Viking China (Part 2)

[kbert92069]

Hi there. Just talked to our travel nurse and she's strongly recommending anti-malaria medication for the river part of the cruise - based on her information, malaria is a real threat while on the river portion of our trip. Wondering if this is necessary - other medications and immunizations are up to date.

Any feedback would be appreciated.:)

 

The Yangtze isn't really a tropical area and I don't believe malaria is an issue along the main part of the river (which is all we traveled.) Having just returned I noted no mosquitoes and very few bugs at all (perhaps a couple flies.) Nobody in our tour group was taking malaria pills nor had they had it recommended to them (we all chatted about these things.) Personally I was actually favorably surprised at how clean the cities and shores were so I had no doubts/worries.

 

Tetanus and Hepatitus are probably good precautions IMHO. One lady in our group fell at the Great Wall and required a few stitches in the local hospital. She was back with the tour within 2 hours and reported she was well cared for but accidents can indeed happen.

[rahrah50]

Was Diet Coke or Coke Light available on the boat? What about the hotels? (No Diet Pepsi)

 

Thanks

[Turtles06]

Hi there. Just talked to our travel nurse and she's strongly recommending anti-malaria medication for the river part of the cruise - based on her information, malaria is a real threat while on the river portion of our trip. Wondering if this is necessary - other medications and immunizations are up to date.

Any feedback would be appreciated.:)

 

I certainly wouldn't advise you not to listen to your own medical specialists of choice, I can only tell you what I did. Before we traveled to China, I carefully checked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control web site for their country-specific immunization/medication recommendations, and also went to an excellent travel clinic. No anti-malaria drugs were recommended for this trip. We took DEET wipes with us as a precaution, but never, ever had to use them.

[Peregrina651]

Hi there. Just talked to our travel nurse and she's strongly recommending anti-malaria medication for the river part of the cruise - based on her information, malaria is a real threat while on the river portion of our trip. Wondering if this is necessary - other medications and immunizations are up to date.

Any feedback would be appreciated.:)

 

 

Betty, seems you have some doubts and that we are only confirming them with all our comments. I guess it is time to round up all this conflicting information and discuss it with your medical professional. Turtles is so right to remind us, we can only share how we handled things but we can't advise on medical matters.

 

Also, go back and read our old posts. You might find some other things that you want to discuss with your physician as long as you there. Medical topics of one sort or another are always coming up and it might help you to have one big conversation than a bunch of little ones.

 

 

 

BTW, we also do not do customs/immigration law--because the guy in the very official looking uniform who is looking over your passport and asking you questions and is about to deny you entry into his country after you have traveled thousands of miles and spent thousands of dollars to do it does not care what they told you on Cruise Critic.

[ruthlynn]

@rahrah50:

 

Coke Light is available...paid $6 US$ in Beijing for one and $5 US$ in Tibet for one.....they do NOT taste as our USA diet cokes taste.....but they will do in a pinch. Sprite was the best tasting soda I found there. At the lunches and/or dinners, soda is a choice. They have no clue about ice or iced tea. I had to ask for a full glass of ice and then ask them to pour black tea into the glass. But wine is always available!!!

[rahrah50]

Thanks Ruthlynn for the Coke Light info. I paid $5.50 for several in Australia....I'd like to bring a 12 pack along!!!!!

[kbert92069]

Was Diet Coke or Coke Light available on the boat? What about the hotels? (No Diet Pepsi)

 

I am a diet Coke fan myself but I didn't trust the Chinese version (probably unfounded) so never had it there however it was definitely available when we ate in the bigger cities. I don't believe it was available on the ship or smaller cities. (I never saw Pepsi on the ship or in the restaurants.)

 

I remember our tour escort would always announce in advance the rare meal occasions diet Coke would be available.

 

Note that while ice on the ship can be trusted, I personally wouldn't consume ice anywhere else with my drink as you probably cannot be assured it's not from tap water.

 

Chinese beer (very light) was always available and seemed to be the thirst quenching (and safe) choice of just about everyone on our tour at lunch and dinner.

[Glassespro]

Well, there really isn't much to say. Gayle and I loved this trip. Gayle didn't even have a lot of complaints about food, and she has some very restrictive eating issues. Always found something to eat, and it wasn't an issue. (Even found a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Co, for those of us who hate Starbucks.)

 

We really didn't experience anything we would call a negative. Obviously, the bathroom situation when touring wasn't what we were used to, but thanks to CC, we knew it, and were prepared with TP, etc. Basically, she just tried to wait for the handicapped stall whenever possible, and that worked fine. Only stuck once.

