A Day in Xi’an with Cathy

I really enjoyed my recent private tour with China Tours! I remembered I took a China Tours about 13 years ago in Beijing and since I had a long weekend during a recent business trip, I decided to take the chance on them again and booked on-line. Working with Martha via email on short notice and right before the National Holiday, she was able to arrange a 1-day private trip for me to the Terracotta Warriors, Mosque, and the Xi’an Wall with Cathy K. as my tour guide. Even before my tour began, Cathy reached out to me and gave suggested a few sites to visit in the city the afternoon I arrived.

Morning of, pick up time was confirmed via WeChat and Cathy picked me up in a nice minivan and was escorted all day by a VERY knowledgeable tour guide in Cathy. She knew the tour well, the sites visited and their history, shared many welcoming stories and information. Her English was almost perfect and welcoming after a long business trip. More importantly, she knew her city well and made several great food recommendations – local lunch was amazing and so were the pomegranates! She even helped me purchase some jade necklaces as gifts.

Although it rained all day long, Cathy kept the tour upbeat and engaging – cannot say that about my sneakers that did not make the trip home.

The next day, Cathy went the extra mile by making sure I made it to the airport and my flight chatting me Chinese phrases for both the taxi driver and check in counter to ensure if needed I would not miss my flight.

I would like to give a BIG “XIE XIE” to CATHY K – an outstanding tour guide (and food connoisseur)! I very much enjoyed my day (wishing I had longer) and look forward to my return and another China Tours tour with hopefully Cathy K again.