Traveling to China with kids
Hi-
I'm looking for some net.wisdom on traveling to China with my wife and two kids (8 and 11). My wife has been looking at some of the package-tours that you can buy here in the States. From the description of these, it looks like you would spend most of your time in 5-star Western hotels (Hyatt, et al), eating western meals, riding around in tour busses with a bunch of other Americans (and I'm guessing that most of them would be, ahh, "mature"), and basically running from one tourist-trap to the next. And that after the first day or so my kids would be bored and tired of it. And we mostly eat Cambodian, Thai, and Viet food, not hamburgers, so McDonanld's is not considered a treat in my family. My wife is ethnic Chinese, speaks some Mandarian (in addition to her parent's dialect), and our kids have been taking Mandarian classes for several years. So I'm thinking that we would be better off with a tour designed with children in mind (nothing like having other kids to talk to/play with during long bus/plane rides) or just putting a package together ourselves and hiring a private guide. I'd still like to stay in higher class hotels (yes, I know about the Chinese attitude about bathrooms) but other than that I'd rather eat in local restaraunts (assuming food safety isn't an issue) and do things that would be of more interest to the kids (say visiting an amusement park, or a school) rather than trouping thru the 17th Imperial bedroom of the day. Anyway, I'd be interested in feedback on all this, particularly from folks who have taken their own school-age children to China. Thanks, -dm |
"Dennis McCrohan" wrote in message ... Hi- I'm looking for some net.wisdom on traveling to China with my wife and two kids (8 and 11). Are you thinking more specifically than just "China"? Asking about "traveling to China" is, of course, somewhat like asking about "traveling to North America" - the question covers too much territory to be really addressed well in short order. Some parts of China, and especially Shanghai and Hong Kong, I could definitely see as a family destination. (I haven't personally been to Beijing yet, so I can't say much about that.) Other parts, though, I can't imagine that the kids would find interesting. Also, are you planning on any other stops in the region before or after China? My wife has been looking at some of the package-tours that you can buy here in the States. From the description of these, it looks like you would spend most of your time in 5-star Western hotels (Hyatt, et al), eating western meals, riding around in tour busses with a bunch of other Americans (and I'm guessing that most of them would be, ahh, "mature"), and basically running from one tourist-trap to the next. And THOSE do sound like you're looking at places like Shanghai or Hong Kong. Both cities have everything you mentioned, from the Western hotels and restaurants to the well-established tourist traps. However, both cities also have far more to offer the visitor who is willing to ditch the package tour, or at least to go out on their own in addition to such a tour. Of the two, just for a place to start, I would have to say that Hong Kong would probably be of more interest to the kids than Shanghai, unless the kids are unusually (for their ages) interested in seeing places or items of cultural or historical interest. I should also note that I'm not saying any of this from the perspective of someone who has actually taken kids to any Asian destination; my experiences in the Far East are from numerous business trips there. But I can at least think about these things with regard to how I think my own daughter (now 13) might look at them. Bob M. |
On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 07:09:01 -0800, the renowned Dennis McCrohan
wrote: Hi- I'm looking for some net.wisdom on traveling to China with my wife and two kids (8 and 11). My wife has been looking at some of the package-tours that you can buy here in the States. From the description of these, it looks like you would spend most of your time in 5-star Western hotels (Hyatt, et al), eating western meals, riding around in tour busses with a bunch of other Americans (and I'm guessing that most of them would be, ahh, "mature"), and basically running from one tourist-trap to the next. And that after the first day or so my kids would be bored and tired of it. And we mostly eat Cambodian, Thai, and Viet food, not hamburgers, so McDonanld's is not considered a treat in my family. My wife is ethnic Chinese, speaks some Mandarian (in addition to her parent's dialect), and our kids have been taking Mandarian classes for several years. So I'm thinking that we would be better off with a tour designed with children in mind (nothing like having other kids to talk to/play with during long bus/plane rides) or just putting a package together ourselves and hiring a private guide. I'd still like to stay in higher class hotels (yes, I know about the Chinese attitude about bathrooms) but other than that I'd rather eat in local restaraunts (assuming food safety isn't an issue) and do things that would be of more interest to the kids (say visiting an amusement park, or a school) rather than trouping thru the 17th Imperial bedroom of the day. Anyway, I'd be interested in feedback on all this, particularly from folks who have taken their own school-age children to China. Thanks, -dm Talk to me after March break, if that's not too late for you. ;-) Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 07:09:01 -0800, the renowned Dennis McCrohan
