annieskes2002

I know that there are many posts on this forum about escorted tours. I am having a difficult time making my final decision. My husband want to take a tour of 14-16 days maximum. The standard things on all tours are Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an. After that, there are variations. Trips with Yangtze River and/or Hong Kong, Guilin, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Huangshan (yellow mountain). Given the time constraints, I don't know what to leave out. Help!!

travelval

I took a private tour and included Guilin...this is the area depicted in most Chinese paintings of soft rising mountains...it is quite beautiful if you also include a trip down the Li River...I would consider returning. Hope this is helpful...

annieskes2002

Thanks for repsonding so quickly. I have heard nice things about Guilin. Am definitely including that. My real quandry is about Yangtze River and Hong Kong. Any more input would be great. Thanks.

rkkwan

If you're asking whether you should pick the Yangtze cruise or Hong Kong on this trip, I'd tell you to do Yangtze. You can visit Hong Kong on your own some other time easily - just HK, or together with some other Asian destinations. At least a whole lot easier than if you want to cruise the Yangtze.

Jed

I agree with rkkwan that your next pick should be a cruise (max 4 night) on the Yangtze, then Guilin if you have enough time. HK is last since it is on the coast and easier to get to otherwise. I don't know about the others.

annieskes2002

Thanks to both rkkwan and Jed. One more question. Is the Yangtze River something to see? I've read some negative things from Peter N-H about the pollution. I don't want to take three of my 14 days on a cruise to see poverty and pollution. Is it beautiful and time well spent? I guess that is two questions. Thanks for your help.
Annie

rkkwan

Peter's first objection is to let anybody make any money off him, and when you're on a boat (or a tour) someone's definitely making some money, right? He doesn't like that.

Second thing he doesn't like is anything the Chinese government does. Yeah, I object to many things the communist government does, and I too think the 3 Gorges Dam is probably not a good idea, but well too bad, the world's biggest dam is being built and we might as well go take a look.

Poverty? Sure, there's poverty anywhere in the world. You may see a lot of abandoned buildings along the shores as whole villagea and towns are being moved to higher grounds - and the Chinese government are building all new houses for those people.

Anyways, I agree with some things that Peter said, disagree with others, but I can't never understand his excuses not to go to the Three Gorges.

glorialf

I found the Yangtse cruise to be the low point of my trip -- incredibly touristy. I would say Guilin, Hangzhou and Suzhou are infinitely more interersting and beautiful and you will get a much better sense of Chinese culture and art.

annieskes2002

Thanks for your input, Gloria. Given the time constraints, I am leaning to not taking the Yangtze cruise or going to Hong Kong. One tour that I have looked at goes to: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Suzhou, Wuxi, Shanghai, over a period of 14 days. There are many tour companies, many variations of trips. Being indecisive doesn't help. A couple of people on this thread, have noted that Yangtze would be a better decision than HK, but it's unclear if Yangtze is still "worthwhile". Glad you wrote. Thanks

Audsquad

Annie-

Wondering which tour group you picked...I am looking into a similar tour through Ritz...

Thanks!
Audrey

annieskes2002

Hi Audsquad,
We went with the Pacific Delight "Superior Value" Golden Cities Tour. We went to Beijing for three nights, then Xian for two nights, Gulin two nights, Shanghai/Shuzhou for two nights. Picked Pacific Delights for the itinerary. Well satisfied with Pacific Delights arrangements and found the accommodations to be very nice. Not plush, but clean and modern, if not necessarily the best location. Would recommend this tour company.
If you have specific question, I'd be glad to answer them.
Annit

LynnieD

If you are set on Guilin (and I definately would be) and that includes a day trip on the Li River into Yangshou, I would pass on the Yangtze River. The Li river gives you a great overview on river life in China and the scenery is far more lovely IMHO. It also frees up the time.

That said, any group trip to China is a little on the frantic side and a 3 or 4 day cruise on the Yangtze in the middle of the trip is a great (if not only) chance to wind down and relax.