The trip was excellent with a well-planned itinerary that was both relaxing and enjoyable. Special thanks were given to the assistant for detailed explanations and to the guide/driver/photographer, Xiao Ma, for his professional, thoughtful, and caring service throughout.
However, the pre-arranged transfer on the first day was highly inefficient. My original hotel and the pre-booked tour hotel were only about 20 steps apart. Instead of simply directing me to walk over, I was made to wait for 30 minutes for a guide to escort me that short distance. Furthermore, the tour hotel, "Secret [Something]" (advertised as 4-star), operated more like a 2-star property. Smoking was pervasive in the lobby, and my room had a severe privacy issue: the window opened onto an internal corridor that, despite supposedly being locked, was accessible to strangers who peered into my room.
Also, do check if you need to pay for Rmb 2k/pax as deposit and rmb 280/pax for clothing/helmet/gloves including turtles