• Try Explore Worldwide Ltd (1 Frederick St, Aldershot, 01252 760 100). They travel in small groups using a variety of local transport. Not all clients are British, hence their land-only brochure, which you should request. We had a fantastic trip to China with them last October.
Pauline Jepson
• I am a freelance tour manager and for the past eight years have been taking organised groups around China. Having only worked through Kuoni Travel during this period, I can only talk about their Classic Tours which are well organised and offer very good value. It is not uncommon for clients to meet me in Beijing, joining the tour there, and upon arrival in Hong Kong at the end of the tour, make their own way back or to another destination. BA has regular flights to and from Beijing and Hong Kong; however, you may find that the cost of the tour, is not reduced as much as you might expect, as all tour operators pay less for the flights on group tours than individuals would.
Steve Taylor
• The short answer is to obtain a holiday brochure from the travel company EXPLORE. On request they will quote separate prices for land-only trips. I would recommend their Poetic China trip, which I took. It was an amazing experience.
Donald Kong
• Any good independent travel agent can arrange China packages excluding flights. The one I did some years ago was planned by a local agent and booked by him through Jules Verne travel. It was for two people, and guides were provided at each stop, but we were on our own on the trains and internal flights. The simplest and probably cheapest way of getting a flightless full package, however, would be to start and finish in Hong Kong and book it with a local firm. Chinese travel arranging is a major industry there, and one could probably book something on arrival, though advance booking would be safer. Use the internet for the Hong Kong yellow pages to find an agent. Most of them are reputable.
John R, Batts
• You could try Travelbag Adventures. They do a fantastic three-week trip to China, taking in Xian, Beijing and a lot more. I know as I've just been! You can make your own way to Hong Kong or Beijing, and meet the rest of the party there.
Simon Stopher
• Bales Worldwide (0870 241 3208, email enquiries@balesworldwide.com) certainly offer a range of fully escorted tours covering different itineries within China and other destinations on this basis. In addition, you could also use any excess AirMiles to fund the accomodation portion of his holiday by booking through AirMiles!
Christine Ellis
• China Direct (020 7538 2840) organise trips in China where you can arrange your own international flights if you wish. All they need to know is your flight number so someone can be at the airport waiting to meet you. This applies to both tailor-made and group tours.
Lorimer Poultney
