Who's been to China

[Vendzilla]

Might be going to China

Basically a 12 day escorted trip thru China for $1999 per person, airfare, hotel, air and hotel tax and all meals included. Included is a 4 day trip on the Yangtze River cruise.

I need to know about the weather, is there a bad time to go?.

I would love to see the Great Wall and the Imperial Palace in the forbidden city, Terracotta Warriors and have Peking Duck. Go to the top of that 121 story building they have.

Nov. 21, 28; Dec. 5; Feb. 13, 20, 27; March 6, 8, 13, 15, 17, 20, 27, 31; April 3, 10 are the departure dates

[L-Pink]

I drove past a wal-mart today.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

I drove past a wal-mart today.

Did they offer a river cruise?

[brassmonkey]

it was a slow boat never got there

[pimpmaster9000]

...pack for rain, and the tour operators are used to handling tourists in such conditions anyway...dont go during the summer they have monsoon season, during the other months you should be fine...if you are going across china then you will change many weather zones...

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

I drove past a wal-mart today.

[Phoenix]

I go often. I'm going again next month. Hit me up on icq if you want to chat. China is awesome.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

i think he meant panda express

[DWB]

I've been. That (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) is winter for China and can get very, very cold. As in winter coat, hat, and gloves cold.

March - May is spring, a better time to go. More people, but the weather isn't arctic cold, which can ruin a trip.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

i think he meant panda express

i thought he was referring to the fact everything in walmart is made in china?

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I go often. I'm going again next month. Hit me up on icq if you want to chat. China is awesome.

Whats so awesome? Heard the opposite, only charming thing is different culture, new things, excitement.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Whats so awesome? Heard the opposite, only charming thing is different culture, new things, excitement.

A friend of mine goes there once in a while for some construction stuff; he really enjoys the people.

[DWB]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Whats so awesome? Heard the opposite, only charming thing is different culture, new things, excitement.

Did you actually read your post before you hit the submit reply button?

The very things you listed, new things, excitement, and culture, can make a place pretty awesome. China has everything from world class entertainment and nightlife, to ancient ruins from civilization that is older than anything in white people land, and everything in-between.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by DWB

Did you actually read your post before you hit the submit reply button?

The very things you listed, new things, excitement, and culture, can make a place pretty awesome. China has everything from world class entertainment and nightlife, to ancient ruins from civilization that is older than anything in white people land, and everything in-between.

Yes I read it. Somalia would also could be described in the same way. So no, its not what makes a country awesome. It makes a trip to the country awesome. Not the country itself.

[nekrom]

Late Nov - Feb is the winter season so it will be misserable in mainland China. Snow, cold and rain, that's why everyone goes on holiday to the island of Hainan (either Haikou or Sanya city), small island off the bottom of China. It has tropical weather all year round (that's why I live there).

Jan 31 is Chinese new year so all the tourist attractions will be clogged with bazillions of people, as will be the buses, restaurants and so on. You can also forget catching a taxi that will use the meatre at this holiday time.

March or April would be your best bet imo, less crowds, should be decent weather and prices of shit wont be jacked as CNY will be done with for another year.

[DWB]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Yes I read it. Somalia would also could be described in the same way. So no, its not what makes a country awesome. It makes a trip to the country awesome. Not the country itself.

Ah... I see. You've never left your own borders. ;-)

Culture, architecture, history, nightlife, food, sights, people, and so on, have everything to do with it. A "country" is nothing more than imaginary lines and a flag. It's everything else that makes it what it is. And for all of that, China is pretty awesome.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Whats so awesome? Heard the opposite, only charming thing is different culture, new things, excitement.

The people are friendly.
The food is awesome.
Beer is cheap.
The night life.
The buildings, old and new ones.
The future is bright.

the list goes on and on.
I always said as a kid i was going to china to sell everyone a tube of toothpaste.
Well im there, its not toothpaste but it is something almost all of them will want.

Wish me luck please

BTW Vendzilla...Beijing and area is northern china. so if you go in winter...it will be mega cold.
so plan for april if you can.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by DWB

Ah... I see. You've never left your own borders. ;-)

Culture, architecture, history, nightlife, food, sights, people, and so on, have everything to do with it. A "country" is nothing more than imaginary lines and a flag. It's everything else that makes it what it is. And for all of that, China is pretty awesome.

You completely miss the point.

