The 2 trips I am considering are:
Imperial China, Tibet, and Yangtze River Cruise with OAT and

China and the Yangtze with GCT

Any recommendations on which tour may be better? Or a different tour company altogether?

Thanks.

Karen

Please read this: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ritz-tours.cfm Then note that OAT recommends tipping in China. With dollar bills.

Karen,

Take a look at China Spree. They are an American company based in Washington state. I have traveled with both GCT and China Spree (Egypt and China ) and found China Spree to be as good or better than GCT at much less cost. The hotels in China were all four star, the itinerary excellent, the guides great and the food plentiful and as good as eating Chinese food for fourteen days can be.As far as tipping with dollars, unfortunatly many companies recommend this( not only for China ) which I find to be insulting. RMB is easily attainable once you arrive in China.

Certainly you should use yuan, not dollars, in China. But you shouldn't tip in China in ANY currency - it's a non-tipping society. Companies that tell you to do so should be avoided - that's one of several points made in the post I referenced.

thursdaysd,

Thank you for your responses.I did read that post before I asked my question. If it is not accepted to tip in China, could you just not tip regardless of companies suggestion? To tell the truth, I would be uncomfortable not tipping as it is my custom. I don't think anyone would be insulted to be offered an axtra gratuity for good service, but wouldn't offer it if I would be insulting anyone. In any case, I did not see where OAT and GCT instructed me to tip, or guidelines for gratuities but I would do it anyway. If OAT and GCT are not to be recommended, are there any companies you yourself, or PeterN-H, do recommend?

twelveoaks,

Thank you for your reply. I have used OAT to Peru and the Galapagos and GCT to Egypt. Was very pleased with both trips. Was trying to decide between both trips I mentioned but willing to consider another company if was was highly recommended.

Karen

"To tell the truth, I would be uncomfortable not tipping as it is my custom." But you will be in a country where it is not the custom. Would you think it acceptable for someone from a non-tipping country (Japan, for example) to decide NOT to tip in the US because it is not their custom? See also: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...m#last-comment

I haven't checked GCT, but I did check OAT on line for the trip you mentioned, and the instructions were to tip and to bring dollars for tips. Unfortunately, if the company tells you to tip, I don't see how you can avoid it. Better to avoid the company. Companies based in Australia rather than the US may be less likely to tell you to tip.

I have traveled to China with the Smithsonian and with Intrepid (no tipping with either) and could recommend both, although Intrepid is a budget outfit and the Smithsonian is expensive. My third trip I wen on my own. I have a friend who was happy with Pacific Delight, but I read recently that they had been acquired by another company.

To date, we have traveled with OAT twice and Grand Circle 8 times. The two most recent being OAT. We did China and the Yangtze with Grand Circle. We have enjoyed all of them thoroughly. The biggest differences between them are group size, for this trip 24 max for Grand Circle and 16 max for OAT, and activity level. OAT is more active. Their program directors/trip leaders are outstanding.

Here is a link to out trip report on this trip:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...rip-report.cfm

We would be glad to answer any questions at [email protected]

Jack and Ann Donoghue

We took the Odysseys Unlimited tour to China last March. It was the trip of a lifetime! Our guide, Michael Song, was so well versed in everything and made certain we all had a great experience. There were 16 of us on the tour. All tours to China see the same things, in different order perhaps, but step-on government guides will join groups throughout the city tours. I can't recommend this company enough. The 3 night cruise down the Yangtze River was magical...you must include that in your trip! I have traveled with OAT and GCT; this is a step above those to companies.

We traveled to China and Tibet with OAT and it is my favorite trip EVER! We've taken 8 OAT trips and have never been disappointed. We have also taken many trips with other tour companies (before we discovered OAT), but will stay with OAT in the future. I would recommend the OAT trip because the Grand Circle trip doesn't go to Tibet, and that was the highlight of the trip for me. OAT trips are more active than Grand Circle trips, and we like the small group of no more than 16, which you don't get with Grand Circle. If I can answer any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].