Announcement We are currently experiencing some technical issues with some users being unable to post to forums. We are working on these issues and hope everything will be back up and running as usual shortly. Please bear with us.
Janey Jane
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi there, Is anyone doing Insperational China on 7th October 2016? I have just booked on this and the 3 day Hong Kong add on. It's my first time with Just You and as a single traveller so am bit apprehensive about it as not sure what to expect. Also, Any help as to what to take in terms of cash and clothing would be greatly appreciated.
lesley07
(Member)
Hi. I did a slightly different version of this holiday as my first JY trip in 2010. I went late September and apart from two very wet days the weather was warm and sunny. From memory I took about £500 and only changed sterling to Yuan as I needed to. I did use my debit card to buy a silk duvet but that was my only extravagance!!

It is a great trip and you see and do so much.

Enjoy your holiday when it comes.

Lesley

Janey Jane
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Hi Lesley

Thanks for your response.

Jane

leahk
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi - I did the trip a couple of years ago.  You will have a great time.  China  is very different in many ways, but very familiar in others.  I took about 350 Yuan with me,  But over there it was easy to change sterling for Yuan in the Hotel and also I was able to use my Nat West Debit card in the ATMs.  Exchange rate at the ATM worked out at better than the UK at the time (9.1 Yuan to the £ vs 8.7 from my UK bank..  Exchange rate is the same everywhere there as it is fixed by the Government each day.

My biggest regret way not buying the Silk Duvet (as  Lesley did) as I was worried about the luggage limit - most people just took them on as Hand Luggage and no one had any problems.  (Just forked out a lot more for one in John Lewis!)

I did all the optional trips - they were all worth it.  

Your are well looked after on the holiday - the only thing I would prepare yourself for is the very hectic agenda - we hit the ground running, landing at 6 am and then went straight to the first trip at the Summer Palace. - lots of early starts and late finishes, but plenty of chances to rest on the coach.

Obviously there will be a mix of people - but all are likeminded in going on a trip list this and you will find some more like you than others - but everyone on my trip was friendly.

Janey Jane
(Member) (Topic Starter)
Many thanks, your feedback has been very helpful.
NickiCl
(Member)
Hi Janey Jane,

I'm also going to China on 7th October and so looking forward to it.

I've done one tour with Just You previously - Turkey - and really enjoyed it.

I've also been on other singles holidays, and group holidays as a single and have had a great time on all of them.

I have found that there is always someone in the group that you will get on with, and most often many more than one. I've also found that I gained much comfort and security from an organised group holiday - just sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you want to be in touch before we go, then just let me know. If not I will see you at the airport!

Nicki

Jenny P
(Member)
Hi Janey Jane

Did the trip this Spring, without add on. Took about £500, but came back with about £50 and I went on all the trips, tips etc.(which do add up, tour leader, local guides, drivers) and splashing out on more things than I would normally buy. I know other people did use plastic without any difficulties, so not really a problem. As Leah K has said, hectic, wasn't til I downloaded my photos, I realised just how much we had done and seen. Enjoy your holiday! Jenny

Janey Jane
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'NickiCl' wrote:

Hi Janey Jane,

I'm also going to China on 7th October and so looking forward to it.

I've done one tour with Just You previously - Turkey - and really enjoyed it.

I've also been on other singles holidays, and group holidays as a single and have had a great time on all of them.

I have found that there is always someone in the group that you will get on with, and most often many more than one. I've also found that I gained much comfort and security from an organised group holiday - just sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you want to be in touch before we go, then just let me know. If not I will see you at the airport!

Nicki

Hi Nicki

Thanks for your response. It's been very helpful to hear about you experience. Is there any way of finding out how many people there will be in our group? Would be interested in getting in touch before we go. The thought of the whole airport check in thing is quite daunting for me as I've never done it on my own before.

Janey Jane
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'Jenny P' wrote:

Hi Janey Jane

Did the trip this Spring, without add on.  Took about £500, but came back with about £50 and I went on all the trips, tips etc.(which do add up, tour leader, local guides, drivers) and splashing out on more things than I would normally buy.  I know other people did use plastic without any difficulties, so not really a problem.  As Leah K has said, hectic, wasn't til I downloaded my photos, I realised just how much we had done and seen.  Enjoy your holiday!  Jenny

Hi Jenny

Many thanks for the advice - it's been very helpful.

