Lots of Questions on Asia/China

[Bruin Steve]

First...I have been all over Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, North America, Hawaii, North Africa, the Middle East...but have never been to the "Far East" and China...

 

But every time we see a show on China on TV, my wife says we have to go...

 

Of course, there are problems with that...Why we have yet to go...

My wife works for a school district and her vacations are limited to Spring Break, Winter Break and Summer Vacation...Spring Break is far too short (1 week) to go much of anywhere far from home...Winter break always conflicts with family commitments...That leaves Summer...Since she has to stay a week after the kids' term ends and has to be back a week early, our typical Summer vacation window...at least until she retires which is likely 12-15 years off still...means July and the first three weeks of August...

 

From what I can tell, this is absolutely the WRONG time of year to attempt to visit China...Temperatures in the 90s, 90% humidity and high chance of rain, correct?

 

Now, our typical vacation is a cruise...but major cruise lines typically do not have cruises to China in July/August...I know Princess had one a few years back--like Singapore to Beijing in July...but that, from all I can tell, is rare...

 

And, we do have our vacations booked for next summer already, so this is all really long term thinking ahead--like for the Summer of 2011...

 

Which, if we were actually going to attempt it, might mean doing one of those packaged tours--all something like Beijing to Xi'an, river cruise down the Yangtze for a few nights, then Shanghai, down to Hong Kong and fly home...usually like 10-16 nights...

 

Here is where it gets confusing...There must be hundreds of companies appearing to offer these...the prices seem to range from "Dirt cheap" to danged expensive...and nothing appears to be "apples and apples"...Some seem to include everything--from airfare from LAX to all meals to guided tours most every day with all transportation, tips, etc. Others seem to quote prices that don't include all transportation--or any transportation for that matter (Tauck--which is supposed to be really good makes a note that airfare from point to point DURING their tours is NOT included)...

 

And then all of the different tour companies appear to load you on to the same few river boats for the cruise portion...Is this part all basically the same no matter who you use? And, of course, some tours give you 3 nights on the boat, some 4, some 6...Are these boats just like floating hotels?

 

I am assuming there could be major differences in these tours depending on who you use...

I would be looking for VALUE...not the lowest price, not the absolute best quality...but the best quality for the most reasonable price...

 

I guess I would prefer to have as much included as possible...I don't want to deal with arranging my own tours or dealing with tips...I sort of want to be taken care of...But I also don't want to end up on a tour bus with all octogenarians...I know my wife, especially, would like to be on tours with others in their 40s and 50s...

 

I also have some apprehension about finding myself in less than four or five star hotels

 

So, how would one navigate through the maze of what is out there? Can anyone recommend any companies that might fit our needs?

 

Thanks...

[Jade13]

Steve, check out China Highlights that Greatam and others recommend here. I am waiting for a quote for a day in Bejing but will likely use them. Looking at their website I already want to go back.

 

With that said, if you want to book a package land tour look at Abercrombie & Kent. We had to use them for Antarctica for the dates/ship we wanted and with just the little bit I saw pre and post cruise I now understand the service you are paying for. We have never experianced service like that. Going on a SilverSeas cruise (Arctic) after that was just a disappointment. Also, A&K told me they own the Yantze ship that they use. Also, my parents have used Tauck in Canada and said they were first class. I have looked at their web site (for Peru) and they seem to show the land plus internal air costs so you can see a full price.

 

Btw, I meant to go back to the West Coast board and thank you for your LA advise. It was great and we enjoyed out stay at the Langham. We had an easy drive to San Diego in the car pool lane and haven't experienced that in any other city for such a long stretch. You recommended a restaurant that I enjoyed although was too full from the Club Level food at the Langham.

 

http://www.abercrombiekent.com/travel/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_itinerary&tid=4169

 

I just looked this up for you. My DH wants to use them for Africa even if we need to save for 2011.

