Viking China (Part 2)

[Peregrina651]

I know that there has been some discussion on this thread as to which direction itinerary is best' date=' Beijing to Shanghai or Shanghai to Beijing. The fact that each person believes his itinerary is best indicates that both are fine. I was on the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary, and I'd like to point out some of what I see as advantages, although others might disagree.

 

[/quote']

 

I wholeheartedly agree with the slow start after the long flights. I don't think I could have landed in Beijing and then done four days of non-stop touring.

 

Another difference is that starting in Shanghai, you get to see the pandas at the Chingqing Zoo before heading to the airport while starting in Beijing, you are taken to the hutongs.

 

We chose to see the pandas and the store in the zoo where they sell original works of art (where we found a beautiful, bucolic pastoral scene with the gorges in the background, painted on rice paper in the traditional style. We knew in advance that this would be our big splurge souvenir. While everyone else sat and listened to the calligraphy demo, we browsed the artwork on the wall).

[Chloe's mom]

On our April 2014 trip, there wasn't a calligraphy demonstraton at the gift shop in the Chongqing Zoo. Rather, we were taken to see the pandas, and then were given free time to look at other animals. We were supposed to meet up at the gift shop, but because it was raining and unpleasant, most of us left the zoo early and went to the buses. Also, I heard that some who did the Beijing to Shanghai itinerary were able to visit the zoo in Chongqing, it all depended on flight schedules.

 

Although the Viking itinerary says that those going in the Shanghai to Beijing direction don't get to visit a hutong, that wasn't the case for the April 26 tour. We all arrived in Beijing from Xi'an early enough to go to the hutong, have a rickshaw ride, see the Drum Tower and visit a place selling tea. I'm not sure if visiting the hutong was an exception, or whether, because the tour now spends two nights in Xi'an, they can arrange morning flights that give passengers the extra afternoon in Beijing.

[Bruin Steve]

Although the Viking itinerary says that those going in the Shanghai to Beijing direction don't get to visit a hutong' date=' that wasn't the case for the April 26 tour. We all arrived in Beijing from Xi'an early enough to go to the hutong, have a rickshaw ride, see the Drum Tower and visit a place selling tea. I'm not sure if visiting the hutong was an exception, or whether, because the tour now spends two nights in Xi'an, they can arrange morning flights that give passengers the extra afternoon in Beijing.[/quote']

 

What it now says in the itinerary under Day 4 is this:

 

Today tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.† Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. After lunch, fly to Xian...

†Rickshaw tour only available on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.

 

So, it's not a morning flight, but one after lunch. Be that as it may, I am guessing the tour itinerary may have changed since you did it...and they are likely not including a Rickshaw Tour in the Shanghai to Beijing direction...

 

Even so, that's not why I booked mine in the Beijing to Shanghai direction.

My general theory on cruisetours is that I want to get the more exhausting stuff over with first. At the start of a trip, I have more energy...and, later, I want to slow down and relax more. This is why, for my Alaska cruisetour, I chose to do the land portion first and the southbound Seward to Vancouver. Of course, since I enjoy relaxation, we also tacked on two hotel nights in Vancouver at the end...

 

For this one, we have a "forced overnight" in Beijing anyway...So I have a day to relax a little before the serious touring starts...and, by the time we get to the ship, I'll be ready to stay in one place for five nights...Of course, for us, the river cruise really works out to be the middle section of the tour as, after the cruise, we have the two nights in Shanghai followed by a night in Guilin and three in Hong Kong...So, it's really six nights of hotels followed by five on the ship followed by six in hotels. I think that timing wourks out quite nicely...or at least I hope...I'll know for sure in a few weeks.

[Chloe's mom]

What it now says in the itinerary under Day 4 is this:

 

Today tour Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.† Discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life. After lunch, fly to Xian...

†Rickshaw tour only available on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.

 

So, it's not a morning flight, but one after lunch. Be that as it may, I am guessing the tour itinerary may have changed since you did it...and they are likely not including a Rickshaw Tour in the Shanghai to Beijing direction...

