Viking China (Part 2)

[Bruin Steve]

Wow! Those photos look absolutely horrible...

We're those a particularly bad day? Or is that pretty much typical...

You talk about Winter...Is the Summer like that as well?

Just Beijing? Or everywhere?

[Nvadav]

In case this information is helpful to other travelers' date=' I went to the Chinese embassy in DC on Monday, Feb. 24, to submit the application for my visa, and the visa was ready on Thursday, Feb. 27. The line for non-Chinese nationals applying for visas was quite long, we arrived at the embassy at about 10:15, and were finally seen by an agent at about 12:10. I will say that the line started moving more quickly later in the morning, when they opened more windows. Be advised that the staff takes an hour lunch break at 12:30, so it pays to get there on the earlier side. The "interview" with the agent took about 2 minutes, she quickly looked through our papers, asked one question, and that was it. I will say, though, that I had been very careful in making sure I had all the required papers, including a photocopy of the picture page of my passport (as well as the actual passport), copies of the airline's emails with my flight information, and copies of my hotel reservations for before and after the Viking cruise. (I made my plane arrangements independently, and I am also arriving in China before the Viking tour begins, and staying on in China after the tour ends.) One thing to be careful about: the visa application states that it must be typed, so don't merely print the form and then fill in the information in block letters. Several people in the line with me found this out the hard way. And others forgot some of the necessary papers, and had to come back. I can't imagine having to do the standing-in-line routine twice.

 

I should mention that, although I had requested a two-year visa with multiple entries, they gave me only a one-year multiple-entry visa. Also, there was no requirement to enter China within a certain number of days. Given how quick the office is in processing the visa, I would suggest that there is no need to submit your application earlier than one month before travel, which is the time the Chinese embassy suggests.

 

Again, this is my experience with the embassy in DC, I don't know what the situation is with the consulates throughout the U.S.[/quote']

 

I live in northern VA, and had thought I would go myself as well, but I had read some less than favorable reviews about the service, so I opted to use the service recommended by Viking instead. It took about two weeks, but the visas came today, no fuss, no muss. Just had to pay the extra service fees, but worth to me not have have to drive down there, then stand in line for any length of time.:o Very glad your experience was positive.:D

[Peregrina651]

Wow! Those photos look absolutely horrible...

We're those a particularly bad day? Or is that pretty much typical...

You talk about Winter...Is the Summer like that as well?

Just Beijing? Or everywhere?

 

It is a particularly bad day. However, no way to sugar-coat it. Pollution is a problem along the entire route of the tour. It isn't seasonal and it comes and goes according to its own inscrutable and unpredictable plan.

Edited March 5, 2014 by Peregrina651

[Chloe's mom]

I know that there are size and weight restrictions for carry-on bags on the intra-China flights. I have a standard 22-inch rollaboard bag, but if one carefully measures the wheels and handle, the length is more like 23 inches. So my question is, how strict is Viking and/or the airlines about a bag like this? I will definitely stay within the 11 pound weight, and I've never had any problem with this bag as carry-on for U.S. flights. I hope some of you past China trip travelers can give me the benefit of your experience.

[id4elizabeth]

Don't worry about your carry-on. We were on 5 inter China flights this past Oct/Nov and no one ever looked at our carry-on bags. However, that being said, they were fairly strict at times about the weight of your checked bag. We were with a small group and each of our bags were weighed individually for all our flights and once one of our group had to pay a hefty excess baggage fee. If you're with a large group, they often will weigh the group as a whole and if the group is not over, you are fine. If the group is over though, you individually might have a problem if your bag is over weight. No problem with size of the checked bag, but weight is a real issue. So we put everything heavy in our carry-on bag, which I can assure you weighed more than 11 pounds by the end of our trip! Don't worry about the size - we went out and bought carry-on bags that exactly fit the measurements, and like I said, no one even glanced at them. Plenty of Chinese folks walk on with multiple large carry-on bags. Just worry about the weight of the checked bag.

[Bruin Steve]

I know it's been asked and answered before...but...

As long as we're talking luggage again...

 

So, it's 44 pounds per person for checked luggage, correct?

Now, do I get to add a Carry-on to that? 22 inches?

Can I take a knapsack in addition to that? Or is it just the one carryon?

[Peregrina651]

I know it's been asked and answered before...but...

As long as we're talking luggage again...

 

So, it's 44 pounds per person for checked luggage, correct?

Now, do I get to add a Carry-on to that? 22 inches?

