I just found out on Thursday that I am flying to China on 06 July to do a Yangzte River Cruise and am wondering if anyone has any tips/ hints for me when I am there (apart from taking my water wings ).

I am in Beijing for 4 days (visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall among other things), then off to join the ship in Chongqing and sailing from there to Shanghai.

I have NEVER been to this part of the world so any advice/ tips would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks, in advance!

[ 06-25-2005: Message edited by: Jekyll ]

I have been to China and it is a facinating part of the world, as long as you appreciate that you are stepping into a different 'world' to the one you live in.

One comment that everyone of them made was, that if you do ever go, take a few nibbles with you to supplement the rather 'same everyday' minimalist diet. Dad took a couple of packets of Digestive biscuits and said he was very glad he did. But this was 1988, things may have changed, and they do have a McD in Beijing now A roll of toilet paper also came in useful at places like Xi'an, where the male urinals were literally a little round hole in the wall, and a trench outside

Have fun. I am surprised others have not made comment, I am sure some have been. Jochen?? where are you

When I was visiting in china in the 90s, I never drink tap water* and brought bottled waters on sightseeing. Boiled water or bottled waters available in hotel rooms.
*In Japan, we can drink water from faucet.

P.S. Kodak films very expensive at that time.

[ 06-30-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

I was lucky to be on the first U.S. Flag ship to call in to the port of Tientsen (old Taku Bar) in 30 years and this was September 1979. This was before the U.S. had any tourism in China.

Our company hosted huge banquets (much like those Richard Nixon had just a couple of years before) and I was fortunate to be a table host at a table of shipping/government/tourism officials, both in Tientsen and Beijing. We even had the U.S. Ambassador (Leonard Woodcock and his wife) at the banquet in Beijing. (I learned what Moutai was through the many toasts and the headache the next morning!!)

I was able to spend 4 days in Beijing and was treated to all the great sights such as the Winter and Summer Palace, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, etc. I even had the ultimate experience of having a Peking Duck dinner in Peking (Beijing)! And I discovered that ALL of the duck is used. I was taking a break in the several Chinese dishes on the table when I spotted on one plate what looked like a potato chip (crisp, chip). With my chopsticks I deftly took one of the chips and put it into my mouth, expecting a respite from the totally Chinese fare. When I started to chew it, it was not crispy, but crunchy, as I discovered that I had taken the duck's webbed foot. It took one extra beer to get that down!

All in all the 1979 visit to China was probably the most memorable of all of my sailing experiences.

Unfortunately, Jekyll, I cannot give you much advice or information about your upcoming trip as that was so long ago. However, just go with the idea of having a great experience and try everything, you'll really enjoy it.

Regards,

quote:

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Originally posted by nevadaflip:

I learned what Moutai was through the many toasts and the headache the next morning!!

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Kayu(as like risotto) is very healthy for stomach,
a few kind of Kayu is always available at Buffet Breakfast or Chinese Breakfast.

[ 07-01-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

Are you telling me that if I had had Kayu the next morning for breakfast I would have been just fine?!

Oh if I had only known!!

quote:

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Originally posted by nevadaflip:
Hi OL,

Are you telling me that if I had had Kayu the next morning for breakfast I would have been just fine?!

Oh if I had only known!!

Jerry

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Hi Jerry,

Its was posting for Jeykll because Jeykll have a Opportunity to drink or try chinese risotto

[ 07-01-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]