wrote: Hi- I'm looking for some net.wisdom on traveling to China with my wife and two kids (8 and 11). My wife has been looking at some of the package-tours that you can buy here in the States. From the description of these, it looks like you would spend most of your time in 5-star Western hotels (Hyatt, et al), eating western meals, riding around in tour busses with a bunch of other Americans (and I'm guessing that most of them would be, ahh, "mature"), and basically running from one tourist-trap to the next. And that after the first day or so my kids would be bored and tired of it. And we mostly eat Cambodian, Thai, and Viet food, not hamburgers, so McDonanld's is not considered a treat in my family. My wife is ethnic Chinese, speaks some Mandarian (in addition to her parent's dialect), and our kids have been taking Mandarian classes for several years. So I'm thinking that we would be better off with a tour designed with children in mind (nothing like having other kids to talk to/play with during long bus/plane rides) or just putting a package together ourselves and hiring a private guide. I'd still like to stay in higher class hotels (yes, I know about the Chinese attitude about bathrooms) but other than that I'd rather eat in local restaraunts (assuming food safety isn't an issue) and do things that would be of more interest to the kids (say visiting an amusement park, or a school) rather than trouping thru the 17th Imperial bedroom of the day. Anyway, I'd be interested in feedback on all this, particularly from folks who have taken their own school-age children to China. Thanks, -dm Talk to me after March break, if that's not too late for you. ;-) Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
Bob Myers wrote:
"Dennis McCrohan" wrote in message ... Hi- I'm looking for some net.wisdom on traveling to China with my wife and two kids (8 and 11). Are you thinking more specifically than just "China"? Asking about "traveling to China" is, of course, somewhat like asking about "traveling to North America" - the question covers too much territory to be really addressed well in short order. Some parts of China, and especially Shanghai and Hong Kong, I could definitely see as a family destination. (I haven't personally been to Beijing yet, so I can't say much about that.) Other parts, though, I can't imagine that the kids would find interesting. Also, are you planning on any other stops in the region before or after China? We would be just going to China. The "usual" destinations of most of the pre-packaged tours are Bejing, Xian, Shanghai. But I think we are still pretty open at this time. As I hinted, I'm less concerned about seeing particular sites than an overall experience that would be good for our kids. -dm |
HangZhou seems to provide some nice scenic spots for family travels,
though when I was there, there were many couples spending their honeymoon or at least shooting their wedding photos there. One of the weirdest experiences I had there is when I about to land there. The scenery outside seems to be surreal, it looked as if I was looking at a bunch of toy houses at a toy town. I would also recommend BeiJing, considering that it's the capital and there are a lot of interesting spots there. I don't know though if your kids might like BeiJing, but hey, at least your kids can later on brag to their friends about them already visited the Great Wall, TianMen Square, Summer's Palace, and so on. The Ming Tombs is definetly NOT recommended for kids, it probably will bore your kids to death, unless they want to brag to their friends that they have visited the tombs. I don't know if ShangHai and Hong Kong would be suited for kids. There might some interesting places there though. For example, Hong Kong has a nice Science museum and also as Space museum where kids can play. There's also a nice ocean themed park at the southern part of Hong Kong island. And of course, Hong Kong the future home of Asia Disneyland, which I think will open sometime in 2006. And of course, ShangHai got the only commercially operated MagLev in the world. Again, something to brag to their friends that they travel around 400 km/h at a levitated train. For your wife, if she likes Jade and Silk, I recommend visiting the Bona Jade store at BeiJing and the silk factories at SuZhou. Best time to travel in China is at autumn, in other words, wait around a year. |
HangZhou seems to provide some nice scenic spots for family travels,
though when I was there, there were many couples spending their honeymoon or at least shooting their wedding photos there. One of the weirdest experiences I had there is when I about to land there. The scenery outside seems to be surreal, it looked as if I was looking at a bunch of toy houses at a toy town. I would also recommend BeiJing, considering that it's the capital and there are a lot of interesting spots there. I don't know though if your kids might like BeiJing, but hey, at least your kids can later on brag to their friends about them already visited the Great Wall, TianMen Square, Summer's Palace, and so on. The Ming Tombs is definetly NOT recommended for kids, it probably will bore your kids to death, unless they want to brag to their friends that they have visited the tombs. I don't know if ShangHai and Hong Kong would be suited for kids. There might some interesting places there though. For example, Hong Kong has a nice Science museum and also as Space museum where kids can play. There's also a nice ocean themed park at the southern part of Hong Kong island. And of course, Hong Kong the future home of Asia Disneyland, which I think will open sometime in 2006. And of course, ShangHai got the only commercially operated MagLev in the world. Again, something to brag to their friends that they travel around 400 km/h at a levitated train. For your wife, if she likes Jade and Silk, I recommend visiting the Bona Jade store at BeiJing and the silk factories at SuZhou. Best time to travel in China is at autumn, in other words, wait around a year. |
On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 09:14:40 -0800, the renowned Dennis McCrohan
