May 03, 2011 10:39 PM
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We, a group of 30 people visited China recently.The tour was organized by Voyegers Club Tours Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata.I was amazed to see this 'New China'.We had no idea what a progress China had achieved in such a short time.Even a small town like Kunming or Xian could boast of best quality roads and hotels.The whole town was decorated with colourful seasonal flowers, clean roads, wide footpaths and beautiful shops.The people were healthy, cheerful and eager to help.
Of course there were beggars, poor and dilapidated buildings, but overall impression of a wealthy middle class with exaggerating confidence was very difficult to miss.The young generation looked overtly westernized, hard working and determined to make a successful life.Today, earning more money, living a flashy life, buying an expensive foreign car was no longer considered a crime in China.We knew that Chinese were good businessman but it seemed that the whole country was focusing on marketing with a big M.Everywhere in every aspect their goal was to sell some products.It developed tourism to an unbelievable height, being the third highest in the world.They wanted to show the world their newly acquired economic mights by holding Olympic games and they were just did it.
At present, communication was a problem because very few people understood English.But they started English learning very seriously everything very efficiently.The hotels were really good.The chinese foods were really or originally Chinese.They were different but likable.We also had Indian food that rather tasted bland to suit local taste.
Chinese beers were of low alcoholic content(3.5%) but good.I would rather advise to stick to beers or Scotchs which were freely available.
Enjoying the Super Fast Soft Train, Maglev Train (432Km/hr), climbing The Great Chinese Wall, visiting older part of Beijing, seeing more than 2000yrs.old Teracotta warriors were few of the great experiences of our visit.
Our tour was for 8nights and 9days.and we paid Rs58000/(aprox) per erson.The weather in Beijing was in extreme, winter was very harsh(-17C) and summer was quite hot(30~35*C).Usually March to early November was the time to visit China.Occassional rains sometime quite heavy might be encountered.
We visited China in April.That was spring time.Weather was very comfortable, only light woollens were sufficient.
Beijing was paradise for shoppers.The city was full of big to super big Malls.Even there was a 'fake' market where you could buy every famous brand at astonishingly low price if you can burgain.Hard burgainig was part of marketing in China.They did not mind about that. Although they would prefer an American as customer (1dollar=6.4Yuan), they would never neglect a customer of low exchenge rate.
For Indians I believe China could be the ideal tourist destination.
