Trip to China

[Ken L]

I’m interested in a guided tour of China. Have used Globus before in the US National Parks and they have a good China itinerary. Please see the link below. I’m concerned that so many people have posted reviews from various China trips that include items such as: heavy smog, dirty, crowded streets, being hassled to buy goods and low quality food.

1. Has anybody taken this trip?

2. Have you experienced the issues listed above on your China trip?

China Tour | Yangtze Cruise & Tour - Globus(R) Escorted Tours (https://www.globusjourneys.com/tour/flavors-of-china-the-yangtze/oc/)

Thanks

[Nucky]

I have a friend at the pool who ended up getting married on one of these trips to China. He said it was a great trip though.

[manaboutown]

I went over there with a group in 2007, while China was preparing to host The Olympics, may have been with Globus as I like them. We took about five flights in all and saw a lot. The big problem was the food. We ate where tour groups ate at round tables for eight with a lazy Susan center. The food contained little meat protein and eggplant was served breakfast, lunch and dinner as it was I think October. The air was heavy with green smog in Beijing and smelled of burning cornstalks. I lost a lot of weight! We enjoyed one great meal at the Peking duck restaurant. The "Great Wall" wine was about $3 a bottle at that restaurant. lol

One tour member got extremely sick on the bus to the airport for our flight departing China. They put her on the flight anyway after she was seen by a Chinese doctor at the airport. She got home all right but....

A friend of mind went on a more expensive tour which provided more exotic and better food. This did not matter to him as he is a meat and potatoes man. He told me he lived on rice and watermelon.

[billethkid]

Not on my bucket list!!!

[manaboutown]

Not on my bucket list!!!

Might be wise to travel with a bucket there. That sick woman was uncontrollably losing it out of every orifice all at the same time.

My personal physician gave me half a dozen prescriptions in case I got sick including suppositories to stop uncontrollable vomiting.

One stop was at an open air food market. The meat was literally encrusted with flies. Yuk!

[NotGolfer]

Not on my bucket list!!!

Mine either.......

[KSSunshine]

It's on our bucket list! We've been considering the Viking River Cruise itinerary which is similar to the one you are looking at in Fall 2020.

[Tom C]

We did the China & Top of the World trip with Viking a few years ago and had a great time! We did take altitude medicine before going to Tibet, to be on the safe side. We had no problems, even climbing all the way up to Dalai Lama’s palace.

[CFrance]

My friends just did a trip last year. They are world travelers--have been everywhere--yet said this agent planned a trip of a lifetime for them. I emailed my friend about who she used:

Kensington. Affiliated or recommended by National Geographic. They did an excellent job. Planned a trip of a lifetime for us. Great guides, hotels and activities and sites at each stop. Our agent was Anne-Laure Guesne (888) 903-2001 anne.guesne@kensingtontours.com. She is now a director in charge of their European team, but could steer them to the appropriate person.

[jojo]

[QUOTE=Ken L;1668443]I’m interested in a guided tour of China. HI’m concerned that so many people have posted reviews from various China trips that include items such as: heavy smog, dirty, crowded streets, being hassled to buy goods and low quality food.

2. Have you experienced the issues listed above on your China trip?

/QUOTE

We just returned from China and experienced none of the above issues - absolutely none. We enjoyed blue skies in Beijing and pleasant weather everywhere. No smog. In Shanghai the only crowded areas were the tourist areas - not as bad as Rome or Venice. Little to no hassle to buy goods. - less than around the Eiffel Tower. Because we were on a Viking trip, the food was excellent and safe. I do not know about Globus but highly recommend Viking. We stayed in only 5 star hotels. Our guide was so knowledgeable and made the trip. We came home with an appreciation for China as a sleeping giant - particularly the unbelievable advances in technology. People were friendly. Highly recommend the Vking Jewels of Imperial China tour. It is one place I would not do on my own.

[seoulbrooks]

[QUOTE=Ken L;1668443]I’m interested in a guided tour of China. HI’m concerned that so many people have posted reviews from various China trips that include items such as: heavy smog, dirty, crowded streets, being hassled to buy goods and low quality food.