 

 

Just to be clear, I just did the tour, starting on April 26 in Shanghai. The itinerary you are quoting from the Viking website refers to the tour that begins in Beijing. I was pointing out that, although the Viking website indicates that there is no visit to the hutong when going in the Shanghai to Beijing direction, on our tour we did indeed visit the hutong and had a rickshaw ride. This was after flying to Beijing from Xi'an.

 

As for when one wishes to have the relaxing part of the trip, that is obviously a point of personal preference. Clearly passengers differ on this, on everyone seems to think that whichever direction they chose is the better one.

[Bruin Steve]

Just to be clear' date=' I just did the tour, starting on April 26 in Shanghai. The itinerary you are quoting from the Viking website refers to the tour that begins in Beijing. I was pointing out that, although the Viking website indicates that there is no visit to the hutong when going in the Shanghai to Beijing direction, on our tour we did indeed visit the hutong and had a rickshaw ride. This was after flying to Beijing from Xi'an.[/quote']

 

Sorry, I lost track a little on who I was answering and that you just did this...

 

But I guess more to the point is that it doesn't say that the Hutongs are not included in the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary, rather that the "Rickshaw Tour" is not included...

 

Was your rickshaw ride included? Or something you just paid a little extra for while you were there? I am assuming, from the description on the website, that the Rickshaw Tour is only "included" on the Beijing to Shanghai direction...

[Turtles06]

Was your rickshaw ride included? Or something you just paid a little extra for while you were there? I am assuming, from the description on the website, that the Rickshaw Tour is only "included" on the Beijing to Shanghai direction...

 

Three years ago when we took Imperial Jewels from Beijing to Shanghai, the rickshaw ride was a ride through the hutongs (no extra payment, this is part of the Viking itinerary); our group was then dropped off at the home of the family that Viking had arranged for us to visit in the hutongs. It was a very special experience.

 

I'm sure it's great to see pandas in China, and I would have liked to have seen them there, but I've seen pandas in the U.S. and the hutongs are only in China. :) My way of saying that, for us at least, the hutong visit was a plus for starting in Beijing. But far more important in our deciding to start in Beijing was that we wanted to spend several extra days there, and do it on the front end of our trip, when we were "freshest." We find that by the end of a tour or cruise, tacking on additional days doesn't work as well for us as having that extra time at the beginning. I realize there's no correct answer to "which direction is best." :)

[caribill]

Thinking over that "torrential rain" comment once more, it finally occurred to me..."Umbrellas?"

 

 

So, I guess I should probably buy a couple of umbrellas...

 

I went on line looking...and it's all danged confusing...So many choices, so many bad reviews...

 

I personally found the small lightweight umbrella to be useful' date=' even if it is flimsier and won't last indefinitely.

 

[/quote']

 

 

$1.00 each +tax at the local Dollar Store.

 

No review searching needed.

[Chloe's mom]

Even though a visit to the hutong is not listed on the Viking website for the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary, in April 2014 we did stop at a hutong on the way from the Beijing Airport to our hotel in Beijing. We had a rickshaw ride, visited a place where they offered us various types of tea (near the Drum Tower), and visited a home in the hutong owned by a family, although the family itself does not actually live there any more. The woman from that family who showed us the property answered any questions we had about living in the residence and the family's history. There was no additional fee for any of this.

 

It is speculation on my part, but the fact that the tour now includes two nights in Xi'an, so that passengers don't see the terra cotta warriors in the morning and then must necessarily take an afternoon flight to Beijing, may be the reason that there is now time for the hutong visit on the afternoon that the group arrives in Beijing. I imagine that Viking can't guarantee that they will be able to arrange morning flights from Xi'an to Beijing for everyone, and therefore they may not want to list the hutong visit as a definite part of the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary.

