Originally Posted by
manneca
I am trying to put together plans for the 2009 eclipse. On the Chinese coast just outside of Shanghai seems to be one place with the best weather prospects. Does anyone know how I might get there (particularly since I'm not sure where "there" is, at least not in more detail than the above)?
I really don't like tour groups and would prefer to travel to China on my own.
Can I get to Tibet on my own? I assume I will need a permit.
I'd also like to get to western China--Dunhuang, Urumchi, Kashgar (the latter two to finish my Silk Road adventures) Is this possible on my own?
Can anyone recommend a good travel agent for China? I've spent 5 weeks in China, but that was before independent travel was allowed and it was on two different tours.
Hah! Person after my own heart.... Going in 2008 from Xi'an up to western Mongolia way for the Eclipse there, by chance? Maybe see you on Easter Island in a couple of years... or Tahiti for the Transit of Venus????^
Eclipse chasers are so predictable... boss's can forecast when they'll be on vacation YEARS in advance!
TIbet needs a permit, but they've been allowing groups of "one" to book via tour companies... and it appears to be required for air travel ( I'm headed there in a few weeks)
I'm working with Pan-tibet travel ( they have a website ) and will be able to give a review in January of how well they performed. So far, they've been friendly... but have rather odd business practices ( such as bank draft only deposits (no visa/mastercard) and payment due in cash on arrival in Lhasa... yet they pay for the ticket ahead of my payment! ). They are associated with "Sichuan China Youth Travel Service", one of the official government tourist services.
Lots of reports of folk just booking rail to Lhasa and skipping the permit.. no one checks, apparently.
However, it's almost as bad as Libya's visa poilicy for Americans... it got kind of dicey a couple of weeks ago... and govt was implying "no soup for you"... but my tour agent indicates now she thinks things have calmed down and it'll clear in late December.
I've been researching Western China travel, too.... and it seems pretty open these days. Visit the lonely planet thorne tree forums and dig around for info on independent/small group travel. Lots of good stuff last I looked.