I would like to start by saying that I think Silk Road is a professionaly run operator.
The vehicle transfer arrived on time in a modern ( SUV ) vehicle. The driver was courteous and displayed care in his driving. I can not speak highly enough of the guide, ( Yubei, this is my phonetic spelling of her name ) was friendly, chatty, informative and engaging and it was her contribution that made the evening an enjoyable and memorable occasion.
The problem is the price at $AUS180 per head for two, and considering the price doesn't include any drinks or snacks, it is a bit pricey for an event that takes approximately one hour twenty minutes.
I can offer as a comparison a tour we did in Hong Kong with Gray Line.
This tour also had Hotel transfer with tour guide and included among other things;
a) visit to Man Mo temple
b) ride on the Peak Tram
c) Dim Sum lunch
d) visit to Stanley Market
All at a cost of $AUS146 per head for two.
Having said that, I will say again that the Pearl River cruise was an enjoyable experience, and offer thanks to the staff we met.
I understand that as a Tourist. no matter where you go in the world, their is a cost associated with being a tourist but seeking value for money is not a crime.
I feel that if they knocked, say $80 off this particular tour, I could easily give it a 5 star rating.