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Viking China (Part 2)

BlueDevil75

By BlueDevil75,
in River Cruising

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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted
You should have no problem. The overhead bins were the same size as a lot of US planes. The planes in China were very modern. I'm not sure what they were but they were very similar to a 737 in the US with three seats on each side of the aisle.

 

Agree -- If it would fit overhead on a 737, it will fit overhead on the intra-China flights.

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CTGirl

CTGirl

Posted
Posted (edited)
Thank you for the responses! I am familiar with the planes. 11 pounds is not much!

 

I have been using packing cubes and packing folders, or envelopes and they are really great for keeping things organized.

 

Lauri

No one ever weighed our carryon luggage and ours weighed over the 11 pounds. Edited by CTGirl
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JP1320

JP1320

Posted
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Got our reservation for the Black Sesame Kitchen on November 27th! This is the night we were scheduled for either dinner at the hotel (Westin Chaoyang) or optionally attending the dinner and Chinese Opera performance. I assume we made the right choice? Could not book dinner on the 28th as they only take large parties on Thursdays, 29th did not work as we are flying home that day. Any hints on getting to/from the restaurant from the Westin? Any idea what the total cost is?

 

Hi Greg and Lisa,

 

We are just back from our China cruise/tour. We had also booked for the Friday night special dinner and wine. I booked this back in March and we both looked forward to this evening immensely as we were celebrating our Golden Wedding. As luck would have it our flight from Xi'an to Beijing was delayed and put us into rush hour traffic in Beijing. A decision was made by our Tour Escort to go and take all for an early dinner, which left us having to get a taxi back to the Westin Chaoyang from the city. Our reservation was at 7:00 and we never arrived back to the hotel until 6:15, enough time but no luggage. Alas, our luggage never arrived until 6:50 and in rush hour traffic no way for us to make it for 7:00 or thereabouts, and so we missed a most special evening with the people at the BSK wondering where the special guests where. I have since exchanged very pleasant e-mails with them.

 

So for you, make sure you give yourselves plenty of time, if you get into the Westin handy you might want to leave a little earlier just to give yourselves a bit more time to find the actual location in the Hutongs.

 

Take a taxi from the hotel, contact Mr Howard Hu at the hotel, he is their Sales Manager but he can guide you on going and coming back. Ask amongst your group to see if maybe others are going and then you might be able to not only share a taxi but have some company. You can take the Metro if you are up for a challenge.

 

Have an extra glass of wine as a toast for my wife and I. Tell Michelle that Mr.Daly was asking about her and sends his best regards.:)

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molymoo

molymoo

Posted
Posted
Hi Greg and Lisa,

 

We are just back from our China cruise/tour. We had also booked for the Friday night special dinner and wine. I booked this back in March and we both looked forward to this evening immensely as we were celebrating our Golden Wedding. As luck would have it our flight from Xi'an to Beijing was delayed and put us into rush hour traffic in Beijing. A decision was made by our Tour Escort to go and take all for an early dinner, which left us having to get a taxi back to the Westin Chaoyang from the city. Our reservation was at 7:00 and we never arrived back to the hotel until 6:15, enough time but no luggage. Alas, our luggage never arrived until 6:50 and in rush hour traffic no way for us to make it for 7:00 or thereabouts, and so we missed a most special evening with the people at the BSK wondering where the special guests where. I have since exchanged very pleasant e-mails with them.

 

So for you, make sure you give yourselves plenty of time, if you get into the Westin handy you might want to leave a little earlier just to give yourselves a bit more time to find the actual location in the Hutongs.

 

Take a taxi from the hotel, contact Mr Howard Hu at the hotel, he is their Sales Manager but he can guide you on going and coming back. Ask amongst your group to see if maybe others are going and then you might be able to not only share a taxi but have some company. You can take the Metro if you are up for a challenge.

 

Have an extra glass of wine as a toast for my wife and I. Tell Michelle that Mr.Daly was asking about her and sends his best regards.:)

 

JP ...

 

We have a dinner booked at BSK on our Friday in Beijing too. I worry about timing as one never knows what the day will bring, although we will not be working around flights as it is our next to last night in Beijing. We will be at the Fairmont and are researching the Metro routes but will likely opt for a taxi. I am hoping that someone else from our group might be going as well so we can share the "adventure". Our reservations are for the Friday August 2nd Wine and Dine.

