I don’t think it was too expensive. But it made the Forbidden City and Great Wall a lot more interesting and enjoyable.

I would actually look for a local travel agent with experience booking things in China. Give them a budget and what kind of a trip you want to do, plus any concerns, and see what they can come up with. I can guarantee it will be smoother and more organized than anything you can come up with yourself and they will keep it within budget.