Yes I am also booked on this holiday for 5th Aug 🙂 not long now. I'm not doing the add on cruise but have booked for all the extra excursions and will book Xian by night at the hotel. This will be my 3rd holiday with JY so very excited, especially to see the terracotta warriors, Iv heard we need a good pair of walking shoes or boots for that 🙂 yes 9 is a low number. smallest group Iv ever had but I'm sure we will have a great time.

Looking forward to meeting you all at Heathrow

Chloe xx

JayneyW

I'm so excited about the Great Wall, I don't think we can do the panda handling anymore as It got stopped a few years ago 😞 I think there are 4 people undertaking the cruise so you will have some company 🙂

I started checking out insurance and coach to Heathrow so getting close to it now.

Does anyone know if we need malaria tablets? Iv got the travel nurse app for 10th June to check jabs are upto date so will ask then.

Chloe

I did this tour in October last year and you'll be pleased to hear that the 'Panda hugging' (ie the 'Panda Keeper Experience') in Chengdu is still available. It's not cheap - 2000 Yuan in 2014 which is roughly £200 and you have to pay cash, but I can honestly say it's the best holiday money I've ever spent - a truly thrilling experience. If you have a search around some of the other threads here, you'll find my explanation of what you get for your money.

There are limited places each day so that the cubs are not stressed, so make sure you let your local guide know that you want to book as soon as you get to Chengdu. If Suzy is your guide - she will sort it all out for you and you will have a story to dine out on for a lifetime!

Happy to help if you have any other questions about the pandas or the tour in general. I didn't do the cruise so didn't need the malaria tablets but I believe they were recommended for those that did. I just had a Hep A jab. One more tip - take plenty of throat sweets and, if asthmatic, take extra inhalers. The air quality can be pretty bad in places.

Have a wonderful trip

Mandy

JayneyW

Thanks for the information Mandy. Chloe, I saw my practice nurse and she said malaria tablets were not necessary in the areas we are travelling in but did advise a good repellant (I get mine from a good outdoor activity shop - maximum strength 10 hours protection) plus use a plug in at night in the room. I did have an accelerated course of Hep B (2 jabs a week apart, 1 two weeks later and a booster next year to give 25 + years protection). I am up to date with all other vaccinations but its worth asking when you go. I also need to book coach and/or hotel but I have read in other reviews that terminals can change so I'm thinking of waiting until I get the final invoice.

JayneyW

Hi Jayney

I am travelling in September and doing the add on. My practice nurse said the repellent was good elsewhere but to take the malaria tablets the day before the cruise, while on it and for a week after. She also suggested (but didn't insist on) the Japanese encephalitis jab . She was adamant about the malaria tablets for travel in that area though as dengue fever is also one of the nasties the carry as well as malaria and jap. encap. Hope this helps.

FranXWP

Any tips on what to pack for the inspirational trip China 9th Sept please

Hi newbyphil,

Just returned from this trip (5 - 21 Aug). It was very hot and humid. It is rainy season so I would recommend a lightweight waterproof. Also all hotels provided toiletries (including toothbrush \toothpaste) so you don't need to take unless you prefer your usual brands ( no dental pack on cruise but you could pack one or two from hotels!). Make sure you have comfy shoes, there is a lot of walking involved (and more steps than you've ever seen!).

Hope you have a fantastic trip, I thoroughly enjoyed every hectic moment.

Jayney