Monks at Songzanlin Monastery, Zhongdian.
(Photo courtesy of Sue Wright, Toronto, Canada)
Monks at Songzanlin Monastery, Zhongdian.
(Photo courtesy of Sue Wright, Toronto, Canada)
I know you will have many questions about the tour, so I have put together a list of some of the most commonly-asked questions about traveling to China. The questions are listed below; each one is a link, so you can jump directly to the information you need. If you have a question that isn't covered here, please don't hesitate to contact me to ask me directly. And if it's a question that might be of interest to everyone, I'll post the answer here, too.
(To navigate directly to the information you want, please click on the question you're interested in.)
Booking and Payment
• How do I book the tour?
• Why do you ask for personal information such as my passport
number and date of birth?
• When are the tour payments due?
• May I pay with a credit card?
• May I pay for my tour with non-U.S. currencies?
• What if I need to cancel the tour?
• Does the tour price include tips? Who should I tip?
• Are children welcome on the tour?
Group Size and Tour Activities
• How many people will be in the group?
• Will we be taken to go shopping?
Travel Formalities: Passports and Visas
• What paperwork do I need to go to China?
• Do you get the visa for me or do I need to get it myself?
• How do I get the Chinese tourist visa?
• Is any special documentation required to apply for the
Chinese tourist visa?
• When should I apply for my visa?
• How long does it take to get the visa?
• How long can I stay in China with the tourist visa?
• What if I have questions about the visa application process?
Arranging Travel to and from China
• Do you arrange international air tickets to China?
• Can I arrange extra hotel nights if my travel plans require
me to arrive before, or leave after, the rest of the group?
• How can I find a good price on a ticket to China?
Arriving in China
• How do I get from the airport to the hotel when I arrive
in China?
• What if I can’t find you or your representative
right away?
Medical and Dietary Issues
• Can I drink the water?
• What shots do I need for China?
• Will I need to take malaria prophylactics for this tour?
• Can I find my prescription medications in China?
• I have special dietary needs or food allergies. Can you
accommodate them?
• I’m a vegetarian. Is that a problem?
• I have a physical disability. Should I take this tour?
• How physically fit do I have to be to take this tour?
• I have health issues involving high-elevation places.
Should I take this tour?
Climate and Weather
• What will the weather be like along our tour route?
Packing and Clothing
• What are the checked baggage limits on international
flights?
• What are the checked baggage limits on Chinese domestic
flights?
• What sort of clothing should I bring? And how much?
• Can I wash clothes along the way?
• Can I use small electrical devices such as battery chargers
and hairdryers in China?
• Are there any other useful items I should bring?
• Can I get film and batteries for my camera?
Dealing With Money on the Tour
• How much money will I need to bring with me?
• Should I bring cash or traveler’s checks? And how
can I change money?
• Can I use ATMs in China?
• Can I use credit cards in China?
Keeping in Touch With Home
• Will I be able to call home from China?
• Is it possible to use my calling card in China?
• Will my family or friends be able to call me in China?
• Is Internet/E-mail access available? Can I use my own
computer?
• Will my cell phone work in China?
Accommodations and Meals
• What are the hotels like?
• What is the food like?
Booking and Payment
How do I book the tour?
When you are ready to reserve a place on the tour, please click the link for
“terms and conditions”. Please review the terms carefully, because
they contain important information regarding payment due dates, cancellation
policies, what the price does and does not include, and other important things.
If you have any questions about the terms, please feel free to e-mail or call
us. After you have read the terms, please click the link for the “reservation
form”, then print and fill out the form and return it to me with your
deposit of $300 USD per person. For bookings made within 90 days of departure,
full payment is due at the time of your booking. [top]
Why do you ask for personal information such as my passport number and date of birth?
Chinese government security regulations require this information for domestic flight bookings. Please be assured that we do not use this information for any other purpose. [top]
When are the tour payments due?
