I can tell you that 13 travellers are booked onto the Inspirational China tour, and 1 traveller has provisionally booked. 3 are male and 10 are female. The age ranges between late 30s - late 60s.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Good Afternoon AndyF,

I can tell you that 13 travellers are booked onto the Inspirational China tour, and 1 traveller has provisionally booked. 3 are male and 10 are female. The age ranges between late 30s - late 60s.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Hi Amy

Any advice as to what clothing i should back for a Novemeber trip?

I would recommend that you wear layers and winter clothes as the weather will be quite chilly.

Kind Regards,

Amy

I was in China with TS last October. Web weather sites suggested a fairly even temperature everywhere but don't be misled. It was hot in Shanghai when shorts & a polo were the order of the day but on the Wall there was black ice & I was grateful for the extra layers & the scarf & hat. Fortunately a pal had been there previously & warned me it would be cold in Beijing.

it is a great trip - enjoy.

Andy,

I was in China with TS last October. Web weather sites suggested a fairly even temperature everywhere but don't be misled. It was hot in Shanghai when shorts & a polo were the order of the day but on the Wall there was black ice & I was grateful for the extra layers & the scarf & hat. Fortunately a pal had been there previously & warned me it would be cold in Beijing.

it is a great trip - enjoy.

Thanks Ian, I forgot how big a country China is so not surprising in can be cold and warm. I'll pack for both eventualities.  Btw did you do the Yangtze river cruise if you did any tips?

Thanks Andy

Yes I did do the Yangzte cruise.

I was on single supplement with TS so got my own cabin. I would expect your own cabin with JY. Clean & comfortable with 2 single beds & a balcony out to the river. It would probably be a bit cramped for a couple with 2 cases etc but for one on their own it was fine. Anyway you don't want to spend your time in the cabin!

My only real "experience" of cruising was on one of the large cruise ships out of Southampton where "We're only here for the beer" is the order of the day! This was altogether different as everyone wanted to experience the river and the gorges. Yes there is a bar and entertainment in the evening but this is peripheral to the main experience. The crew were lovely and doubled up as the evening entertainment. OK they would probably get nowhere on BGT (which is arguably in their favour!) but they did put on some good fun entertainment.

Meals, apart from breakfast, are Lazy Susan style & plenty to eat. There was one evening where you could dress up - one or 2 guys bought suits - but smart(ish) casual is generally fine.

There are plenty of viewpoints to watch the river go by and there are a few talks put on by the crew.

There are a variety of onshore excursions - some are included & some you have to pay for. 

Shore excursions included the 3 Gorges dam but it was raining and we did not see much. There is also a visit to a reclamation village (where locals were relocated to after the flooding caused by the dam) which was good as you got to meet and mingle with the locals. I took advantage of all the included excursions - they are enjoyable but also give you a chance to stretch your legs.

There is also a laundry service & tea/coffee in the room.

Anything more specific then feel free to ask.

Also, unlike being at sea - you hardly noticed you were moving.

Cheers, Ian

Hi Andy,

Yes I did do the Yangzte cruise.

I was on single supplement with TS so got my own cabin. I would expect your own cabin with JY. Clean & comfortable with 2 single beds & a balcony out to the river. It would probably be a bit cramped for a couple with 2 cases etc but for one on their own it was fine. Anyway you don't want to spend your time in the cabin!

My only real "experience" of cruising was on one of the large cruise ships out of Southampton where "We're only here for the beer" is the order of the day! This was altogether different as everyone wanted to experience the river and the gorges. Yes there is a bar and entertainment in the evening but this is peripheral to the main experience. The crew were lovely and doubled up as the evening entertainment. OK they would probably get nowhere on BGT (which is arguably in their favour!) but they did put on some good fun entertainment.

Meals, apart from breakfast, are Lazy Susan style & plenty to eat. There was one evening where you could dress up - one or 2 guys bought suits - but smart(ish) casual is generally fine.

There are plenty of viewpoints to watch the river go by and there are a few talks put on by the crew.

There are a variety of onshore excursions - some are included & some you have to pay for. 

Shore excursions included the 3 Gorges dam but it was raining and we did not see much. There is also a visit to a reclamation village (where locals were relocated to after the flooding caused by the dam) which was good as you got to meet and mingle with the locals. I took advantage of all the included excursions - they are enjoyable but also give you a chance to stretch your legs.

There is also a laundry service & tea/coffee in the room.

Anything more specific then feel free to ask.

Also, unlike being at sea - you hardly noticed you were moving.

Cheers, Ian

🙂

I am also going on the tour and really looking forward to it. See you on the 13th :)

One thing I would like to know is, any recommendations on how much actual cash to take?

I gather lots of places take credit/debit cards but do we need cash and how much.

Thanks

Anita

Since your tour is full board, you can take as much cash as you like for all your souvenir purchases.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Hi Andy

I am also going on the tour and really looking forward to it. See you on the 13th :)

One thing I would like to know is, any recommendations on how much actual cash to take?

I gather lots of places take credit/debit cards but do we need cash and how much.

Thanks

Anita

Hi Anita 

Not long to go till the 13th starting to feel the anticipation.  China is a place i've always wanted to see but until now have not been in a position to go.

 Re cash I'm not taking a lot, enough to pay for the odd drink and trip.

As you say credit and debit cards are accepted. If you are going on the Yangtze river cruise then just you have told me the accept credit cards.

Andy

I would bring enough cash with you since credit/debit cards are only accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and larger stores/malls, and cash can be used at markets, small restaurants and for taxis.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294211-c119677/China:Money.Questions.html 

Kindest Regards,

Amy

The last time i went with just you i think the seats where pre allocated.

Should i check in on line?

Andy

Good Morning Andy,

I would bring enough cash with you since credit/debit cards are only accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and larger stores/malls, and cash can be used at markets, small restaurants and for taxis.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294211-c119677/China:Money.Questions.html 

Kindest Regards,

Amy

Hi Amy,

Thanks i've had a look at that url and its got some good advice.

Re tipping in china; the info pack i received from JY has suggested rates for tipping guides etc however the 

the web page you recommend says this;

"Finally, no tipping in China. Not for taxi drivers or restaurant waiters. It is not expected and if you do it they may turn it down and will certainly not be viewed as an act of generosity. It is a rather condencending act actually. The exception are the 5-star hotel bellboys. They have been spoiled by international travelers although will not be upset if you do not tip as the Chinese certainly don't. .

:s

Tipping is usually a common practice in most holiday destinations.

At JY, we usually recommend that you tip around £2-£3 per person per day for your driver and guide.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Just received my 'tickets' from just you. I was wondering whether i should check in on line and choose my seat?

The last time i went with just you i think the seats where pre allocated.

Should i check in on line?

Andy

Good Morning AndyF,

As you are part of a group allocation, you will not be able to check in on-line and you will need to check in at the airport where your seats will be allocated at check-in.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Just received my 'tickets' from just you. I was wondering whether i should check in on line and choose my seat?

The last time i went with just you i think the seats where pre allocated.

Should i check in on line?

Andy

Good Morning AndyF,

As you are part of a group allocation, you will not be able to check in on-line and you will need to check in at the airport where your seats will be allocated at check-in.

Kind Regards,

Amy