I said:

"only charming thing is different culture, new things, excitement"

You said that this is what makes country awesome.

I said, no, this is what make trip awesome.

Lets take NON awesome country as example. If you visit NON awesome country in another continent you also get all these things that I mentioned:

"only charming thing is different culture, new things, excitement"

The fact that you get these feelings when you visit does NOT necessary make country itself awesome.

How hard is that to comprehend?

Ps: I am not claiming that China is not awesome, I am claiming that even if you feel these feelings when you visit foregn country does not necessary mean that country is awesome as I proved with my example (you get these feelings in non awesome countries as well).

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

BTW Vendzilla...Beijing and area is northern china. so if you go in winter...it will be mega cold.
so plan for april if you can.

Thanx, looks like march or april will be a good time.
Cold doesn't bother me, heavy rain can ruin a vacation.
I'm going to have to book this soon I guess, thanx for all the input

[Captain Kawaii]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

Did they offer a river cruise?

You really want to cruise through sewer broth? Even Chinese steer clear.

[L-Pink]

Originally Posted by _Richard_

i thought he was referring to the fact everything in walmart is made in china?

It went right over his head

[baddog]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Yes I read it. Somalia would also could be described in the same way. So no, its not what makes a country awesome. It makes a trip to the country awesome. Not the country itself.

So, what would be your definition?

[baddog]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

It went right over his head

Imagine that.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Captain Kawaii

You really want to cruise through sewer broth? Even Chinese steer clear.

I read the reviews of the river and saw pictures, didn't look too bad to me.
Being the third longest river in the world, sounds like an adventure

[Chosen]

Haven't been there yet, but definitely will.

[freecartoonporn]

haven't been there yet, but very interested...

[Captain Kawaii]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

I read the reviews of the river and saw pictures, didn't look too bad to me.
Being the third longest river in the world, sounds like an adventure

An adventure it will be. Good luck with this. Ricky Gervais has a short series. They went to China. Sent a Welsh comedian. Pretty fucking funny.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by baddog

So, what would be your definition?

My definition is that people living there should feel awesome.

[Ross]

Haven't been yet but I plan on taking my wife to the Panda reserve in Northern China in the next couple of years, I'll combine it with a few more cities while there. It's been her dream to go and see the Pandas for a long long time, we just never found the right time to go until now I guess. Make sure you get your Visa before travelling, I've heard some horror stories about people getting there with no Visa and not being allowed to enter China.

I'm guessing this is a Groupon offer? I see these kind of things all the time, the price is quite incredible for what you get, most flights to China are $1800+.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Ross

Haven't been yet but I plan on taking my wife to the Panda reserve in Northern China in the next couple of years, I'll combine it with a few more cities while there. It's been her dream to go and see the Pandas for a long long time, we just never found the right time to go until now I guess. Make sure you get your Visa before travelling, I've heard some horror stories about people getting there with no Visa and not being allowed to enter China.

I'm guessing this is a Groupon offer? I see these kind of things all the time, the price is quite incredible for what you get, most flights to China are $1800+.

It's a travel zoo offer, My GF gets us things on there all the time. Part of this adventure is going to a zoo and seeing the Panda's

She gets us cool weekend adventures usually, things we can ride to on the Harley.

Thanx for the heads up about the Visa, never been to a country were I needed one. But most of my travels were when I was in the Navy.

[shimmy]

I went to China last June. Perfect weather, but the only bad vacation I ever had. I was in Beijing, never will go back. Everything there is just annoying.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by shimmy

I went to China last June. Perfect weather, but the only bad vacation I ever had. I was in Beijing, never will go back. Everything there is just annoying.

Never understood why people go to China for vacation
To see whats the fuss is all about yes, but like a vacation vacation? At least 30 better countries for that. At least.

[_Richard_]

Originally Posted by L-Pink

It went right over his head

you were talking about chinese fast food? some reference.. at all.. be nice

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Never understood why people go to China for vacation
To see whats the fuss is all about yes, but like a vacation vacation? At least 30 better countries for that. At least.

More about the adventure than a vacation. I want to see things, not relax. Sitting on a beach is not my idea of a vacation at all.

I've seen a lot of the world, I've been to several countries near there, like Japan, Australia, Singapore, Philippines and Korea. So this would make another Asian country, but it would be the biggest.