You can send a deposit of $300 USD per person any time to reserve your place(s) on the tour. After that, the remaining balance is due 90 days before your trip starts. [top]
We are sorry, but we are not able to accept payment by credit card. Please make your payments by personal check or bank check made payable to “Jasmine’s China Adventure Tours”.[top]
May I pay for my tour with non-U.S. currencies?
We are sorry, but we are only able to accept payment in U.S. dollars. If you are going to be making payment from outside the U.S., please arrange to do so by means of a check in dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, or by wire transfer. Please contact me for details. [top]
What if I need to cancel the tour?
If you need to cancel, please inform us in writing as soon as possible. Cancellations and refunds are governed by the terms and conditions for the tour, and will be calculated from the date the written cancellation is received in our office. This policy will be strictly applied, so we strongly advise you to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance. [top]
Does the tour price include tips? Who should I tip?
Tips for our local guides and drivers are not included in the price of the tour (the usual standard for tipping is $5 per person per day for the guide, and $3 per person per day for driver.)
Tipping is not customary at restaurants, or for taxi drivers or hotel room cleaners. If you would like to have a hotel luggage man handle your baggage on arrival or departure, the customary tip is 6 Chinese yuan (about $ 1 USD) per bag. [top]
Are children welcome on the tour?
We don’t have an age limit for the tour, so children are welcome as long as they are able to handle the conditions comfortably, such as long hours of road travel, “strange” food, etc. Of course, parents are entirely responsible for supervising their children and ensuring that their behavior does not interfere with others’ enjoyment of the tour. For couples traveling with a single child, we can arrange for a third, rollaway type bed to be moved into your room so all three of you can stay together, and the child will get a discounted price. Please contact us for more details. [top]
Group Size and Tour Activities
How many people will be in the group?
We are committed to small group tours, so all groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people. Our programs are designed to give you an up-close and in-depth look at this incredibly diverse and dynamic country. Over the years, our customers have had the experience of exploring rural villages on foot or by bicycle; sampling the produce in local farmers’ markets; eating at local restaurants (not the tourist designated restaurants); meeting local people in their homes and even savoring a home-cooked meal of their regional specialties, etc. [top]
Will we be taken to go shopping?
My tours don't include any shopping stops as part of the scheduled activities. At the same time, I understand that many of my customers enjoy some shopping and do like to buy some things to take home. So there will be some free time available if you want to go shopping. If you’re interested in looking for particular types of things, please let me know and I can tell you where to look for them. But, please be aware that there are many “fake” famous-brand goods, or poor quality imitations of famous-brand goods, for sale in China. The general rule is: “Caveat emptor!”-“Let the buyer beware!” If you do decide to buy larger items, it is possible to arrange to have them shipped home. [top]
Travel Formalities: Passports and Visas
What paperwork do I need to go to China?
You need a valid passport that will not expire within 6 months of the last date of the tour, and a Chinese tourist visa. [top]
Do you get the visa for me or do I need to get it myself?
You will need to get the visa yourself. [top]
How do I get the Chinese tourist visa?
The “L” class tourist visa is issued by the Chinese consulate that handles applications from your home area. There are several consulates in the United States-please click here to find a map of the consular districts so you can see where you need to apply.
Chinese consulates do not handle visa applications by mail. If you live within easy reach of a city with a consulate, you can go there in person. Otherwise, there are two ways to get the visa.
One is to find a travel service in or near your hometown that has a visa application service. Many of the travel services that regularly arrange air tickets to China can provide this service. (This is how I get my own visa.)
Another is to use a so-called visa application service, which entails mailing your passport and the visa application to the service and having them take it to the proper consulate and then return the passport to you with the visa. It is very easy to find such services by doing a web search for “visa service”. (Please note that I cannot personally recommend or vouch for any particular services.)
No matter how you do it, you will have to fill out a visa application form, provide at least one passport-sized photo, pay a fee and submit your current passport.
The application forms are available on-line on the Chinese consulate web sites and also on the sites of visa application services. Travel services that can get visas should have the forms on hand.
