General Information

ACCOMMODATION We have carefully chosen a selection of hotels ranging from Chinese-run tourist class to international 4* standard for our tours. The star rating we specify against each hotel is the official one allocated by the China National Tourist Administration. All accommodation has private en-suite facilities. It is common international practice for hotel rooms to be vacated at 12 noon and check-in is normally allowed after this time. Ultimately we have no direct control over the daily management of the hotels and in the event that we have to change a hotel, every effort will be made to substitute a hotel of the same standard. We must stress the hotels in Dali, Wolong, Tibet and along the length of the Silk Road are very ‘basic’ and therefore hotel standards will be lower in these locations.

SPECIAL REQUESTS Should you have any special requests e.g. diet, room location, particular flight seat preference, please advise us in writing when the booking is made. Whilst every effort will be made to meet reasonable requests, they cannot be guaranteed. With reference to seat preference on international flights,we strongly recommend that you check in as early as up to three and a half hours before departure as we can only pass on your request to the Airline concerned. We do not have any control over the allocation of seats on the aircraft.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Each traveller who books our China tours must have an adequate travel insurance. The insurance premium has to be paid at the time of booking and it is non-refundable. We highly recommend that you take our travel insurance, but if you wish to take another insurance, advise us of the company and policy number.

Government regulations have recently changed, the result of which means that we can no longer sell travel insurance. It is however essential that you purchase suitable cover and although you may have your own policy we would be happy to recommend our  nominated Travel Insurance company Travel and General  Insurance company PLC 0845 408 0583 or online at www.tgic-online.com/ti/jsp/start.jsp?AccountID=4326

HEALTH REQUIREMENT We advise travellers to be immunised against Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Polio. Please consult your doctor for further details.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS Some of the regions now included in our brochure are above 10,000 feet (3048m) and therefore some visitors may experiences altitude sickness. We take care to ensure time is allowed for acclimatisation within the itinerary, however people are affected in different ways. If clients are affected badly it may be necessary for them to return to lower levels as soon as is possible. We advise that all clients planning to visit these regions should seek advice from their doctor before travelling.

DRINKING WATER Do not drink tap water in China. Boiled water and Chinese tea are served in hotels. Beer, Chinese wine and other soft drinks can be purchased in hotel bar, shops and supermarkets.

PASSPORT/VISA All travellers must have full passports valid for at least six months. All British Citizens require visas to China. ELECTRIC VOLTAGE The electricity supply in China is 220 volts AC 50Hz. Plugs are normally twin-pin flat (5 amp). However, they do vary in different cities. It is advisable to bring along a set of international adapters.

ELECTRIC VOLTAGE The electricity supply in China is 220 volts AC 50Hz. Plugs are normally twin-pin flat (5 amp). However, they do vary in different cities. It is advisable to bring along a set of international adapters.

CURRENCY The basic unit in Chinese currency is Chinese Yuan. £1 sterling equals about 15 Yuan. Credit card or Travellers Cheques: Up to now, seven credit card are accepted in China: Federal Card, Visa Card, Mastercard, Diner’s Club Card, American Express Card, Million Card and JCB Card. Travellers cheques can be exchanged in hotels, airports and Bank of China.

ITINERARIES As a result of unforeseen schedule timetable changes or other reasons,sometimes travel arrangements may need to be adjusted by ourselves or our ground handling agents in China.

OVERNIGHT TRAIN JOURNEYS Each soft-sleeper compartment sleeps four people with two bunk beds on either side of the carriage.

BOAT ON YANGTZE RIVER Passengers are accommodated in twin berth cabins. For single supplement please refer to the itinerary.

TIPS
Tipping: Tips are not included in the group fee. All service staff in China expect tips except for taxi drivers and restaurant employees. We would suggest 50-80 RMB per person per day for the guide and 20-40 RMB per person per day for the driver if you are travelling as family or individual travellers. People under 16 do not need to give tips. Tipping is best done at the end of each stay in each place.

LAUNDRY SERVICE IN HOTELS All the hotels that we use for our set tours have good laundry facilities. All cost are our clients’ responsibility

LOCAL TIME China is eight hours ahead of GMT (seven hours ahead of BST)

AIRPORT TAXES All airport taxes are included for group departures and tailor made tours which include international flights.

BAGGAGE Most airlines now have strict restriction on the size and weight of BOTH carry-on and stowed baggage. Please ensure that you are aware of these restrictions as it is your responsibility to ensure that you conform to ANY regulation imposed by the airlines in relations to security or size of your baggage.

RE-CONFIRMATION OF AIR TICKETS Re-confirmation is required when you break your journey for more than 72 hours at any point of your tour. Failure to do so may result in the airline cancelling reservations.

TOUR COST INCLUDES

• International flights in economy class include U.K. Departure Tax
• All domestic transportation and transfers
• Twin sharing accommodation at hotel with en-suite private facilities
• Breakfast only in hotel, lunch and dinner in local restaurants, except in Hong Kong
• For Hong Kong extension: accommodation and transportation between hotel and airport only
• Full board on cruise boat on Yangtze River
• All the sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary and entrance fees
• English-speaking guides

TOUR COST EXCLUDES

• Chinese Visa Fee
• Expenses in hotels such as laundry, tips, telephone and room service, etc.
• Gratuities for service provided by tour escorts, and local guides.
• Sightseeing and meals in Hong Kong.

 

OPTIONAL TOURS In some cities, the local guides may recommend some optional tours or activities with extra cost which are not listed in your final itinerary; it is your own decision to go ahead or not. China Holidays will NOT be involved with the prices and the arrangements, and will not be responsible for anything occurring during these activities.

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