I have been traveling globally for over 30 years. I have been to many of the usual suspect countries and a not insignificant number of off the beaten path places too. I have had wonderful guides in many of these places, but I have to take time out to praise Tina. She is not just a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide She is a generous and kind person who cares about her clients, about China and about making sure that people like me come away with an positive impression that will last a lifetime. I booked a tour with her to visit the Stone Forest outside of Kunming with my good friend. She showed up at the hotel right on time. From the moment we met I could tell she was interested in us not just as clients but as people interested in the history and culture of the region. I had first visited Yunnan 30 years ago and obviously things have been transformed in almost every respect. She helped me to understand the changes, both good and bad, and helped me to see things in a larger global and internal context. She is smart has a strong background to inform us of the world she is in. Her English is completely fluent. Her tour of the Stone Forest was in depth but not overly so. She did not let us get distracted by the many people selling things tourists. She whisked us through lines and brought us to the highlights of what is a dramatic landscape. This was what we hired to do and she more than exceeded out expectations. But what made her truly stand out was what happened after our official tour was over. We took us to a local restaurant and helped us order the best and representative food. Normally tour guides do not eat with the clients but she gladly joined us because she enjoyed the fact that that I was interested in her culture and in the role education plays in determining one’s fate in China. (I am an educator who works with students in China to help them attend top universities in the US and UK.) After a great meal, and I do mean great and authentic, she volunteered to take us to the Flower and Bird Market. We had hoped to book this as a part of the tour but it was not available on the sites I searched. Tina decided to take us to the market without asking for any payment. She simply felt it was what she wanted to do. I know that tour guides in China do not receive much of the money that agencies charge so she could have asked for money and kept it for herself. I do not know many people who would be so selfless and so willing to give strangers a gift like this. Once we arrived at the market we took time to look over the many stalls and shops and she helped me pick out a few items for the lowest cost. In addition, she took us to see both the old streets and the new places that have been rebuilt. She also went out to find us some of the best stall food to be had. Tina spent hours with us and her enthusiasm for her culture and city rubbed off on us. I cannot imagine a better representative of Kunming and of the people of the region. I hoe that I have the chance to keep in touch with her as she has so much to share that will help educate me. For those going to Kunming I would seek her out. She will add immeasurably to your experience.
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I really have a great deal to thank Tina for in my recent trip to Kunming, Yunnan. I could not have made it through the trip without her assistance. First, she speaks good English and made all arrangements to have me picked up from the airport, even though my flight arrived to Kunming late, late at night. The itinerary she set up for my tour was perfect and hit some of the best spots in and around Kunming. I had a great time visiting places such as the Dragon's Gate and the Stone Forest. For my flight to Xishuangbanna, Tina took care of transportation arrangements to the airport and when I returned. On my last night in Kunming, she made efforts to make sure I had a hotel and transportation to the airport the next morning. Without her help, I do not know if I would have caught my flight in time back to the US. During my stay, I felt taken care of and knew that Tina could help me when I needed her. Tina is also a fun and enjoyable person to be around, and I genuinely had a great time. If you are traveling to Yunnan and are looking for a guide, Tina is the ideal person to contact. Read less

Hi all!
I've used many guides around China and, similarly, found Tina on the internet - I wasn't disappointed!  Tina is a lovely person with a great sense of humour and knows just how much information the client wants - or needs to know!   We visited Yuanyang rice terraces and Jianshui in a 3-day 'loop' from Kunming staying in covenient locations long the way. The timing was quite tight - but that is all the spare time I had to gain a flavour of southern Yunnan on my first visit to this province.
I'm keen on photography and Tina was patient and happy enough to step into the photo when needed - always smiling. Tina Tours was fair value for money and will leave you with good impressions and definitely a new friend for life!
Looking forward to visiting Dali, Shaxi, Lijiang and maybe Shangrilas on my next visit!
 
David
(UK man travelling solo - as part of a business trip)  
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