Viking China (Part 2)

[Bruin Steve]

Thank you! Didn't work on the iPad. I'll fire up the desktop....

 

Just in case...did it from this webpage:

 

http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng/visa/forms/P020130831026095240145.pdf

[Peregrina651]

Just in case...did it from this webpage:

 

http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng/visa/forms/P020130831026095240145.pdf

 

Do each of the consulates use the same form or should applicants be going to the website of the consulate where they will be applying for the visa?

[Chloe's mom]

I am on the April 26 Imperial Jewels cruise, passing along info. For those of you who are doing this cruise. First, be aware that US currency that you exchange for Chinese money should be free of any pencil marks and the like. My hotel refused to accept a 100 dollar bill because it had a small notation of "100" in pencil. Markings like this are of more concern than whether or not the bills are crispy.

 

Second, I strongly suggest you arrive in China a couple of days before the Viling tour begins to get over jet lag. I arrived on Thursday April 24 for a Viking tour that nominally begins with checkin at the Viking hotel on April 26, and did a tour to Suzhou on the 25th. By late afternoon i couldn't keep my eyes open. I can't imagine flying into Beijing the day before a tour and being thrown in to heavy duty sightseeing.

 

Third, if you decide to come to shanghai in advance I highly recommend the guide we used. I found her through recommendations on Trip Advisor. She's in her 20s, studied in England, has good English, and is very knowledgeable and very personable. Her English name is Melody and her address is melodyhml@163.com.

 

Fourth, in terms of changing money, the rate is strictly regulated by the Bank of China. So we decided to bring US dollars with us and then change them at our hotel, rather than getting Chinese currency at an ATM as soon as we landed in China. This way we saved the commission and fees. If you do this I suggest you write to your hotel to find out if they charge any fees, and to find out the maximum amount of currency they will allow you to change each day. I should add that we didn't need Chinese currency to get from the airport to our hotel because we had arranged with Melody to be picked up at the airport. Cost was about $42, perhaps a few dollars more than a taxi, but it was worth it to us to have our baggage taken care of as soon

as we entered the Arrivals Hall.

 

Hope this info is useful. I will try to post again. Let me know if you have questions.

[didicruiser]

Just in case...did it from this webpage:

 

http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng/visa/forms/P020130831026095240145.pdf

 

Thanks again :o

[Host Jazzbeau]

OOPS! I just double checked the date on the Viking website and I don't see a September 14, 2015 check-in date listed for 2015 for the Roof of the World itinerary. I see Sept 11 and 12.

 

Don't start a new roll call. Use the button on the right side of the first post of the roll call to report the error and request a correction. Since you are the one who started the roll call, CC should honor the request.

 

Changed to: Roof of the World - September 12, 2015

at OP's request.

 

--Host Jazzbeau

[Turtles06]

 

Fourth' date=' in terms of changing money, the rate is strictly regulated by the Bank of China. So we decided to bring US dollars with us and then change them at our hotel, rather than getting Chinese currency at an ATM as soon as we landed in China. This way we saved the commission and fees. If you do this I suggest you write to your hotel to find out if they charge any fees, and to find out the maximum amount of currency they will allow you to change each day.

[/quote']

 

Thanks for taking the time to post while traveling.

 

The above is exactly how we exchanged money on our trip three years ago. (We did bring some RMB to start off.) We had only one minor glitch along the way -- one of the hotels didn't have much cash when we arrived, and so they told us to come back to the desk later. No big deal. And no hotel charged us any fees.

 

We knew that we had to bring pristine U.S. currency to China, so before leaving the U.S., we went to our banks and asked them to get new or at least pristine bills for us. This turned out to be more difficult than we thought it would be (there's a lot of torn and defaced money out there!), but fortunately one of our banks was very helpful and got what we needed. So future travelers -- just do this sufficiently in advance.

 

Chloe's Mom: have a great rest of your trip!

[siliconegel]

We just received our travel package from Viking today for our Imperial Jewels of China trip starting on May 18. I noticed under baggage allowance that carry-on bags on intra-China flights "are not to exceed 8 x 16 x 22 inches and not to exceed a total weight of 11 lbs. I've noted from several people on the cruise that the 11 lbs is not enforced, but what about the baggage dimensions ? I have not been able to find a carry on bag that is only 8" (front to back). Most are 9 to 9.5". Is the 8" dimension strictly enforced ?

 

I hope someone knows the answer to this. Thanks.

[Turtles06]

We just received our travel package from Viking today for our Imperial Jewels of China trip starting on May 18. I noticed under baggage allowance that carry-on bags on intra-China flights "are not to exceed 8 x 16 x 22 inches and not to exceed a total weight of 11 lbs. I've noted from several people on the cruise that the 11 lbs is not enforced, but what about the baggage dimensions ? I have not been able to find a carry on bag that is only 8" (front to back). Most are 9 to 9.5". Is the 8" dimension strictly enforced ?

 

I hope someone knows the answer to this. Thanks.