[SharonN]

Even though a visit to the hutong is not listed on the Viking website for the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary' date=' in April 2014 we did stop at a hutong on the way from the Beijing Airport to our hotel in Beijing. We had a rickshaw ride, visited a place where they offered us various types of tea (near the Drum Tower), and visited a home in the hutong owned by a family, although the family itself does not actually live there any more. The woman from that family who showed us the property answered any questions we had about living in the residence and the family's history. There was no additional fee for any of this.

 

It is speculation on my part, but the fact that the tour now includes two nights in Xi'an, so that passengers don't see the terra cotta warriors in the morning and then must necessarily take an afternoon flight to Beijing, may be the reason that there is now time for the hutong visit on the afternoon that the group arrives in Beijing. I imagine that Viking can't guarantee that they will be able to arrange morning flights from Xi'an to Beijing for everyone, and therefore they may not want to list the hutong visit as a definite part of the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary.[/quote']

 

We were on the April 16th Shanghai to Beijing Tour and did get to take the Hutong Tour when we arrived in Beijing on the way to the Hotel. Our Tour Escort told us they have added this tour because they had many requests to do so. Some things do get changed along the way because of the flight schedules. Out of the 7 buses on our trip only 2 made it to Wuhan in time for the Museum and Bell Concert.

[sisterpower]

Welcome back to the forum SharonN just want to say I followed your blog and greatly enjoyed & appreciated it alot of great information. My sister and I will be doing the Beijing to Shanghai trip on July 7th, just wondering if you were able to see the "Summer Palace"? was it even offered? some on the forum are saying they are being told not to take the optional tour.

[Carol From California]

Even though a visit to the hutong is not listed on the Viking website for the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary' date=' in April 2014 we did stop at a hutong on the way from the Beijing Airport to our hotel in Beijing. We had a rickshaw ride, visited a place where they offered us various types of tea (near the Drum Tower), and visited a home in the hutong owned by a family, although the family itself does not actually live there any more. The woman from that family who showed us the property answered any questions we had about living in the residence and the family's history. There was no additional fee for any of this.

 

It is speculation on my part, but the fact that the tour now includes two nights in Xi'an, so that passengers don't see the terra cotta warriors in the morning and then must necessarily take an afternoon flight to Beijing, may be the reason that there is now time for the hutong visit on the afternoon that the group arrives in Beijing. I imagine that Viking can't guarantee that they will be able to arrange morning flights from Xi'an to Beijing for everyone, and therefore they may not want to list the hutong visit as a definite part of the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary.[/quote']

 

We were also on the Shanghai to Beijing itinerary (April 16) and we saw the same things you mentioned above. Rickshaw ride, visit to Hutong's, stop at a family residence, Bell tower and tea demonstration. We also saw the Panda's at the zoo.

[SharonN]

Welcome back to the forum SharonN just want to say I followed your blog and greatly enjoyed & appreciated it alot of great information. My sister and I will be doing the Beijing to Shanghai trip on July 7th, just wondering if you were able to see the "Summer Palace"? was it even offered? some on the forum are saying they are being told not to take the optional tour.

 

The Summer Palace Tour was optional and our Tour Escort didn't discourage or encourage us to take the tour just warned us it was a bit of a walk especially after a morning tour. We decided it would be too much for us. There were 4 people in our group that took the tour and they seemed to enjoy it. The choice for all the optional tours had to be made early in the trip (on the way to the boat from Shanghai) which made it a bit harder to decide.

 

Glad you enjoyed the Blog. John does get a bit detailed :) but we enjoy doing it and having the information to review later is always nice for us too. Hope you have a great trip in July!

[Going Coastal]

To Sharon N,

Sorry I did not catch it before, but would be very interested in your blog.

Could you please tell me where to find it?

Thanks so much.

 

 

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[caribill]

To Sharon N,

Sorry I did not catch it before, but would be very interested in your blog.

Could you please tell me where to find it?

Thanks so much.

 

 

 

http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China...og-838323.html

[Going Coastal]

Thank you so much, caribill.

