We used a fantastic tour company I can PM you with the name if you want. We sent them our passports to get visas and they were returned stamped up within a week. had our own driver and car and tour guide in both Zian and Bejing. did loads more then I posted like forbidden city -great goose pagoda- temple of heaven-= no end of palaces etc etc. Even had a 16 course meal in on of the palaces all in gold leaf inside and a top theatre show in Zian just to name a couple more, the bell tower and drum tower in Zian with drum show in the drum tower (both used to tell the time to the inhabitants). Of course not forgetting a tea ceremony and tours around pearl-jade and silk companies ( wife given a small seed pearl) All i can say its definately worth going,but watch out some tour companies don't take you out to the mountains to experience the great wall as in the photos. Some only do a coach trip where you step out of the coach straight onto the wall,best to check out first and avoid, which is why i would highly recommend this company to book with.