Wendy Wu Tours Australia Reviews 3

This was a fantastic experience.
Everything we experienced was faultless, from booking, to day to day of the tour. I think we must have hit the jackpot with our guide, as he made a fantastic destination into a fantastic trip!
Top marks all round.

The tour was well organised. We experienced the living of all levels of society. Good variety of activities to cater for most needs. Where people were not willing or able to participate in an activity, alternative arrangements were made to suit them. Most places in Vietnam and Cambodia accepted credit card payments. Found it inconvenient to deal in cash in Cambodia as they prefer US Dollars. We did not change our AUD for USD. This left us no opportunity to tip good service. Prior notice of the currency preference in Cambodia would have been helpful. Food quality might have been great for locals, but for Australians and Westerners, some of the food and coffee was challenging. The lack of potable tap drinking water was curious. We always carried plenty bottled water with us.

Overall, we had a fantastic experience on the Ancient China tour. We chose this itinerary specifically for its focus on ancient cultural experiences and architecture, and it certainly delivered. The itinerary was well considered and provided a rich, immersive journey through China’s history, culture, and iconic destinations—from Beijing through to Shanghai. Highlights included the Great Wall, Pingyao Ancient City, Xi’an, and the Terracotta Warriors.
A special mention must go to our National Guide, Ken Wang, who was truly exceptional. From the outset, Ken set the tone by clearly managing expectations and preparing the group for cultural differences we might encounter, including variations in amenities, accommodation standards, and food offerings. This was incredibly helpful and ensured we approached the experience with the right mindset.
During the tour, Ken consistently went above and beyond—particularly when we experienced an issue with a misplaced mobile phone. His proactive approach, problem-solving skills, and genuine care made a significant difference to our overall experience. He is a real asset to Wendy Wu Tours.
We thoroughly enjoyed the itinerary and the opportunity to explore ancient China in such depth. However, we were disappointed that we were unable to visit the Hanging Temple due to maintenance at the time of our visit. While we understand that this was beyond the operator’s control, it was one of the highlights we were particularly looking forward to.
In terms of constructive feedback, we felt that the itinerary included quite a number of grotto visits and temples/pagodas. While these sites are impressive, reducing the number of these visits—or the time spent at them—and incorporating more ancient city experiences or cultural immersion activities would improve the overall balance of the tour.
Additionally, the visit to the Shaolin Temple was somewhat underwhelming. While it is an iconic historical site, the experience felt overly touristy, with many of the buildings being reconstructed and lacking the deeper cultural engagement we had hoped for. The Shaolin Monk Kung Fu show was also disappointing.
Overall, this was a memorable and enjoyable tour, made even better by the professionalism and dedication of our guide. With a few minor refinements to the itinerary, it would be an outstanding experience.
We would certainly consider booking another Wendy Wu China tour in the future.