Viking China (Part 2)

[caribill]

Until then I just learned an information that is troubling me ! My TA told me that in our intra-China flights our friends and us won't be able to fly together. That is inconcievable ! Our friends are retired and not used to traveling so far. Therefore they are counting on us for the whole trip. Also (we are French-Canadian) they are depending on us for the translation from English to French. Does someone know what can we do about that situation ? No way I will accept it :mad:

 

 

When with Viking, you will be assigned a guide for the entire trip and be a part of a group of 30-35 people.

 

The guide and his/her entire group will always travel together, stay at the same hotels, be on the same busses and be on the same airline flights.

 

If Viking does not already know that you and your friends need to be in the same group, let them know now.

 

Now when you do take an intra-China flight (and your group will all be on the same plane) the chances are that the seat assignments will not have you sitting next to them. Although once onboard you can trade seats with others in your group, I suspect your friends, being on the same flight, do not have to sit next to you.

[Turtles06]

Until then I just learned an information that is troubling me ! My TA told me that in our intra-China flights our friends and us won't be able to fly together. That is inconcievable ! Our friends are retired and not used to traveling so far. Therefore they are counting on us for the whole trip. Also (we are French-Canadian) they are depending on us for the translation from English to French. Does someone know what can we do about that situation ? No way I will accept it :mad:

 

 

Well, you'll have to accept it. :) As others have said, this is not Viking's doing. It was explained to us that, ever since Sept. 11, seats on Chinese airlines are assigned randomly. As noted above, spouses and other family members are often seated apart, given the random seat assignments.

 

If your friends booked with you, presumably they will be in the same group with you of about 3 dozen people with one Viking escort. (You can confirm that with Viking.) You'll be on the same buses, and the same flights.

 

It is true that you can change seats once on board the plane, but I found it was so crowded and hectic that this was difficult to do. The flights weren't that long (one was 90 minutes, the other two about an hour). You should all be fine.

 

Glad you got the reservation at Black Sesame Kitchen. Enjoy!

[caribill]

Well, you'll have to accept it. :) As others have said, this is not Viking's doing. It was explained to us that, ever since Sept. 11, seats on Chinese airlines are assigned randomly. As noted above, spouses and other family members are often seated apart, given the random seat assignments.

 

 

I think the concern was they would not be on the same flights, not that they would be seated apart from each other on each flight.

[rahrah50]

We are going to stay in Shanghai for a few days after our trip. Can anyone recommend what area of the city is best for a hotel? I want to see the French concession, walk the Bund, buy silk fabric, and just walk around. Is West Nanjing road a good location? Also, looking for restaurant recommendations...

 

Thanks

[kbert92069]

We are going to stay in Shanghai for a few days after our trip. Can anyone recommend what area of the city is best for a hotel? I want to see the French concession, walk the Bund, buy silk fabric, and just walk around. Is West Nanjing road a good location? Also, looking for restaurant recommendations...

 

Thanks

 

 

I have found Tripadvisor a good source of that sort of information for a city. You might also try in the "ports" section here on CruiseCritic since Shanghai is visited by ocean cruising ships as well.

[Viking Cruises]

Our reservasion at the Black Sesame Kitchen is official ! I am impatient to experiment this "cooking laboratory" :)

 

Until then I just learned an information that is troubling me ! My TA told me that in our intra-China flights our friends and us won't be able to fly together. That is inconcievable ! Our friends are retired and not used to traveling so far. Therefore they are counting on us for the whole trip. Also (we are French-Canadian) they are depending on us for the translation from English to French. Does someone know what can we do about that situation ? No way I will accept it :mad:

 

Thanks

 

Dear claudiane,

 

We’re sorry to hear about your concerns and we want to help you out if we can. Please send an email to TellUs@vikingrivercruises.com, and we’ll get in touch to discuss your flight arrangements.

 

Sincerely,

Viking River Cruises

[pacmom]

In that last minute panic. I know that the answers are in the search function, but it doesn't like me. Where can I find the blossom tea and Peregrina where did you buy your pearls. Thanks for bearing with me. Pat

[recyclelady]

My travel materials from Viking (lanyards, cards, stickers, itinerary, etc.) just arrived yesterday via my TA. It is really getting exciting now! I just have to get thru October and then I am OUT OF HERE! :D

[Kohola]

Well, you'll have to accept it. :) As others have said, this is not Viking's doing. It was explained to us that, ever since Sept. 11, seats on Chinese airlines are assigned randomly. As noted above, spouses and other family members are often seated apart, given the random seat assignments.

