Would appreciate hearing from anyone who visited the Stilwell Museum in Chungqing...Thanxxx....

Why do you want to know? The spelling is Chongqing.

Planning on visiting China next year...interested in WWII history...nothing in Fodor's books re Stilwell Museum...a few tours include the Stilwell Museum...if anyone's been there, would like feedback on what's there...anything on "The Flying Tigers", too...Thanxxx for responding...

Hi Howard,<BR><BR>Earlier in the year, I planned to have the museum included in our itinerary but was told it was closed for rennovation. As a matter of fact, the project is still going on. Here is a Web link for you to learn more about it: http://www.china.org.cn/english/34194.htm<BR><BR>For further help, you should contact the local government (http://202.98.36.244/cqgov/). I am sure they would love to help you but be warned they could be slow in responding to you because not many Chinese government officials have the habit of checking their e-mails everyday!<BR><BR>Seven years ago they opened up an English training shool in a suburban county of Chongqing and the school is named after the general.<BR><BR>Last year while I was in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, I saw the airfield used by the Flying Tigers, on my way to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Yunnan has more places related to WWII efforts by the Americans but most people here don't really know about it. Well, you can't blame them when Ronald Reagan couldn't pinpoint Cambodia on the map or George W. Bush had no idea who the prime minister of India was even after he became president.<BR><BR>I hope you find the above info helpful.

Howard....I visted the Stilwell Museum in July 2001.<BR><BR>Very modest at best. But that did not take away from the excitement.<BR><BR>If it is/has been renovated that could be a plus....at the time I visited, you were met at the front door by elderly lady....she would proceed you and turn on the light for that particular room.<BR><BR>The museum displays are mostly personal letters and news clippings of those participating there (China WWII). And quite a bit on the &quot;Flying Tigers&quot;.<BR><BR>Personally, it was a high spot of my visit. (I did not know it existed until my guide mentioned it) Being a WWII -Pacific buff, there was not thinking about it.....yes, yes that's what I want to see.<BR><BR>Also, the Peoples Square in Chongquinq is stunning.....fond memories in Chongquinq....the silk factory was wonderful too.<BR><BR>rus

Visited the Stilwell Museum last October when on a group tour. Very interesting...mainly for the fact that it exists!! Keeping this place intact during the years since WWII is a real feat. If you can get there you will get the best souvenir from China...a Flying Tigers teeshirt. It only cost $5 and we only bought one. Everybody who sees it wants one. Go if you are in the city.

Elaine: Thanks for the info re the Stilwell Museum....Understand it's being renovated....may I ask what tour you took?....We're looking @ Pacific Delight Tours....Can't see that any other tour company offers the Stilwell Museum in the itinerary........I just gotta see the Stillwell Museum.....Guaranteed I'll buy more than 1 shirt.....Did they have any flight jackets with the Flying Tiger/AVG insignia?

When I visited the museum in May 2002, I was with China Focus Travel. It may not have been on the printed itinerary, but may have been used as a filler of time before the flight to Xian. Since I wasn't particularly interested, I don't have anything else to add -- except seeing the t-shirts.

Mary,<BR><BR>I am not sure if that's true that you visited the museum because it was already shut down in May, for expansion and rennovation. The project was completed two months ago, in September. The museum receives about 30,000 overseas visitors since opened in 1991.

Hello, We visited Chongqing about 1 1/2 years ago. I thought the museum was very interesting. We went with SmarTours. Check them out if you wish. It was on the itinery with them. Of course things might have changed by now. As for the lady meeting us at the door and turning on the lights, no such thing for us. There were many tours in at the same time. Sometimes in certain tours it was hard to hear everything due to hearing other guides in background. I have trouble with that but not everyone does. I brought my hubby a tee shirt and he wears it a lot. Do go and enjoy!

Howard....just a couple comments<BR><BR>1. Sounds like we all enjoyed the museum, and had different experiences.<BR><BR>2. I was the only person on my tour...so there was no others at the museum at the time of my visit. So the lady turned on the lights for me....conservation of energy....so therefore no loud crowd noises either!<BR><BR>3. The museum was not on the printed iteneray, as others have stated. I discovered it by my guide's suggestion.<BR>(PacificBest Tours...10 day tour, and I was the only one on that particular tour...sort of a &quot;private&quot; tour...it was wonderful...

I was there in April 2002, Stan.

The exact date was April 29th, 2002. Sorry, for posting May.