Can I take a knapsack in addition to that? Or is it just the one carryon?

 

 

VIKING SAYS:

China Travelers

(Not including the Hong Kong extension which I have not included here)

 

You will travel on domestic China flights during your trip. Viking River Cruises closely monitors luggage restrictions. Luggage allowance is very limited and strictly enforced on intra-China flights;you are allowed

one carry-on

, dimensions not exceeding 8 x 16 x 22 in. (20 x 40 x 55 cm) and the total weight not exceeding 11 lbs (5 kg).

You are also permitted

one checked bag

, dimensions not exceeding 16 x 23 x 39 in. (40 x 60 x 100cm). Total baggage weight cannot exceed 44.2 lbs (20 kg). Items in excess of restrictions must be checked and will incur charges of up to $4 US per kg, based on weight and distance traveled.Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in carry-on luggage.

 

However, experience has shown that regardless of what Viking says about carry-on on the intra-China flights, they haven't counted and they haven't weighed the carry-on bags thus far. But, that doesn't mean that one day that you won't fly on the day they decide to enforce the rules. In other words, it is up to you if you want to play luggage roulette. If you do run into trouble, get your tour escort to intervene.

 

Also, keep in mind that any luggage that you want to carry-on on the intra-China flights you will have to manage yourself and this includes embarking and disembarking in Chongqing and Wuhan. (BTW, porters are available in Chongqing for a couple of yuan and IMHO, especially if it is pouring rain, you should let them carry your bags.)

 

On the intra-flights where Viking handles your luggage, you won't see your luggage until you land and have to collect it in baggage claim and then immediately hand it over for transport to the hotel/ship.Viking will happily transfer one bag per person; more than that you get a very unhappy frown from your escort. Luggage is weighed together such that a slightly overweight bag will be balanced out by a slightly underweight bag.

 

So, even though you may be permitted two checked bags on an international flight, Viking limits you to one checked bag and while carry-on bags may be not be limited on the on the tour itself, international and US domestic airlines are fairly strict about the one carry-on and one personal item per person--and getting stricter according to news reports (especially United, according to recent reports).

 

FYI: You cannot bring beverages onto flights originating in China and this includes those purchased after security.

 

Finally, while this is a report of where we currently stand, before the season begins, we don't yet know what 2014 will bring--especially on flights originating in the US. So, 2014 travelers, please let's hear from you on your return so that we have the most up-to-date intel on the luggage situation.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Peregrina651

[Bruin Steve]

Thanks...

I am really trying to get a handle on this compared to how we "usually" travel...

When we travel on a long cruise/land vacation to Europe (Where we are usually only concerned with the international carriers there and back), we've typically packed one 26 inch Costco nylon-sided rolling suitcase (gross weight 50 pounds) each plus one 22 inch polycarbonate rolling carryon (never cared what it weighs) each plus my wife will carry a large purse or tote bag and I will carry things like my camera, medications and assorted stuff in a small knapsack.

 

I have already purchased for myself a "rolling duffel bag" to use instead of my 26 inch suitcase--since the 26 inch cases weigh 16.5 pounds before packing and the rolling duffel bag weighs only 8 pounds. I figure that, if I can stuff the same amount of clothes and things in the duffel bag, I will still fit under the 44 pounds just because of the difference in the weight of the luggage. I am trying to convince my wife to do the same--though she thinks her clothes will get more wrinkled that way. I tell her it's that or be prepared to take 6 pounds less clothes!

 

The big question will be whether one is able to take a purse or tote bag or knap sack IN ADDITION to the carryon? It IS a bit handier to have a small item like that with you on the plane rather than stowed up in the overhead storage. Plus, I likely want to take my knapsack and my wife her tote bag to take various items (windbreaker, umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, medications, cameras, etc.) with us during the day while on tour...and, if we have to pack those within the carry-ons, that leaves less room for extra clothes and such...

[pacheco18]

Tell your wife not to worry

We only travel with High Sierra rolling duffels. 8 pounds. Almost indestructible.

We have taken them everywhere

Nothing wrinkles

Edited March 6, 2014 by pacheco18

[Peregrina651]

Thanks...

I am really trying to get a handle on this compared to how we "usually" travel...

When we travel on a long cruise/land vacation to Europe (Where we are usually only concerned with the international carriers there and back), we've typically packed one 26 inch Costco nylon-sided rolling suitcase (gross weight 50 pounds) each plus one 22 inch polycarbonate rolling carryon (never cared what it weighs) each plus my wife will carry a large purse or tote bag and I will carry things like my camera, medications and assorted stuff in a small knapsack.

