First time to China - anxious - need reassurances please

[CupKayke]

We will be in China a week from today. We are doing a completely escorted tour with Gate 1 travel including a 4-night Yangtze River cruise. I have been off and on excited about this for a year. Now, with less than a week away, I have the terrible flu ~ which gives me anxiety ~ which makes me want to cancel our trip. We have NO insurance so we would lose every penny. OF COURSE I do not plan to cancel the trip and am praying daily I get to feeling better (just got antibiotics yesterday) and I am good to go a week from today but in the meantime... DID ANYONE ELSE FEEL NERVOUS ABOUT YOUR FIRST TRIP TO CHINA?? We've been "around" so I don't know why I consider China to be any different? Embarrassed. :o

[UB & AS]

We have had two China cruises in the last couple of years. You will not regret going! The Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and all of the other sights were amazing. In Beijing we stayed at the Regent Hotel and it was probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in. The Chinese people were more than friendly.

 

We had a longer Yangtze River cruise and there were some issues. Smog! By the time we got to (probably) where your river cruise begins, the air had cleared and the last few days were good. Food on the river cruise ship was boring but you will only have that for four days. Don't worry and enjoy the trip.

 

China's coastal cities are very modern and beautiful. You will get to see "the other China" along the river.

 

Sandy

[soccerref]

I too was very nervous about our 21 day land tour of China but I absolutely loved every minute of the time we spent in this vast and intriguing country. We enjoyed the contrast between ancient and modern and thought the people were delightful. I would go back tomorrow if there weren't so many other countries that I would like to visit.

I do hope you have as good a time as we did.

[rkacruiser]

First: best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

China is one of the most interesting countries that I have had the pleasure of visiting. The people are friendly, the local cuisine is good and, of course to Western tastes, "interesting". As a previous poster mentioned, the sights that you will experience will make an unforgettable impression upon you.

 

I would try to obtain some local currency before you depart and not expect to use credit cards or US dollars all the time. You may find some items to buy from individual vendors that will require local currency.

 

I have not yet done the River cruise and would enjoy doing so, I think.

 

Have a safe and pleasant trip!

[wangeling gal]

Hope you have a wonderful tour of China, its a fascinating country. But it is a concern that you don't have any travel insurance. Especially when traveling to Asia. It is a small outlay that could save you thousands of dollars.

Hope your flu has totally gone before you travel, and may you have a safe and fabulous holiday.

[Ashland]

We did a fully escorted land China tour (Affordable Asia) in Oct 2012. Visiting Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai..It was an amazing trip and we saw and did so much in our 2 weeks than we thought possible. Our guides in each city were wonderful and the hotels couldn't have been better.

 

We loved Shanghai so much..We're getting ready to now do a Singapore-Shanghai RCI cruise in March and so looking forward to visiting Asia again.

 

I too was so nervous about China (we too have "been around") but it couldn't have been easier. Just take hand sanitizer & wipes & toilet tissue..you'll need it for the "squatty potty's" :eek:...

 

We actually changed US$'s at our hotel's and also at the Bank Of China..as we took Traveler's Checks...this worked out very well for us...since I did not feel comfortable using ATM's (JMHO) especially in China since it was our first Asia experience.

 

Enjoy !!

[TravelMore&More]

First: best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

 

 

I would try to obtain some local currency before you depart and not expect to use credit cards or US dollars all the time. You may find some items to buy from individual vendors that will require local currency.

!

 

Actually, one cannot use US$ in China. Yes you can get some Chinese currency before you leave but not too much as the exchange rate is likely to be terrible. Better use your bank card in ATMs instead.

In the very rare markets where a vendor will accept a foreign currency, it will be at a terrible exchange rate. I think it is probably going to be even more difficult more since there was a big news recently over there about a large amount of Euros being exchanged in a market in Beijing and it turned out to be fake.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

We love China and have been to Beijing twice, Shanghai, Hong Kong and will be going back to Hong Kong in April. I just love the bargaining you can do in China. Rule of thumb is whatever they ask for - divide it by 10. Stick to your guns and then agree on a price you are happy with. You can use US$ in the markets around tourist spots like the Great Wall and they just love getting tipped in US$. Hawkers also love the US$.

 

Have fun, I hope you get to love this wonderful country and its people as much as we do. If you need any directions whilst you are there ask a young person.... the majority of young people speak English.

Edited November 26, 2014 by Billy and Charlie's Mum

[4774Papa]

China was one of our best trip, ever. We did three weeks with Vantage and covered several cities and a river cruise, as well as Hong Kong.

 

My review is provided

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1718320

 

 

Going with a tour company, you should be escorted through airports and not experience problems associated with the language barrier.

 

As much as I loved the country and its people, I will point out two areas of concern.

 

Pollution is very bad in China. In some cities, you cannot see the skyscrapers because of the pollution. Bejing was not as bad as the other cities.

If you have a respiratory disease talk to your doctor before you go.

 

Second, don't eat in just any restaurant. Most of our meals were provided, but we had a few that we had to buy.

China has certified restaurants so tourists can be reassured that the food is safe.

Pollution is so bad that you can get contaminated food if you eat just anywhere.

We stayed in five star hotels and the restaurants there are fine.

[no fuss travel]

Make sure you have a lot of crisp US dollar and $5 dollar bills to pay for merchandise. The bills have to be clean and not wrinkled, otherwise they will not accept them. Enjoy, China is a fascinating country and the cruise down the Yangtze is fantastic. Hopefully you will have a sunny day for the 3 Gorges. The scenery there is magnificent. Your Chinese tour guides will take very good care of you.