 

Here are the two things I mentioned on my eval. 1. We would've liked a bit more time to shop, especially in the more local markets, instead of the touristy places. 2. I thought the duck at the Peking duck dinner was fine, but the rest of the meal was really bad. Having paid extra, it was very disappointing. That's about it. Everything else was a refreshing, new experience for us, and we either loved it, or appreciated the differences.

 

And, as far as I am concerned, based on our two trips with VRC, they are over-the-top wonderful. They seem to try to do anything to make the trip wonderful, and I've watched them put up--cheerfully--with some pretty weird complaints and requests.

 

BTW, regarding the malaria issue, as stated, I would not go contrary to your medical personnel. Ours did recommend a shot, and we took it, but she admitted to being a very cautious traveler.

[Peregrina651]

But, on the other hand.....

 

Diet soda: I tried it once on an overseas trip a few years ago and have not tasted it since because I didn't like it. It's a different formula than on my grocery shelf; I think it is because they use a different sweetener. In any case, I'm picky--really picky--about cola flavor, so I've just stopped experimenting. Bland and boring, water wins these days--diet, caffeine-free and taste neutral. ;) Although, ice cubes and all, I like ruthlynn's home-made iced tea idea.

 

Speaking of artificial sweeteners, BYO--bring your own. Easier than tracking them down and you'll always get your preferred brand no matter where you are.

 

There is the possibility of buying a six/twelve-pack when you get there--but not a guarantee. Talk with the escort on your bus on the way from the airport to the hotel and explain what you are looking for and ask to be directed to the nearest supermarket. I know that there was one across from the ShangriLa Pudong but I can't tell you about the other hotels. Maybe others can comment on what was available near their hotels?

 

Ice cubes: While Jim was reluctant to use the ice in any place but the ship, my take is this: Viking has a vested interest in my continued good health and they are not going to serve me anything that will jeopardize it--and that includes the ice cubes and fresh vegetables. [How I fared under this policy? Mao never got his revenge. But like on those investment ads, your results may differ!]

 

Shopping: The delicate balance! Or is it the three bears? Shoppers want more and non-shoppers want less or even none at all. IMHO, Viking does a pretty good job of finding the balance. However, except on the guided tour in Feng Du (Delights only, unfortunately), Jim is right, they do not take you to a local food market (and even then we kind of just snaked our way through around the market and then out the front door and back on the bus). But, I can think of a number of reasons why Viking might simply find it unfeasible or difficult to work into the current agenda.

 

The amazing guides: Ours was running a fever on the last two days of our tour (Great Wall/Forbidden City) and NEVER once said a word. They finally convinced him to go home late on the last night and he was out for the next twelve days recuperating. They work non-stop for the entire tour. Did you notice that there was rarely another one of our groups in sight? That takes a lot of behind the scenes planning --departures/arrivals staggered, different orders of which stop first. Viking China, IMHO, has set the gold standard for tourguides and I will forever compare all escorted tours to it.

 

I can think of one Viking itinerary where the guides would greatly benefit from seeing the China team in action--and no, I am not naming names. Wow! What a job benefit--a trip to China. Even if it is a working trip! On the other hand, I can see a great business opportunity for an enterprising Chinese looking for a challenge--a tour guide training school in anyone of a number of countries looking to build its tourism infrastructure.

 

Restrictive eating issues? Vegetarian? Food allergies? Yes, especially food allergies! Tell your escort and he will help you navigate your food choice while on land (especially when it comes to ingredients that can be slipped into a dish unseen, like in a sauce). On the ship, talk with the maitre d' As I said above, Viking has a vested interest in keeping you healthy. (BTW, I chose my evening meal each day as I left the dining room at lunch time. I can't tell you how much more relaxed dinner was for everyone at my table when I didn't have to go through the nightly interrogation of the waiter in less than optimal conditions; the noise level in the dining room did not help normal guest/wait staff communication, let alone my special brand of questioning--and I avoided the 'difficult passenger' label in the eyes of my fellow passengers--which I am, of course, but I have never been one to flaunt my social status. :D).

 

Jim, for you. More at,

 

 

 

[rahrah50]

Thank you to peregrina651 for your info. I do have type I diabetes and need to be careful, but I travel with granola bars, juice boxes, and a baggie full of truvia. I can live with iced tea if I have to. Your attitude is wonderful!!!! I too, believe it is Viking's best interest to take us to safe places for food. I will not be eating food from street vendors. That is just common sense when traveling. So excited to see China and the posts here have just increased that excitement. So much valuable information is posted. This is my first river cruise and there are many more itineraries that sound wonderful. There is a huge world out there and I am trying my best to see as much as I can......