 

I have already purchased for myself a "rolling duffel bag" to use instead of my 26 inch suitcase--since the 26 inch cases weigh 16.5 pounds before packing and the rolling duffel bag weighs only 8 pounds. I figure that, if I can stuff the same amount of clothes and things in the duffel bag, I will still fit under the 44 pounds just because of the difference in the weight of the luggage. I am trying to convince my wife to do the same--though she thinks her clothes will get more wrinkled that way. I tell her it's that or be prepared to take 6 pounds less clothes!

 

The big question will be whether one is able to take a purse or tote bag or knap sack IN ADDITION to the carryon? It IS a bit handier to have a small item like that with you on the plane rather than stowed up in the overhead storage. Plus, I likely want to take my knapsack and my wife her tote bag to take various items (windbreaker, umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, medications, cameras, etc.) with us during the day while on tour...and, if we have to pack those within the carry-ons, that leaves less room for extra clothes and such...

 

Yes, you should be able to have a 'personal' item along with your carry-on, as long as it is a reasonably personal size. No airline is crazy enough to try to separate a woman from her purse! :D

 

Some of the luggage issues can be resolved with wardrobe. Who said they packed by putting out all their money and all their clothing and then taking half the clothing and twice the money?

 

This is not your usual trip. Dress code is much different and you shouldn't need as much clothing. This trip is much more casual than an ocean cruise. You don't have to worry about what to change into for dinner since what you wore during the day is fine for dinner, whether you are in the cities or on the ship. The only reason you may want to change for dinner is to put on dry clothing--and in that case, you can put on tomorrow's outfit. So, to start, you don't need two sets of outfits--day and evening. Steve, you don't even need a sports jacket.

 

However, the big thing to consider is how much shopping are you going to be doing? If you are a shopper, then you really need to plan ahead--unless you plan to leave your clothing behind, as as been mentioned before on this thread.

 

If properly folded or rolled, clothing that is tightly packed doesn't wrinkled as much because it doesn't move around as much. Choose fabrics that are wrinkle resistant, etc. It will be humid enough that those wrinkles will just disappear.

 

That and the dozens of other packing tips that have been shared here. Packing light for this cruise is very do-able. In fact, it may be easier to control than shopping light.

[Bruin Steve]

Wow...

A few months ago, in preparation for this trip, I went to Costco and purchased that Ful 30" Hybrid Rolling Duffel...Figuring, at 8 pounds, it will help me easily make that 44 pound weight limit...At the time, they had a regular price of $49.99 but were running a coupon for $10 off...

 

I should have bought two...

 

My wife doesn't like me buying things for her and she looked at it as being "too early".

 

Yesterday, I checked Costco and they no longer carry them...

A search on the internet showed the same piece of luggage going, consistently, for around $93 to $97...

 

There's a current coupon deal at one site (ebags, where I've bought a piece or two before) that would bring the price down to $72.99, no tax, free shipping...

 

But, it is hard to pull the trigger since I bought my other one for only $39.99!

 

I've sort of decided to roll the dice and hope Costco gets more of these in at a better price...

Or, I'll count on the fact that ebags is continually running some promotion or another and I can likely wait and still at least match that price...

 

This particular bag appears to be very well made...The "hybrid" means that the bottom half of the bag is polycarbonate hard shell and includes the typical handle and rollerblade type wheels while the top half is nylon with zippers and compartments...and it only weighs 8 pounds...

 

http://www.ebags.com/product/ful/30-hybrid-urban-rolling-duffel/230835

 

The old standard 26" cases we usually pack are over 16.5 pounds before you even pack one article of clothing...So, with the 44 pound restriction, that would limit my wife to packing only 27+ pounds of clothing, toiletries, etc., whereas the duffel would allow for 36 pounds of stuff...I am assuming I can fit that much stuff in 30" by 16" by 14"...

 

No...wait...

While composing this post, I kept thinking about it...

Even if Costco brings it back, no guarantee they'll run another coupon promotion...So, we're looking at the former price of $49.99...But, prices go up...So, they likely raise it to $59.99...But, buying it here in the LA area, the sales tax goes as high as closing in on 10%...So...I've got to figure on paying a total of around $66.00...

 

So, at $72.99, I'm sweating over a mere SEVEN DOLLARS!

 

So, what the heck...I just pulled the trigger...

Beth better like it...

