I'm Going to China in March

[gvarsity]

My Dad hates to travel and going to China is on my Mom's bucket list so to speak and she taking me along. I have never really traveled with a tour before but since neither of us speak Chinese and don't know a lot about China it seemed like the way to go. This is the specific tour we are taking http://www.chinafocustravel.com/tour/HC10 We are not going until March but we have already done our initial booking.

I would be interested in ideas to supplement our tour or ideas for our free time on the tour. I have traveled a lot in the western hemisphere but this will be very new to me. I know a number of people on this board have traveled extensively so any suggestions and of course any China specific info would be appreciated.

The other thought is I know believe THE PACIFIC CIGAR CO. LTD. is the distributor of Cuban cigars in China but any specific information about their shops in Shanghai or Beijing would be appreciated.

[cigargod]

Pretty over priced cigars in beijing at both stores of course(±$18 for a PSD#4 as I remember and nothing under $15 for anything cohiba(except the panetela and I think they were $13)). My thoughts of the women in both shops were somewhat mixed, they tried to sell me the most $$$ cigars and were constantly behind me almost like they were tied to my belt. They were not vary helpful and one of them was downright bitchy(must have had her monthly visiter). At one point she actually told me to hurry-up and leave the store as I was trying to help another customer with some thoughts on what she would get for her husband as they were tourists also and this would be his first cc.

[gvarsity]

Thanks appreciate the info. I'll probably just grab a couple and have one cigar evening. Cheers

[kyee]

I'll be in Shanghai March 27-30th, and have a bunch of friends I get together with for cigars nightly. what dates will you be there?

[FlyingCigar]

In Beijing try La Casa Habana at Jing Lun ( Nikko ) Hotel, very near to the Silk Market, centrally located near the diplomatic area.

Great lounge, service and selection of genuine cuban cigars - the owner lives in Havana and the cigars/boxes are legit.

Also great place to meet people and relax after shopping.

Links to my reports on the place ( In German ) :

http://www.flyingcigar.de/travel_cig...ches_in_pe.php

http://www.flyingcigar.de/flying_cig..._in_peking.php

In Shanghai you can enjoy a cigar at the best cigar lounge there, the Roosevelt Steak House.

http://www.flyingcigar.de/flying_cig...gas_condes.php

Enjoy China !!

Nino

[gvarsity]

Thanks Nino! I was hoping you might make an appearance in this thread. I really enjoy the English language pieces you have posted on your website. Thanks again.

[gvarsity]

Short update. I had a great trip to China. Didn't have time to get to any of the shops Nino suggested. I in fact did not have time to have any cigars at all. Long story.

The part pertinent to this board is I checked out the cigars in the duty free shop in Beijing before I left. The cigars looked to be next to un-humidified if humidified at all. The boxes were just jumbled randomly in locked glass cabinets. Including a box of Cohiba Gran Reserva.