Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

[quote]Originally posted by Kell:
[b] Anybody going on have been on this tour? I am looking at going next year and will probably book in the next few weeks, just looking for thoughts and tips.

Thanks

Kell [/b][/quote]

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Hi Kell,

I went on Journey accross China in June 2004 and absolutely loved it. I have a couple of tips: Firstly, you may want to take an inner sheet for the trains, I was certainly glad I took mine
Secondly, if you are considering extra time at the beginning or end of tour, spend it in Beijing, there is so much to see you won't be bored. I wouldn't bother with extra time in Kunming though, we booked it and ended up not using it. Kunming is a very modern city and there isn't too much stuff for tourists unless you want to shop in some Western type stores.

Have a great trip though - and make sure you try some Dali Beer!

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Thanks for that tip . Well I have booked and am all ready to go on 7 March. I am really looking forward to it.

Can someone tell me (as I have never been outside of Australia before) how I go about changing money etc after I am over there. I was just going to take the trusty plastic but reading through all my research, it tells me I will probably need cash through most of the small towns. I'm not worried about that, just would like to know in advance.

Thanks guys.

Kell

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Thanks Brendan, I might drop into the travel agent this weekend and ask a few questions in relation to the cash side of things.

So anyone else going on this trip? I am flying from Australia and will arrive in Beijing on the 7 March (around lunch time I think) I am then flying directly out of Kuming (sp) straight after the tour finishes.

Could someone that has been on tour over there in March tell me what the weather is like? I am expecting shorts and shirt weather according to the weather charts I have been reading but would like to know first hand. I am from Sunny Queensland in Australia and its hot almost all year round here.

ALSO (im almost finished lol) the tiger leaping gorge trek. How hard is it? I am reasonably fit and from what I have been reading am starting to get a bit worried about it. Do you have to carry all your own luggage on it? What about shoes, is it ok to just wear sand shoes? I dont own a pair of hiking boots and dont' particulary feel like shelling out heaps of money on somehting I am only going to wear for one day.

Thanks guys

Kell

P.S. What are the mozzies like over there in March? They seem to like me for some reason. Ta

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Hi Kell

I read that you was looking at just taking plastic for your trip to China.

A word of warning from our trip last year. One of the tour group had his plastic swallowed by an ATM in Yangshou. Luckily he was with his brother so finances worked out.

Make sure that you have a backup plan incase you lose a card. Maybe take a VISA and MasterCard.

Ian

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Is anybody else going on this tour or am I the only one?

Question. What happens if by some horrible twist of fate I am the only person booked on this tour? Does the tour then get cancelled? What happens?

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

Only 13 days to go!!!! Who else is joining us? Would be great to have a bit of a chit chat to anyone else going before I leave!

Kell

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

g'day,
just to let you know about the weather, it will probably still be quite chilly, make sure you pack warm clothes, eg fleece, at the moment it is still minus degrees in beijing, though will warm up marginally by the time you start your tour, enjoy your trip bring some sunshine from queensland too while your at it
cheers Theo

Re: Journey Across China - 7 March 2005

I'll try lol. Dont know how I'll go weather wise we are still topping 30 - 32 degrees over here at present, I think its almost that now and its only 9.30 am in the morning