[4774Papa]

Three Gorges is great, as was the Li River, as was the Great Wall, the terracotta warriors, the Forbidden City, the list is long.

[CupKayke]

Thank you all for the reassurances and the kind advice and uplifting notes about China.

 

Today is the first day I have had my appetite back and am trying a teeny bit of solid flu. I was at my doctor's office Monday and again yesterday ~ very, very rare for me. I have/had a bad strain of the flu but I should be good to go soon. Medicine, prayer, whatever it takes, I've been doing it.

As for insurance, I normally do purchase insurance for us and stupidly did not this time. :o I called yesterday to purchase and of course it is too late. We have a program through our employer that pays for medical care, lost baggage, emergency transports to/from medical providers, emergency transports home, and even for bonds to get you out of jail. This is new for us so I called and spoke with the representatives this summer to make sure it was good for China and is. Still, LESSON LEARNED about actual trip insurance. If we had to cancel between now and 2 days prior to flight day, we would have lost 100% of our flight fees and 90% of the remainder fees. Tisk Tisk. Shame on me.

 

I watched a program on China today on our local network television station. It was wonderful. They said "Don't be afraid" and "Go! Have fun!" etc... It was exactly what I needed to hear.... now if I can just get rid of some of these flu side effects and keep eating solid food. :)

 

Thank you all for your kind responses.

[CupKayke]

We ordered 1200 Yuan two weeks ago. I got a phone call from our bank yesterday that it arrived.

[4774Papa]

The food in China is very good. We never tired of the Chinese food, but occasionally, when we had a choice, we had pizza or something western.

 

The Western breakfasts were nice.

 

The way food is served is with a lazy susan that rotates the dishes around the table. Depending on where the server places the food, you will eventually get it, but they never tell you when they are going to stop bringing out more food. Sometimes you over eat some dishes thinking that no more food is coming, then they bring something you would have liked.

 

The food is not unlike the Chinese food you get in the USA, but still different, with more variety, and generally better. The food in China varies by region. More noodles in the north and rice in the south.

You know when they are finished, when they bring out the watermelon. That is dessert.

 

Chinese don't drink wine, at least you won't be served wine. The local wine is awful. Chinese beer is excellent, they learned from the Germans that set up shop there in the 19th Century.

[rkacruiser]

Yes, the Chinese beer is excellent!

 

As to the "squatty potties", if you are in a restroom in a tourist attraction, take a bit of time and do some "exploring" of what is available. In China, I was always able to find at least one Western-style facility in the restroom. (Not so in India at the Chennai airport.)

[Ashland]

Yes, the Chinese beer is excellent!

 

As to the "squatty potties", if you are in a restroom in a tourist attraction, take a bit of time and do some "exploring" of what is available. In China, I was always able to find at least one Western-style facility in the restroom. (Not so in India at the Chennai airport.)

The trick to the "squatty potty" is to always look for the handicapped stall..as it will usually be the western style toilet...I learned this quickly on our land tour ;)

[Bowie MeMe]

I too was excited and also a little scared. Take plenty of clothes -- they do not overheat the buildings UNLESS they do:p and then no way to cool it off. The food for the most part was absolutely wonderful -- out guide usually chose the restaurant and quickly learned what we liked. We often asked the guide to share with us because almost always food served "family style" bowls. Be sure to take your antibiotic all the way and ask the Dr. if you could carry a supply with you in case of relapse. Also an inhaler was a God Send as the pollution is visible in many cities and it will be worse in December as heating and inversion both will be in play. Saline solution for nose and eye soothing drops are both helpful. Be careful of your footing -- curbs can be uneven and sidewalks in disrepair -- as always gawking while walking is dangerous! (Don't ask how I know!) Your confidence will grow as you adjust to this wonderful country and you will really enjoy the vast majority and be glad you don't daily have to deal with the crowding and shortages of things that locals deal with. At the level you will travel at -- you will be comfortable, well taken care of, have friendly people helping you and your eyes and ears will remember forever how beautiful it all was. Enjoy. Any questions just post them here or ask your guide.

 

Oh do not plan to use your phone or internet while in China unless you are willing to give all sorts of information to the Chinese government. Starbucks are frequent and the wifi is free but you have to register with the Chinese authorities to get access and then many sights are closed off. I just did without internet for 3 weeks. It was colder in November than I thought it would be (started Oct. 4 in Beijing flew (without guide!) to Xian (the most wonderful sight is the Warriors) then flew to Bangkok to take the Diamond Princess back to Beijing leaving Nov. 9. Hats and gloves you will want and sturdy shoes with good socks.

Edited November 27, 2014 by Bowie MeMe

[wangy26]

Regarding currency in China, only Chinese Yuan is accepted (no US dollars). However, a lot of places (at major city, high end stores) take credit card. All ATM will give you local currency (Chinese Yuan) at the best rate. There is no ATM fee from the banks there (your own bank may still charge you). So get the local currency from ATM there is the best way to go.

[Floridiana]

The hotel reception will also change money for you.

 

We found our 4 week China trip absolutely fascinating. It is also a safe country for travelers, no constant fear of pickpockets although we were told they do exist in certain crowded places in Chendung and Shanghai. We were in China last May and will return in March. It's a big country, lots of places to see and experience. :D