 

Sorry your special dinner didn't come to pass but think of the trip of a lifetime you were able to experience! We leave in less than two weeks and can't wait! :D

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Travel Girl TX

Travel Girl TX

Posted
Posted

We are in Xi'an on the June 30 tour. We were supposed to fly Beijing yesterday, but due to bad weather in Beijing our flight was cancelled after it had been delayed for a few hours.

 

I am very impressed that Viking was able create a new plan for us. We were sent back to the lovely Hilton. We were all talking earlier in the day that we wished we could have spent another night at the hotel and the weather granted our wish. :D. They planned a city walls tour and then a great dinner at Xi'an's top dumpling restaurant which also included a fascinating walk through the Muslim Quarter.

 

Now, it is Tuesday morning and Viking has booked us on the high speed train to Beijing.

 

We are all saying this is why you book with Viking. If something comes up, they handle it professionally and efficiently.

 

Our trip has been incredible and today's train journey will be another fun adventure.

 

Well done, Viking.

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rahrah50

rahrah50

Posted
Posted

Thank you Travel Girl TX. After all the problems in Europe, with the flooding, I was feeling a little stressed about our upcoming China trip with Viking. Your post was just what I needed to read!!!!!

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

Posted
Posted
We are in Xi'an on the June 30 tour. We were supposed to fly Beijing yesterday, but due to bad weather in Beijing our flight was cancelled after it had been delayed for a few hours.

 

I am very impressed that Viking was able create a new plan for us. We were sent back to the lovely Hilton. We were all talking earlier in the day that we wished we could have spent another night at the hotel and the weather granted our wish. :D. They planned a city walls tour and then a great dinner at Xi'an's top dumpling restaurant which also included a fascinating walk through the Muslim Quarter.

 

Now, it is Tuesday morning and Viking has booked us on the high speed train to Beijing.

 

We are all saying this is why you book with Viking. If something comes up, they handle it professionally and efficiently.

 

Our trip has been incredible and today's train journey will be another fun adventure.

 

Well done, Viking.

 

Viking definitely made lemonade out of lemons!

 

I really would have liked another night in Xi'an so we could see the old city walls. And the high speed train sounds like it will be a worthwhile adventure.

 

Thanks for the report -- let us know how the train was! And enjoy Beijing!

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Travel Girl TX

Travel Girl TX

Posted
Posted

The high speed train was an adventure as we hit speeds of 307 kph. We took pictures when the display hit that speed. It was a 5 1/2 hour ride and we arrived in Beijing at 2:20 pm. There was no room for all our luggage so Viking hired a truck to drive our luggage to Beijing.

 

Our guide, Johanna, has worked tirelessly making arrangements while ensuring our safety and Viking's high standards are met. Everyone in our group is so impressed with everything she has done.

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Travel Girl TX

Travel Girl TX

Posted
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We had a fabulous dinner at Black Sesame Kitchen last Wednesday. Thank you to whoever first recommended this restaurant on this thread!

 

Before we left, there was discussion on this thread of how to get there and I mentioned we would try using BSK's directions using the subway. Well, their directions are very good and it is extremely cheap and easy to use the subway. We stayed at the Regent Beijing and we were at BSK in approximately 25 minutes including changing from the 5 to 6 subway line. It cost 2 yuan per person each way. Do not try and use the ticket machines as even the "English" option was confusing. Buy your tickets at the ticket booth. Just slide your money under the divider and show with your fingers how many tickets you want. These tickets are only good for a one way voyage. Buy your return tickets at the Nan Luo Gu Xiang Station via the same method. We spent extra time in the hutong after dinner and the ticket booth was still open at 10:45 p.m.

 

We took the line 6 subway to the Nan Luo Gu Xiang Station. It was more like a 10 - 15 minute walk from the station because the up escalator wasn't working so everyone had to walk up about 60 steps to get to the street and due to the day's heavy rains we were dodging big puddles.

 

Below are some pictures that might help with locating BSK. Walking down the hutong.

