This 10 day tour organised by Jun-Air Travel cost $2166 + 240 (taxes). About 25 people with an age range of 42-76 joined this group tour. There was no local tour leader and we even had to collect our air tickets from the travel agency one week before departure. We arrived in Chengdu via Air China around 12 noon on 31 Aug. After lunch, we began our tour of Jinli Street. Our next stop is the typical Chinese medical hall whereby we were given "free foot massage". The staff there tried to soft sell their medical products. As Chengdu was the only opportunity to shop, we expected to be driven back to our hotel after dinner. However, the local guide insisted that we all had to watch an optional night performance (either Changing Face or Jinsha musical) as they were not paid by their company to shuttle us around. They only got their commission from our shopping and night show attendance. As most of us were tired and had to be at the airport before 6 am and since this performance was not in our itinerary, many of us insisted that we be driven back to the hotel. As it was an optional tour, we had the right not to go. After arguing and reasoning with the guide and driver, all but 9 of us went for the show after dinner. After collecting money from 16 members and escorting them to the show, the guide came back to the bus and demanded that the 9 of us had to pay Y80 (S$16) to cover their operating cost. We refused to pay unless we were given official receipt from their tour company! For more than 2 hours, we were told to wander the streets until the performance ended. When we reached the hotel at nearly 10:30 pm, the driver refused to unload the luggage from the bus. Our trip started off in a sour note and I can only caution those joining tours to China to choose more reputable tour agency so as to minimise "optional tour" hassle and unnecessary shopping stops for Chinese medicine, jade/crystals, Chinese tea, etc.
Our next stop, Xining was pretty smooth sailing. The guide and driver were honest and not cunning and sly as those from Chengdu. We visited Qinghai Lake and Qingzhen Temple. The guide even reimbursed Y60 (S$12) for our train meal. One member suggested that we gave this money as tips for the driver and guide. The guide was so thankful that she even sent us to the train heading for Lhasa!
The scenery from Golmud to Lhasa was spectacular. Besides passing through Kunlun Mountain, Tangula Mountain, KoKo River, we also sighted herd of yaks and sheep on the grassland. We even spotted snow fall along the way. The train climbed to the highest point of over 5,000 metres at Tangula Mountain.
The highlight of the tour was the Potala Palace. Had to climb 228 steps to reach the palace at an altitude of over 3,700 m. From next Apr. 2008, there is rumour that Potala Palace may be closed to the public.
The Yarlung River Gorge in Linzhi was a disappointment. After a roller coaster ride of 8 hours, we only reached the foot of the gorge. Maybe in 3-5 years' time, it will be more developed and you can see more of the Gorge.
In spite of some hiccups and hardship (smelly and primitive toilets, poor to average tour food, etc.), the friendly and cooperative tour members plus the once in a lifetime experience of "roof of the world" and beautiful and unspoilt landscape, more than make up for the trip.
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