My wife and I were seated together for both our intra-China flights in April as were the other members in our tour group. That was not the case in 2009. So either the policy has been discontinued or there is some randomness as to whether there will be random seat selection.

[Peregrina651]

My wife and I were seated together for both our intra-China flights in April as were the other members in our tour group. That was not the case in 2009. So either the policy has been discontinued or there is some randomness as to whether there will be random seat selection.

I got the impression from our flight that the seats were assigned in alphabetical order by bus. There was one couple that turned out not to be seated next to one another but as soon as she started to have a repeat asthma attach (she had had one the day before in Xian) there was a very quick change of seats so that her husband could take care of her. Otherwise, as has been said already, the flights are short and buses were seated together.

[Peregrina651]

In that last minute panic. I know that the answers are in the search function, but it doesn't like me. Where can I find the blossom tea and Peregrina where did you buy your pearls. Thanks for bearing with me. Pat

UGH! Don't you just hate when the search function is acting funky.

 

We bought pearls in Shanghai at Pearl City (the concierge knew what we were talking about and put us in a cab with instructions to the driver and a business card to hand to the cabby on the way home. The shop we bought from was called DAXI--in English on the wall by the store-- at the top of the escalator, and it was one of the shops around the perimeter, not one of the kiosks in the middle.

 

Here is the link to the article in my blog about our pearl shopping experience.

[Lori Dobson]

In that last minute panic. I know that the answers are in the search function, but it doesn't like me. Where can I find the blossom tea and Peregrina where did you buy your pearls. Thanks for bearing with me. Pat

 

Pac mom,

 

You can get both at the Pearl Market in Beijing... There is also an excellent farmers Market next to Long Tan park, close to the Pearl Market, where I bought a bunch of tea... The Hutongs at the black sesame kitchen also have several tea shops where you can buy it. If you are looking for souvenirs, the Pear Market or The street food Market are the places to go, all in Beijing. There is also a fantastic silk Market in the main pedestrian mall by the street food Market.

 

Happy shopping!

[H2Otstr]

In that last minute panic. I know that the answers are in the search function, but it doesn't like me. Where can I find the blossom tea and Peregrina where did you buy your pearls. Thanks for bearing with me. Pat

 

Pat, if you are on the Cultural Delights tour you will visit a tea house where there was a tea ceremony, tasting and some shopping in their gift shop. They had all kinds of teas.

 

Have a wonderful trip.

 

Sharon

[pacmom]

Peregrina, Lori and Sharon,

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Info is now in our file--just think on one week we will be on our way to Beijing. This has been the most helpful and least snarky thread on CC. Will definitely let you all know how the trip goes. Pat

[Peregrina651]

Peregrina, Lori and Sharon,

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Info is now in our file--just think on one week we will be on our way to Beijing. This has been the most helpful and least snarky thread on CC. Will definitely let you all know how the trip goes. Pat

I guess there is a reason that this is one of the oldest and most read threads on CC. There is no reason to be snarky; we're adults here.

 

PAT -- Lori is right; you may have more time to pearl shop in Beijing when you arrive than saving it for Shanghai (when it will be too late if you strike out). Also, it will save time if you have an idea of what you want--pearl size (in mm), length of strand. Hit Kay's or Zales or an upscale department store with a quality jewelry counter and try some stuff on. You will be tired when you first arrive and knowing what you want will speed the process.

 

 

Tea ceremony is at Yueyang Tower (loved it, good quality souvenirs, too) BUT they also have a couple of places where you can dress up in traditional emperor/empress costumes and have your picture taken. I am so sorry we didn't find this soon enough and take the time to do it. One of my favorite souvenirs here is the fan I bought with the poem that is inscribed in the tower. It isn't one of the cheap fans. Oh, and, not really a tea ceremony as much as a tea break, so eat and run and spend the rest of the time shopping, if shopping is your aim.

[H2Otstr]

 

 

Tea ceremony is at Yueyang Tower (loved it, good quality souvenirs, too) BUT they also have a couple of places where you can dress up in traditional emperor/empress costumes and have your picture taken. I am so sorry we didn't find this soon enough and take the time to do it. One of my favorite souvenirs here is the fan I bought with the poem that is inscribed in the tower. It isn't one of the cheap fans. Oh, and, not really a tea ceremony as much as a tea break, so eat and run and spend the rest of the time shopping, if shopping is your aim.

