China Travel Forum

[Miranda]

We are taking a tour of Beijing, Ji'nan, and Shanghai at the end of February 2005 through China Focus, Inc. tour company. The trip includes sight-seeing, meals and hotels. Has anyone had any dealings with this tour agency? If so, were they reputable?
Has anyone stayed at the Qianmen hotel in Beijing, the Minghu hotel in Ji'nan, or the Qianhe hotel in Shanghai. If so, was it a good experience?
Has anyone during their trip to China went shopping or sight-seeing on their own? Were there any areas where you could get better deals on items away from the tourist areas? Did the people speak some English?
Since this is our first trip to China, we have many questions. So we would like to thank everyone who responds to our concerns.

[Ann]

I don't know China Focus, but I want to answer to the other questions.
Qianmen-Hotel is a nice hotel, near enough to Tiananmen-Square to walk.

You can easily find departement-stores and market, in Beijing or Shanghai, where no tourist go. But nobody will speak English there. Try the Silkemarket or the HOngqioa-Market in Beijing. Many tourists go there, but bargaining is expected and you get thing cheap there.