Our week in Beijing and Shanghai via Air China and JAL First Class
Sep 20, 2014, 4:38 pm
#46
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One of the great hotels.
Thank you so much FallenPlat for your very kind comments. Yeah, we've really been fortunate to have had some amazing experiences. Lynch Bages in AA J?? Wow, how times times have changed.
Thanks glennaa11. Indeed FS service is over-the-top, but it really seems genuine and everyone makes you feel welcome and totally at ease. It's almost like you are part of the family for the time you are here.
I do have to say, SFO777, that yours are about my favorite straight "first world" trip reports. Perhaps because I don't fly internationally in anything but coach, I'm pretty immune to ooh-ah first-class pictures, too, but the bathtub-and-roses shot is just about the most amazing hotel thing I've ever seen. In a recent report, you also had lobster thermidor in an airport lounge (!!!), which was also right up there on the amazing front. The recent all-afternoon visit to the hole-in-the-wall cult restaurant in Paris was right up there as well. As for your grousing about AA's wines, I just think back over the years when they once served me -- I kid you not -- Lynch Bages 1995 on a business class op-up to CDG. No one else quite understood what it was and so my wife and I drank most of it. Ah, those days are gone forever!
Thanks glennaa11. Indeed FS service is over-the-top, but it really seems genuine and everyone makes you feel welcome and totally at ease. It's almost like you are part of the family for the time you are here.
Sep 21, 2014, 12:28 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Great report!
I like the man (who is presumably a city worker?) in the fluorescent orange vest, which he appears to be wearing over a knock-off US military uniform. 101st Airborne, I think not; especially not with subdued flag on the right arm patch the wrong way around
I like the man (who is presumably a city worker?) in the fluorescent orange vest, which he appears to be wearing over a knock-off US military uniform. 101st Airborne, I think not; especially not with subdued flag on the right arm patch the wrong way around
Sep 21, 2014, 4:29 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Sydney
Posts: 74
Wow amazing report. Loved your pictures of the The Great Wall. Just returned from Beijing myself 2 weeks ago. We had some great weather but not so lucky when we were at the wall. Very smoggy but didn't detract from what an amazing site. Look forward to seeing more. Shanghai is a great city, very modern and high rise. Thanks again!
Sep 21, 2014, 9:22 am
#51
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I spy with my little eye a wall with the word "Gucci" on it:
While Mrs. SFO relaxed, I headed out to visit two other SFO lounges that I had not yet seen. Just to the right of the International Terminal United Club is a corridor leading to the Silver Kris Lounge and the Eva Lounge. Both lounges are only open for 4 hours prior to their flight departures.
For more pics and updates, please visit my complete trip report at SFO777.com
What/where is that? C'mon, never mind the lounges . . . I want to hear more about the important stuff . . . SHOPPING!!!!
While Mrs. SFO relaxed, I headed out to visit two other SFO lounges that I had not yet seen. Just to the right of the International Terminal United Club is a corridor leading to the Silver Kris Lounge and the Eva Lounge. Both lounges are only open for 4 hours prior to their flight departures.
For more pics and updates, please visit my complete trip report at SFO777.com
Sep 21, 2014, 11:25 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Posts: 547
As always, a fantastic report thus far! Brings back memories of my trip to Beijing 1 year after the massacre happened.
Sep 21, 2014, 12:15 pm
#53
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 224
Wonderful photos. I'm definitely taking note of visiting a less visited spot of the Great Wall for when I make it to China some day. How was the Chinese chardonnay? Granted, I tend to stay away from chardonnay for fear of the oak taste though I know I'm missing out on some good wines, but even this I'd have to give a chance.
Sep 21, 2014, 1:03 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2010
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My first visit to the great wall was to Baladang (spelling?) near the Ming tombs. Only one hour from Beijing, it was packed shoulder to shoulder and a Disneyland like experience.
My next visit to the Great Wall was with MrsWT73 to Mutianyu which was similar to the deserted experience experienced above. They were two entireley different visits. Mutianyu also had the serenity of this particular region on my visit.
May I further suggest that if you enjoyed this visit, that you should consider a visit to Macchu Picchu, Peru at sunset after all the day crowds have left? Truly special places on the globe. ^
Sep 21, 2014, 1:24 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Great report! You couldn't have picked a better time to visit Beijing than September, when the temperature is pleasant and pollution is relatively low. The weather you experienced is probably as good as it gets.
And I second the others that the Four Seasons Beijing looked amazing.
