Accommodation
Hotels (15 nights), boat (3 nights), overnight trains (2 nights).
Transport
Plane, overnight train, private bus, public bus, taxi, boat, on foot.
Meals
18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners.
Staff
Group leader.
Age Restriction
Minimum 18 years unless accompanied by a legal guardian.
Optional Activities
All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
We suggest you bring along US$300 for additional sightseeing.
Acrobats, Beijing - Y80 US$11
Kungfu show, Beijing Y100 US$14
Beijing opera, Beijing - Y150 US$20
Summer Palace, Beijing - Y50 US$7
Temple of Heaven, Beijing - Y35 US$5
Lama Temple, Beijing – Y30 US$4
Hutong tour, Beijing – Y50 US$7
Underground City, Beijing - Y25 US$4
Museums, Xian - Y10-50 (US$2 - $7)
Walking the city wall, Xian - Y40 US$6
Bicycle rental on city wall, Xian – Y15 (90min) US$2
Bell and Drum Towers, Xian – Y25 US$4 each or Y40 US$5 for both
Great Mosque, Xian – Y20 US$3
Big goose pagoda, Xian – Y25 US$4
Small goose pagoda, Xian – Y25 US$4
Massage, Chengdu - Y15-30 per hour US$2-4
Cultural show & Sichuan opera, Chengdu – Y70 – Y150 US$10-20
Cooking Class, Chengdu - Y100 US$14
Cormorant fishing, Yangshuo – Y30 US $4
Cooking class, Yangshuo – Y100 US$14
Cycle hire, Yangshuo - Y10-20 per day US$2-3
Kayaking, Yangshuo - Y130 US$17
Tai chi, Yangshuo – Y40 per hour US$5
Kung Fu, Yangshuo – Y40 per hour US$5
Caving, Yangshuo - Y100 US$14
Calligraphy, Yangshuo - Y30 US$4
Watercolour painting, Yangshuo - Y40-50 per hour US$5-7
Light show, Yangshuo - Y188 US$25
Li River Cruise, Yangshuo – Y80 US $11
Silver water cave, Yangshuo – 40 US$5
Buddha cave, Yangshuo – Y80 US$11
Water cave, Yangshuo – Y120 US$16
Dragon cave, Yangshuo – Y35 US$5
Moon hill, Yangshuo – Y15 US$2
Light show, Hong Kong - free
History museum, Hong Kong – HK10 US$2
Culture museum, Hong Kong – HK10 US$2
Space museum, Hong Kong – HK10 US$2
Science museum, Hong Kong – HK25 US$4
(Every Wednesday’s are free admission to all of the museums in Hong Kong)
Star Ferry, Hong Kong – HKD3 US$0.4
Disneyland, Hong Kong – 295 HKD US$38 for adults 210 HKD US$27for kids older 170 HKD US$22
Peak cable car, Hong Kong – 30 HKD US$4 for round trip 20 HKD US$3 for single trip
Ocean Park, Hong Kong – 185 HKD US$24 for adults 93 HKD US$12 for kids
Cable car to the Lantau Buddha, Hong Kong – 58 HKD US$8 for one way, 88 HKD US$12 for round way
Acrobats, Shanghai – Y150 to Y280 US$20 to $37
Shanghai museum, Shanghai – Y20 US$3
Oriental pearl tower, Shanghai – Y100 US$14
Yu garden, Shanghai – Y40 US$5
Cruise on the Huangpu River, Shanghai – Y45 to Y100 US$6 to $14
Maglev train round trip, Shanghai – Y100 US$14
Fengdu Temple, Yangzi River -US $8
White Emperor City, Yangzi River - US$7
Shi Baozhai Temple, Yangtzee River - US$3
Hire a paddle bouts on West lake, Hangzhou : Y45 US$6
Cycling around West lake, Hangzhou: Y30 US$4
Huagang park, Hangzhou: Y5 US$0.7
Tomb of Yue Fai, Hangzhou: Y30 US$4
Lingyinsi temple, Hangzhou: Y35 US$5
China silk museum, Hangzhou: Y15 US$2
What To Bring
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage (please see below for exceptions), and though you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.
Suitcases are not recommended! Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.
Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack or small case with wheels. Large suitcases are not recommended! In China it is also important that your bag can be locked as on the buses our luggage is often stored separately from the group. The smaller your bag in China the better, for when it comes to travelling on trains or buses only smaller bags will fit into the storage areas. If your bag does not fit in these areas then often the only place to put it is on your bed or seat. So to get maximum comfort, pack small and light!
The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.
Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
Health requirements arranged
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
Money pouch
First aid kit
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
Mosquito repellent (May-September)
Refillable water bottle and plastic mug for train journeys
Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper
Tampons are difficult to buy in China
Mandarin phrase book
Swimming costume
Warm clothes in the winter months (Oct to April). It is recommended to bring thermal underwear, a fleece jacket, hat and gloves, raincoat or umbrella, especially in summer (June to September)
Walking shoes with a good grip
Group Size
Min 1, Max 12
Other Information
Allow USD $350 for meals not included. While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Generally, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.
Our Comfort trip is your kind of style if you want a few little extras, but don't want to compromise on the whole grassroots travel experience. You get to stay in better hotels and guesthouses, all with plenty of local character, and may travel in private transport as well as joining locals on public transport. You're as likely to find yourself paddling a kayak as relaxing on a cruise along the Yangtze River. These are real life experiences, just with a softer landing. And all for just a little more than our Original adventures.
Arrival airport transfer is included, please advise flight details at time of booking
IMPORTANT
Due to the recent earthquake in Chengdu your itinerary needs to be rerouted as some of the areas we were planning on visiting have been closed off until further notice.
WARNING: Travelling in China in the months prior, during and post the Beijing Olympics (June through to October 2008): Whilst we are doing our utmost to ensure as little disruption as possible to our trips over this period, it may be at times impossible to follow our planned itinerary, use our planned forms of transport or visit some sites due to the government restrictions, official visitors to China or Olympic events.
Although we make bookings many months in advance, transport and accommodation providers may overbook their services at this time so we also ask for a flexible approach from our travellers who choose to visit China over this period.
A complimentary arrival transfer is included on day 1 of this trip. Complimentary transfers are only applicable if on day 1 of your trip or if going to pre tour accommodation booked through us (please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided).
Please be prepared to carry your own luggage up and down steps when boarding boats, buses and trains. There may also be up to 10 minute walks between our transport and hotels.
We use soft sleeper class trains for most of our overnight train journeys on this trip. Compartments are clean, with padded berths (4 to a room), sheets, pillow, blanket and boiling water available. Most trains have a dining carriage where meals are available three times a day, and there are snacks available on the train along the way.
Please note, during the winter season (December-March) the itinerary might change slightly due to the Yangzi boats changing departure days. Your group will still visit the same sites, possibly just in a different order.
Please note that during China’s national holidays (Spring Festival/Chinese
New Year - February 7th-14th; May Week 1st-7th and October Week 1st-7th) it is peak travel season for Chinese Nationals. Although these are fascinating and exciting times to travel in China, please be aware your group could experience transport delays, larger crowds at tourist attractions and our normal itineraries may change slightly. If clockwork organisation is
important to you we advise to book outside of these weeks.
For departures during the Olympic period (15 Jul - 15 Sep 2008) there will be a surcharge as a result of increased costs for flights, accommodation, activities and transport at this time.
The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader. However, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