Edited March 7, 2014 by Bruin Steve

[molymoo]

My husband and I are booked for October with Uniworld and will be going to Tibet as well. This will also be our first river cruise. Please give an overview of how you handled the altitude when you get back. I am a little concerned and want to take all precautions before we get there. I have been reading these posts for months now and agree that there is so much great information. Have a wonderful trip - so excited:)

 

Just caught your post while browsing ... hope the information isn't too late to be helpful.

 

We were on the Roof of the World trip with Viking last summer and the itinerary included three days and nights in Lhasa. My daughter and I both consulted our physicians and got prescriptions for Diamox and used it. Had no difficulties with the altitude other than a vague headache here and there and of course neither one of us was going to be running any marathons (not that we would at sea level either!).

 

There were 24 in our group and several did not use any medication and they had few problems either. The only person requiring any medical attention was a gentleman with asthma but even that didn't deter him from participating in all of the excursions and he even hiked up to the top of Potala Palace! There is a doctor in the hotel and oxygen available in the rooms.

 

I think the key is to listen to your tour escorts. They are experienced in travelling to the area and know how to avoid problems. Our tour escort advised us to avoid taking a nap right after we arrived at the hotel (we had a VERY early morning flight) but to take a leisurely (don't exert yourself!) walk around the grounds of the hotel and try to stay up until bedtime. He recommended plenty of water but also soda (coke or the like) but not diet; apparently the sugar helps too. And for some reason he also warned us not to shower until the next morning.

 

I will say that those who did not heed his advice and took naps awoke with whopper headaches. The ones who followed his advice fared much better.

 

It was an amazing trip from start to finish but Tibet was truly an experience of a lifetime! Have a wonderful time!

[Happy Tourista]

Thank you so much for the information on your experiences re. altitude acclimation in Tibet. As someone who cannot take Diamox (and who tries to prepare for possible problems), I feel better knowing that there are other "tricks" to ward off altitude sickness. The idea of not taking a shower until the day after landing is interesting....

 

 

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[molymoo]

We wondered if a nice hot shower might be relaxing which would make it harder to stay awake. Who knows but I will say he made the trip several times a year and didn't appear to have any difficulties ... and did not take any medication prior to ascent. Trust the experts! :)

[Peregrina651]

We wondered if a nice hot shower might be relaxing which would make it harder to stay awake. Who knows but I will say he made the trip several times a year and didn't appear to have any difficulties ... and did not take any medication prior to ascent. Trust the experts! :)

 

And I was wondering if it had something to do with blood circulation and not bringing blood into the capillaries. The circulatory system is an important part of the oxygen exchange system and it is oxygen that is a big part of altitude sickness equation. I wonder if it is the same for the walk and not napping--keep up blood flow, metabolism and oxygenation but don't overtax the system.

 

BTW, great post! This thread is really short on helpful information for the Tibet portion of the journey. Thank you.

[Kohola]

Just caught your post while browsing ... hope the information isn't too late to be helpful.

I think the key is to listen to your tour escorts. They are experienced in travelling to the area and know how to avoid problems. Our tour escort advised us to avoid taking a nap right after we arrived at the hotel (we had a VERY early morning flight) but to take a leisurely (don't exert yourself!) walk around the grounds of the hotel and try to stay up until bedtime. He recommended plenty of water but also soda (coke or the like) but not diet; apparently the sugar helps too. And for some reason he also warned us not to shower until the next morning.

The forums and websites that I reviewed on the subject of showering at altitude focus between the fact that showering puts stress on your circulatory system and showering increases your chances at catching a cold at altitude. With the chances of catching a cold the more prevailing answer. Since colds are viral infections I'm not sure if the whole idea of not showering is more of a "don't mess with something that works" experience than having a medical basis.

[Kohola]

Wow! Those photos look absolutely horrible...

We're those a particularly bad day? Or is that pretty much typical...

You talk about Winter...Is the Summer like that as well?

Just Beijing? Or everywhere?

 

Those photos were taken in conjunction with an article written about 2/26/14 detailing China's pollution problem. It just happened that the pollution levels were higher than average across China then. The first photo is of the city of ChongQing and not Beijing at all. The pollution levels during the summer are higher on average than winter because the air is dry. Spring rains and fall breezes decrease pollution levels during those seasons. I've traveled in March/April twice and saw beautiful blue skies in Beijing both times. Beijing is particularly susceptible to pollution because of the topography of the area...it's in a basin surrounded by mountains so stagnant air sits in the bowl increasing pollution levels. Beijing AQI averages around 100 which is the low end of the unhealthy level for people with chronic heart/respiratory issues.

