China by Train and Yangtze Riverboat - October 12 through November 3, 2017

I am considering this trip for April of 2018 and would love to hear of your experiences. Please keep posting or message me privately. Thank you.

Will do, there is a great mini series on PBS about the story of China and goes back to the origins of it's culture. Some of the show goes into areas this trip will visit and explore.

Yes, I am watching this intently!

FYI, We used the VISA service recommended by RS (PassportVisasExpress.com) and chose to complete the application by ourselves using their on-line technical assistance a few times. At one point, I questioned whether I should have paid the extra for them to do this for us via a telephonic interview but in the long run it wasn't that difficult. We did opt to mail the paperwork and our passports to them via priority US Mail and save $19 (PassportVisasExpress) offers to provide via email a FedEX shipping label for $25, Our USPS package arrived within 2 days. Our passports with VISAs attached were returned within 11 days of our initial mailing and we were impressed with that quick turn around time.

Thank you for this information. I did sign up to go in April of 2018, so I appreciate your comments. May I ask, did you book your airfare through RS? Are you going the day the program starts or in advance? Did you upgrade seating or going Standard Economy class? Also, do you have Global Entry for customs/immigration? Thank you.

We booked our airfare directly with United at a much cheaper price than RS offered (also with United). We are arriving a day early to give us time to adjust to the jet lag. We arranged the extra night and pick-up at the airport with the education exchange that is running the program for roadscholar. We could have booked a cheaper room at the hotel but did not want to change room once the formal trip started and opted for a driver to meet us at the airport, taking a taxi sounded like it had potential for confusion. Going back to the airfare, because of the price saving we upgraded to economy-plus which give 6 inches extra legroom, it's a long flight and felt the upgrade made sense (wish business class was more reasonable). We do not have Global Entry, something we never got to do but will look into.

I so appreciate your responses! I am traveling alone, as my husband is unable to participate in such an active program. While we have done several RS trips, this will be my first international one with them. I have traveled to Europe several times with my husband, but China will be a new experience. I can't wait...but want to plan things so there are not too many surprises. Your comments follow exactly what I was thinking, so they are very helpful! Thank you. I will follow your progress!

This will be our fifth overseas trip with Roadscholar, we have also done quite a bit of independent travel as well as with other companies and Roadscholar has really impressed us on those adventures (Italy, Belize, Turkey and India). There have been virtually no surprised with Roadscholar other than an earthquake in Italy and a mixed up on my name for which I am extremely anal about now (Ted vs Theodore) - long story but one that caused some problems. I should also have mentioned that despite our booking our own airfare Roadscholar will include us in the transfer from our last hotel (Shanghai) to the airport, I am sure well will be on that flight with many from our group. Our home airport is Orlando so on the outward trip we will fly to San Francisco to Beijing and from Shanghai, we fly to Newark, NJ to Orlando.
Will keep you up to date as we get more from RS, Best Ted & Joanne

Hi, I am also participating in the Oct 12 - Nov 3 China trip. I am a single woman. I also used PVC for my visa and had the exact same experience as did Ted and Joanne. My name is Cheryl. It is great to start communicating with my future travel companions! I am looking forward to meeting you all. I am flying from Salt Lake to San Francisco and then taking the 11 AM United flight to Beijing. If anyone else will be on that flight I'd love to know. Thanks.

Hi, Cheryl. My trip is not until April, 2018, but I am eager to hear how it goes for you as a solo traveler. Ted and Joanne, the other people in this discussion, will be on your trip. I'll be checking back periodically do see how you all enjoy it and hope to learn from your experiences. Lucy

Hi Cheryl, Apologize for not responding sooner but we were away for August. Not sure if you read our earlier comments but we are flying over a day early to give us time to adjust to the jet lag. Our home airport is Orlando to SF to Beijing and are very excited about this adventure. See you in China. Ted & Joanne

Hi Ted! We are not on the China trip but did travel there a few years ago, privately. Just an FYI, the jet lag may really hit you harder than you think. My husband was fine but I was somewhat out of commission for several days. It took both of us about two weeks to get back to normal when we got home. I don't want to put a damper on your trip but just thought you might like the info. I have heard many similar stories about such long flights and time changes. China is amazing in so many ways. We went to visit our daughter and her husband who were expats there for three years. Hope you have a marvelous trip and have many great memories to bring home! Safe travels! Sue

Thanks for the information. We are leaving for China a day early to give us time to somewhat adjust to the travel. We are retired and have done a bit of long distance air travel, so once we arrive back home, it is no problem having a few days to adjust. We are really looking forward to this trip.

Hi Ted and Cheryl, Presume this is the '17 trip. Yes? We're off this coming Oct. Any suggestions?

Hi, ni hao! This is Lucy. You are going to have a wonderful time! I went in April, 2018. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. Several days the air quality bothered my eyes, but never my breathing. I was saved by some prescription eye drops I had for allergies. Pack lightly in a roller bag (preferably as spinner) as you will be dragging your bag through train stations and sometimes on escalators. A smallish backpack is good, too. What else would you like to know?