China Trip Report

[krainey]

Destination360 recently took a trip through southern China with China Odyssey Tours as our tour guides, and we want to share some facts about the China itinerary for what was an amazing vacation. We spent more than three weeks traveling around, and here is some of what we saw.

Trip dates: April 11 through May 4, 2011

Day 1 – Kunming: We started our trip with a day spent here and saw the Yuantong Temple, Huating Temple, pagodas, Longmen Gate and Dian Lake.

Day 2 – Zhongdian: We went to Shangri-La and saw Tibetan villages, Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong Old Town, and local Tibetans dancing as well.

Day 3-4 – Tiger Leaping Gorge: Along with the gorge itself, we saw the Jinsha River, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Haba Snow Mountain.

Day 4-6 – Lijiang: We enjoyed seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its Old Town and cobblestone streets, Muwang Palace, the Wangu Tower, the Black Dragon Pool Park, and the tower on Lion Mountain.

Day 6-7 – Dali: En route from Lijiang we saw traditional markets, and once in Dali City, we saw the Old Town, the three pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple, and the traditional San Yue Jie Festival, before heading back to Kunming.

Day 8 – Stone Forest: On the way to Chengdu, we stopped at the Shilin Stone Forest, a limestone karst formation with beautiful stalagmites resembled a petrified forest.

Day 9-11 – Chengdu: In addition to the attractions in Chengdu, including the Wenshu Temple and Wenshu Street, Jinli Street, and Sichuan Opera, we also took day trips to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Panda Research Center.

Day 11-12 – Chongqing: After taking the bullet train from Chengdu, we explored the city of Chongqing and saw the Dazu Rock Carvings, a set of religious sculptures and carvings that date back as far as the seventh century.

Day 13-15 – Yangtze River Cruise: This three-day cruise included seeing the Three Gorges that give the dam its name (Qutang, Wu, and Xiling), as well as the dam itself. We also saw Feng Du, also known as the Ghost Town, and Shennong Stream, and the Shibaozhai pagoda and temple.

Day 16-17 and Day 20 – Guilin: Following the cruise, we traveled to Guilin, and once here, drove to Longji to see Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces and hiked in the surrounding countryside.

Day 18-19 – Yangshuo: We traveled to Yangshuo via a Li River cruise and then went rafting down the Yulong River before returning to Guilin.

Day 21-22 and Day 24 – Hong Kong: After flying into Hong Kong from Guilin, we saw the city’s major sites, including the Aberdeen fishing village, Stanley Market, and Victoria Peak.

Day 23 – Macau: We finished our trip in Macau, seeing the busy city and its casinos, as well as a few beautiful sunsets, before returning to Hong Kong to wrap up the trip.

There is a new China album up on our Facebook page with pictures from our trip with China Odyssey Tours, and we've also got a Google map highlighting some of the best attractions all around China.

[popo00]

I spent 2 great weeks in China with China Odysseys Tours as well and we would recommend them to anyone. The hotels were good, the guides were knowledgeable, friendly and spoke good English, which made it easier for us.

Even if you dont book with China Odysseys Tours, I can tell you that arranging a private tour is the best way to see China.

[camposramo]

Great trip report Kate!

I've been to China but it was way back in the 80's when traveling to China was really really ground breaking.

I wanted to ask you if you and the Destination360 team had to tip everywhere you went? the reason I ask is because it was illegal back then not to tip so I'd had to tip the tour guides, drivers, hotel bellboys, house keepers, etc... If so, how much?

Originally Posted by krainey

Destination360 recently took a trip through southern China with China Odyssey Tours as our ], and we want to share some facts about the China itinerary for what was an amazing vacation. We spent more than three weeks traveling around, and here is some of what we saw.

Trip dates: April 11 through May 4, 2011

Day 1 – Kunming: We started our trip with a day spent here and saw the Yuantong Temple, Huating Temple, pagodas, Longmen Gate and Dian Lake.

Day 2 – Zhongdian: We went to Shangri-La and saw Tibetan villages, Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong Old Town, and local Tibetans dancing as well.

Day 3-4 – Tiger Leaping Gorge: Along with the gorge itself, we saw the Jinsha River, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Haba Snow Mountain.

Day 4-6 – We enjoyed seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its Old Town and cobblestone streets, Muwang Palace, the Wangu Tower, the Black Dragon Pool Park, and the tower on Lion Mountain.

Day 6-7 – Dali: En route from Lijiang we saw traditional markets, and once in Dali City, we saw the Old Town, the three pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple, and the traditional San Yue Jie Festival, before heading back to Kunming.

Day 8 – Stone Forest: On the way to Chengdu, we stopped at the Shilin Stone Forest, a limestone karst formation with beautiful stalagmites resembled a petrified forest.

Day 9-11 –In addition to the attractions in Chengdu, including the Wenshu Temple and Wenshu Street, Jinli Street, and Sichuan Opera, we also took day trips to the and Panda Research Center.

Day 11-12 – Chongqing: After taking the bullet train from Chengdu, we explored the city of Chongqing and saw the Dazu Rock Carvings, a set of religious sculptures and carvings that date back as far as the seventh century.

Day 13-15 – that give the dam its name (Qutang, Wu, and Xiling), as well as the dam itself. We also saw Feng Du, also known as the Ghost Town, and Shennong Stream, and the Shibaozhai pagoda and temple.

