Review of Chengdu Dreams Travel International Youth Hostel

THE DREAMS HOSTEL

We used Chengdu as our hub in Sichuan Province, and whilst in Chengdu (3 separate occasions) we stayed in the Dreams International Youth Hostel (www.dreams-travel.com /youthhostel/en/index.asp).

The Dreams Hostel is situated in the Tibetan region of Chengdu. We arrived in Chengdu via train from Xi'an. The hostel very conveniently organised a van to transport us from the train station to the hostel. Much appreciated after 18 hours on a train. A taxi ride from the hostel to a more downtown location (eg. Renmin South Road) will set you back only 13-15RMB.

Our experience was overall a positive one. If you asked us "Would we be willing to stay here again?", our answer would be a resounding "yes".

That being said, we encountered a few hiccoughs. On two occasions they were unable to find our bookings but still were able to find a room for us. They could only offer us a more luxurious room than the one we booked, and with a bit of bargaining we were given this room at the cheaper rate. The rooms were basic though were very clean. Our rooms included a bathroom which was convenient, although, a common shower and bathroom facilities were avilable for those using the dormitory accommodation. Filtered water is available on each floor and each room is equipped with a kettle and some varieties of tea.

The staff are quite busy but are young and generally friendly and helpful.

Some positive attributes of the Hsotel:

• Internet access is available. However, only there are only 3 computers and connection speed is somewhat slow. If desperation sets in, there are some smoky internet bars (full of adolescents playing games) within 10 to 15 minutes walk.

• There is a safe storage area to stow luggage you don't need on a particular journey, if you are returning to the hostel.

• A laundry service is available on the top floor.

• They offer a plethora of package tours throughout Sichuan province, in addition to a tour to Lhasa, Tibet and a cruise along the Yangtze River.

• It is situated in close proximity to numerous places to eat.

• A camping store is nearby if you need to stock up on ourdoor gear before a trip.

ORGANISING A TOUR THROUGH DREAMS HOSTEL

We went on the following tours:

• Jiuzhaigou Tour (3 day bus tour)

• Tibetan Culture Discovery Tour (6 day bus tour, departing Saturdays)

• Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre Tour (Half-day tour, departing every morning)

• Yangtze River Cruise (4 day cruise)

Please be aware that although the tour brochures are in ENGLISH and MANDARIN, the tour guides for the Jiuzhaigou and Tibetan Culture Tour ONLY speak MANDARIN. If you either don't speak Mandarin or don't have a friend who can translate for you, listening to the commentary will be a waste of time. The scenery though has a transcendent beauty that can be appreciated and enjoyed regardless of language.

FRUSTRATIONS ORGANISING THE YANGTZE CRUISE

The most frustrating tour to organise was the Yangtze River Cruise. Despite such difficulties it was a highlight of my (Andrew's) trip to China. The other trips were relatively straightforward to arrange.

The Hostel does not run the cruise themselves, but serves as a liaison with other criuise companies. The cruise is paid for in the company offices in Chongching. We were transferred to Chongching via bus from Chengdu. Dreams Travel will tell you that there are only up to Three-Star cruises running (all in Mandarin). This is not the case - Five-Star cruises are available.

Once at the Chongqing office we surprisingly had to neogitate what would be included in our cruise package. We had initially booked the Chinese cruise which did not include any meals or any offshore trips to sights along the way. We were then told we could upgrade to the Five-Star cruise - for a price. You see we had to pay a "cancellation fee" for withdrawing from the Chinese cruise. They refused to give us a receipt for cancelling the Chinese cruise. I'm sure we were taken advantage of by our slick salesman in the Chingqing office.

We were extremely satisfied with our decision to upgrade. We travelled with Victoria Cruises (www.victoriacruises.com). (More details of the cruise will be in the main part of our blog). All shore excursions and meals were included in the cost. The meals, service and atmosphere were excellent. Each room had a private balcony and bathroom and fridge and television. Importantly, the vessel was non-smoking, which I'm sure the local Chinese cruise wouldn't have been.

Our slick salesman also tried to deceive us by telling us that we needed to prebook transportation from the final docking point of the ship at Sandouping to the city of Yicheng. This is unnecessary. The cost of the cruise included a bus trip from Sandouping to Yicheng. Thankfully, we we able to get this money refunded from an unpleasant company representative in Yicheng.

Disappointingly, the cost of the cruise depends on your nationality. There is no negotiation on this. Australians, Americans and Canadians pay the highest rate. It's cheaper for Europeans and cheaper again for Hong Kong nationals. The cheapest rate is reserved for local Chinese. If you claim to be born in Hong Kong, for example, you need to show your Hong Kong identification to claim the reduced rate.

FINAL REMARKS

Don't let these frustrations and disappointments put you off. Organising our sightseeing through Dreams Hostel was an efficient and straightforward procedure, notwithstanding the Yangtze experience. Even then, the enjoyment of the Yangtze Cruise more than compensated for the logistical difficulties.