[alanmal]

First...I have been all over Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, North America, Hawaii, North Africa, the Middle East...but have never been to the "Far East" and China...

 

But every time we see a show on China on TV, my wife says we have to go...

 

Of course, there are problems with that...Why we have yet to go...

My wife works for a school district and her vacations are limited to Spring Break, Winter Break and Summer Vacation...Spring Break is far too short (1 week) to go much of anywhere far from home...Winter break always conflicts with family commitments...That leaves Summer...Since she has to stay a week after the kids' term ends and has to be back a week early, our typical Summer vacation window...at least until she retires which is likely 12-15 years off still...means July and the first three weeks of August...

 

From what I can tell, this is absolutely the WRONG time of year to attempt to visit China...Temperatures in the 90s, 90% humidity and high chance of rain, correct?

 

Now, our typical vacation is a cruise...but major cruise lines typically do not have cruises to China in July/August...I know Princess had one a few years back--like Singapore to Beijing in July...but that, from all I can tell, is rare...

 

And, we do have our vacations booked for next summer already, so this is all really long term thinking ahead--like for the Summer of 2011...

 

Which, if we were actually going to attempt it, might mean doing one of those packaged tours--all something like Beijing to Xi'an, river cruise down the Yangtze for a few nights, then Shanghai, down to Hong Kong and fly home...usually like 10-16 nights...

 

Here is where it gets confusing...There must be hundreds of companies appearing to offer these...the prices seem to range from "Dirt cheap" to danged expensive...and nothing appears to be "apples and apples"...Some seem to include everything--from airfare from LAX to all meals to guided tours most every day with all transportation, tips, etc. Others seem to quote prices that don't include all transportation--or any transportation for that matter (Tauck--which is supposed to be really good makes a note that airfare from point to point DURING their tours is NOT included)...

 

And then all of the different tour companies appear to load you on to the same few river boats for the cruise portion...Is this part all basically the same no matter who you use? And, of course, some tours give you 3 nights on the boat, some 4, some 6...Are these boats just like floating hotels?

 

I am assuming there could be major differences in these tours depending on who you use...

I would be looking for VALUE...not the lowest price, not the absolute best quality...but the best quality for the most reasonable price...

 

I guess I would prefer to have as much included as possible...I don't want to deal with arranging my own tours or dealing with tips...I sort of want to be taken care of...But I also don't want to end up on a tour bus with all octogenarians...I know my wife, especially, would like to be on tours with others in their 40s and 50s...

 

I also have some apprehension about finding myself in less than four or five star hotels

 

So, how would one navigate through the maze of what is out there? Can anyone recommend any companies that might fit our needs?

 

Thanks...

 

 

Have you looked at Viking River Cruises for the Orient. Did the Beijing to Bangkok 4 years ago. They do not offer Bangkok anymore but they have 3 or 4 others that are almost the same. We had a great time and everything was included except tips for the main guide.

[chipmaster]

China/Asia is a really neat place, not for everyone but for one that wants to see how the next great super power lives its a must visit.

 

Like you we have constraints to travel and always end up traveling at peak time or as you noted to the far east in the hot summer. I won't kid you its hot often 90+ and humid, so very uncomfortable by California standardards, but if you are from the deep south nothing you won't be unfamilar with. Not sure what your age/health are but those would be things to consider for certain activities. We have done the far east now twice in two years with inlaw/parents during the supposed nasty summer conditions and had a blast, YMMV.

 

If you do China try to do it in early summer before July, as the crowds due to local Chinese is much less. After July forget it the Great Wall, Forbidden Palace, etc. will be crawling with local countrymen on vacation too. It will still be "hot" but at least the crowds more reasonable.

 

Like all popular tourst places tours are offered by many some good and some not. The difference in price is a combo of what is included ( Tips, meals, entrance fees etc.) and quality ( big new bus/van, 5 star hotel, touristy resturant or high end etc. ). You can imagine a tour thru your local town can have a price tag between transportation, accomidations and eating to vary by 100%, and that is the same with the tour packages.

 

In major cities chinese cities like Beijing, less so Shanghai you'll like have very very very good accomidations. Xi'an and Gualin are less developed and the hotels there will be more run down unless you spend a pretty penny for the newest 5 star.

 

We has used a US based tour agency Rtiz (http://www.ritztours.com/) twice now with good luck. They cater more to chinese/english speaking tour but their pricing and hotel I'd say are very good and after two rounds with them can say we get 4 star + hotels and reasonable meals. I think they are "value" not Ritz-Carlton and not budget either. We felt pampered in the major city hotels and in the smaller cities they use former 5 star hotels that are more 4 star now, but terrific value. They are flexible and allow you to upgrade accomidations etc. for a price. You can peruse their web site to get a feeling for pricing/accomidations that this middle class family enjoyed mutiple times :D

 

Happy planning!

[chipmaster]

 

.....

 

Which, if we were actually going to attempt it, might mean doing one of those packaged tours--all something like Beijing to Xi'an, river cruise down the Yangtze for a few nights, then Shanghai, down to Hong Kong and fly home...usually like 10-16 nights...

 

And then all of the different tour companies appear to load you on to the same few river boats for the cruise portion...Is this part all basically the same no matter who you use? And, of course, some tours give you 3 nights on the boat, some 4, some 6...Are these boats just like floating hotels?

 

.....

 

Thanks...

 

For a first visit I would avoid any tour that spends a lot of time or is cruise ship driven. China is huge and many of the very best sites are not port/revier friendly, not to say you can't have a good time on a cruise/river tour.

 

Here is the tour we took ( san HK ) which was 99% all inclusive with very nice hotels in Beijing, Shanghai, and ~ 4 star in Gualin and Xi'an

 

http://www.ritztours.com/tourPackage/asiatours/Majestic-China-Panorama-15-Days.html

 

Cheers

[globetrecker]

China/Asia is a really neat place, not for everyone but for one that wants to see how the next great super power lives its a must visit.

 

Like you we have constraints to travel and always end up traveling at peak time or as you noted to the far east in the hot summer. I won't kid you its hot often 90+ and humid, so very uncomfortable by California standardards, but if you are from the deep south nothing you won't be unfamilar with. Not sure what your age/health are but those would be things to consider for certain activities. We have done the far east now twice in two years with inlaw/parents during the supposed nasty summer conditions and had a blast, YMMV.

 

If you do China try to do it in early summer before July, as the crowds due to local Chinese is much less. After July forget it the Great Wall, Forbidden Palace, etc. will be crawling with local countrymen on vacation too. It will still be "hot" but at least the crowds more reasonable.

 

Like all popular tourst places tours are offered by many some good and some not. The difference in price is a combo of what is included ( Tips, meals, entrance fees etc.) and quality ( big new bus/van, 5 star hotel, touristy resturant or high end etc. ). You can imagine a tour thru your local town can have a price tag between transportation, accomidations and eating to vary by 100%, and that is the same with the tour packages.

 

In major cities chinese cities like Beijing, less so Shanghai you'll like have very very very good accomidations. Xi'an and Gualin are less developed and the hotels there will be more run down unless you spend a pretty penny for the newest 5 star.

 

We has used a US based tour agency Rtiz (http://www.ritztours.com/) twice now with good luck. They cater more to chinese/english speaking tour but their pricing and hotel I'd say are very good and after two rounds with them can say we get 4 star + hotels and reasonable meals. I think they are "value" not Ritz-Carlton and not budget either. We felt pampered in the major city hotels and in the smaller cities they use former 5 star hotels that are more 4 star now, but terrific value. They are flexible and allow you to upgrade accomidations etc. for a price. You can peruse their web site to get a feeling for pricing/accomidations that this middle class family enjoyed mutiple times :D

 

Happy planning!

 

 

Thanks for the advice we've always wanted to travel to China but haven't planned a trip yet because of the time constraints. What time of year would you recommend traveling to China?