The fee for the visa if you get it directly from the consulate is $130 USD as of December, 2009. (Please look at the rules for the consulate you are using to see how you need to pay it. Normally, the consulates will not accept personal checks, but will accept credit cards.) Additional service fees charged by travel services and visa application services vary. The travel service I use in Sacramento charges $80. [top]
Is any special documentation required to apply for the Chinese tourist visa?
Generally, you will not need any special documentation beyond your passport
and the visa application form to get your visa. But this is subject to change
without notice, and if any special events are taking place in China, there is
a chance you will need additional documentation for your visa application. For
instance, in the summer of 2008, Chinese consulates were requiring tourist visa
applicants to submit invitation letters from tour companies and proof of pre-booked
hotel accommodations at the time of their visa applications. Should this arise,
we will provide all tour participants with any necessary documentation needed
to apply for your Chinese visa. [top]
When should I apply for my visa?
The “L” tourist visa normally is valid for 90 days after it is issued. You can enter China anytime up to the end of the period of validity. I recommend that you apply for your visa approximately two months before the start date of the tour. [top]
How long does it take to get the visa?
No matter which method you use, it should take somewhere between one and two weeks to get your visa. [top]
How long can I stay in China with the tourist visa?
The standard tourist visa permits you to stay in China for up to 30 days. This is long enough to cover any of the tours. [top]
What if I have questions about the visa application process?
Please e-mail or call me and I will be glad to answer any questions. [top]
Arranging Travel to and from China
Do you arrange international air tickets to China?
No, you will need to arrange your own air tickets. When you are doing so, please note the correct entry and exit points for your tour. [top]
Can you arrange extra hotel nights if my travel plans require me to arrive before, or leave after, the rest of the group?
Yes, of course. Please contact us for prices and other details on making the necessary bookings. [top]
How can I find a good price on a ticket to China?
In our experience, the on-line ticket agencies often do not have the best prices to China. Instead, the best places to check would be with airline ticket consolidators or with a local travel service that specializes in travel to Asia. Ticket consolidators usually advertise in the Sunday travel sections of major metropolitan newspapers such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, etc. [top]
Arriving in China
How do I get from the airport to the hotel when I arrive in China?
For all those arriving on the tour’s scheduled day of arrival, your local English-speaking guide and a driver will meet you at the airport, and transfer you to the hotel.
Those arriving earlier or later may will transfer from the airport to the hotel on their own, or we can arrange the transfer for you at an additional charge.
To find your guide, you first need to complete entry formalities by going through the passport control, health inspection control, baggage claim and customs. (At all international airports in China, the path you will need to follow from the arrival gate is very well-signed in English.) From the customs check, you will exit straight ahead through the doors into the arrival concourse. As soon as you exit the doors, begin looking for someone holding a sign that says “Jasmine’s China Adventure Tours”. He or she will collect the arrivals and then take you to the hotel.
In some cases, because we may be picking up people from multiple flights arriving close together, you may have to wait for a short while before our bus leaves. We know you will be tired, though, and will keep these waits as short as possible. Our bus (which is reserved for our group alone) will deliver you directly to the hotel, where your guide will assist you with check-in. [top]
What if I can’t find the guide right away?
If for some reason you don’t see the guide right away, please go out into the arrival concourse and wait there with your bags. We’ll find you as soon as we can. Please don’t worry, even if it seems somewhat crowded and chaotic there-we’re very good at locating people, and we've never lost anyone! [top]
Medical and Dietary Issues
Unfortunately, no, at least not directly from the tap. Please don’t drink tap water and be very careful not to take in any tap water when showering or brushing teeth, either. Hotels usually provide a water cooker in your room that you can use to boil water for making tea (the rooms also usually provide teabags) as well as for brushing teeth. We will provide a supply of bottled water for everyone on our vehicles during our daily activities. If you want to buy your own drinks, bottled water and canned soda or beer is widely available and can be purchased at a reasonable cost at hotel shops or from shops or vendors on the street. If you buy your own water, please be careful to check the seal on the bottle before you drink it! If the seal seems at all loose or otherwise unusual, try another bottle. [top]
What shots do I need for China?