2. Have you experienced the issues listed above on your China trip?

/QUOTE

We just returned from China and experienced none of the above issues - absolutely none. We enjoyed blue skies in Beijing and pleasant weather everywhere. No smog. In Shanghai the only crowded areas were the tourist areas - not as bad as Rome or Venice. Little to no hassle to buy goods. - less than around the Eiffel Tower. Because we were on a Viking trip, the food was excellent and safe. I do not know about Globus but highly recommend Viking. We stayed in only 5 star hotels. Our guide was so knowledgeable and made the trip. We came home with an appreciation for China as a sleeping giant - particularly the unbelievable advances in technology. People were friendly. Highly recommend the Vking Jewels of Imperial China tour. It is one place I would not do on my own.

After spending over 20 years in Asia I would never call China "a sleeping giant". Their aggression in Asia is far from a "sleeping" attitude.

[ColdNoMore]

China is definitely on my personal bucket list.

Not in small part, because this very wise saying is something I firmly believe in...and try to live by. :thumbup:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.

Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad / Roughing It

[jojo]

China is definitely on my personal bucket list.

Not in small part, because this very wise saying is something I firmly believe in...and try to live by. :thumbup:

This quote is spot on. The world would be a better place if....

[jojo]

It's on our bucket list! We've been considering the Viking River Cruise itinerary which is similar to the one you are looking at in Fall 2020.

We did the Viking IMperial Jewels in May 2019 - Beijing, Xian, Yangtze cruise and Shanghai and loved every minute of it. 5 star hotels, excellent food, and great guides. Highly recommend. PM if you would like more info.

[stevebotts]

I went to China in April with Gate 1. It was a trip of a lifetime. I enjoyed it so much I would go again. Before you make a decision check them out. Reasonable rates, first class service. Headed to Spain and Portugal with them next week.

[salpal]

My hubby and I did Viking China trip 3 years ago. It was one of the best trips we've ever taken. The hotels were 5 star, flights between cities very efficient, the actual cruise was lovely. The food was excellent, you can eat all American food if you like, there are always several options. Because we were with Viking, we went to the head of any lines to go into tourist attractions. We did not have to carry luggage from the time we got off the plane, till the time we went home. Our tour guides were excellent and very fluent. China was a pleasant surprise, with friendly people and unexpected lovely scenery.

[Flyer]

Have traveled China extensively for last twenty years. Beijing, Xian, Chengdu (held a panda), Shanghai, Nanjing, Guilin, Lijiang, Guangzhou, Hong Kong. Tianjin. Business and pleasure trips.
Be opened minded, Have guide/interpreter whenever possible. Spend for Luxury Hotels.
Sick only once, (think it was McDonalds food, Long story). Enjoy shopping in the Beijing Markets. If in Hangzhou Market in Beijing. (look for small group of Caucasian's 3-4 females, maybe a male or two)(they maybe be international Airline crewmembers and they usually will know where/which/who has best deals in the markets) Yes shopkeepers can be aggressive, a simple Boo Yao (no want) and keep walking can usually solve those issues.
Have fun, pay only what your willing too or think its worth to you. English troubles, look for teenagers, English taught from second grade.
PM if more questions. Safe travels.

[Cruisy]

I’m interested in a guided tour of China. Have used Globus before in the US National Parks and they have a good China itinerary. Please see the link below. I’m concerned that so many people have posted reviews from various China trips that include items such as: heavy smog, dirty, crowded streets, being hassled to buy goods and low quality food.

1. Has anybody taken this trip?

2. Have you experienced the issues listed above on your China trip?


China Tour | Yangtze Cruise & Tour - Globus(R) Escorted Tours (https://www.globusjourneys.com/tour/flavors-of-china-the-yangtze/oc/)

Thanks

We have been to China/Yangtze River Cruise with Gate 1 tours. China is not the US and there are lots of people..but they are friendly and smiling all the time. Food was great on our tour and when we were there on our own pre tour. A firm head shake will take care of any venders. Learn a few phrases in Chinese,they appreciate that and got a kick out our accents. We have been back several times..we like ShAnghai and have made friends with. Awonderful guide there! Enjoy the trip...jl

[manaboutown]

Anybody rethinking their upcoming trip to China? :ohdear:

[tophcfa]

Not on my bucket list!!!

I am with you, I don’t even like Chinese food and have no desire to go to China. I can’t find enough free time to satisfy my desire to scuba dive the beautiful coral reefs in the nearby Caribbean. And I hate crowded places, and word has it that China is really crowded.