 

When we traveled in 2011, NO rules about carry ons were enforced on our three intra-China flights. (We did not travel to Hong Kong, so I can't speak to that.) No one weighed, measured, or counted anything that anyone took aboard the planes. Our Viking escort cautioned us that if the security folks were out of sorts that day, they could have enforced the rules.

 

From what I've read on here, it doesn't sound like you should have a problem now, but hopefully, more recent travelers will also weigh in (no pun intended).

 

Have a great trip!

[Peregrina651]

Changed to: Roof of the World - September 12, 2015

at OP's request.

 

--Host Jazzbeau

 

 

Thank you, Jazzbeau-- both for doing your bit of 'moderator magic' and for letting us know of the change.

 

The September 12, 2015 Roof of the World roll call will be on the list the next time I post it.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Peregrina651

[Chloe's mom]

Per Turtle's comment about US currency being pristine, the hotel wouldn't exchange one of my $100 bills because someone had written 100 on it in pencil.

[caribill]

We knew that we had to bring pristine U.S. currency to China, so before leaving the U.S., we went to our banks and asked them to get new or at least pristine bills for us. This turned out to be more difficult than we thought it would be (there's a lot of torn and defaced money out there!).

 

Banks have told me that the only time they have a good supply of new currency is near the end of the year as many customers want new bills to give as holiday presents.

[Chloe's mom]

We just received our travel package from Viking today for our Imperial Jewels of China trip starting on May 18. I noticed under baggage allowance that carry-on bags on intra-China flights "are not to exceed 8 x 16 x 22 inches and not to exceed a total weight of 11 lbs. I've noted from several people on the cruise that the 11 lbs is not enforced, but what about the baggage dimensions ? I have not been able to find a carry on bag that is only 8" (front to back). Most are 9 to 9.5". Is the 8" dimension strictly enforced ?

 

I hope someone knows the answer to this. Thanks.

 

 

I'm on the Imperial Jewels right now, having flown from Shanghai to the embarkation port of Wuhan. Weight and size restrictions are not enforced. Our tour escort pointed to a backpack and said that multiple carry-on bags of that size were allowed, that the Chinese airlines were trying to encourage passengers to take carry-on bags. So it's very different from the U.S. airlines, and the new policy some of them have about carry-on bags fitting into specific sizing. There was nothing like that on our flight. I would certainly not worry about the 8 inch dimension.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that you are not allowed to take liquids in carry-on bags, and you can't take opened bottles of alcohol even in your checked luggage. And no matches or lighters in either checked or carry-on bags. Or Swiss army knives. If the airport security people find them, they will be confiscated.

[sisterpower]

Thanks Chloe'smom for the great post on carry on luggage it certainly helps to alleviate any worries anyone might have regarding this aspect of the trip. Just a reminder to all those Canadians to check with this site regarding what you can bring back from your vacation. http://www.catsa.gc.ca/whatcanIbring

 

Canadian regulations do differ from those in the United States - for example tea must be packaged and labelled from the distributor and keep your receipt stating that the item is tea.

[Peregrina651]

 

One thing to keep in mind is that you are not allowed to take liquids in carry-on bags' date=' and you can't take opened bottles of alcohol even in your checked luggage. And no matches or lighters in either checked or carry-on bags. Or Swiss army knives. If the airport security people find them, they will be confiscated.[/quote']

 

And a reminder that the ban on liquids taken on the plane also extends to any beverages you might buy after you clear the security checkpoint including bottles of water.

[Happy Tourista]

I just picked up fresh $100 bills for our upcoming Roof of the World trip. Interestingly, the new bills have a wild hologram vertical strip on them. They look very different from the older $100 bills (but still have the Ben Franklin portrait). I hope the hotels realize that these are what our government is now issuing and accept these unusual bills!

 

 

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[Chloe's mom]

Another report from shipboard.

 

The optional excursion to the Summer Palace is not even shown in the color brochure of excusions we were given on shipboard, nor was it mentioned by our tour escort when he was encouraging passengers to sign up for excursions. When I asked about the Summer Palace, the tour escort very definitely discouraged me from doing it, saying that because of traffic it would take an hour to get there and an hour to get back. Another guest was told by her tour escort that those who wanted to go to the Summer Palace would have to wait until everyone was finished with lunch after the Forbidden City to gather those who were doing the Summer Palace tour, which could mean waiting for an hour after the guest had finished lunch.

 

It was strongly suggested to me that if I wanted to visit the Summer Palace I should make my own arrangements. Since I'm staying on in Beijing after the tour I was able to do this, but I suggest that anyone who wants to visit the Summer Palace should contact Viking in advance and see what is going on with this.

[caribill]

When I asked about the Summer Palace' date=' the tour escort very definitely discouraged me from doing it, saying that because of traffic it would take an hour to get there and an hour to get back. Another guest was told by her tour escort that those who wanted to go to the Summer Palace would have to wait until everyone was finished with lunch after the Forbidden City to gather those who were doing the Summer Palace tour, which could mean waiting for an hour after the guest had finished lunch.

