I am going on the above trip and would be interested to hear from anyone who is going at the same time or anyone who has been on the trip already
road to Shanghai 12th June 2000
I am going on the above trip and would be interested to hear from anyone who is going at the same time or anyone who has been on the trip already
Re: road to Shanghai 12th June 2000
Hello Paula,
I've been to China last year with Imtrav and I loved every minute of it! I did the Great China Adventure (that is the road to shanghai + etxra week to Guilin and Hong Kong = Rural China trip). There was a lot of sightseeiing, great towns, excellent food and sleeper trains are very comfortable.
Highlights were definitely walking the Great Wall at Simatai, visiting Xi'an, the farm stay and Taishan mountain.
People in China are nice and friendly, although be prepared to stare at, especially outside major cities and tourist sites. Be also prepared to have to pay for every interesting site you want to visit, and even within the compounds of such a site (example: in Suzhou you have a big pagoda from which you have a great view, but you have to pay for entering the site of the pagoda, then pay extra for entering the pagoda tower itself, and then again for entering the top floor! Funny in a way.).
It's a pitty you don't do the full three weeks: Guilin and Yangshou region are also gerat to explore. If you have more or specific questions, e-mail me or drop a reply. Hope you go to China, and have a marvelous time, like me!
Robert.
Re: road to Shanghai 12th June 2000
Thanks for the info. Iwould be interested in hearing more. What do you advise me to take with me ? Any tips appreciated. Iwould have loved to do the full thing but money would not allow it. The farm stay sounds very interesting. What was it like?
Re: road to Shanghai 12th June 2000
Hi,
I am the local manager out in China and thought that I would post a quick reply. The farm stay that we are using now for the Road to Shanghai trip is new this year. It is an excellent small village about 20 km from Tai'an. You stay with the villagers in their houses - it is quite comfortable though obviously not luxurious. The hosts are really friendly and love having groups to stay. They provide an amazing feast of delicious local food. You can also wander around the village and the surrounding fields, which gives you a good idea of village life in China.
As for things to bring, there is nothing in particular that you need. You can buy pretty much anything in China if you need to so don't worry too much.
Have a great trip.
Liddy