Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I was amazed by Shanghai. The size of this metropolis stuns and the skyscrapers are beautiful. It was exceptionally clean and easy to get around. The skies were blue and the breezes welcoming. The dining choices were refreshing and tasty. The hotel was clean with a great view of the Bund.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anson did a fine job moving our large (16) group around. It gets challenging with that many people on public transport but no one got left behind. He also organized the meals which were not provided for in the tour with most participants joining the group outing. He found us tasty, safe and inexpensive food, trying always to have us experience the regional dishes. He could have been more forthcoming at times with information about how our day would be structured or how the optional evening event would unfold to allow us to bring the right gear and/or dress appropriately.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The reason this tour costs less than $3,000 for 17 days is many meals and activities are not included. We averaged $130 per day in extra expenses (for a couple). The pace is fast, the heat & humidity can be debilitating and the hotel rooms sometimes shabby. Prepare your expectations!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Great Wall of China, something I never thought I would achieve.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emma was absolutely fabulous and couldn't do enough for the group. She worked tirelessly for 3 weeks never getting fazed or missing a beat. She is a credit to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy because you can't fail to. Don't take to much with you. You don't need anything more than shorts and flip flops. Even on mount Emie it was beautifully cool not cold. Oh and ensure you have wheels on your case.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu was a unique experience. The four days spent in Yangshuo on the River Li was also unforgettable.  Shanghai was the perfect place to end in, with a touch of glitz and time to do last minute shopping (China is a shopper´s paradise).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Willliam, our group leader, was exceptional.  He took care of us at all times, gave us endless fascinating knowledge about his own country, brought us to excellent restaurants (that were very reasonably priced), answered every wierd and wonderful question we had about China, and managed to do all of this with a great sense of humour.  Simply fantastic!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

From my own personal experience (!), do not bring too much luggage......and as other travellers have mentioned, leave space for souvenirs and gifts, etc.  Also tissues, wet wipes and anti-bacterial gel come in handy....

Most Inspirational Moment

The Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding at Chengdu - seeing the giant pandas eating/sleeping (the adults) or playing (the youngsters). The venue was very well laid out with lots of space for the many visitors. A good shop and post office.The terracotta warriors at Xi'an were awesome, as was the Great Wall at Mutianyu.The wonderful Karst scenery in Yangshuo.

Thoughts on Group Leader

William was fantastic. He imparted just the right amount of history, was a great organiser and took everything in his stride, particularly when changes had to be made due to train departures being brought forward and bad weather. He enjoyed his food so made sure that he, and we, always ate well in local inexpensive restaurants. When our Shanghai-Beijing flight got cancelled, due to bad weather, William was on hand to rearrange the flight. He was full of good tips - how much we should pay for shopping, laundry facilities (including arranging for the local guide in Emei, Patrick, to do all ours overnight). William knew everybody in all the places we visited. He always said "Follow William" - we did and had a great time. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I totally endorse other reviews - don't take too much luggage. Most of the time, clothing and certainly undies dried overnight, in spite of the humidity. You'll need lots of space for the many items on offer. Our group started shopping in Beijing (we went to a shopping centre on our way back from Mutianyu) continued in Yangshuo and finished up in Shanghai; I'm not sure of the final tally of handbags we acquired!Yangshuo - there are lots of options to spend the two days down time. We all took cycles out to the countryside, drifted down the Li River on rafts, cycled again to the Moon Hill. The cycles were in good condition and it was flat! I, and one other, did a cookery class with Peter (Meiwei cookery school) which was great fun; we started in the market (you don't want to know about some of the items on sale) then cooked some of the dishes we'd eaten in local restaurants. Do see the Impression Sanjie Liu show - by the man who created the Olympics Opening Ceremony at the Birds Nest Stadium. The advice to take a sheet/silk sleeping bag was sound; take a pillow case as well!  And do take an umbrella - apart from the rain in Beijing, it rained every afternoon in Yangshuo - short sharp rainfall but enough to get soaked.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scale of the warriors was immense. The details shared with us as to the lives of those building them and their fate was thought provoking.The scenery and opportunity to explore the scenery around Yangshou was the best part of the trip for me. It was so beautiful and was the most peaceful part of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was fantastic; he was very cheerful, very helpful and made the trip for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