Day 16-17 and Day 20 – [Following the cruise, we traveled to Guilin, and once here, drove to Longji to see Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces and hiked in the surrounding countryside.

Day 18-19 – Yangshuo: We traveled to Yangshuo via a Li River cruise and then went rafting down the Yulong River before returning to Guilin.

Day 21-22 and Day 24 – After flying into Hong Kong from Guilin, we saw the city’s major sites, including the Aberdeen fishing village, Stanley Market, and Victoria Peak.

Day 23 –We finished our trip in Macau, seeing the busy city and its casinos, as well as a few beautiful sunsets, before returning to Hong Kong to wrap up the trip.

There is a new highlighting some of the best attractions all around China.

[d360]

Your saying it was illegal not to tip? From what I've seen generally in Asia no one tips. More and more its becoming common. Aboard cruiseship, guide services, etc. Hopefully it doesn't become like many countries where company's pay less with the premise that tips will be a portion of someone's compensation.

[camposramo]

Yes, as I recall it there were 'mandatory tips' that organised group tours in China requested. At the time we obliged and didnt think much of it. I was just curious because if tipping is not necessary why do some group tour organizers use the term 'tip'?

Originally Posted by d360

Your saying it was illegal not to tip? From what I've seen generally in Asia no one tips. More and more its becoming common. Aboard cruiseship, guide services, etc. Hopefully it doesn't become like many countries where company's pay less with the premise that tips will be a portion of someone's compensation.

[felipeL]

Let me tell you that tipping is not part of Chinese culture or tradition. In fact, most places you go in China actually have a strict no tipping policy. I'd go as far as saying that tipping when not needed is considered impolite in certain parts of China as you're implying that the person needs your charity.

Hong Kong, Beijing and a few other touristy cities are the only place where a tip might be expected, particularly at a high-end hotel. By the way, the only reason tipping may be expected in China is because western tourists have conditioned the behavior not the other way round.

Originally Posted by popo00

I spent 2 great weeks in China with China Odysseys Tours as well and we would recommend them to anyone. The hotels were good, the guides were knowledgeable, friendly and spoke good English, which made it easier for us.

Even if you dont book with China Odysseys Tours, I can tell you that arranging a private tour is the best way to see China.

[maleton]

Hi Kate, I wonder do you know how to book the ticket for the bullet train from Chengdu to Beijing directly online without through travel agencies? I am thinking to book an e-ticket for the journey on 29 August 2011, but so far can't find the direct e-booking website. Just wonder does anything like 'advance e-booking ' exist for the bullet train. Hope you can help. Thanks in advance. :)

Originally Posted by krainey

Destination360 recently took a trip through southern China with China Odyssey Tours as our , and we want to share some facts about the China itinerary for what was an amazing vacation. We spent more than three weeks traveling around, and here is some of what we saw.

Trip dates: April 11 through May 4, 2011

Day 1 – Kunming: We started our trip with a day spent here and saw the Yuantong Temple, Huating Temple, pagodas, Longmen Gate and Dian Lake.

Day 2 – Zhongdian: We went to Shangri-La and saw Tibetan villages, Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong Old Town, and local Tibetans dancing as well.

Day 3-4 – Tiger Leaping Gorge: Along with the gorge itself, we saw the Jinsha River, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Haba Snow Mountain.

Day 4-6 – We enjoyed seeing this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including its Old Town and cobblestone streets, Muwang Palace, the Wangu Tower, the Black Dragon Pool Park, and the tower on Lion Mountain.

Day 6-7 – Dali: En route from Lijiang we saw traditional markets, and once in Dali City, we saw the Old Town, the three pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple, and the traditional San Yue Jie Festival, before heading back to Kunming.

Day 8 – Stone Forest: On the way to Chengdu, we stopped at the Shilin Stone Forest, a limestone karst formation with beautiful stalagmites resembled a petrified forest.

Day 9-11 – In addition to the attractions in Chengdu, including the Wenshu Temple and Wenshu Street, Jinli Street, and Sichuan Opera, we also took day trips to the ] and Panda Research Center.

Day 11-12 – Chongqing: After taking the bullet train from Chengdu, we explored the city of Chongqing and saw the Dazu Rock Carvings, a set of religious sculptures and carvings that date back as far as the seventh century.

Day 13-15 – Yangtze Riverhis three-day cruise included seeing the that give the dam its name (Qutang, Wu, and Xiling), as well as the dam itself. We also saw Feng Du, also known as the Ghost Town, and Shennong Stream, and the Shibaozhai pagoda and temple.

Day 16-17 and Day 20 – ollowing the cruise, we traveled to Guilin, and once here, drove to Longji to see Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces and hiked in the surrounding countryside.

Day 18-19 – Yangshuo: We traveled to Yangshuo via a Li River cruise and then went rafting down the Yulong River before returning to Guilin.

Day 21-22 and Day 24 – [brl]:[/b] After flying into Hong Kong from Guilin, we saw the city’s major sites, including the Aberdeen fishing village, Stanley Market, and Victoria Peak.

Day 23 – We finished our trip in Macau, seeing the busy city and its casinos, as well as a few beautiful sunsets, before returning to Hong Kong to wrap up the trip.

There is a new [/b] highlighting some of the best attractions all around China.