[Peregrina651]

Thank you to peregrina651 for your info. I do have type I diabetes and need to be careful, but I travel with granola bars, juice boxes, and a baggie full of truvia. I can live with iced tea if I have to. Your attitude is wonderful!!!! I too, believe it is Viking's best interest to take us to safe places for food. I will not be eating food from street vendors. That is just common sense when traveling. So excited to see China and the posts here have just increased that excitement. So much valuable information is posted. This is my first river cruise and there are many more itineraries that sound wonderful. There is a huge world out there and I am trying my best to see as much as I can......

 

You said it! There's a huge world out there.

 

China was our first river cruise as well--and what a way to start!! I had been following the itinerary for years in the flyers that had been coming to my house for years but when I talked with my brother just two days after his return from China's Cultural Delights and I saw three inches of air between him and the floor and how his face lit up when he was telling us all about it, I knew. He's been around and it takes a hell of a lot to get him gushing over a vacation.

[Bushy H.]

This is a late review we live in Germany and are now moving to New Orleans (first time there) so now I am in the hotel I can take a moment to tell my tale.

 

We are in late fifties and early sixties, married 37 years, in pretty good condition. We found Viking very good from beginning to end. They met us at the airport and we waited a little bit for another couple to another Viking group. We went to Shangri-la hotel on the Bund exquisit! Caution if you wish to eat in the buffet the first night it is extremely expensive so ask before you are seated. They are an outstanding buffet so MANY choices from barbque to hand made fresh noodles and you pick from an assortment what you want in the soup and what broth, all made right in front of you, and the staff beyond belief. If in this hotel you will eat breakfast down there each morning and boy it has so much choice. There is the neatest walking area right near the hotel if you go out the side entrance of the hotel you go to a sort of mall and go to the exit and that leads to the stairs to the raised walkway, again prices are high but fun to look at the items. They have beautiful cups with lids in there. We walked the promand and took photos of the amazing buildings. They are all lighted at night but we did not feel safe going out after dark alone and could not find any other couples willing to go with us.

 

The sky was always overcast during our time there and foggy. The trip to the Pandas was pretty neat and we were first in so not crowded and got to see the Pandas eat.

 

The internal Chinese flights were pretty organized and you may not be sitting next to your companion but most of the time everyone was. We had colored ribbons on our luggage and placed outside our rooms the morning of and we always carried a set of clothes with us just incase and our toothbrushes. They had no problem with luggage it is all put on one cart and taken in to the airport and weighed then we move on to the security checks. Don't forget your luggage locks. Flights were delayed at one point with us sitting on the tarmac due to storms in Beijing. They provided snacks on the flights and one snack was mushrooms.... needless to say bring something with you all the time just incase.

 

The buses were all air conditioned and clean we did not have any complaints.

 

Food there was so much of it served lazy susan and so many varieties, being a picky eater,( no fish, no mushrooms,) I never had any problem having enough to eat. Beverages they also have Coke and it tasted alright. The only problem with the lazy susan is if your seated with some big eaters they tend to take more than one at a time and some folks don't understand waiting till you take your serving before they start spinning the disc.

 

Loved the wall we took the harder harder side, what a view! Wear shoes with traction and be prepared for very steep and I mean steep inclines on the wall.

 

Terricotta Warriors we loved again being first in the gate and everyone else has to park a twenty minute walk from the entrance whereas Viking is special and let us off right near the front. There was NO ONE ELSE THERE when we first started and I have seen other photos where it was so crowded you could barely get to the railing. It did eventually fill up and became harder to get photos of things due to people using flash on the other side of the statue. In the Museum store we ordered two small sized statues about a foot or two tall for about $700 dollars including shipping to the US they have not arrived yet and we ordered the last week of September so still waiting. Most things in the museum shop were expensive. Also one of the original farmers who found the soldiers was there to sign books and have his photo taken if you gave him a tip. I gave him a bit extra and he asked me to stand next to him in the photo. woo woo

 

At the wall there are so many shops but the sales people are very aggressive and put so many shoppers off. The shop where our guide told us to meet and use the western restrooms they were more patient and were also willing to deal. They have lovely bottles that the artist paints thru the small mouth of the jar and they are gorgous! They also will paint your name right there for free if you like on the bottle you purchased.