wrote: We would be just going to China. The "usual" destinations of most of the pre-packaged tours are Bejing, Xian, Shanghai. But I think we are still pretty open at this time. As I hinted, I'm less concerned about seeing particular sites than an overall experience that would be good for our kids. -dm I suggest an overnight train trip or two, preferably both in hard sleeper and soft sleeper class. And some tours aimed at the locals (for example, in Guilin). Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
On Thu, 06 Jan 2005 09:14:40 -0800, the renowned Dennis McCrohan
wrote: We would be just going to China. The "usual" destinations of most of the pre-packaged tours are Bejing, Xian, Shanghai. But I think we are still pretty open at this time. As I hinted, I'm less concerned about seeing particular sites than an overall experience that would be good for our kids. -dm I suggest an overnight train trip or two, preferably both in hard sleeper and soft sleeper class. And some tours aimed at the locals (for example, in Guilin). Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
Dennis McCrohan wrote:
My wife has been looking at some of the package-tours that you can buy here in the States. From the description of these, it looks like you would spend most of your time in 5-star Western hotels (Hyatt, et al), eating western meals, riding around in tour busses with a bunch of other Americans (and I'm guessing that most of them would be, ahh, "mature"), and basically running from one tourist-trap to the next. A remarkably accurate description of much of China touring, except that you omitted mandatory shopping stops galore with massive overcharging and large kick-backs to the guides, poor food due to restaurants being chosen by the guides according to how big a kick-back they get which of course reduces quality to you still further, lots of pressure to tip in a country where there is no tipping, etc. My wife is ethnic Chinese, speaks some Mandarian (in addition to her parent's dialect), and our kids have been taking Mandarian classes for several years. So I'm thinking that we would be better off with a tour designed with children in mind (nothing like having other kids to talk to/play with during long bus/plane rides) Such tours are rare, although Pacific Delight does one for families. But you still have the same tourist trap itinerary, problems with kick-backs, absurd advice to bring US$1 notes, shopping stops, etc. or just putting a package together ourselves and hiring a private guide. Or... Just going to China and doing it yourself as you go, saving a great deal of money over tour charges, and having the flexibility to stay as long as you like in any spot you visit that appeals to the children, as well as to stay longer in one town if that's working out well, and to alter your itinerary in general according to what you hear on the way. Even non-Mandarin speakers can do this without much difficulty. For Mandarin speakers it's easy. For most of the year in most of China there's a vast oversupply of hotel accommodation and the best rates (typically 30% to 50% off published) are available by bargaining at the counter. Similarly much flying is done on a walk-up basis, and booking a couple of days ahead through an agent will, with little difficulty other than asking for a cheaper rate, gain similar discounts on domestic airfares over those available by booking in advance from overseas. I'd still like to stay in higher class hotels (yes, I know about the Chinese attitude about bathrooms) If you want to stay in Western brand-name hotels, in most cases you'll find they now guarantee their best rates are available on their websites. This fluctuate frequently according to demand, however, and you're better to book just before leaving (if you much book at all), unless there's one particular hotel you absolutely must be in. But few hotels in China are like that. You can also consider Chinese-run up-market hotels, which deliver vague imitations of high-class accommodation, for published prices similar to those of the foreign brand names, but for half the price over the counter. But there are plenty of perfectly acceptable hotel rooms with perfectly acceptable bathrooms right down to two-star level, if recently opened. A new three-star is often as good if not better than an old four-star. Away from the big cities a night in a perfectly acceptable Chinese four-star can often be $30-40, if bargained at the counter. but other than that I'd rather eat in local restaraunts (assuming food safety isn't an issue) It's not. Simply avoid the cold dishes at the front of the menu, and stick to things which are freshly cooked and hot. and do things that would be of more interest to the kids (say visiting an amusement park, or a school) rather than trouping thru the 17th Imperial bedroom of the day. Again, amusement parks (which can be pretty horrendous, however) are not on mainstream itineraries, and you'll need to travel independently in order to visit them. There are other pleasures between the historical and the manufactured likely to please children, though. Zoos should be avoided, but the Milu Deer Park just south of Beijing is well-run and designed to appeal to children, for instance. Anyway, I'd be interested in feedback on all this, particularly from folks who have taken their own school-age children to China. The single biggest issue is one of hygiene. It must be absolutely clear to children arriving from particularly hygienic conditions that they must keep their fingers out of their mouths, and wash their hands (or use wipes) very carefully before eating. Otherwise stomach problems are guaranteed. Peter N-H http://members.shaw.ca/pnhpublic/China.html http://list3.xianzai.com/mailman/listinfo/oriental-list |
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