Obtaining a Vietnam visa in Kunming, China

Has anyone done this and what was your experience? We are UK nationals.

Also, we want to travel overland to Vietnam from China - have you done this and what was your experience?

Looking to tour Gobi July-Aug

I'm arriving in UB on July 28 and leaving August 9. I'm alone and I'd like to tour the Gobi and Kharkorin. Anyone else going that time? Maybe we could split a tour or jeep...

Yangtze River on a Chinese Boat

HI there,

Looking to travel up the Yangtze on a Chinese boat, not over run with tourists. Would like if it still stopped a bit so we could explore. Has anyone done this of know where I can get info about it.

I have found this website, but I can't tell if it is just a Chinese version of the same touristy boat
http://www.cqzql.com/sxy/201303142967.html

Any help would be great! Thanks!

Sarah

Qinghai Sichuan Emei Shan - How many days - walking???

I am planning on driving from Xining to Emei Shan over 20 days in the beginning of August through the Amdo and Kham regions of Qinghai and Sichuan, making stops for trekking (around Amnye Machin) and stopping to visit monestaries, nomadic regions, and trying to get off the main tourist trail. Roughly....Xining - Machin - 3 days trekking Amnye Machin - Shiqu - Xi Wu - Dege - Zongsar - Karze - Litang - Kangding - Emei Shan. Then I'm planning on spending 3 days walking around Emei Shan, followed by 1 day visiting Leshan and transiting to Chengdu. Then a day in Chengdu before flying home....

Questions:

1) This will be expensive, but do people thing this trip will be worth it? Will it be an amazing, interesting adventure and cultural experience, with interesting landscapes?

2) Is 3 days in Emei Shan enough/too much time? I want to explore the mountain on foot, stay in monestaries... more »

Yudanaka in Summer

Hi,

We are planning to spend one night in Yudanaka on a trip this August and just wonder if there are nice hiking trails around the area too? We aren't sure if it is worth to see the Snow Monkey Onsen at this time of year, but are so close in our travels to it, thought it would be a good idea.
Also, any idea for day hikes in Habuka? We are going to do a three day walk in Kamikochi and have a few days left in our travels. Not sure if we should go to Habuka as well, we would only have 1-2 days to spend there. We are going to Nagano, Matsumoto, hiking the Kiso Valley, and visiting Kanazawa in about 12 days of holiday.

thanks for the advice!

chinese or mandarin phrases book?

Hi!

do you think that with the mandarin audio and phrases book is enough for travel into 5 different regions? or is a most to have the chinese phrases book, even if this doesn`t come with audio??

(i never in my life speak chinese before)

mARBE

Looking for a reliable packaged tour to Tibet

Hi,

I plan to go (alone) to Tibet in Early Aug., and I'm looking for a reliable tour company. I'd like to go for about 7-8 days and see the highlights (Lhasa + Shoton Festival, holy lakes, Shigatse and Mt. Everest Base Camp).

So far I got an offer only from "Budget Tibet Tours" - I'd be grateful if anyone has any comments/experience with them. Any recommendations of other reliable companies?

By the way - is taking a hot shower considered such a luxury in Tibet that only few hotels will have them? Thanks.

Travel itineary for 3 weeks in China

Hello, can anyone take a look at my travel itineary and see if I should change something?
I am traveling this June and need to start and end in Beijing. I am not sure if I am trying to do too much, should I remove something? Apparently I need to plan and book everything now, so I can get a visa :(

2013.06.14 Arrive in Beijing
2013.06.15 Beijing
2013.06.16 Fly to Guilin, travel by bus to Yangshuo
2013.06.17 Yangshuo
2013.06.18 Yangshuo
2013.06.19 Travel by bus to Xingping village, stay overnight
2013.06.20 Travel back to Yangshuo, take bus to Dazhai
2013.06.21 Rice terraces
2013.06.22 Travel to Fenghuan by train
2013.06.23 Fenghuan
2013.06.24 Bus to Zhangjiajie
2013.06.25 Zhangjiajie
2013.06.26 Zhangjiajie
2013.06.27 Travel to Huangshan by plane
2013.06.28 Huangshan
2013.06.29 Huangshan
2013.06.30 Travel to Nanjing by train
2013.07.01 Nanjing
2013.07.02 Trave... more »