 

 

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[Bruin Steve]

We received our documents in the mail today...

Very impressive little packet...very nice case, usable later for an iPad case...nice printed booklets...a couple of luggage tags, two stickers--to wear, I gather, when we arrive at the airport in Beijing so they can pick us out of the crowd...

(Bringing up the question: how and where at the airport do we find THEM?)...

 

...and two lanyards with personalized ID name tags...

 

Only one BIG problem: they have my wife's name wrong!

Her name is correct in the document booklet...and on every other bit of correspondence..."Beth"...simple...

 

But the ID tag says "Heather"...

 

Now, Beth likes the name Heather...We named one of our daughters Heather...We spoke to Heather tonight and told her about it...and we all agreed that we guess she gets to go now!

 

Aside from that strange occurrence, one of the other things we learned is the identity of our. Hotels in Guilin and Hong Kong...

We will be staying at the Shangri-La Guilin and at the Shangri-La Kowloon Hong Kong...both seem to get excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com. most importance to us is the hotel location in Hong Kong since we have so much free time there. Anyone know about the location of this hotel? Good?

 

Only a little over three weeks to go now...I'm looking forward to it...Beth just hopes she can go!

[caribill]

two stickers--to wear, I gather, when we arrive at the airport in Beijing so they can pick us out of the crowd...

(Bringing up the question: how and where at the airport do we find THEM?)...

After you have retrieved your luggage and exited customs, you will find them (or they will find you).

 

 

 

We will be staying at the Shangri-La Guilin and at the Shangri-La Kowloon Hong Kong...both seem to get excellent reviews on tripadvisor.com. most importance to us is the hotel location in Hong Kong since we have so much free time there. Anyone know about the location of this hotel? Good?

 

It is on the mainland (Hong Kong Island is just a Star Ferry ride away). I think the lovcation is good, only a couple of blocks from Nathan Road (the main shopping street) and about three blocks from the Star Ferry.

 

Only a little over three weeks to go now...I'm looking forward to it...

 

Have a great trip.

[SharonN]

We received our documents in the mail today...

 

Only one BIG problem: they have my wife's name wrong!

Her name is correct in the document booklet...and on every other bit of correspondence..."Beth"...simple...

 

But the ID tag says "Heather"...

 

Now, Beth likes the name Heather...We named one of our daughters Heather...We spoke to Heather tonight and told her about it...and we all agreed that we guess she gets to go now!

 

Only a little over three weeks to go now...I'm looking forward to it...Beth just hopes she can go!

 

 

Our escorts gave us different name tags when we arrived and the ones in the package were never used. The new ones had our Escorts name in the corner and his cellphone # on the back (in case we got separated from the group) so your wife shouldn't have to change her name. We did get to tease my husband the whole trip since he was the only one who put his last name on his.

[Going Coastal]

Bruin Steve,

That is the hotel that is behind the Peninsula, which is behind the Salisbury. Great location! The ferry is at the bottom of the slope in front of the Salisbury and the museum and art complex is to one side. Have a wonderful trip.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Going Coastal

[Going Coastal]

Sorry, Bruin Steve, I tried to edit but it is not showing up here. Anyway, the hotel is in a great place.

 

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[Lola911]

We are ROOF OF THE WORLD October 3rd - Shanghai to Beijing. I booked a private guide in Beijing to go to the Zoo b/c I thought we would not see pandas. I am now reading that you have been taken to see the pandas. Am I understanding correctly? Thanks

[Chloe's mom]

I was on Imperial Jewels, and we saw pandas in Chongqing after we disembarked the ship and before we flew to Xi'an. I don't know whether you will see pandas doing Roof of the World, I assume that it may depend on your flight. I suggest you contact Viking. However, if you have free time in Beijing I strongly suggest that you use a private guide, it's very hard to do things on your own because of the language issue, and with a guide you will save time getting to the sights, our private guide was extremely helpful, even with little things. For example, she knew that some taxis didn't use meters, and would overcharge terribly. Also, she was very good at bargaining in the Silk Market and the Pearl Market, and got us prices that we would never have gotten on our own.

