Viking China

[akwynn]

Wow! And how early is that first flight?

We leave Austin at 8:40am

[gooch47]

We flew to Beijing a few years ago from Columbus, Ohio, to Chicago and then on to Beijing. I don't remember it being a horribly long trip. Maybe it's like childbirth ... nature makes you forget.

[whales43]

I can't stress enough how great Viking is. The thing that was so noticeable was how well respected and strong Viking is in China. They are the only ones who could drive the buses right up to the gates of our tour places so that we didn't have to do a lot of walking to get back to the buses after doing a lot of walking already. That was huge. Everywhere we went we were treated with such respect being part of Viking. Everything was top notch and so well done. I am a big Viking fan.

 

 

 

We would do Viking China again. We had an incredible time while on the tour and ship. They bent over backwards to make sure you had a good time. Our flight was delayed getting into Beijing due to weather and the tour guide was at the airport to greet us and take us to our hotel where she had already checked us in. We basically just had to crawl into bed because it was so late. She had arranged for a snack in our room so that we did not have to bother going to the restaurant to eat at the late hour.

[caribill]

Starting in 2011, Viking will be sailing a new ship on the Yangtze, the Emerald.

 

Anyone know why they are replacing the not-so-old Viking Century Sun?

[no fuss travel]

Anyone know why they are replacing the not-so-old Viking Century Sun?

 

Rumour when we were on the Viking Sun was that it was going to be moved to Vietnam and cruise that particular river. People are becoming more and more interested in doing river boat cruises in the far east.

[pacmom]

akwynn

Brookstone has a memory foam eye"piilow"--even if you open yor eyes you think you are in the dark--about $35.

Pat

[cwind]

Myself and my wife have just recieved our documents for Imperial Jewel china trip in July from Beijing to shanghai.Can,t wait,want to go tomorrow. Thanks John in Burlington,Ontario,Canada

[Peregrina651]

One of our group wants to shop for jade on this trip. Are there any particular places in Shanghai or Beijing (like Pearl City for pearls in Shanghai)? I know we go to a jade factory but are there better places for buying quality merchandise? Thanks in advance you your suggestions.

[seanf]

I returned on Wednesday from my Roof of the World tour and had a fantastic time. I am very, very pleased with the Viking experience and my Tour Escort (Francis) was simply amazing. I know everyone posts here saying their guide was the best, but I seriously doubt any could do better than mine! He really went above and beyond to ensure all of his guests had a great time and a really smooth travelling experience

 

If you have any specific questions then please let me know. The only note I will add here is that some people found the Tibet portion of the trip very difficult and were much more affected by the altitude than expected (requiring the in-room oxygen and the hotel Doctor). I was much younger than the rest of my group and did not really have any issues, apart from having a slight out-of-breath feeling for a few hours when first arriving in Lhasa. You really do need to consider your general state of health before booking a tour including Tibet

 

Sean :)

[akwynn]

I returned on Wednesday from my Roof of the World tour and had a fantastic time. I am very, very pleased with the Viking experience and my Tour Escort (Francis) was simply amazing. I know everyone posts here saying their guide was the best, but I seriously doubt any could do better than mine! He really went above and beyond to ensure all of his guests had a great time and a really smooth travelling experience

 

If you have any specific questions then please let me know. The only note I will add here is that some people found the Tibet portion of the trip very difficult and were much more affected by the altitude than expected (requiring the in-room oxygen and the hotel Doctor). I was much younger than the rest of my group and did not really have any issues, apart from having a slight out-of-breath feeling for a few hours when first arriving in Lhasa. You really do need to consider your general state of health before booking a tour including Tibet

 

Sean :)

Sean - my husband and are doing the Tibet tour May 21. He is 65 and is a very active big game hunter. Just got back from Turkey hunting mountain Ibex. I am 64 and take care of my horses and ride. The altitude is a great concern of ours since it is something that we are not going to ease into. How hard was it to tour at that altitude? Did anybody have to be taken down to lower altitude? Ann

[akwynn]

akwynn

Brookstone has a memory foam eye"piilow"--even if you open yor eyes you think you are in the dark--about $35.

Pat

I will definitely order that one - thanks - Ann

[pacmom]

Your family doc can give you a prescription for a med to combat altitude sickness. Even if you are very active, it can really hamper your enjoyment of the trip. Pat

[seanf]

The altitude is a great concern of ours since it is something that we are not going to ease into. How hard was it to tour at that altitude? Did anybody have to be taken down to lower altitude? Ann

Firstly, don't panic about this. My warning was just a note for people to consider when booking. Nobody from my group had to be taken lower, but some people did spend the first day in Lhasa in bed either through choice or on the Doctor's orders. You will be very well looked after by your Tour Escort, who will advise on steps you should take to reduce symptoms and will be with you should you require medical assistance. I had no issues touring, but others found climbing the steps of the Potala Palace very difficult. It is very important to take it easy, move slowly and stop and rest whenever you need to. The pace set by the Tour Escort and the local guide is much slower in Lhasa than the rest of the tour

 

With regards to the medication, I got Diamox from my Doctor and started taking it the morning before, but experienced side affects of bad tingling in my hands during the day and very painful tingling in my feet at night. I kept taking it until we arrived in Lhasa, but as a I felt fine I stopped and the tingling eventually went away after a few days. I would recommend you get the pills though, as you can start taking them if you are being affected by the altitude

 

Again, any questions please ask

 

Sean :)

[no fuss travel]

The jade was a better quality at the jade factory than elsewhere where they took you to shop. I would not buy jade at the Great Wall as it was more expensive there.