The population in general has finally realized that the "fog" is pollution and not weather related so they are beginning to demand the government do something about it. I've had older Chinese try to explain that pollution actually improves their immune system to indicate the level of influence the government propaganda has had on them.

If you are healthy then the acute exposure sustained during a 3 week trip should not have an long term consequences. Residents of Beijing begin to show permanent damage after prolonged exposure of around 6 years.

On 1/12/14 the AQI was 755 measured by the US Embassy in Beijing; contrast that with an AQI of around 40 in NYC on the same day.

The Chinese are demanding their government solve a problem that is partly their own making...Beijing adds about 2,000 cars a week to its highways and many Chinese use coal for heating their homes. In Seattle your car must pass an emissions test before it can be registered; if our AQI raises above the 50 threshold a burn ban is put into place to help ensure our pollution levels stay in the safe range...I'm not sure if China has any controls like that.

[caribill]

Hwere are some pictrures from when we were in China with Viking in August four years ago. Certainly clean enough air for the amount of time we were there.

 

 

Photo from our hotel in Beijing

 

 

 

The next day in Tiananmen Square

 

 

 

View from our hotel room in Shanghai

 

 

 

Our day in Chongqing

 

Edited March 8, 2014 by caribill

[Bruin Steve]

As long as I'm thinking about the luggage issues, maybe it's a good time to ask this one: Laundry...and wardrobe...

 

Basically, the trip is 17 nights, breaking down into three parts:

1) Hotel stays, Beijing and Xi'an--6 nights...

2) River cruise--5 nights

3) Hotel stays, Shanghai, Guilin, Hong Kong--6 nights

 

Since, unlike most cruises, we don't have formal nights and don't need a second wardrobe for dinner, we need clothes for 18 days...

 

I like to wear, mainly, cargo shorts and golf shirts...but I imagine I'll need at least one pair of long pants for the Opera and the Peking Duck dinner--maybe a little more formal, correct?

 

Then, also, since it will be June 15-July 4, I assume it will be hot and muggy, so I may need extra shirts to change into after sweating through touring days...

 

But, packing for 18 days plus extra shirts maybe a bit much for the 44 pound limit...

 

So, my thought would be to pack, basically, about 9-10 days worth of clothes...which would mean getting everything laundered about 8 or 9 days in...which would be the middle of the cruise portion.

 

The brochure says the Viking Emerald has "laundry service". Has anyone used this? How quick is the turnaround? What are the costs? reliable?

 

I assume if I can get away with packing just 9 days of clothes, mostly light, I can get it all in the one piece of luggage and not have to deal with a carry-on...

[Going Coastal]

Caribill, your pictures are wonderful. I hope we have weather like that. Thank you so much for posting them.

 

 

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[sisterpower]

A question for those who have done Ocean cruises and the Viking river - how do the showers stall sizes compare on the boats? My husband is a tall man at 6' 4" and had a hard time using the shower on our NCL Hawaiian cruise. Been reading all the posts thanks for all the great information I leave in 3 months 26 days:)

[Turtles06]

Then, also, since it will be June 15-July 4, I assume it will be hot and muggy, so I may need extra shirts to change into after sweating through touring days...

 

But, packing for 18 days plus extra shirts maybe a bit much for the 44 pound limit...

 

So, my thought would be to pack, basically, about 9-10 days worth of clothes...which would mean getting everything laundered about 8 or 9 days in...which would be the middle of the cruise portion.

 

The brochure says the Viking Emerald has "laundry service". Has anyone used this? How quick is the turnaround? What are the costs? reliable?

 

 

Our Viking China trip was in mid-May, and it was already pretty warm along the river. Also, the cabins on the Emerald are fairly humid; anything you wash out yourself will take a good while to dry. We did use the laundry service on the Emerald to launder polo shirts. They did a great job; everything came back clean and neatly wrapped in tissue paper. I can't recall the cost, but it was reasonable for what it was. I also can't recall how long the turnaround was, but it wasn't long, possibly the next day, but don't quote me on that.

[Turtles06]

Well, if we are sharing our "blue skies in China" photos, here are a few of mine :)

 

 

 

 

(photos by turtles06)

[Going Coastal]

Gorgeous!

 

 

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[Bruin Steve]

I pray I get skies as blue as you got, Turtles!

Those shots are beautiful...

 

99 days to go!