Hello all. I have just booked the China Explored trip departing 26 August. Would like to get a discussion started with people going on the trip. Anyone arriving earlier than the start date?
(Ian Ford: If you read these discussion boards we may finally be able to get together for a beer if you're going to be in Beijing at the appropriate time)
Re: China Explored 26 August
Hi Rick,
I'm not booked on the China Explored Trip but the Beijing to Kathmandu Trip departing the same day. I think we all start off together and then head off in different directions from Yangshuo. At this stage I should be in Beijing a few days before the trip starts. I haven't been to China before so I wanted some extra time in Beijing to see a few more of the sights that we will not have time to cover on the tour. What are your plans?
Tammy
Re: China Explored 26 August
Hi Tammy,
I have just gotten my flights to Beijing finalized. I will be arriving mid afternoon on the day prior to the trip start date. It may be too late to see anything that afternoon so I'll have to play things by ear for that day.
The following day looks more promising for some excursions as it is just an arrival day for the China Explored trip. I have copied some excerpts from the "Frommers" online guide to Beijing:
If You Have 1 Day--Spend your only day in the capital playing tourist by booking a tour to the Great Wall through your hotel. This is the one sight you shouldn't miss, and it will use up most of your daylight hours. Such a tour usually includes a stop at one or two more major sights, but it doesn't leave much free time.
If you want to skip a walk on the Wall, I recommend that you begin with an early breakfast in your hotel, take a taxi to the Temple of Heaven, and survey its main attractions (allowing about an hour). Next, take another quick taxi ride north to Tiananmen Square, the world's largest square, which you can traverse in about 20 minutes, taking a glance at Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, and the Monument to the People's Heroes. Then cross Chang'an Avenue, pass under the Gate of Heavenly Peace, and proceed into the vast Forbidden City. You'll emerge at the northern moat around lunchtime. Grab yet another taxi for the Summer Palace, relax, have lunch there, and stroll its Long Corridor. Return downtown via taxi; you will still have time to walk up and down Beijing's number-one shopping street, Wangfujing.
With either option, there's still time for dinner. Treat yourself to Beijing duck or try the city's top restaurant, The Courtyard, located on the Forbidden City's moat. Either way, you won't have trouble sleeping.
If You Have 2 Days--Spend your first day with excursions to the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Finish up with a real Beijing dinner at the Sihexuan Restaurant in the Jinglun Hotel. The next Day, concentrate on city center attractions: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. Two days should also give you time to take in Silk Alley, the Friendship Store, and the Hongqiao Market (which you can reach from your hotel by taxi) for shopping. A spare 2 hours also offers a chance to visit Beijing's most popular religious site, the Lama Temple.
The cChina Explored trip is going to the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City. From what I have heard the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven are two "must sees" so I think these would be interesting to see. Whatever happens with the remainder of the day can be planned depending on the time leftover...
Let me know what you think,
Rick Z.
Re: China Explored 26 August
Hi Rick,
The Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace are high on my list of places to see so I am definitely up for seeing them and then taking the rest of the day as it comes sounds like the way to go. I should be in Beijing a few days before the 26th and am staying at the hotel where the tour starts so I am sure we will be able to catch up the afternoon/night you arrive.
I'm from Sydney where are you arriving from?
Tammy
Re: China Explored 26 August
I'll be arriving from Kingston (Canada). Total transit time will be approaching (?exceeding) 24h. What doesn't kill us will make us stronger...
I think the China Explored trip hotel is the Tiantan Hotel. I'm travelling alone so I'll also be looking for people who want to head out for supper on the 25th and 26th. Unfortunately I can't read or speak Chinese so I won't be too much help reading menus. We can at least give one another moral support when trying to decide what to eat.
Are you also at the Tiantan? If you are it will make it much easier to find each other. Let me know,
Rick
Re: China Explored 26 August
Hi Rick,
Is that the Kingston that's near Fort Henry and 1000 Islands???? - What a beautiful part of the world to live in. If it is, there used to be a Mexican Restaurant (might still be there) which reinforced my belief that basically all people are good. It was after a complete act of stupidity on my behalf
I actually don't mind flying as I figure it's all part of the holiday although 24 hours of travelling can be a little tough. My total travel time will be around 20 hours and 3 planes but once my bags are checked in I'm on holidays!
I'm travelling on my own as well and am staying at the Tiantan so it would be great to meet up with others to help brave the eating and getting around experience. I can't read, speak or even manage very well with chopsticks so at least we will be able to fumble thru together - safety in numbers, etc.
66 sleeps (and counting) to go!!!!!!!
Tammy
Re: China Explored 26 August
Yup, good old Kingston...
I'm not sure when you were here. I think the restaurant you were at was "Zona Rosa" but it closed some time ago. We now have a very popular Tex-Mex place called "The Lone Star". OK food and great (big) marguaritas! Also a nice spot for a Corona on a hot Friday afternoon. What brought you to Kingston?
I picked up a book this winter called "River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze" by Peter Hessler. It got great reviews but I haven't read it yet. I'm trying to decide whether to read it now, on the trip, or after I get back. Have you found any good books about China? Have you read the one I mentionned?
I just checked the status of the trip online and it seems to be getting filled up. I'm surprised there's only two of us participating in this discussion group.
With regards to the chopstick issue, that is one area in which I can offer some help.
Hope to hear from you,
Re: China Explored 26 August
Dear Rick,
I spent 3 months in the US and Canada back in 1998. Didn
Re: China Explored 26 August
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for the suggestions! I also came across another title: "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. I may try and at least start this one prior to the trip and save "River Town" for some post-trip reading.
I just saw a Chinese (Taiwanese) film on the TV the other day that you may like. It's called "Eat, drink, man, woman". Although it is based in Taiwan it does provide sometimes humorous looks at family, life, and (as the title implies) FOOD in Taiwan. If you can get the video I think you may like it.
It will also serve as a short introduction prior to any onsite chopstick lessons that will occur during the trip!
Enjoy,
Rick
(rzamora@interlog.com)
Re: China Explored 26 August
Meeting at the Tiantan hotel lobby on Sunday 25 August at 18.00h to get a group together for dinner.
Anyone at the Tiantan that day is more than welcome to join in!
Rick