Planning a trip to China for early June '08. I've been there a couple of times already, so I know what to expect. I will be with local friends for the most part of the trip, with the exception of Chengdu, which we plan to visit for a few days. Hopefully, we'll get to take in some of the outlying sites (Leshan and/or Emeishan, the Panda breeding center). I'm hoping to arrange my hotel and excursions once I get there. My question is two-fold:
1) Any reason to suspect that things will be extremely busy or booked-up at that time either because of tourist seasonality, or because of the Olympics (which, I know, aren't happening until August)?
2) Is there a trusted local touring agency I can contact when we get there to arrange for tours and guides? Or should I reserve a local guide's time online beforehand? If so, does anyone know a local guide?