[chipmaster]

Thanks for the advice we've always wanted to travel to China but haven't planned a trip yet because of the time constraints. What time of year would you recommend traveling to China?

 

From a crowds and pricing point of view before June and after August will be good. I can never vacation travel during these times as I got kids to include for another decade or so...

 

As to weather spring and fall are best from weather point of view. Depending on where you visit as China is huge Spring can come later and Fall later from a temperature point of view. Dalian versus HK for example. Unless seeing the festivities is part of the vacation I'd avoid Chinese New Year.

 

Happy planning

[jstducky]

I will also second the recommendation for Ritz Tours. I have used them once, my parents twice. I have recommended them to a co-worker who used them and would recommend them again as well.

 

They arrange for everything for you, including airfare from LAX, the majority of meals, a guide that escorts you through the length of your tour, another guide that is licensed for each city that you visit, all transportation (including flights within the country), lodging, transfers, baggage handling, etc.

 

All of their guides speak excellent English.

 

When I took the tour, the majority of the people on the tour (of about 40 people) were from California. Ritz Tours is actually based out of Alhambra and Monterey Park.

 

Check out their website. You can do just a land based tour, or combine a land tour with a cruise down the Yangtze River (they contract with Viking Cruises)

[dino2067]

So, how would one navigate through the maze of what is out there? Can anyone recommend any companies that might fit our needs?

 

Steve,

 

Since you are in the early stages of figuring out what you want, here are a couple of links I ran across in my research that might prove helpful in yours:

 

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/02/adventure-ratings-text

(The above has a great search feature to narrow down choices based upon your chosen criteria)

 

http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/501212

(The above also has tips on hiring a travel specialist and when to use them along with user reviews)

 

While my husband and I tend to enjoy and easily do the “DIY, roads less traveled” type of adventures when traveling in Europe, I am much less inclined to do so in parts of Asia thus my own investigation into pre and post cruise tours along with private day tours that aren’t the normal touristy type options on our upcoming cruise in March.

 

While I have been fortunate in locating tour operators that suit our needs in most of the seven countries we will visit, China in particular had been a challenge for me in locating a tour operator that offered a unique experience without the penchant of dining in government-run restaurants and shopping in subpar state-run souvenir stores (most companies’ guides get kickbacks for steering travelers to them). Example…we will be in Beijing for 5 days post cruise with one of the sites on our list to visit being the Great Wall. Instead of visiting the more commonly known (and potentially more crowded) sections of the Great Wall, we will be doing a hike from Xiangtun Village to the remote Longquanyu section of the Great Wall.

 

Will you pay more for the type of experience you seek?…possibly, but when you do locate a tour operator that “fits” your parameters you will know it.

 

Kathleen

[Jade13]

Example…we will be in Beijing for 5 days post cruise with one of the sites on our list to visit being the Great Wall. Instead of visiting the more commonly known (and potentially more crowded) sections of the Great Wall, we will be doing a hike from Xiangtun Village to the remote Longquanyu section of the Great Wall.

 

Will you pay more for the type of experience you seek?…possibly, but when you do locate a tour operator that “fits” your parameters you will know it.

 

Kathleen

 

Kathleen, interesting, How did you find out about this option/hike/section of the Great Wall?

[dino2067]

Jade,

 

Do a search on google or yahoo for 'wild great wall'...that will bring up a lot of information/options.

 

There is also:

http://www.greatwallforum.com/

 

Information on "secret villages":

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/citylife/2006-08/01/content_654547.htm

 

Sadly, this article showed up today:

http://life.globaltimes.cn/editor-picks/2009-08/457991.html

 

Kathleen

[Island Gem]

Steve, we're also in the "same boat" so to speak. A friend of mine has put a sort of custom tour together for summer 2011. The itinerary is too long to post here, but if you email me at ccarolrose@aol.com I'll send it to you.