After reading so many of your wonderful reports, I have secretly longed for your China TR and your opinion on the country where I grew up. I am glad you have enjoyed it so far.
And I second the others that the Four Seasons Beijing looked amazing.
After reading so many of your wonderful reports, I have secretly longed for your China TR and your opinion on the country where I grew up. I am glad you have enjoyed it so far.
Sep 21, 2014, 5:58 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2004
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FDW
Sep 21, 2014, 6:06 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: EWR
Posts: 2,112
My first visit to the great wall was to Baladang (spelling?) near the Ming tombs. Only one hour from Beijing, it was packed shoulder to shoulder and a Disneyland like experience.
My next visit to the Great Wall was with MrsWT73 to Mutianyu which was similar to the deserted experience experienced above. They were two entireley different visits. Mutianyu also had the serenity of this particular region on my visit.
My next visit to the Great Wall was with MrsWT73 to Mutianyu which was similar to the deserted experience experienced above. They were two entireley different visits. Mutianyu also had the serenity of this particular region on my visit.
Sep 22, 2014, 7:37 am
#58
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Sep 22, 2014, 2:22 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Awesome TR so far SFO777, as indeed all of your trip reports are.
I'm blown away by your photos of the Four Seasons in Beijing. On the basis of your photos alone, I've added it to my approved hotel list. Thanks!
I'm blown away by your photos of the Four Seasons in Beijing. On the basis of your photos alone, I've added it to my approved hotel list. Thanks!
Sep 22, 2014, 3:48 pm
#60
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Sorry for the delay in posting the next chapters. Absolutely rubbish Wifi speeds at both the FS and the Pen Shanghai, and China's blocking of google and slowing of sites that use google in any way shape or form, is really frustrating.
Thanks NickW. LOL, welcome to knock-off city!
nThank you SYDSiderFlyer. From what I gather, we got very lucky with the smog. Beijing and Shanghai are so very different. Shanghai is amazing, very western almost European in many areas. Construction and growth is astounding.
Thank you so much Petrus. Totally agree on the wife comment. 
Thanks AndrewE.
Coming soon! If I can ever get reliable Wifi.
Thank you fly4work.
Thanks nemme99. The Chinese Chardonnay was actually really good.
Thank you worldtraveller73. We were really fortunate to avoid the crowds at the Wall. It makes the experience so much better when it's just you and few other people. Thanks for the tip about Mautianyu. I may have to add it to the bucket list. 
Thanks FDW. I guess those F seats were more inviting than the rest bunks. 
It is well worth the extra hour drive to go to Jinshanling.
Thanks very much vgang. LOL on that Greek movie title.
Thank you 000. It is truly one of the great hotels.
Wow amazing report. Loved your pictures of the The Great Wall. Just returned from Beijing myself 2 weeks ago. We had some great weather but not so lucky when we were at the wall. Very smoggy but didn't detract from what an amazing site. Look forward to seeing more. Shanghai is a great city, very modern and high rise. Thanks again!
Thanks AndrewE.
Wonderful photos. I'm definitely taking note of visiting a less visited spot of the Great Wall for when I make it to China some day. How was the Chinese chardonnay? Granted, I tend to stay away from chardonnay for fear of the oak taste though I know I'm missing out on some good wines, but even this I'd have to give a chance.
This is highly sound advice. ^
My first visit to the great wall was to Baladang (spelling?) near the Ming tombs. Only one hour from Beijing, it was packed shoulder to shoulder and a Disneyland like experience.
My next visit to the Great Wall was with MrsWT73 to Mutianyu which was similar to the deserted experience experienced above. They were two entireley different visits. Mutianyu also had the serenity of this particular region on my visit.
May I further suggest that if you enjoyed this visit, that you should consider a visit to Macchu Picchu, Peru at sunset after all the day crowds have left? Truly special places on the globe. ^
My first visit to the great wall was to Baladang (spelling?) near the Ming tombs. Only one hour from Beijing, it was packed shoulder to shoulder and a Disneyland like experience.
My next visit to the Great Wall was with MrsWT73 to Mutianyu which was similar to the deserted experience experienced above. They were two entireley different visits. Mutianyu also had the serenity of this particular region on my visit.
May I further suggest that if you enjoyed this visit, that you should consider a visit to Macchu Picchu, Peru at sunset after all the day crowds have left? Truly special places on the globe. ^
Thank you 000. It is truly one of the great hotels.