you don't want to bring cash to the country you may have a problem. There may be no place to cash travellers checks.

8. I don't mind a few days in a Mongolian Tent
without a bath, but I want a nice hotel in
cities. Is there such a hotel?

In larger cities, with enough notice, there are luxury and super luxury hotels. In Beijing there are 5 to 6 star hotels for a price. In other cities we will visit, there may be 4 or 5 star hotels. In the country and smaller towns, there may only be 2 star or 3 star hotels or Mongolian tents. Hotels "should", however have hot water showers. Most Mongolian tents have no running water.

Hotels will usually have private bathrooms. Mongolian tents will usually not have private bathrooms, unless you stay in a "tourist" Mongolian tent. In such tents, water is trucked in and boiled for cooking. If you bring bottled water, you will have clean, fresh, sweet water to drink.

Updated 6/26/2008