 

Thanks for filling in the name...I looked at my photos and couldn't find the name of the place. You are right, Andrea, it is a tea break and not a ceremony :D. The tea and snacks were also served outside and it was COLD, so bundle up.

 

There was NO place for dress up and photo taking on our tour. Sounds interesting.

 

Pat, Viking will follow your group around with their camera and at the end you can purchase a video of your travels (if you want). Also, there is a group photo at the Great Wall and again, you can purchase this photo which is placed in a very nice book from your tour guide. We did purchase this and it is really nice.

 

S

[claudiane]

Dear claudiane,

 

We’re sorry to hear about your concerns and we want to help you out if we can. Please send an email to TellUs@vikingrivercruises.com, and we’ll get in touch to discuss your flight arrangements.

 

Sincerely,

Viking River Cruises

 

Thanks Viking everythning is now fine :) It looks like it was a big misunderstanding.

[graham44]

We were on the Cultural Delights trip (Shanghai to Beijing) in August this year and had a great time. I have just got my photos organised at the link below - including Yueyang Tower and its poem.

https://plus.google.com/photos/107911234663474075270/albums/5792984059321107825.

 

Graham.

[H2Otstr]

Graham, VERY nice photos !!! Thanks for sharing.

[pacmom]

Graham, WOW--wonderful pictures, just the thing for the Sunday morning before our trip. Thanks to ALL for the information that will make this trip more enjoyable. Pat:D

[recyclelady]

We were on the Cultural Delights trip (Shanghai to Beijing) in August this year and had a great time. I have just got my photos organised at the link below - including Yueyang Tower and its poem.

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/107911234663474075270/albums/5792984059321107825.

 

 

Graham.

Graham---Really terrific photos!

 

We will be on the same intinerary in early November. I sent the link to my husband's computer and told him we had to take photos of this quality too!:D

[CTGirl]

We were on the Cultural Delights trip (Shanghai to Beijing) in August this year and had a great time. I have just got my photos organised at the link below - including Yueyang Tower and its poem.

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/107911234663474075270/albums/5792984059321107825.

 

 

Graham.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures. I am getting so excited and we don't go until next April.

[kbert92069]

We're leaving Thursday and will spend night 1 Friday in Shanghai on our own. For the most part we're trusting Viking with meals but this isn't an option on night one as we're on our own.

 

In browsing places to eat I found Shanghai Brewery and it looks interesting. I'm from San Diego which is a major world micro brewery destination and I'm a fan so I thought it might be fun to go there. What are the risks? It's not street food and the water for beer is boiled in the making process but it won't be bottled there. Their web site is very professional and sophisticated and appears targeted to English speakers and Europeans (their menu has plenty of German food.)

 

I welcome thoughts and opinions.

[Peregrina651]

Thanks for filling in the name...I looked at my photos and couldn't find the name of the place. You are right, Andrea, it is a tea break and not a ceremony :D. The tea and snacks were also served outside and it was COLD, so bundle up.

 

There was NO place for dress up and photo taking on our tour. Sounds interesting.

 

The photo places were in a couple of shops on the property. You don't necessarily see from the outside that that is what is going on inside. We were not taken to those shops but found them as we wandered back to the bus after tea. I was hoping to find a map of the property to show you where those shops were. The best I can do to explain it is to say that we found them after we left the tea shop.

 

The tea shop is at the far end of the property. Instead of retracing our steps back past the tower to return to the bus, we took a parallel path to the left/behind the tower. They aren't photo-shops per se but part of a couple of the souvenir shops.

Edited October 15, 2012 by Peregrina651

[kbert92069]

I've been re-reading this thread on what to do the first night in Shanghai which for us will be this Friday.

 

A consensus seems to be see the Bund at night since it won't be possible on day two. We'll be staying at the Portman Ritz Carlton which is a few miles away so not walkable for us. We'll probably take a cab but where _exactly_ should it let us off for the best experience/view? Isn't the Bund a large area?

 

Sadly Michele has bad knees and cannot do great amounts of walking so we want our travels to be as efficient as possible. After the day 2 tour we'll probably know the answer of where to go but that'll be too late.

 

Karl