Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to pick out just one. What was inspirational was the energy and resilience of the people. Life is still hard there. The contrast between rich, glitzy modern wealthy China and the poor majority is striking. Still, it is obvious too that in the hotels where we stayed, all Chinese, that there is emerging a middle class who can afford to travel around, much like in Europe.
A few, then. The park in Beijing where all kinds of casual but organised groups of exercise and dance took place. Anyone can join in.
Cookery school in Yangshuo also cycling out from Yangshuo.
Communal meals around the " lazy Susan"' every day, always good.
Trains. We happen to have done several overnight train journeys in Europe recently, and those in China are at least as comfortable and clean, some times a lot better, just to put them into context. Don't grumble about them! The third on the trip, admittedly was the least good, and the longest, but this class of train is about to be upgraded, might have been already. The other daytime trains on this trip are ultra modern, fast and comfortable. Nothing like our own domestic services.
The light show in Yangshuo was astonishing. In general I would say, do as many of the optional activities as you can cram in. Nothing is expensive, some are a bit amateurish, but all are fascinating.
Walking along the Bund in Shanghai, and out on the river in a boat. Simply stunning.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Friendly and efficient. All our transfers were organised to make them as easy as possible for us. The train stations are intimidating places and the crowds boarding the trains are enormous, so without her guidance and help I doubt we would have managed to board at all sometimes.
Full of knowledge about Chinese cuisine which she was anxious to share with us. As we were the oldest people in the group sho looked out for us and made sure we were keeping up and comfortable. When anyone was not feeling up to the mark she kept an eye on them and was sympathetic.
Naturally sociable, often on the longer bus journeys, when she could see we were all flagging a bit she would start off some conversation, light heated or informative, which would lift the mood of the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
My motto for this trip was TOO MUCH STUFF!
Like you We had read the advice in these reviews and vowed to take the minimum amount. So I put out what I thought I needed, and then removed a lot of it. NOT NEARLY ENOUGH!
We had been to T K Maxx and found the perfect cases, 4 wheeled "spinner" cases. You can guide them along with one finger, and we were grateful that we had them Other people in our group had much more stuff than we had, and in less suitable cases. You really want not to be always encumbered by your luggage.
Drinking water, none of the tap water is drinkable. The local people do not drink it, so you will be able to buy bottled water everywhere, cheaply and easily. Many of the hotels provide a bottle a day each at no charge. Also most hotels provide a kettle, or a thermos and boiling water. Also there is a tap for boiling water in each railway carriage. Do use the tea bags in your hotel, they are good. I really can't seek the point of taking PG Tips to China. The tea is one of the best things you will get. Also you need milk for black tea.
You might buy a Chinese tea cup with built in infused while you are there. I didn't and wished I had.
In Tongli, I was very disappointed with the accommodation where we stayed. On reflection, if I had been prepared for just how basic it is, I would have been happier. The rooms are tiny and the facilities really simple, but is is clean. I hope they will have improved the breakfast by now.
Money. There are ATMs everywhere and we had no difficulty using them.
Laundry. Our guide kept us well informed about where the next one would be. In the first part of the trip that was helpful as we were constantly on the move.
