Advise for travel to Lijiang

[booties]

Hi all,

I'm planning on going to Lijiang/ Shangri-la/ Dali sometime in Sept.

Searched online for travel packages, and have two considerations. China tour agencies in chinese are offering packages which are about 20-30% cheaper than those which have websites in english. and about 40% cheaper than those tour packages offered by Singapore tour agencies like Chan Brothers.

My question is : Are such china websites tour agencies reliable? are there any hidden costs? Anyone has experience to share?

The itenery is very comparable to what Chan brothers are offering. 4-star hotel, food inclusive, transport provided, same places of interest covered. however, price wise, they are charging about 1200RMB as compared to about 700 SGD that chan bros is charging.

Just wondering if the mark up of chan brothers is really that high, or is it that there are hidden costs/ factors which the china tour agencies are not divulging.

anyone can advise>?

Thank you!

[honestdeal]

The last trip I went was Oct / Nov last year ?

I hope my folks do enjoy. The younger generations not much.

Shangrila, didnt enjoy much. Was at the peak, nothing impressive ( in terms of the view )

We went with Chan Bro. Pricing wise depends on individual, usually does not defers a lot. Enjoy urself. Post some shots when come back.

[booties]

How come you didn't enjoy it?

Thought it was supposed to be very scenic.. where all those chinese kung fu movies are filmed.. etc etc..

i just saw Chan brothers' advert in the papers today.

Lijiang/ Shangri-la/ Dali fr $899.. haven't got around to calling them to ask how long the duration of the trip is yet though.

would def post pics.

[Frogmen]

As a regular traveller to China, my advice is book thru Chan Brother even if it cost slightly more for a safe and hassel free trip. You never win them (China) when heated arguments break out.

[seiko.citizen]

Dont believe in tours. Take a map, plot the places you want to go, and just go without tour group. *imo* since language is not a problem, just catch a cab.

[edimars]

Dont believe in tours. Take a map, plot the places you want to go, and just go without tour group. *imo* since language is not a problem, just catch a cab.

not in lijiang/ shangrila.. people there carry knife and most sharp knife ever.. they call it steel peeling knife.. careful..haha..
I've been there this march, as cold as -10.. 3000m above sea level.. suffering.. not worrying about knifes but... wasting time.. no ROLEX... haha..

[vision_soul]

For Lijiang, i had been there three times on my own planning, for such tourists intensive place, no need to follow tour lah, just need to compare prices before making purchase or engage service. Yunan people are general pretty honest, just have to be careful of tibetian or monks, avoid these people at all cost if can. Shangarila can skip if you not into mountains...

[clockwise]

I have just returned from Lijiang. If you have been to the Swiss alps or seen snow capped mountains in New Zealand, the jade snow mountain pales in comparison. Domestic tourism in China is huge. Expect Chinese tourists all over. With inelastic demand, China charges for everything. I had to pay just to be in the jade snow mountain region. Which other place makes you pay to see a mountain!?

Nonetheless, the Lijiang old town though commercialized is worth a visit. Nice streams and interesting architecture. Food can be an issue for those who are not used to very oily cooking.

[iwearwatch]

Go lijiang can buy 绿噪 or silver. Quite cheap