Passing the Torch: Finding Deals in Post-Olympics China

The flame has been extinguished, the athletes, media, and officials have gone home and now it remains to be seen if Beijing and the rest of China suffers from what is commonly referred to as the "Olympic Effect" -- a legacy of inflated prices and underwhelming tourism figures. Most other (summer) Olympic cities have suffered from this malady, where a once affordable destination becomes expensive and then nobody visits -- Moscow, Barcelona, Sydney, and Athens to name a few. Hotel costs soar, meals become pricey, and small retailers are forced out.

In China, things may be different. Many of the hotels that were purpose-built or upgraded for the Olympic Games will have trouble filling their rooms and operators, learning from past mistakes, will offer discounts and bargains available. Tour companies may likewise have difficulty getting bottoms on seats so many would argue that now is the best possible time to visit Beijing and beyond. The city is still basking in its Olympic glory, pollution levels are in theory lower, infrastructure has improved, and there is still an international buzz in the air.

There are several travel companies who are offering affordable deals on travel and tours to Beijing and China, particularly during the winter months of 2008-2009. What is unavoidable however is the added cost of a China visa. The cost has escalated from $50 to a high $130 per person for a single entry visa, mainly due to reciprocity (the U.S. charges Chinese nationals the same amount to enter the U.S.). You can arrange your own visa in person at a Chinese Consulate or Embassy if you can provide proof of travel arrangements or you can rely on your tour company to do so on your behalf (many will charge a handling fee of an additional $20 or so).

China Spree (tel. 866/652-5656; www.chinaspree.com) has its 12-day 2008 China Delights trip priced from $999 per person plus taxes. The tour roughly follows in the footsteps of Marco Polo, exploring China's capital of Beijing; the stylish metropolitan Shanghai; the classic gardens of Suzhou; the cobbled streets in the water town of Tongli; and the fabled Dragon Well Tea in Hangzhou. The price includes round-trip flights on Air China from San Francisco; eleven nights' first-class accommodations; daily breakfast; internal air, ground transportations and transfers; private sightseeing tours including entrance fees; seven lunches and seven dinners; unique culinary events like an authentic Peking Duck dinner; and a traditional Mongolian barbecue buffet lunch; a Chinese acrobatic show; and a tour director. Add $200 for New York departures. The $999 prices reflects an early booking discount of $200 per person on select dates (November 30, 2008 and January 1, 2009) if you book and pay using cash by September 30, 2008. Otherwise this package generally starts at $1,199 per person or $1,399 from New York. Add $379 for a single supplement. U.S and China air taxes and fees total $455 from San Francisco and $495 from New York.

If you want to plan your own itinerary but would prefer to be based in Beijing, China Focus Travel (tel. 800/868-7244; www.chinafocustravel.com) has a package priced from $699 per person plus taxes of $415 for a trip that includes round trip airfares on Air China from San Francisco, airport transfers, five nights at the deluxe Beijing Joy City Hotel neighboring the Forbidden City, and daily American breakfast. Add $300 for New York departures. These prices are valid for departures during January and February 2009 with a single supplement of $200. Optional day tours to tourist attractions like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Hutong, and the Bird's Nest with lunch cost are an additional $120 each per person. The nine-day Great Wall and Terracotta Special is priced from $1,059 plus taxes per person (with a $250 single supplement).

The trip includes round-trip international airfare flying Air China from San Francisco; airport transfers; domestic flights and ground transportation, three nights' accommodations at the four-star Jiangxi Grand Hotel in Beijing, two nights at the four-star Wan Nian Grand Hotel in Xi'an and two-nights at the four-star Central View Suites Hotel in Shanghai; all meals; a tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Summer Palace on Kunming Lake; a tour to the Great Wall; a visit to the Olympic Bird's Nest; a rickshaw ride and a visit to historic Hutong's Drum Tower; a special Peking Duck dinner; a tour of Xi'an with a visit to the Temple of Heaven and the ancient city wall; a day viewing the Terracotta Warriors; a tour of Shanghai's Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai Municipal History Museum; a Shanghai Acrobatic show and farewell dinner. Book and pay in full for any of China Focus' 2008-2009 Winter Promotion trips by September 30, 2008, and receive $100 off per trip per person.

For a more family-friendly China experience, try the Chinese Kites, Warriors and Pandas trip from Kumuka Worldwide (tel. 800/517-0867; www.kumuka.com). The nine-day adventure takes in not only the major highlights of China, but also includes a Chinese noodle making lesson, kite flying, pandas, and acrobatic and kung fu shows. Walk along the Great Wall of China; explore the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace; fly kites with local children; visit the Pandas at Beijing Zoo; take a tour of the Hutongs; and watch a Kung Fu Show. In Xi'an, wander through the bustling Muslim Quarter, cycle along the City Wall looking down over the city and learn how to make Chinese noodles.

The land-only tour is priced at $1,450 per adult and $1,345 per child (add $455 for a single supplement). It includes private transportation, domestic flights, eight breakfasts, two lunches, entrance fees, seven nights' hotel accommodations, one night on a sleeper train and a tour leader. There are still places left on a few Saturday departures in October and December this year. International airfare (to Beijing and returning from Shanghai) is additional.

Airfares to Beijing this fall and winter are quite reasonably priced, even with fuel surcharge sand taxes. You can fly round-trip to Beijing for New York from under $1,000 including all taxes on Continental (www.continental.com) non-stop or Air Canada (www.aircanada.com) with one stop. From San Francisco, flights are also under $1,000 on Air China (www.airchina.com), Asiana (www.flyasiana.com) and Northwest (www.northwest.com). If you see a really cheap flight to China, it will usually be advertised without taxes. Beware of exceptionally high taxes which can go up to almost $500 or certain routes.

Back to Top

Related Information:

• Destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Xian
• Trip Ideas: Cultural Immersion

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

				Print			RSS