 

We went to a silk embrodery pictures and whoa they looked like they were paintings or photographs so beautiful. Again extremely expensive I just could not justify paying thousands for something on my wall but everyone has different priorties. We went down to the bottom floor and shopped for cheaper items in this big store with various items. Another place had silk rugs I felt over priced they looked just like the ones in Turkey and made the same way but Turkey was cheaper. We waited outside during that event.

 

During the river cruise we visited the pagoda and I was a bit put off that we felt rushed up the building and didn't have much time to photograph, this as the only local tour guide I did not like. Sadly this place is a bit run down and all the shops you pass going to it seem interesting until you actually look close at the merchandise and see it is very old some of it was actually rotting like paper kites. I did buy a pair of the straw shoes this really old man was selling so I can hang on the wall with the other items we purchased like charcoal drawings of the pagoda and the river. The sellers can be aggressive here and you may find yourself all alone like we did. We had a moment where it got a bit dicey. I wanted to buy this charcoal drawing from a man so this woman just sold one to another passenger for 40, my husband overheard this but the woman wanted 50 from us. My husband said never mind and wanted me to leave with him but the saleswoman actually pushed him about three feet away from me and then came back and grabbed my forearm and said 50 a few inches from my face. I said very quietly, no 40 and she said okay so I paid her. She was afraid the group of neighbors who had gathered would see her back down and lose face. She gave me the picture than called us something that appeared to be rude from the other peoples reaction.

 

They also sell in the zoo some beautiful items and one is leaves that have been painted on so beautiful.

 

On the ship they have a tailor make you clothing, very pricey! There is also a shop that makes your name into a seal and you can stamp things with it or a "chop" is what it is called. We purchased a jewelery box made from very old proceline with such a beautiful scene of woman sitting together. We also purchased four silk paintings and they tell a story the young lady will tell you what they mean. They also for free will write your name on the painting so they make great gifts. There are some jade statues but again pricey.

 

The jade shop had awesome items in there. We purchased a jade dragon with a ball in it's mouth that moves. It cost a good deal but worth it. I could of really went crazy in this place. Even if you don't buy anything just walk around it is like an art exhibit they have them so nicely back lighted just beautiful.

 

I do not have my papers with me now but the third hotel in Beijing (all the hotels were amazingly beautiful) they had stores on the bottom floor and we thought too expensive so did not even try to shop in them. Another cruiser Pam waved me in one evening and they were having a sale they were moving. OMG the prices were unreal. I purchased five of those bottles just unbelieveably beautiful. We purchased a China doll for eight dollars in ceremonial dress for our granddaughters. They had clothing, rugs so much but I ran out of room with so many things we had purchased and this was throwing away our clothes as we went.

 

Speaking of clothes we wore mostly shorts it was just too hot for jeans, light cotton pants were alright but shorts much better. I wore sandels like LL Bean type with closed in toes and strong thick leather straps and thick soles. Many people dressed up for the dinners but I was so hot in the dining room I would not be able to tolerate being dressed up even if I had brought the clothing. They have a place at the end of the cruise you can donate all your books, clothing, whatever you want.

 

YOu are constantly being offered free bottled water so don't worry you will not go without.

 

Mosquitoes my husband was bitten twice during the cruise portion of the trip and another man who apparently is allergic to bites he became quite swollen at the bite locations. This was around the pagoda area on the river. The water is very brown and in one location the fishermen can no longer work so they now work collecting the garbage off the water. It is massive amounts that come down the river. We did not take malaria meds because there is a side effect of hullucinations. We were recommended by the military doctors to take the meds but we opted not too. Just remember if you get flu like symptoms within a year of your visit you need to mention to your health care provider where you have been.

 

The gorges were beautiful but I expected to see more hanging coffins we only saw one.

 

Loved the Forbidden City and highly recommend a book that was sold at the great wall shop it shows what was inside the rooms we saw people peering into dirty windows trying to see what they looked like.

 

We were there the last week of September and got to see the beautiful and amazing flower arrangements in the square and on various locations. I highly recommend this week to go it adds a bit of extra to the trip.

 

Cameras, people thought we were odd because we both have large cameras taking photos of the same things from various angles. Sure enough my husband was using a rather large memory stick and after hours of photographs it messed up and he lost a good portion the square, forbidden city, summer gardens. Thank goodness I was taking pictures with mine and our pic together was on mine. If you go to someplace that is this far away and a once in a lifetime event do you really want to chance not having photos of it? Even a quick shot is better than nothing.

 

Enjoyed the Dynasty Dinner but did not like how a late group (due to late flight) was seated in front of us instead of putting us in front and they would not interrupt a whole section when being seated during the show. The meal was quick paced and okay nothing to rave about. The show was very colorful but we were exhausted from such a long day the men at the table all fell asleep at one point or other. I may of too not sure ha.