Officially, no shots are needed to enter China or to return to the U.S. from China. That said, please see your personal doctor or a travel medicine specialist to find out what they recommend in light of your personal medical history and needs, and to find out about any health related updates from organizations such as the World Health Organization. You should tell your doctor what areas of China you will be visiting based on which tour you choose. Please note that we cannot answer specific medical questions or provide any kind of personalized medical advice. [top]
Will I need to take malaria prophylactics for this tour?
ask your personal doctor or travel medicine specialist about this. [top]
Can I find my prescription medications in China?
We can’t guarantee that you will be able to, particularly in smaller or more remote cities. If you are taking prescription medication, we recommend that you bring a supply that will be sufficient for the entire trip. It’s best to bring your medicines in their labeled bottles with your name on them just in case there is a customs inspection. [top]
I have special dietary needs or food allergies. Can
you accommodate them?
Normally, yes. But please let us know about them as soon as possible, so we
can make whatever special arrangements are necessary. [top]
I’m a vegetarian. Is that a problem?
Not at all! We have had many vegetarians travel with me over the years, and it’s always possible to get wonderful meatless dishes wherever we go. [top]
I have a physical disability. Should I take this tour?
Unfortunately, travel in China can be very challenging for persons with disabilities. Generally, conditions in China are not as well-developed as they are in Western countries in terms of access to public places for the disabled. Even in larger cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, features such as access ramps, handrails, sidewalk “cutouts”, and accessible restroom facilities are not always found, and as we move out to more distant places, they are practically unheard-of. Also, tour buses normally do not have lifts for wheelchairs. If you have a physical disability but are adventurous and used to coping with obstacles, we would be very glad to have you join this tour. Please let us know something about you and we will do everything we can to assist you by trying to minimizing obstacles and trying to get help where possible.[top]
How physically fit do I have to be to take your tours?
Although you probably will do a fair amount of walking on this tour, it will not involve really strenuous physical activity. If you are reasonably fit and active, you should have no difficulty. But please see the next question about high elevation places. [top]
I have health issues involving high-elevation places. Should I take your tours that will go to Yunnan and Tibetan areas?
Most places on our tours, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, Yangshuo, Datong and the Yangtze River Three Gorges are either close to sea level or at a moderate elevation and should pose no issues for anyone of normal fitness. Those who are interested in visiting Yunnan Province, Tibet and Xiahe areas, will be going to higher elevation places: Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, lies at approximately 5,500 feet; the next stop, Lijiang, lies at approximately 7, 500 feet; and the final stop, Zhongdian, lies at approximately 10,000 feet; the Xiahe area of Gansu province, lies at approximately 9,000 feet; and Tibet lies at approximately 12,000 feet; At times during your explorations in Tibet, you will pass by even higher elevations. (Notably, the train journey between Lhasa and Xining crosses a pass at nearly 17,000 feet.)
We are not planning to do any very strenuous activity at these elevations, and we have structured the tour so that we ascend gradually towards our highest point, to help you acclimate. But if you have had medical difficulties with high-elevation places in the past, unfortunately, I don’t recommend that you take the tours that include Yunnan, Tibet and the Xiahe areas. [top]
Climate and Weather
What will the weather be like in China?
China is a vast country with various climates. In general, the north is cold and dry in winter. In the south, summer is hot and humid. The rainy season is usually in July and August. We will provide you with a list of how to pack for each individual trip 2 months before your trip. [top]
Packing and Clothing
What are the checked baggage limits on international flights?
This may depend upon your airline. Generally, most international carriers allow two checked bags. Maximum weight is 50 pounds per piece. Please check with your airline. Also, please note that the baggage limit on Chinese domestic flights is less than either of these limits. [top]
What are the checked baggage limits on Chinese domestic flights?
Generally, they allow 1 checked bag, not exceeding 44 pounds per person, plus a carry-on bag not exceeding 11 lbs. [top]
What sort of clothing should I bring? And how much?