 

[/quote']

 

This sure is a 180 degree turn from when it was part of the itinerary and we were enthusiastically brought there after lunch as part of the included sights.

 

Based on the times on pictures we took:

 

o It was about 41 minutes from when we left the Forbidden City until we arrived inside the room for lunch at a hotel.

 

o Lunch was over an hour later

 

o We were at the entrance to the Summer Palace 30 minutes later

 

o It did take an hour and 20 minutes to return to our hotel from the Summer Palace, but that included driving slowly past the Olympic site venues. I assume this was not the direct route to the hotel.

 

What's next? Discouraging visiting the Great Wall because it is 1 hour and 45 minutes from the hotel?

Edited April 30, 2014 by caribill

[Turtles06]

Another report from shipboard.

 

The optional excursion to the Summer Palace is not even shown in the color brochure of excusions we were given on shipboard' date=' nor was it mentioned by our tour escort when he was encouraging passengers to sign up for excursions. When I asked about the Summer Palace, the tour escort very definitely discouraged me from doing it, saying that because of traffic it would take an hour to get there and an hour to get back. Another guest was told by her tour escort that those who wanted to go to the Summer Palace would have to wait until everyone was finished with lunch after the Forbidden City to gather those who were doing the Summer Palace tour, which could mean waiting for an hour after the guest had finished lunch.

 

It was strongly suggested to me that if I wanted to visit the Summer Palace I should make my own arrangements. Since I'm staying on in Beijing after the tour I was able to do this, but I suggest that anyone who wants to visit the Summer Palace should contact Viking in advance and see what is going on with this.[/quote']

 

I agree with caribill above, a very different turn of events from our trip in 2011. Obviously, that was several years ago, and many things change. I'm curious, though, what is Viking now doing with that afternoon that was otherwise devoted to the Summer Palace tour?

 

Thanks again for reporting on scene; I hope you are having a great time.

[caribill]

I'm curious, though, what is Viking now doing with that afternoon that was otherwise devoted to the Summer Palace tour?

 

 

Per the Viking web site, nothing:

 

"After lunch in a local restaurant, take some free time to explore Beijing on your own or relax at your hotel. Or, you may choose to tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex of elegant buildings and gardens (complete with man-made Kunming Lake) frequented by the Imperial Court when they wanted to escape the bustle of Beijing."

[Turtles06]

Per the Viking web site, nothing:

 

"After lunch in a local restaurant, take some free time to explore Beijing on your own or relax at your hotel. Or, you may choose to tour the Summer Palace, a 700-acre complex of elegant buildings and gardens (complete with man-made Kunming Lake) frequented by the Imperial Court when they wanted to escape the bustle of Beijing."

 

 

Thanks caribill.

 

Interesting that they have turned half a day into free time... That's a pretty big chunk of the Viking time in Beijing.

[Happy Tourista]

On the itinerary for our upcoming Roof of the World tour, Day 2 is a "city tour including Tianamen Square, Forbidden City and Summer Palace." I even checked the itinerary on Viking's website to confirm it includes the Summer Palace. It's odd that the Beijing section of the Roof tour would differ from the tours that are only based in China.

 

 

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[Chloe's mom]

I know that the Summer Palace excursion conflicts with the Opera, that it's not possible to do both. The cynical part of me wonders whether Viking makes more money on the optional Opera excursion, or even whether Viking needs a certain number to sign up for the Opera, and they had trouble getting it when people could sign up for the Summer Palace. Or maybe it's something much more benign, like people want free time for shopping. But another passenger was told that the Summer Palace was similar to what we'd see in the Forbidden City, and this kind of misinformation makes me suspicious.

 

In terms of the trip, we've been very lucky with weather and pollution. We were at the Three Gorges Dam yesterday, and had great views. By the way, I feel very lucky that we're doing the cruise in the Shanghai to Beijing direction. Today is May Day, and it starts a long weekend for the Chinese. The dam is expecting 30,000 visitors today. I can't imagine what it will be like in Xi'an for those who are on the April 28 Beijing to Shanghai tour.

[Happy Tourista]

This is copied directly from the Viking Website for the itinerary of the 2014 Roof of the World tour. They seem to fit in the Summer Palace and the optional opera.

 

DAY 2 | BEIJING, CHINA

 

After breakfast, visit massive Tiananmen Square, then see the Forbidden City with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens, once open only to nobility. This afternoon, tour the 700-acre Summer Palace and ride a dragon boat across its man-made lake. Tonight, taste some local specialties at dinner, or attend an optional Peking opera, a form of traditional Chinese theater. (B, L, D)

 

 

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[caribill]

I know that the Summer Palace excursion conflicts with the Opera' date=' that it's not possible to do both.[/quote']

 

Opera is in the evening. Summer Palace is in the afternoon after lunch.

 

There was no timing conflict when we did the trip and many in our group did both.

[Turtles06]

Opera is in the evening. Summer Palace is in the afternoon after lunch.

 

There was no timing conflict when we did the trip and many in our group did both.

 

Same here.