 

The funniest sight I saw while on this trip was in a crowd of scooters, a woman was driving her small child on the back, the child was wearing what looked like a toaster cover with clear plastic parts for the child to see out of, there were no holes for arms and it was shaped to a point.

 

All the staff on the ship were great and very helpful from keeping our room clean to serving us at dinnertime. They put together really great shows the costumes were beautiful.

 

We were always told what the day held for us and how each step was to be done and it was repeated thru out the day so if you forgot or didn't hear you needed worry. Joann our main guide who stayed with us through out the trip, made sure we all were taken care of and spoke very clearly and directly. Be sure to have cash on hand after you leave the cruise so you can tip the main guide.

 

We arranged for Viking to handle our transport to the airport and they did an outstanding job. I thought they were taking us too early to the airport but it was the start of a holiday and proved they knew just what they were doing. I saw in the news that the roads were gridlock the next day in China. whew I do not suggest you go the first week of October it sounds like a nightmare.

 

Negatives:

I do think the tipping suggestion is too high since Holland America doesn't even charge that much and they include room service.

 

I don't like having to eat at certain tables and never alone with my husband. I don't recommend this to newly weds or couples wishing to spend some alone time together. For this reason I am not sure I will do anymore river cruising it caused so much tension each meal time trying to find the right mix of people. We did eventually find a small group who were the best conversationalist. I would like the option of room service.

 

I felt the room for Tai chi was too small it was rediculously crowded. Also the same area used for informational talks too small not enough seats. I did not like how the speaker at one point said some comment about we thought the Chinese all looked alike to us, and they have piggy eyes. People laughed nervously and I think they feel we do think that not realizing we were made to feel uncomfortable.

 

Viking does everything to make this an outstanding experience and we highly recommend this company. If we do the Amazon it will be with them.

[caribill]

This We went to Shangri-la hotel on the Bund exquisit! Caution if you wish to eat in the buffet the first night it is extremely expensive so ask before you are seated. They are an outstanding buffet so MANY choices from barbque to hand made fresh noodles and you pick from an assortment what you want in the soup and what broth, all made right in front of you, and the staff beyond belief. If in this hotel you will eat breakfast down there each morning and boy it has so much choice. There is the neatest walking area right near the hotel if you go out the side entrance of the hotel you go to a sort of mall and go to the exit and that leads to the stairs to the raised walkway, again prices are high but fun to look at the items.

 

I don't like having to eat at certain tables and never alone with my husband. I don't recommend this to newly weds or couples wishing to spend some alone time together.

 

Thanks for your review.

 

A couple of comments.

 

An alternative to the expensive dinner buffet at the Shangri-la hotel is in the mall you mention. They have many restaurants there and most are raesonably priced. Two of us had a nice dinner in a sit down restaurant for a total of $10.71 (71 Yuan).

 

Is your comment about eating at certain tables about on the ship or in land restaurants? On the ship we could sit at any table we wanted, but all tables were for eight or so people. On land, each tour group was assigned a section of tables and we had to sit at one of those with, of course, others in our Viking group.

[Peregrina651]

We went to Shangri-la hotel on the Bund exquisit! Caution if you wish to eat in the buffet the first night it is extremely expensive so ask before you are seated. They are an outstanding buffet so MANY choices from barbque to hand made fresh noodles and you pick from an assortment what you want in the soup and what broth, all made right in front of you, and the staff beyond belief. If in this hotel you will eat breakfast down there each morning and boy it has so much choice.

 

That's where we stayed as well. Loved the view--especially at night!

 

For those who haven't been yet, the buffet restaurant also serves a la carte. Just ask for a menu. The servings are generous and we all over ordered. We just weren't ready for a full meal. Our guide suggested the lobby bar for a light meal but it was more expensive than the the buffet (on the second floor if I remember correctly). Our a la carte wasn't as cheap as caribill's but it was (IMO) reasonable and we felt that we paid for what we ate rather than eating all that we paid for.

 

As Bushy said, the buffet is where breakfast is served. It is HUGE!!!! Before you start filling your plate check out the entire restaurant. There is an omelette bar if you like fresh cooked eggs and there are stations for Chinese, Japanese and other cuisine if you are adventurous.

 

The sky was always overcast during our time there and foggy.

 

Lot's of smog. Seems that crystal clear days are few and far between.