Casual dress is fine everywhere. Shorts and jeans are widely accepted, although for our visits to mosques and Tibetan monasteries, we do recommend that you dress somewhat conservatively in order to show our respect. The so-called “dress casual” would be good for a few special occasions, such as the “Captain’s Welcome Dinner“ on the Yangtze River Cruise or if you go out to a special restaurant on free time.
I strongly recommend that you bring a wide-brimmed sun hat (and a good sun block) for traveling in summer, because you will be out in the sun almost everywhere for at least part of the day, and especially for travel in high elevation places like Yunnan, Xiahe and Tibet, where the sun is very strong.
Depending upon the season, there may be rain showers from time to time, particularly in summer, so a light rain jacket and hat, or a small umbrella, will be useful. A jacket and sweater is advisable for possible cool nights in any season in higher elevation places of Yunnan and Tibet, or for travel during spring and fall.
Good, sturdy walking shoes with non-slip soles are the best choice for footwear.
I do recommend a wheeled suitcase. [top]
Can I wash clothes along the way?
You can probably wash some light items in your bathroom sink and let them dry overnight. All of our hotels have laundry services that can clean, dry and return clothes to you within about a day, and the price is reasonable. [top]
Can I use small electrical devices such as battery chargers and hairdryers in China?
Yes, but you will need a set of plug adaptors and a power converter, unless it is built into the cord. My husband has a set called a “Voltage Valet” that he has been using for overseas trips since the 1980s that has worked very well in China. I do recommend that you have a set of plug adaptors because I have seen different plug setups in different hotels.
Hotels very often have hair dryers and iron available in the rooms, or they can be obtained from housekeeping. [top]
Are there any other useful items I should bring?
Daily bath accessories are usually provided by the hotels in China, including disposable tooth brushes and toothpaste, soap, shampoo, sewing kit, and of course, all kinds of towels. So you don’t need to bring them unless you want to.
I recommend that you bring a small day pack to carry bottled water and snacks.
Another useful thing (but maybe not essential) is a small flashlight. And something like a Swiss Army Knife is especially useful, for opening bottles (they don't always have twist-off caps there!) and peeling fruit. (If you bring a knife or other cutting tool, please remember that it will have to be placed in checked baggage on all flights because of the new security rules. This applies to all Chinese domestic flights, too.)
Also, you might want to bring some "Wet Ones". I found these very useful for times like "snacking" on the top of the Great Wall, eating fruit in the car, or when you stop at some bathroom along the road with no towels. Some of the bathrooms you will find, particularly along the road, are very primitive and do not have running water or toilet paper.
Sundries such as shaving cream and toothpaste are usually available, but some of my friends told me they couldn't find mouthwash and dental floss, so you might want to bring some along. [top]
Can I get film and batteries for my camera?
Standard color film for your camera is very easy to buy, except for the new advanced format or panoramic cameras.
Standard batteries such as AA are available, too, but more unusual batteries for cameras and video recorders are not always easy to find. I recommend that you bring enough batteries to last for your entire trip, just to be sure.
If you use a digital camera, you should bring enough memory cards to last for your entire trip, because it isn't easy to find them in China, or to find places to download pictures conveniently. The situation has improved in recent years, but to avoid disappointment, I still don’t recommend you to rely on being able to find what you need conveniently. [top]
Dealing With Money on the Tour
How much money will I need to bring with me?
The tour price includes virtually everything once you arrive in China (except for some meals and the activities on your free day, as specified in each tour), so you only need to bring as much as you think you might want for personal expenses such as shopping, snacks, phone calls, Internet usage, etc., as well as something extra for emergencies just as you would on any trip. So it’s really up to you how much to bring. [top]
Should I bring cash or traveler’s checks? And how can I change money?
I recommend that you bring a small amount in cash, but that you bring most of your money in the form of travelers’ checks. American Express travelers’ checks are the most widely-accepted in China. Most of our hotels will be able to change money at the front desk. You also can change money at many Bank of China branches, but that can be very time-consuming. [top]
It is possible for you to use some ATMs in larger cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and even Xi’an, although generally I do not recommend that you totally rely on them for your trip money because in my experience they aren't always reliable or easy to find in convenient places. Please check with your bank to make sure that your card has a PIN that can be used overseas (and specifically in China), and ask what Chinese bank ATMs can be used on a "no fee" basis. (Your bank also may be able to tell you the specific locations of bank branches with ATMs in the cities you are visiting.) [top]
Can I use credit cards in China?
