Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1During China's national holiday, highway tolls are free, which can help traffic flow and save travelers money on road trips. (3:20)
- Tip 2Consider checking China Eastern for potentially cheap flight upgrades, especially for longer routes, to enhance your travel comfort. (4:06)
- Tip 3Having a local SIM card, like China Mobile, can sometimes include perks such as lounge access, which is valuable for long travel days. (4:11)
- Tip 4It can be cheaper to ask for flight upgrades directly on the plane, especially if you have some flexibility with your travel plans. (5:57)
- Tip 5While China Eastern might be a bit outdated, the service is often rated highly, making the flight experience pleasant despite the airline's age. (6:45)
- Tip 6Night flights can be challenging for sleep, so consider booking business class or ensuring you have comfortable seating for longer journeys. (7:16)
- Tip 7Always double-check your gate number and seat assignment to avoid confusion, especially when boarding a long-haul flight. (8:48)
- Tip 8Emergency exit seats offer significant legroom, which can make long flights much more comfortable, though they may have solid armrests. (11:09)
- Tip 9When visiting Beijing, seek out local recommendations for hidden gems and authentic food beyond the popular spots like hotpot and Peking duck. (16:36)
- Tip 10For extremely cold destinations like Harbin, focus on layering clothing and seeking advice on appropriate winter wear to stay warm. (17:36)
After six months exploring China, Reanne and Ben of On Tour With Dridgers are returning to the UK. Their departure from Beijing involves navigating airport logistics and reflecting on the generosity of local friends. They discover surprising benefits like waived highway tolls during a national holiday and utilize lounge access before their flights. The journey includes insights into China Eastern airlines, unique local food experiences like Chinese McDonald's, and the challenges of long-haul travel. Back home, they find Britain better than anticipated, celebrate milestones, and plan future adventures, including a return to Beijing and ventures into extreme cold climates like Harbin, all while exploring new content formats like a podcast.
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After an immersive six-month journey through China, Reanne and Ben, a UK-based full-time travel couple from On Tour With Dridgers, are heading back home. Their departure from Beijing is marked by the typical traveler's challenge of accumulating more belongings than initially packed, including newly purchased winter coats. Thankfully, their friend Mai offers a ride to the airport, showcasing the genuine warmth and hospitality they've experienced in China, with Mai referring to them as 'her kids.'
At the airport, they navigate the complexities of two international airports in Beijing and discover a surprising perk: during the national holiday, highway tolls are waived to ease traffic. This leads to a discussion about the economic differences between China and the UK, particularly regarding such initiatives. They consider upgrading their flights to business class for the long journey to London, with a budget of £200 each, and discover they have lounge access through their China Mobile SIM card, a welcome perk for a long travel day.
The initial flight to Shanghai is short, but the subsequent leg to London is an extended journey. They reflect on their experiences with China Eastern, noting the airline's slightly dated feel but praising the service. The video touches upon the allure of Chinese McDonald's offerings, with unique items like black buns and shrimp bites, and the surprisingly affordable prices compared to the UK. They also discuss the nuances of air travel, including the discomfort of night flights and the strategy of seeking last-minute upgrades.
Upon arriving back in the UK, the couple shares their initial impressions. Contrary to some media portrayals of Britain struggling, they find things to be better than expected, enjoying their time reconnecting with family and celebrating their YouTube channel's 100k subscriber milestone with a party. They even attend a Portsmouth football club match, albeit a nil-nil draw, and share a lighthearted moment discussing Ryan Reynolds' ownership of the team.
Looking ahead, Reanne and Ben are exploring new ventures, including a potential podcast to share more unfiltered conversations. Their upcoming travel plans include a return to Beijing with Reanne's father, seeking recommendations for hidden gems and food. They also anticipate a trip to Harbin, bracing for extreme cold, and express a need for advice on winter clothing. The couple emphasizes the value of authentic experiences and encourages viewers to be discerning about information, highlighting YouTube as a valuable source for real travel insights. Their journey continues with planned trips to Australia and other Asian countries, promising more diverse travel content beyond China.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the reason for leaving China?
- A: After six months, we've decided to return home to the UK for personal reasons and to attend to some things we need to do.
- Q: What was the experience like leaving Beijing?
- A: We had a lot of luggage, including new coats, and a kind friend gave us a ride to the airport. We also discovered highway tolls were free during the national holiday.
- Q: Did you manage to upgrade your flights?
- A: We considered upgrading to business class for the long flight to London and discovered we had lounge access. We asked about upgrades on the plane, but it was too expensive.
- Q: What was the food like on China Eastern?
- A: The airline felt a bit outdated, but the service was great. We also noticed unique items at Chinese McDonald's, like black buns and shrimp bites, which looked much better and were cheaper than in the UK.
- Q: How was it returning to the UK?
- A: Contrary to what we'd seen in the news, Britain wasn't falling apart. Things were better than expected, and we really enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends.
- Q: What are your future travel plans?
- A: We're planning a return to Beijing with Reanne's dad, then heading to Thailand for Christmas, followed by a trip to Harbin in extreme cold. We're also looking into starting a podcast and visiting Australia and other Asian countries.
- Q: What advice do you have for visiting Harbin?
- A: We've heard Harbin can be extremely cold, possibly -50 degrees Celsius, so we're looking for suggestions on warm clothing and layering techniques.