 

 

Loved the wall we took the harder harder side, what a view! Wear shoes with traction and be prepared for very steep and I mean steep inclines on the wall.

 

One woman on our cruise --older than you or I, Bushy--wore her open-backed sandals and strode up and down like a mountain goat while I was in sneakers and had a death grip on the handrails. IMHO, wear safe shoes and don't risk a tumble, it will just ruin the rest of your journey.

Also one of the original farmers who found the soldiers was there to sign books and have his photo taken if you gave him a tip. I gave him a bit extra and he asked me to stand next to him in the photo. woo woo

One day, I want to get a collection of these photos taken with the original farmer and check out the farmers. I always wonder if this is really the farmer and then I wonder what they are going to do when the old man departs to join the ancestors.

 

But, yes, if you tip the old man, he will permit you to take his picture. It might be considered rude if you snap and not tip.

 

During the river cruise we visited the pagoda and I was a bit put off that we felt rushed up the building and didn't have much time to photograph, this as the only local tour guide I did not like.

A bit late for Bushy to take advantage of, but, you can always leave the guide behind at Shibaozhai (which we eventually did). It really isn't hard to get lost. In fact, if you are so inclined, you can probably do the whole thing on your own.

 

BTW, ladies, you may think twice about wearing a skirt here since the steps are steep.

 

The sellers can be aggressive here and you may find yourself all alone like we did. We had a moment where it got a bit dicey. I wanted to buy this charcoal drawing from a man so this woman just sold one to another passenger for 40, my husband overheard this but the woman wanted 50 from us. My husband said never mind and wanted me to leave with him but the saleswoman actually pushed him about three feet away from me and then came back and grabbed my forearm and said 50 a few inches from my face. I said very quietly, no 40 and she said okay so I paid her. She was afraid the group of neighbors who had gathered would see her back down and lose face. She gave me the picture than called us something that appeared to be rude from the other peoples reaction.

 

Yes, the vendors are aggressive, not just here but everywhere and that's the way it is in China, so be prepared. The tourist trade is important to this town, especially the foreign tourists who aren't good at bargaining. No matter how hard you think you are bargaining, no one is going to lose money on you here.

 

So, either be ready to play the came or be resigned to paying the asking price, which will be much higher than what is paid by those who bargain. Bargaining is part of every transaction in almost every place except for a couple of the stores. The price that is marked on an item is usually just the starting point. In the stores, you might be able to bargain the price down by 25% and the vendors, you might get down to half or even a third of the asking price.

 

Remember, what we find to be aggressive, here is the norm. Relax and accept it. Go with the flow.

 

We looked at a silk robe in Shibaozhai-- we weren't even thinking of buying but it was very handsome but the price was more than we were willing to spend. The lady kept lowering the price and lowering the price (we just kept saying, no) and finally as we turned to walk away, she uttered the price that we could not refuse. We paid about 1/3 of her original price. We then had to go out and buy two more robes for our other two daughter--and yes, we made sure that we paid the same price we paid for the first one and kept shopping until we found a vendor who would meet the first price. (One daughter wore her robe the morning she got married and we have some beautiful getting ready photos of her in the robe).

 

How to play the game. There are two ways--keep saying no until they give you a price you like (which should be at least 50%, if not more, of where you started) or come back with a counter offer that is 20 to 30% of the opening offer (street vendors, not the stores) and expect to more or less split the difference between the opening price and your first offer. DO NOT worry that you are taking advantage of them. They will not lose money on you. If you don't like the price, walk away. If they come running after you, then you haven't reached their minimum price yet.

 

Bushy, is this the charcoal artist you bought from? He is the only vendor that I bargained with only to be polite. We thought his asking price at the time was reasonable enough to begin with and ended up paying almost what he has asked. We should have bought more of them.

 

 

They also sell in the zoo some beautiful items and one is leaves that have been painted on so beautiful.

 

I knew about this store before we got here and came prepared to SHOP. Our finest souvenir came from the Zoo-- a gorgeous Chinese landscape scroll on rice paper. (We paid under $500 for an original hand-painted art work--no framing necessary and we carried it home rolled up in box that they rigged with string so that we could carry it over a shoulder. No hassle carrying it on to the planes).

 

Another woman on our tour bought a series of paintings of birds because she was traveling on her inheritance from her mother and her mother was a birder.

 

BTW, the World Wildlife Fund(?) runs this store and benefits from the sales

 

 

Even if you don't buy anything just walk around it is like an art exhibit they have them so nicely back lighted just beautiful.

Agreed, Bushy!! Treat it like a museum. The craftsmanship and the artistry is stunning!