Hotels generally will accept U.S. credit cards, as will as government-run shops and some private stores. Visa seems to be the most widely-accepted card. One very important point: if you intend to use your credit card in China, inform your credit card company before you go, so they will know you will use it there. The Bank of China can make cash advances on credit cards. [top]
Keeping in Touch With Home
Will I be able to call home from China?
Most of our hotels have guest room telephones that are capable of international direct dialing, or a business center with telephones, which you can use to call home if you need to. Please be aware, though, that making an international direct dial call from a hotel room can be very expensive, so this is an option that should probably be used only in an emergency. For your convenience, you can buy a Chinese calling card once you are in China that permits you to make international calls at a reasonable rate through an access number. [top]
Is it possible to use my calling card in China?
Yes, some long-distance carriers do have calling cards that you can use from
China, and in some cases this can be much cheaper than dialing direct. Please
check with your carrier to see if such a card is available, and make sure to
find out what cities in China you can make calls from (and the local access
numbers in China), since the cards often work only in a few major cities. [top]
Will my family or friends be able to call me in China?
In most places, yes. We will give all of the tour participants a list of the hotels where we will be staying, along with their telephone and fax numbers. The list will have the phone numbers exactly as you would dial them from home, including the international access code, country code for China and the city code. [top]
Is Internet/E-mail access available? Can I use my own computer?
Yes. Hotels have business centers where you can pay for time on a computer with Internet access. Some of the larger hotels may have data ports where you can plug in your computer, and wireless access either in rooms or common areas is increasingly available, usually for a small fee but sometimes for free. You can use Internet access to send and receive e-mail from home, although from time to time it can be difficult to access certain services. I have always had good success with my Hotmail account, and have heard that others have had good success with services such as gmail. It might be a good idea to set up e-mail accounts with at least two free services such as Hotmail so you have a backup just in case there are problems with access to one service during the tour. [top]
Will my cell phone work in China?
The China Telecom mobile phone network is comprehensive-we saw cell phone towers in the middle of the empty desert and up on the Tibetan grasslands, and I have used my Chinese cell phone all over China, including the highlands of Yunnan. But most foreign cell phones will not work in China unless they are specially set up. If you would like to be able to use your cell phone in China, please check with your service provider to see if that would be possible. (On my 2008 eclipse tour, one of my group actually received a call on his American cell phone while on a train going through a tunnel on the way from Beijing to Datong-it was his carpool partner at home asking if he needed a ride to work the next day!) And be sure to check the rates-international calling on cell phones can be very expensive in China! [top]
Accommodations and Meals
We will be staying in clean, comfortable, well-located tourist hotels that regularly receive foreign guests. In the big cities, our hotels are rated four or five stars on the Chinese five-star rating system, which is based on hotel facilities and amenities. In smaller and more remote places, we will use the best available hotels, which are also clean and comfortable. Rooms will be double occupancy with two beds; a third rollaway type bed can be moved in for couples traveling with a child. And no matter where we stay, your room will have a private attached bathroom with sink, shower and Western-style toilet. [top]
Over the years, my friends have told me again and again that the food in China was one of the highlights of their trip. It may surprise you how different it is from the typical Chinese cooking you have tasted at home. That’s why one of the things I always look forward to on my tours is introducing my guests to the real local flavors of China. Breakfast normally will be in our hotel and will feature a mixture of Chinese and Western-style items, served buffet-style. Included lunches and dinners will be at specially-chosen restaurants. You will have a variety of Chinese-style meat and vegetarian dishes for each table, served “family style”, so everyone can have the chance to enjoy several different dishes. Meals include one beverage per person, such as beer or a soft drink, and also tea and bottled water. [top]
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