Visiting China

Re: Visiting China

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:49:31 GMT

It depends where you want to go or what you want to see.

I led a cycle tour to Yunnan Province in 2009, for the Cyclists Touring Club,

see http://www.cyclingwithchildren.com/PreviousToursLongHaul/China2009/tabid/883/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

This tour is being repeated in 2012 by another tour leader (released in Nov 2011) www.cyclingholidays.org

Wendy Wu tours are well respected

http://www.wendywutours.co.uk

It's a fascinating place

Neil

Re: Visiting China

Deborah Anwyl — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:53:23 GMT

I went to China last year with my other half. We decided to be brave (possibly stupid) and not go with a company and to be honest I think we had a better time and saw more as a result. We saw plenty of tour groups being chivvied around and not given time to look at anything other than what is on the guides list! Some of the best things we saw were off the beaten track and never visited by tour groups. The other problem in China is that they assume that the tourists want all the 'comforts' of home. The section of the great wall which the tours visit actually has a starbucks and mcdonalds built into it!

One thing I would recommend if you go by yourself is take a decent smart phone. Hardly anyone speaks english and if you need to get from a to b then directions can be very difficult - even taxi drivers don't know where most places are.

Hope this helps!

Re: Visiting China

Clive Ansell — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 06:57:54 GMT

Depends on what you plan to do?

I have used KE Adventures a few times and have been more than happy with them; they organise treks, and both road and mountain bike trips of all grades, and also a few easier lower grade climbing expeditions. I see they run 3 trips to China. Not the cheapest, but I have had some great trips with them. This trip to Pakistan in 2005 was outstanding and one of the best things I have ever done.

If you are looking for harder treks or full on mountaineering try Jagged Globe ; they are a more specialist mountaineering company, but I'm not sure whether they run any trips to China.

Exodus run a good range of trips too, although I have not been with them for over 10 years. I thought they went down the pan when they were taken over by The large holiday company First Choice.

I've heard of the Adventure Company, but I don't know what they are like.

Re: Visiting China

Claire Fisher — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:45:37 GMT

I haven't been to China but I've used Intrepid for various trips and always been very happy with them.