China Itinerary March 22/29
Just sent out our China itinerary and costs! We'll begin March 22nd, landing in Hangzhou. We recommend landing in Hangzhou HGH airport or if needed we can help you transfer from Shanghai Pudong. Coach Enzo will most likely already be here, coaching in Hangzhou as part of our ongoing exchange relationship.
Our rowing friends will meet us in Hangzhou and we'll have a simple get-together over dinner to get everyone introduced and compare blisters and boat bites. We'll stay in a comfortable 4-star hotel in Hangzhou near West Lake, currently closed to rowers but exquisite to stroll along in the evening.
The next morning (March 23rd) we will be shown around Hangzhou, on the West Lake, the Zhejiang Cultural Museum, and enjoy an amazing meal in Zhejiangese style. After lunch we'll go across the river to the new rowing club that our friends have launched, and head out for a row. We'll meet the middle schoolers that are thriving in this new club and let them practise their English on us!
That evening we'll eat at a lakeside teahouse on West Lake, with live music and an easy buffet to enjoy. The next morning (March 24th) we will visit some of Hangzhou's great shopping areas and then after a light lunch, we will go for a hike in the hills surrounding Hangzhou.
The next day (March 25th) we will take the highspeed train to QianDaoHu, to enjoy a spectacular row in one of the large rowing centers on this calm mountain lake. There are at least 4 bouyed 2000-meter courses set up to chose from! Many teams from all over China come to train here. We will stay over or return that evening, TBA.
March 26th we will head to...Suzhou! Exquisite gardens, canals, culture, saunas and massage. And now rowing, too! We have long wanted to row here and only just recently have found a way! We'll either visit one of the amazing gardens first and then row, or vice versa, depending on our contacts. We'll stay in a gorgeous hotel the evoques Chinese culture, up until recently a rarity in modern hotels. Suzhou in fact was where we first felt a sort of Chinese pride, with people seeking out the old ways, the old crafts...not for tourists but for themselves.
March 27th morning you will be free to stroll around downtown Suzhou, with its temples and shopping and highly photogenic canals. In the afternoon we will transfer to the Shanghai Rowing Center for a friendly row. A hotel in downtown Shanghai awaits afterwards.
March 28th: We'll explore Shanghai with our friends, enjoying a stroll on the famous Bund or a visit to one of the incredible museums that Shanghai has to offer. And then, a big dinner to say goodbye to our hosts as they return to their homes and boats.
March 29th we'll help you get to your flight or next destination, any activities in the morning will be determined by the departure schedule.
What to Bring:- lots of rowing bling to share and swap!- special treats from your home city: chocolates or cookies or lip balm or....- photos of your rowing club- a big appetite- a good camera- a fully upgraded and China-proofed phone: install any apps ahead of time or have your teenagers install a VPN on your phone before you leave! Check your data or wifi plans and install WeChat as soon as you decide to join us. - a functioning ATM card and notify your bank that you will be in China! you will get cash in China as it is difficult to obtain it outside of China
How to sign up:Fill out our questionnaire here: https://forms.gle/B3JgUTo9tqCDLfXx5A down payment of 500 USD will be required for this trip, per person. Payment details will be comunicated in a later email as our bank info is changing. Cost: USD 3400 per couple or 1900 per single rower in single occupancy, in comfortable 4-star hotels. Includes all meals, in-China transportation, rows, and tours. Non rowers are welcome as always with a discount of 10%. (rower + non-rower = $3230)
Please read our various blog entries and photo albums to see "how we roll" in China and elsewhere! https://www.rowingvacations.com/post/china https://www.rowingvacations.com/post/2018/04/12/the-china-trip-part-1 https://www.rowingvacations.com/photo-albums