$2k a piece is pretty cheap

[Far-L]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

Might be going to China

Basically a 12 day escorted trip thru China for $1999 per person, airfare, hotel, air and hotel tax and all meals included. Included is a 4 day trip on the Yangtze River cruise.

I need to know about the weather, is there a bad time to go?.

I would love to see the Great Wall and the Imperial Palace in the forbidden city, Terracotta Warriors and have Peking Duck. Go to the top of that 121 story building they have.

Nov. 21, 28; Dec. 5; Feb. 13, 20, 27; March 6, 8, 13, 15, 17, 20, 27, 31; April 3, 10 are the departure dates

Been there and did most of the stuff on your list... WORTH IT!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

It's a travel zoo offer, My GF gets us things on there all the time. Part of this adventure is going to a zoo and seeing the Panda's.

That's cool. The trip I am taking my wife on is a Panda reserve, you go there for 3-5 days and actually work with the Pandas, learn about them and help out. Pretty crazy that you pay thousands of $ to go and work somewhere. You get to interact with the baby Pandas and spend time with them, it does look quite cool but it's not cheap.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by Ross

That's cool. The trip I am taking my wife on is a Panda reserve, you go there for 3-5 days and actually work with the Pandas, learn about them and help out. Pretty crazy that you pay thousands of $ to go and work somewhere. You get to interact with the baby Pandas and spend time with them, it does look quite cool but it's not cheap.

Not that big a thing with me, I would rather work with big cats and you can do that here in California.

It will be fun to see them, but they are just a different colored bear to me. I lived up in Northern California for a couple decades, I've seen a lot of Brown Bears and Black Bears.

Their meat is greasy, pig family. Great Bacon!

[DWB]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

My definition is that people living there should feel awesome.

OK, so then by your definition, 1.351 billion (with a B) people think China is awesome. They are incredibly proud of their country, even the poor people. Like every other nation, the Chinese think their country is the best in the world.

In comparison, 313.9 million (and fading) think the USA is awesome.

So China is more awesome than the USA, based on your definition.

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Never understood why people go to China for vacation
To see whats the fuss is all about yes, but like a vacation vacation? At least 30 better countries for that. At least.

Because China is freakin' huuuuuge and there is more to do there than sit in traffic. They have everything there, and much of it is very unique. Oceans, beaches, deserts, epic mountains, snow, cities, plains, country, tech, ruins, the great wall, you name it. And for the record, if you're into nature, China's landscape is hard to beat. They also own 1/2 of the largest mountain in the world. That by itself is pretty awesome, and not available in 30 other countries. That's why people go to China. Or anywhere else for that matter. Because there is a lot to do. Those who just do one thing, or only go to one city and think that one city represents China, well, that's their problem.

Please tell me, what "30 better countries" I can find stuff like this:

[DWB]

Originally Posted by Vendzilla

I've seen a lot of the world, I've been to several countries near there, like Japan, Australia, Singapore, Philippines and Korea. So this would make another Asian country, but it would be the biggest.

$2k a piece is pretty cheap

IMHO, if you've been to those Asian countries, get off the beaten path in China and do some real adventure touring. There are probably some tour options for that.

[Roald]

On my bucket list as well!!!

[xinyonghu]

The people are friendly.(only to foreigner)
The food is awesome.(harmful foods )
Beer is cheap.(fake Beer)
The night life.
The buildings, old and new ones.(easily collapse)

Goodluck!

[DWB]

Originally Posted by xinyonghu

The people are friendly.(only to foreigner)
The food is awesome.(harmful foods )
Beer is cheap.(fake Beer)
The night life.
The buildings, old and new ones.(easily collapse)

Goodluck!

And don't forget Starfucks, the Starbucks knock off.

[Vendzilla]

Originally Posted by DWB

IMHO, if you've been to those Asian countries, get off the beaten path in China and do some real adventure touring. There are probably some tour options for that.

This tour hits the main attractions I have for the country
I always wander away from the groups when I visit other countries, you always end up with the best stories that way.
I'm going to buy a better camera for this trip, LOL, Maybe I should wait to buy it there?

More than anything, my GF and I do very well together and just having an adventure with her will make it that much better. She loves that we have a Harley and has really got into being my passenger!!!

[Vendzilla]

I just booked my trip with my GF for March. Got an upgrade on the River cruise to a bigger room and paid for some extras along the way. I'm really looking forward to this.