Jane

KirstyK
(Member)
'Janey Jane' wrote:

Hi there, Is anyone doing Insperational China on 7th October 2016? I have just booked on this and the 3 day Hong Kong add on. It's my first time with Just You and as a single traveller so am bit apprehensive about it as not sure what to expect. Also, Any help as to what to take in terms of cash and clothing would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Jane i'm also doing the 7th october trip and it will be my first time as a single traveller as well! I haven't booked the the add on trip but have read lots of comments that say how fantastic it is.

Kirsty

NickiCl
(Member)
'Janey Jane' wrote:

'NickiCl' wrote:

Hi Janey Jane,

I'm also going to China on 7th October and so looking forward to it.

I've done one tour with Just You previously - Turkey - and really enjoyed it.

I've also been on other singles holidays, and group holidays as a single and have had a great time on all of them.

I have found that there is always someone in the group that you will get on with, and most often many more than one. I've also found that I gained much comfort and security from an organised group holiday - just sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you want to be in touch before we go, then just let me know. If not I will see you at the airport!

Nicki

Hi Nicki

Thanks for your response. It's been very helpful to hear about you experience. Is there any way of finding out how many people there will be in our group? Would be interested in getting in touch before we go. The thought of the whole airport check in thing is quite daunting for me as I've never done it on my own before.

Hi Jane

I think this trip is fully booked which, probably, means somewhere around 25 people will be joining us.

If you want to contact me my email is *******, or we can continue to chat on here.

I'm more than happy to meet at the airport.

Nicki

*edited to remove personal information

Janey Jane
(Member) (Topic Starter)
'KirstyK' wrote:

'Janey Jane' wrote:

Hi there, Is anyone doing Insperational China on 7th October 2016? I have just booked on this and the 3 day Hong Kong add on. It's my first time with Just You and as a single traveller so am bit apprehensive about it as not sure what to expect. Also, Any help as to what to take in terms of cash and clothing would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Jane i'm also doing the 7th october trip and it will be my first time as a single traveller as well! I haven't booked the the add on trip but have read lots of comments that say how fantastic it is.

Kirsty

Hi Kirsty, look forward to meeting you at the airport. Jane

Ladybird958
(Member)
'Janey Jane' wrote:

Hi there, Is anyone doing Insperational China on 7th October 2016? I have just booked on this and the 3 day Hong Kong add on. It's my first time with Just You and as a single traveller so am bit apprehensive about it as not sure what to expect. Also, Any help as to what to take in terms of cash and clothing would be greatly appreciated.

My name is Kathy Hall.

Yes I am also going on the Inspirational China trip on 7 Oct 2016.  I have travelled with Just you a few years ago to the West coast of USA and it was fantastic.  I enjoyed every minute and we were all looked after by the Tour Guide who was very knowledgeable.  I am really looking forward to the China trip but like you I have loads of questions.  Such as:

*   are you better taking all cash or can you use a pre paid card or travellers cheques?

*   are credit cards accepted?

*   what sort of clothing is best to take including shoes?

*   is there a big change in the weather conditions from Beijing to Shanghai and Hong kong?

*   How many are booked on this trip?

I will be travelling from Manchester down to London on the 7 Oct and then meeting up with everyone at Heathrow.  

Regards  Kathy

AELB
  • (Member)
(Member)
Hi Kathy

I did this trip (not the Hong Kong add on) in October 2014 - if you type China into the search facility at the top right hand corner of the page you will find loads of reviews and tips from people like myself, Mike W and Bob Grey who have done this trip (and loved it!) and which will probably answer most of your questions.

I would suggest taking some Yuan to start with but most of the hotels will change sterling if you need more (however - your sterling notes must be in pristine condition or they won't accept them). Credit cards are certainly accepted at the larger places and outlets (such as the silk and jade factories that you will visit). The only place that definitely required cash, from memory, was the Chengdu Panda Research centre. This was for the Panda Keeper Experience option which was around £200 but I'm sorry to say that Julia has confirmed in another thread that the 'Panda Hugging' session is no longer available due to infection concerns. Such a pity for you as this was one of the highlights of my trip (if not my life!)

In terms of shoes - take pairs that are comfy for walking as you will be doing a lot of it, including on cobbles (the Forbidden City) and steep slopes and steps (the Wall). Take layers as the temperature can vary wildly, especially if there is cloud (i.e. pollution/smog) cover. Also take plenty of wet wipes, handy packs of tissues and/or toilet paper (facilities...vary...) and throat sweets. If you use inhalers, take extra as you will need them more than usual due to the air quality.

It's a full on tour but you will have a super time and the hotels are all excellent.

Happy to help with any other questions

All the best

Mandy