‘Excellent’ guide in China

If you are traveling to China on your own and planning to spend a few days in Beijing and/or Chengde, you may like to consider employing the services of Mr. Sun Qingjun, or Harry (harrysun@ heinfo.net), an excellent bilingual guide from Chengde now residing in Beijing.

I met Harry in 2002; he was the leader of my first escorted tour to China. At that time, he was Assistant Director at the Chengde office of CITS (a government-sponsored tourist agency). I decided to pursue Harry’s friendship because I was so impressed by his knowledge of all things Chinese, not to mention his friendliness, integrity of character, common sense and good judgment. In addition to maintaining an epistolary relationship, I have since visited with him twice.

A friend and I traveled with ElderTreks from April 17 to May 23, 2007, touring the Yunnan Province and Tibet in China plus Nepal. Prior to that excursion, we used Harry’s services for six days and five nights in the cities of Beijing and Chengde, April 12-16. We visited the Chengde Mountain Resort of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and two nearby magnificent Buddhist temples (Puning Temple and Putuo Zongcheng Temple). These ancient monuments are in Chengde, four hours away from Beijing by train.

Harry picked us up at the airport in Beijing, made the train and hotel reservations for our trip to Chengde and accompanied us throughout. Everything worked out well. Harry is so knowledgeable that it was not necessary to use local guides in Chengde or Beijing.

Before we left for Kunming, we visited with Harry at his home in the outskirts of Beijing. There we met his wife, a physician at a nearby army hospital, and his teenage daughter. We then enjoyed a memorable meal as their guest in a local restaurant within walking distance of their home.

I cannot recommend a Chinese guide more highly. His English, knowledge and reliability are impeccable. For his services, Mr. Qinjun charges $75 per day (not per person) for one to six persons. Including a well-deserved generous tip, the total of $500 that we paid did not include accommodations, meals, car, driver, train fares, entry fees, etc.

I’ll be happy to answer any question about Harry; contact me c/o ITN.

KEMBELL HUYKE
Flushing, NY