An umbrella- I've travelled a bit and thought that I wouldn't walk around with an umbrella but the weather was so humid there was no way we could wear waterproof jackets ( August). Also consider dark shorts - one day it looked like I had wet myself through sweat!Be ready for crowds, travelling and humidity (in August) and if you have always wanted to see these highlights of China then you will love this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Great Wall of China takes your breath away.  Just outside Beijing, the wall is crowded with tourists.  Our trip took us about 3 hours outside Beijing to a section of the wall where you could look in both directions at the Wall snaking its way along the mountain tops without seeing any one walking on it.  I'd love to go back when all the autumn colours are out - I bet it is even more beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Emma, was great fun although she did get lost a few times.  She was well informed and good to be around. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This holiday is rated as leisurely to moderate.  It is hard work with its almost constant travelling.  Pack as light as you can as you will be carrying your cases up and down a lot of stairs.  I found there were some activities that sounded really good but that I was not fit enough to do, like a 16 mile bike ride in Yangshuo.   But with a really good group and some creative thinking, it is possible to join in - it is easy to hire tandem cycles or electric cycles.  Don't settle for being left out of things.  With a bit of imagination and support from your fellow travellers, you should be able to do just about everything.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to choose. I think the Great Wall. It was worth the time spent travelling to explore the wall away from other tourists. It was in parts a steep walk, on a very hot day, but it was breathtaking.Another highlight for me was the Terracotta Warriers. Unbelievable.Yangshuo was such a contrast to the first two weeks of travel. Much more rural and very interesting. I loved the bamboo raft cruise. It was definately worth taking. And...I nearly forgot the Panda's!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Susan was really helpful and well organised. Had a good sense of humour and was fun to travel with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is not by any means a restful holiday. There is so much trravelling to do and so much to fit in. It is worth it though.The train for the third rail trip was not of a particularly good standard but I knew this from checking reviews. Do take a small travelling pillow and a sleeping bag liner would have been a good idea on the thrid travel.

Most Inspirational Moment

The great Wall of China threw everything at us: we started in the rain, then got a sprinkling of hail, thunder and lightening, before clearing up and showing itself in beautiful light with views far into the distance. Could have spent more time here, enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. The Panda breeding centre was another highlight. the animal enclosures are well done and look reasonably natural. An early arrival ensured we saw them in active feeding mode, incl a cub playing with its mum (?) and within a few meters. Going to the enclosures a little further, we found ourselves alone with one adult chomping its way through breakfast, with clear sound effects.   Also enjoyed the day walk up Emei Shan, through the woods, with lovely temples. Despite the crowds, the felt very peaceful.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sophia/ Huey was very helpful and spoke excellent English. She was always considerate to the needs of the whole group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need anywhere near as many clothes as you think. Haggle very strongly, esp in Yangshou (starting point seems to be three- four times the final price you can actually pay). Suggest to your guide that the tipping kitty does not include the cruise ship element; it's better left to your own discretion. Don't take suitcases, bag-style luggage is easier to carry and you have to carry your stuff around to/from trains and planes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on the Great Wall and seeing the young pandas playing. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a full-on sight-seeing trip especially at the start where there is little time to relax or do your own thing. Choose your dates with care to avoid the main holidays. Pack light as you will be moving your bag a lot.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on the Great Wall on a beautiful sunny day, doing Tai Chi in the park in Beijing early in the morning, actually seeing the Terracotta Warriors (and having our book signed by one of the farmers who discovered them in 1974).In Yangshuo  (fabulous scenery), we hired bikes to ride out to Moon Hill and on the way back into town, we met the traffic head-on as it  poured out of town - scary, but you just keep on going and don't give way! The evening musical performance set on the lake in Yangshuo was magical.The visit to see the three Gorges dam was very interesting and informative.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was William and he took great care of us. I'd suddenly find my suitcase being carried by him as we approached a long set of steps in a railway station or hotel. William is a real foodie and as soon as breakfast was over, he would be planning where to go for lunch and/or dinner later - he was pleased that we all (only 6 in our group, which was excellent) loved Chinese food and he took great pride in ordering something that would please all of us. Even on "free days" William would accompany us if we wanted to go and see something not included on the tour. He certainly went well beyond what would have reasonably expected of a tour leader in his attention to detail.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our advice would be to travel light, take lots of wipes and pay a little bit more when you buy bottled water to avoid the very metallic taste of the cheaper ones.