 

Do not be turned off by the sales people constantly coming up to you any time you stop to admire something. Such attentiveness is expected in China. It is not being aggressive and they are just doing what is expected of most customers. Smile and go with the flow.

 

I do not have my papers with me now but the third hotel in Beijing (all the hotels were amazingly beautiful) they had stores on the bottom floor and we thought too expensive so did not even try to shop in them.

 

Perhaps not your hotel but China World in Beijing has a shopping mall underneath it (down TWO levels from the lobby) with an ice skating rink, no less. China World is a huge convention complex and I think that the stores are more for the convention traffic than anything else--not cheap and full of very upscale designer that you don't have to travel all the way to China to buy.

 

so much but I ran out of room with so many things we had purchased and this was throwing away our clothes as we went.

 

LOL!! We had to buy another suitcase to get home. I wasn't planning on doing much shopping and we only had carry-on luggage and DH wasn't going to leave his clothing behind.

 

 

They have a place at the end of the cruise you can donate all your books, clothing, whatever you want.

 

OKAY!! This is the first time I have heard this. Previous posts have talked about people leaving things in their cabins with a note and even one poster reported having her clothing sent to her when the crew thought that it was left behind accidentally.

 

IMHO, a good move by Viking.

 

. The water is very brown and in one location the fishermen can no longer work so they now work collecting the garbage off the water. It is massive amounts that come down the river.

 

Yeah, it was a floating trash heap when we were there, to. This summer, to add to it, there were heavy rains and much flooding this summer (the upper river was closed to traffic at one point, I believe). That would wash the topsoil into the river making it very muddy even now after the floods have subsided.

 

Cameras, people thought we were odd because we both have large cameras taking photos of the same things from various angles. Sure enough my husband was using a rather large memory stick and after hours of photographs it messed up and he lost a good portion the square, forbidden city, summer gardens. Thank goodness I was taking pictures with mine and our pic together was on mine. If you go to someplace that is this far away and a once in a lifetime event do you really want to chance not having photos of it? Even a quick shot is better than nothing.

LET THEM LAUGH!!!!

 

Ever since my first digital died on day one of 2 weeks in Italy with my studying aboard daughter, we always have at least two cameras. (Don't worry, I had my trusty SLR with me as well and did not miss a shot!)

 

Also, I download nightly onto either my netbook or a portable drive--or both! (Yes, my electronic gear weighs more than my clothing).

 

 

Be sure to have cash on hand after you leave the cruise so you can tip the main guide.

 

GOOD POINT. The ship's crew is tipped the night before you disembark but your escort is tipped in cash the last night of the tour.

 

Remember that you tip the crew only for the days on the ship while you tip your escort for the number of days of the the whole cruisetour. (Drivers and local guides may be tipped as services are rendered).

 

 

Negatives:

I do think the tipping suggestion is too high since Holland America doesn't even charge that much and they include room service.

 

.

 

Must disagree here. I don't think that you can compare a river cruise with an ocean cruise even on the tipping guidelines. IMHO, they are just two entirely different experiences.

[caribill]

 

 

In the stores, you might be able to bargain the price down by 25% and the vendors, you might get down to half or even a third of the asking price.

Our guide always let usw know if bargaining would do any good in the stores we went to as a group and how much or a discount to bargain for.

 

 

Must disagree here. I don't think that you can compare a river cruise with an ocean cruise even on the tipping guidelines. IMHO, they are just two entirely different experiences.

 

Although tipping is expected on the boat and for the overall guide, in general China is a non-tipping society. There is no need to tip cab drivers or hotel personnel. It is not their custom.

 

 

see above in red

[Peregrina651]

In the stores, you might be able to bargain the price down by 25% and the vendors, you might get down to half or even a third of the asking price.

Our guide always let usw know if bargaining would do any good in the stores we went to as a group and how much or a discount to bargain for.

 

 

Right! Ours did, too, for some of the stores. So, if your escort doesn't tell you automatically, ask for some help, because not all the guides do it all the time.

[kbert92069]

Negatives:

I do think the tipping suggestion is too high since Holland America doesn't even charge that much and they include room service.

 

I regarded it as what they said, a suggestion. We elected to directly tip our servers in the dining room who were awesome: Candy, Ray and Lois as well as a smaller than suggested group tip.

 

I don't like having to eat at certain tables and never alone with my husband. I don't recommend this to newly weds or couples wishing to spend some alone time together........