DSC_0083_zps0898f2d0.jpg

 

Here is where you take the left turn.

DSC_0093_zps23a97210.jpg

 

The entrance to the courtyard from the street.

DSC_0080_zps8b42b4b8.jpg

 

The red door entrance to BSK.

DSC_0096_zps9a593816.jpg

 

The kitchen and kitchen dining table.

DSC_0097_zps8afe3bca.jpg

 

Our night's menu. Yummy!

DSC_0104_zps2b2e5198.jpg

 

 

Our meal was incredible and we hope to one day visit Beijing again to further explore the city and eat in BSK again.

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

Posted
Posted
We had a fabulous dinner at Black Sesame Kitchen last Wednesday. Thank you to whoever first recommended this restaurant on this thread!

 

 

That was me, two years ago. You are welcome, and it is so great to see so many people loving their meals there!

 

Looking at the menu you posted made me want to go back immediately. Those dumplings were to die for!

 

Truly, I wish Beijing weren't half a world away, for lots of reasons....

 

So glad you are enjoying your trip!

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GoInOnaCruz

GoInOnaCruz

Posted
Posted
That was me, two years ago. You are welcome, and it is so great to see so many people loving their meals there!

 

Looking at the menu you posted made me want to go back immediately. Those dumplings were to die for!

 

Truly, I wish Beijing weren't half a world away, for lots of reasons....

 

So glad you are enjoying your trip!

 

I know I appreciated the recommendation--one of our treasured moments in China. Thanks also to Travel Girl TX and her pictures and also her detailed travel instructions to BSK by subway--wish I had thought to do the same. We didn't get the chance to enjoy the hutong area (and it was lovely) too worried about being late for BSK (and we were there at exactly 7 p.m) and then worried about getting back to Financial Street by taxi. Good thing is we have something to explore WHEN we get back to Beijing someday! :)

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caribill

caribill

Posted
Posted (edited)
I was wondering...and trying to figure out a budget of sorts.....what/where and how much were the various tips you gave during your trip, anyone? When is the tour leader tipped and how much? Just trying to ballpark a number for 12 days :)

 

thanks in advance :)

 

Current tipping guidelines should be in the packet of information you will receive from Viking before your trip.

 

Tour leader usually gets his/her tips the last evening when you return to the hotel after the day of touring. We gave a combination of US$ and Yuan as a way to use up remaining Yuan we had.

 

Ship tips need to be given on board the ship, usually the last evening. When we went there was a place to deposit the tips to be shared by everyone. We put half our tips there and gave the other half to our dining room waitstaff and cabin attendant. (I do not know if they had to share this with the rest of the crew or could keep it.) When we went you could charge the tips in a seperate charge from other shipboard expenses.

 

Local guides and drivers should be tipped at the end of the daily tour.

Edited by caribill
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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

Posted
Posted

Local guides and drivers should be tipped at the end of the daily tour.

 

Just to add to caribill's excellent advice: your Viking tour escort will usually tip you off (no pun intended) about when to tip the bus drivers and local guides (as you might have a driver for more than a day). Our escort would say something like, "And now it's time to say goodbye to [name], who has done such a great job driving us around..."

 

Also, our escort strongly advised us to tip the bus drivers and local guides in RMB, not US dollars (or other currency) because the amounts are relatively small, and also because it's harder for them to exchange foreign currency, particularly in the smaller towns along the river. (The escorts themselves will happily take whatever currency you have, as caribill noted above.)

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Travel Girl TX

Travel Girl TX

Posted
Posted
That was me, two years ago. You are welcome, and it is so great to see so many people loving their meals there!

 

Looking at the menu you posted made me want to go back immediately. Those dumplings were to die for!

 

Truly, I wish Beijing weren't half a world away, for lots of reasons....

 

So glad you are enjoying your trip!

 

THANK YOU, Turtles06 for the BSK recommendation!!!

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Peregrina651 "Live from...." Rare

Peregrina651

Posted
Posted
Travel Girl TX Thank you again for wonderful information!!! Several in our group were wondering about laundry cost and I was very interested in the fabrics and tailor.

 

Laundry prices are also available on the Viking website for all of the Viking itineraries.

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