The jade factory also has a small gift shop (non jade items) that I found to be less expensive than the Great Wall too.

[Maddle]

Is the jade factory part of the scheduled tours? (Imperial Jewels, to be more specific.) Can you give more information? Thanks - Maddle

[Atlanta Cruisers]

Just got home from Imperial Jewels and decided to take a break between wash loads. It was an amazing trip! Viking is so well organized and every day was a wonderful adventure. As for the jade, most of us bought ours at the jade factory, which is like an art gallery with its beautiful sculptures and jewelry. I bought a bracelet on a sale table so there was no bargaining. The hotels are fabulous and the ship is lovely. We chose to go two days early and stay two days longer, which worked well for us. Shanghai blew us away with its amazing architecture and cosmopolitan feel. The only downside of this trip is the looong plane ride, and right now I am struggling to stay awake, having come home about 4 hours ago. I plan to reccommend Viking to all my friends. Rona

[Atlanta Cruisers]

As for the internet, it rarely worked on the ship. The only time I could get through was by establishing an aol account. Neither my yahoo nor google accounts worked. There was always a group of frustrated people sitting in the computer area. Also, the Westins both charged me for sending emails. The Tang Dynasty and Acrobat shows are a must, but skip the Opera. The jade factory is a scheduled tour and you will eat lunch in their restaurant. Security at the hotels in Shanghai is very tight because of the various heads of state visiting

Expo.

[Romeosc]

One of our group wants to shop for jade on this trip. Are there any particular places in Shanghai or Beijing (like Pearl City for pearls in Shanghai)? I know we go to a jade factory but are there better places for buying quality merchandise? Thanks in advance you your suggestions.

 

 

The ship has better prices than Jade Factory on small pieces. Not near selection you will see at Jade Factory.

 

Internet is very slow on ship, but I used my iphone on wifi at several hot spots

[kkbay]

While in China at the Westin, I brought my IpodTouch and used it for internet FREE!! I send and received emails with it. If you have one, bring it!

[no fuss travel]

Is the jade factory part of the scheduled tours? (Imperial Jewels, to be more specific.) Can you give more information? Thanks - Maddle

 

Yes, it is part of the tour. You go to the Jade factory the same day you go to the Great Wall. That was one very busy day of touring. I enjoyed everything I saw though.

[Romeosc]

While in China at the Westin, I brought my IpodTouch and used it for internet FREE!! I send and received emails with it. If you have one, bring it!

 

 

You can make FREE Skype calls from your wifi enabled iPhone and ipad or ipod touch free too!

 

I have an extra old iphone that is jailbroke, so I bought a Chinese Sim and used WIFI for free Skype calls and free incoming calls from states!

[PINEY10]

We are on Roof of the World now and in Tibet. I have to say this has been the BEST part of the trip so far. THe countryside is beautiful and the people are so friendly--not as aggressive as the Chinese vendors. On the altitude part, we have people from their 50's to their late 70's. Although an adjustment I have to say it did not stop anyone other than to perhaps not have a meal and I think we have had far too many already! The scenery is breathtaking. I was a little worried about the Patula palace climb and had worked myself up but all but one of us did it. It was not as bas as they had said although we dd it on the third day. We go to Xian tomorrow and I hope that will be interesting (we saw the exhibit of the Terra Cotta warriors in Houston). I do believe the Diamox helped as well as eating less, no alcohol, or caffeine and drinking lots of water. You need to keep yourself hydrated. But we all survived and I have to say this part has been the best so far (we started in SHanghai). THey did have oxygen in the room in the SHeraton in Lhasa for those who might need it as well as a humidifier which also was great. The real thing is to take it easy.

 

Our guide was Duan and our Tibetan guide Yola was also good. FOr those who had effects they were very helpful.

 

Waning on the cruise part and intenet--there were some incredible internet hogs on the ship. Even when you got connected which was rare some people were playing solitaire or checking out local wealther in their towns when others never had the chance to even get to their emails. It is almost like the chair hogs on the cruise ships! Food was so so on the ship but service was terrific. All arrangements have been done well.

 

Pearls were good and reasonably priced on the ship. My local jeweler happened to be on the ship with us and he attested to the good quality. To go to the local jewelers you really would have to know pearls--there are a lot of fakes out there!

 

Intenet was great at the Westin (we brought a notebook) and wireless in the room; same at the Four Points SHeraton in Lhasa.

[caribill]

We are on Roof of the World now and in Tibet.

 

Thanks for the continued "love from" reports.

[Peregrina651]

Thank you all for your comments on jade shopping.

[Maddle]

Friends and I are going on Imperial Jewels, Shanghai to Beijing at the end of July.

 

For those of you that have been on this trip, or the alternate direction, what shoes would you recommend for the daily tours? Which did you have with you, or wish you had with you, and any recommendations would be welcome.

 

I am not so much concerned with daily wear on the ship/boat itself, or within the hotels, but the daily walking at the sites.

 

Thanks so much. This thread has been a wealth of information.

 

Maddle