 

One of the greatest part of Cruise Critic is you can discover this about river cruises in general before you go. We had never been on a river cruise before and were prepared for the tables of 8 from reading here. Even on an ocean cruise we like larger tables anyway as meeting people is part of the fun for us (even on our honeymoon cruise a couple years ago.) We've met some great people this way.

 

I did not like how the speaker at one point said some comment about we thought the Chinese all looked alike to us

 

Our guide never said this but when we approached another guide from behind he said this and I too found it offense instead of funny. I could indeed pick out any of them from a line up but that would be from the front not back and he missed that whole point. I suspect though, in their defense, it may happen a lot to them and they try to make a "joke" of it. They were all wearing their red jackets too almost all the time which didn't help with telling them apart from the back.

 

Viking does everything to make this an outstanding experience and we highly recommend this company.

 

We feel exactly the same way. Everything was very professionally handled and well organized.

 

Karl

Edited November 7, 2012 by kbert92069

[caribill]

I regarded it as what they said, a suggestion. We elected to directly tip our servers in the dining room who were awesome: Candy, Ray and Lois as well as a smaller than suggested group tip.

 

 

 

 

That's what we did. We tipped the same total suggested, but gave some directly to our servers and put the rest in the box which distributes the tip among all the rest of the crew (except maybe the Captain).

[kbert92069]

Opps.... too late to edit my mistake in my prior post. I really appreciated our servers on the Emerald who were Cherry (not Candy who had left the ship) and Ray and Lois (in the bar.)

 

I guess it was too easy to type one sweet thing for another :) as they were all wonderful. Ray was in both crew shows as was our room steward Johnny.

 

Great minds think alike. We tipped the balance of the total suggested to the group via credit card after tipping the servers in RMB directly.

Edited November 7, 2012 by kbert92069

[Bushy H.]

Thanks for your review.

 

A couple of comments.

 

An alternative to the expensive dinner buffet at the Shangri-la hotel is in the mall you mention. They have many restaurants there and most are raesonably priced. Two of us had a nice dinner in a sit down restaurant for a total of $10.71 (71 Yuan).

 

Is your comment about eating at certain tables about on the ship or in land restaurants? On the ship we could sit at any table we wanted, but all tables were for eight or so people. On land, each tour group was assigned a section of tables and we had to sit at one of those with, of course, others in our Viking group.

Hey there,

We were directed by our servers to three specific tables by our servers and they tried to "encourage" us to sit with the same people. One couple we had sat with on two previous meals made us want to change tables so this caused a bit of tension with the original group, I am sure they felt we dismissed them. Sadly the other two couples were very nice and we enjoyed eating with them.

I can understand there are some folks who enjoy and even look forward to eating with others and learning about where they came from and how much they have traveled but there are those of us who are not so mmmm social in that it is draining to come up with conversation that is appreciated by all. I just with there was a choice to sit alone or in a large group.

Yes I knew in advance about the sitting arrangements for meals but this was the only way I could find to tour so much of China at one time on a limited time budget.

[Peregrina651]

Hey there,

We were directed by our servers to three specific tables by our servers and they tried to "encourage" us to sit with the same people..

 

Yes, I can see why the servers want you to sit in the same group of tables each night-- because it develops a relationship that leads to extra tips for them. I'm kind of sorry that they do that because I would like to sit with different people each night. I also wished that they had offered some smaller tables because the large tables just make it impossible for me to hear what is going on.

 

 

 

[Turtles06]

In our case, it was our Viking tour escort who suggested that the folks in our group sit in one group of tables because it would be easy for him to find us if he needed to tell us all something. I'm sure the servers like this as well for the tipping reason Peregrina suggested. I actually liked the fact that our servers got to know us.

 

But I do agree that the large tables were a drawback. Not only because it's hard to hear others, but because sometimes you just want to eat a meal with your spouse and not 6 or 8 other people.

 

A note to Kbert: Cherry was one of our servers as well (May 2011) and her cheerfulness really added to our trip!

[graham44]

Attached my photo of Cherry (August 2012).

[pacmom]

We are not quite 24 hours back!!!!! What wonderful trip--it definitely is the best Viking has to offer. Have justed started dinner--where are Maggie and Sally when you need them. We had a deligtful surprise when we arrived on the boat. The hotel manager came to our cabin and we discovered someone who has been on 3 of our 4 Viking trips--all the good ones--Janos. On our first trip he was a waiter, the next the Maitre'd and now a hotel manager. We renewed a wonderful friendship. Will write more after the laundry pile disappears. Pat

Edited November 8, 2012 by pacmom

[rahrah50]

Pacmom - Can hardly wait to hear about your trip!!!!!!!!