[Lola911]

I was on Imperial Jewels' date=' and we saw pandas in Chongqing after we disembarked the ship and before we flew to Xi'an. I don't know whether you will see pandas doing Roof of the World, I assume that it may depend on your flight. I suggest you contact Viking. However, if you have free time in Beijing I strongly suggest that you use a private guide, it's very hard to do things on your own because of the language issue, and with a guide you will save time getting to the sights, our private guide was extremely helpful, even with little things. For example, she knew that some taxis didn't use meters, and would overcharge terribly. Also, she was very good at bargaining in the Silk Market and the Pearl Market, and got us prices that we would never have gotten on our own.[/quote']

 

Our guide suggested going to Pearl Factory, but I have pearls and don't wear what I have. Are we missing out? We are staying an extra day on our own and this what she has planned. Sound good?

 

9:00 am start at hotel

Beijing zoo /pandas

Temple of heaven

Lunch

Lama temple

Hutong walk

Wangfujing night food market & downtown (4:30 pm start -10:00 pm)

Back to hotel

 

I have a feeling that those of us flying to Lhasa, Tibet will not see the pandas. I will double-check with Viking.

[Chloe's mom]

The Pearl Factory is not just for pearls. The bottom floors reminded me of a flea market, with lots of stalls selling counterfeit products, like fake Mont Blanc Pens and Rolex watches and I-phone accessories, as well as ties and robes. They even had places that would make prescription glasses, using counterfeit brand name frames like Oakley and Chanel. If you need to buy inexpensive gifts you could do so here, or at the Silk Market. I understand that there are also reputable shops for pearls on the upper floors, but if you don't want more pearls I wouldn't make an effort to shop for them here. Frankly, I would rather pay more at a shop at home for pearls that I would know are genuine and of high quality. And I would suggest that anyone who wants to buy expensive pearls in China should educate himself/herself about pearls and their quality and have an idea of comparative cost. And that they buy expensive pearls only from a shop that they know is reputable, preferably by getting a recommendation from someone they trust.

Will write separate post about your proposed schedule.

[Chloe's mom]

If you want to see pandas, then you should go to the zoo. Also, a friend who was in China some years ago recommended it because of the reaction of the Chinese visitors, they will look at Westerners at the zoo as being exotic.

I would definitely visit the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and the hutong. The Temple of Heaven is located in a large park where many Chinese go each day as their social activity. When we were there we saw a woman teaching Chinese opera, a kung fu demonstration, a chorus singing patriotic songs, gymnastics, line dancing and rap dancing. The Temple of Heaven itself has two building complexes, where the emperor would go to do the summer and autumn sacrifices to the God of Heaven.

The Lama Temple is a Buddhist temple with five buildings having statues of the Buddha in each, with the last one having a huge and very impressive statue. Most of the people there were actually worshipping, I found the place to have a very spiritual feeling.

The hutongs are the old neighborhoods of Beijing, two story courtyard houses and very narrow streets. You can take a rickshaw ride here. The Drum Tower is in one of the hutongs, so you can see that as well.

We went to the night food market, there are two parts to it that are separated by a few blocks. One has live animals that are cooked in front of you. I saw scorpions on a skewer that, if someone wanted to eat them, would be put in boiling water or oil, I didn't check carefully. I'm not a fan of scorpions, but I was disgusted by the idea of torturing them, they were squirming on the skewer and I assume were in pain. The more regular food part of the market also had some odd items, like frogs, but they were already cooked.

The food market is only to look at, you rist getting very ill if you eat the food. The stalls go on for a few blocks. I had had enough after half a block. The food market is listed in all the guide books, so I guess it's a tourist sight, but I wouldn't have regretted missing it.

If you are seriously thinking about doing a tour from 900 am until 10:00 pm I think you will be exhausted, at least it would be way too much touring for me.