I'm thinking about going on the 'Journey across China' but have some questions about it.
1. Can I skip the hike in the tiger leaping gorge? I am terribly scared of heights and I don't want to bother the other travelers. Besides, it would be no fun for me at all.
2. Is there another way to see the places that you advice to go to by bike? I cannot ride a bike.
3. I also want to see Shanghai. Is there a direct flight from Lijiang to Shanghai? If not, a direct train perhaps? How long would it take and what would the price be?
Thanks.
journey across china
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
Thank you for your post.
There is no direct flight from Lijang to Shanghai, you will need to change in Kunming. I am looking into your other queries and will get back to you ASAP.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me either via the forums or email online@imtrav.net.
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda
We had a few people in my group who didn't do the Gorge trek.
They simply made their own way to the hotel on the other side and met up with us when we arrived. You will have to pay for your own transport and the extra accommodations though
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
As promised by Sam I have a bit more information for you, we are still looking into your other questions, sorry for the delay!
Regarding opting out of the Tiger Leaping Gorge;
I am pleased to advise you that there are 2 options for you;
OPTION 1
1st day: Take a taxi to Tina's Guesthouse. You can do short walks from there.
2nd day: Free day. The rest of your group will arrive late that afternoon.
OPTION 2
1st day: Stay one extra night in Dali, there are plenty of optional activities such a horse riding, boating, or you can take a hike or horse ride to the water fall which is good option as well.
2nd day: Drive by bus to Lijiang one extra night there
I hope this is so far of some help Linda,
Watch this space,
Amy
Re: journey across china
Thank you for the answers. I'm happy to hear that I can skip the gorge and even have more than one option.
Could you tell me where the guesthouse is situated?
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
Tina's guesthouse is located near the top of the gorge and is where the group stay at the end of the second day of their trek. There's not an awful lot to do up there but the scenery is supposed to be breath-taking.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
In answer to another part of your question -
There are flights from Lijiang to Shanghai, via Kunming. There is no train station in Lijiang. The nearest is in Xiguan, but a rail journey from here to Shanghai would probably take about 2 days so flying is the better bet with flights starting from GBP229 available through us (www.imtravextras.com).
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan
Re: journey across china
By this time I booked the trip (linjan=lindaj) and the flight won't be a problem. Another few questions that I have to ask:
1. In the trip dossier I see 'day 20: trip ends' Does this mean that I can take the flight to Shangai early in the morning of saturday, 19th?
2. On May 1st the visit to the summer palace takes place in the morning. Do you know if the 1st of May parade on Tien An Men Square takes place in the morning or in the afternoon? I really would like to see that, but I don't want to miss out on the summer palace. If they are both planned in the morning, I can go to the summer palace on one of the days before the trip starts.
Thx
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your questions and apologies for the delayed reply; we have been encountering a few technical issues with the forums, which have hopefully now been resolved.
The tour effectively ends on day 19 (18th May) and you are free to leave at any time from this day onwards, be that the evening of day 19 or the morning of day 20 (19th May).
I will have to ask our China office about the festival at the Tiananmen Square on the 1st May as I am not sure what time this will be taking place. Once I hear back from them regarding this I shall let you know.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
Sorry for the delayed reply to your question!
The answer is that the parade only takes place once every 5 years, since 1949, so the next parade is not due until 2009 I'm afraid so there shouldn't be any conflict with the planned itinerary that day.
Sorry the news isn't better but I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan
Re: journey across china
By this time I am back from my journey across China since May 19th.
My fellow travelers and I filled in a list with our adresses and email to keep in touch. Lochie, our tour leader told us she would send us by email the scanned list, but by now, I did not receive any email from Lochie. I wonder if she cannot read my email, so I'll send it in this message. ljan8574@skynet.be
Thank you for letting her know.
Re: journey across china
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your question. I hope your tour went well?
It can sometimes take a little while for tour leaders to find the time to email everybody a list of email addresses and I'm sure that Lochie is on the case.
However, just to make sure I will also forward a copy of your message and you should be hearing back from Lochie in the near future.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan