Hiring a driver and car in Lijiang

Four of us will be in Lijiang the last week of May. We would like to hire a driver (preferably English speaking) and a car to take us to Zhongdian. A few days later we would like to hire car and driver to take us to Dali. Is this possible for 4 adult?

How to we find the car and driver as I would like to have this arranged before we arrive in Lijiang? Thanks for the help.

C %26amp; R

Hiring a driver and car in Lijiang

Try emailing Kathy at shy_yue@sina.com. We booked her based on a Fodor%26#39;s board recommendation. She replied almost immediately %26amp; gave us a reasonable rate, including driver. Due to a change of plans, we were unable to use her services. Good luck %26amp; make sure you see the Lijiang Impression Show at Snow Mountain.

Hiring a driver and car in Lijiang

Sorry, I miss the point. There%26#39;re many bus departures connecting these 3 places, is there a specific need to hire a driver and vehicle?

Last year in May when 2 of us arrived in Lijiang our first taxi driver was a woman who not only found us a small private guesthouse in the ancient city, but she gave us her card offering sightseeing excursions. We accepted her services for 4 days. The costs varied according to the distance travelled - 200Yuan to 400Yuan. I believe you will have no difficulty finding such a taxi when you arrive. I also favour such travel over using the bus services, as you can stop to photograph any sight of interest.

Because she undertook these trips regularly she also knew the best roadside cafes or markets to visit.

Margaret - thanks for your reply. The reason we would like a driver and car is so we can stop where we wish and to get some %26#39;locals%26#39; recommendations as you explained.

With 4 of us - do you think this would be a problem - would we need 2 cars as we will have our bags (although we try to travel light - we end up buying stuff along the way)

Love to hear where you travelled and what you liked my email address is carlene@telus.net

Thanks to all that relpied

C %26amp; R

How big are your bags, and also yourselves?

Vehicles in China could be rather squeezy for Western standards (I%26#39;m Asian-sized but there was once I couldn%26#39;t shut the taxi door on myself as the taxi was so small, I didn%26#39;t have enough space to manoeuvre!) so I would suggest that you get a minivan (popularly called ';loaf-of-bread'; vehicle or mian4 bao1 che1 闈㈠寘杞? at least.

Thanks Ellyse

I think a mini van would be better.

My husband and I have been to China but not to this area and since there was only the 2 of us we were not very observant to taxi mini vans. Is it hard to find a taxi mini van size?

Do you know of any one we could contact?

We are large people (larger than the average asian) and with our bags I know a regular size vehicle is difficult.

thanks

C%26amp;R

Don%26#39;t count on finding any minivan taxis as they basically don%26#39;t exist. I%26#39;ve seen some at Pudong airport but they seem only to ply between airport and various hotels.

Minivan drivers are private operators. Any guesthouse worth their salt in Lijiang should be able to point you to one which they%26#39;re familiar with. We had a delightful driver and minivan but I can%26#39;t find his contact at the moment!

I will try to answer your questions, but one of the messages I sent you has been returned because your mail box is over quota.

No, I won%26#39;t be in Yunnan this year, but in Sichuan Province.

Margaretfay

Just go with Ellyses%26#39; suggestion and rent a minivan (mianbaoche). they usually charge by distance travelled so renting one will cost anything from 40 to 250 RMB usually during off peak seasons. if you get charged more, you have to be really going some place further than TLG or something.

They are really easy to find at the south gate near Hexi/Wangfu Hotel, dime a dozen there. Or check with your inn owner as most of them have a regular driver or 3 they use.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am pleased to hear that minivans are easy to find.

C%26amp;R