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TRAVEL INFORMATION

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS   |   AIRFARE   |   GENERAL INFO.   |   POLICIES   |   DEPARTURE INFO.
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GENERAL INFO.

International Customs and Immigrations

As international travelers, everyone will be required to clear customs before being granted entrance into China. The importation of the following articles is prohibited: arms, ammunition, explosives, pornography, narcotics, animals, plants, and meats. Returning home, we will also pass through U.S. Customs and they prohibit roughly the same. They also prohibit the importation of ivory. $800 worth of goods is permitted duty free.

Money Issues

Expenses, Currency Exchange, Credit Cards, ATMs: As an all inclusive tour, all expenses are paid before you depart except the following: tips for the Tour Director and drivers plus Chinese airport tax tickets which are about $6 per domestic flight and $11 for the international flight home. These must be purchased individually at the time of check-in at all Chinese airports in Chinese currency, which is why we do not include them in the package. Incidentals such as longdistance phone calls, mini-bar beverages, business center services, etc., are the responsibility of the guest, as are meals not mentioned in the itinerary, and additional beverages or premium alcoholic drinks at lunches and dinners. U.S. dollars must be exchanged for local Chinese currency for most purchases. U.S. dollar traveler`s checks are the recommended form of currency. Cash or traveler`s checks can easily be exchanged at all the hotels we use. Major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted and can be used at all the hotels and many of the gift shops, department stores, and specialty shops. Cirrus compatible ATM machines can now be found in Shanghai and Beijing; however, they are not yet easy to find and you should not rely on your ATM cards while in China.

Medical and Health Issues

All tour participants should be in good health. If you have any doubt about your ability to travel internationally, please consult your doctor. We recommend you check with your health insurance company to see if you will be covered in China; if not, we highly recommend travel insurance (see pg. 39). If you suffer from any serious physical or mental conditions that may be of concern, you are obligated to disclose so before booking. We reserve the right to refuse anyone based on physical or mental conditions that would seriously interfere with our ability to run the group tour smoothly. Shots are not normally necessary for travel to China; however, to protect ourselves from a legal standpoint, we recommend you consult your health care professional and make your own decisions.

Hotels

All tour rates are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available only when paying the additional single room supplement. For those travelers looking for a roommate, we are willing to assist you in your search by introducing other single travelers that are in the same situation. We can not guarantee compatibility and highly recommend you feel comfortable with the person you will share a room with. You will be billed for the single room supplement at time of booking. If you find a roommate prior to departure you will be refunded or credited the amount of the single supplement. Children under 11 may share a room with two adults, no extra bed; however, three adults are not permitted to share a room. Your Tour Director will handle all hotel check-ins and check-outs. You will be responsible for bills you incurred during your stay for incidentals, phone calls, mini-bar beverages, etc. Baggage will be delivered to and from your rooms by hotel staff. All rooms have full western style bath tubs, showers, and toilets. Amenities normally include a full selection of body care products, slippers, robes, tea service, and stationery.

Meals

Almost all meals are included in the price of the tour. Please refer to each itinerary for the exact schedule of meals. All breakfasts are included and are western buffet style in the hotels. You can expect eggs, bacon, potatoes, cereals, juices, coffee, fresh fruit, etc. Lunches are served in fine, clean local restaurants and are Chinese style. Dinners vary according to itinerary. Normally Chinese meals offer a variety of dishes including chicken, pork, beef, fish, soup, rice, many varieties of cooked vegetables, and fresh fruit. Local beer, soda, and tea are also served. Western food outlets such as McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut are common in larger Chinese cities. Our hotels also feature western style restaurants and room service. We do our best to accommodate guests with special dietary needs. Please bring this to our attention prior to your departure.

Smoking

The tour coach is non-smoking, as are all Air China flights. Restaurants permit smoking; however, we are usually given our own section or room in the restaurants and we prefer our guests do not smoke in the immediate vicinity.

Communications

All rooms come with IDD direct dial telephone lines. You can dial the USA easily. AT&T has a direct English speaking operator that can be reached by dialing 10811 from any hotel room. China time is 15 hours ahead of US Pacific Time and 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Fax and Internet capabilities are available in the hotel business centers.

Clothing

Comfort is the key for clothing while traveling in China. Most important is a comfortable pair of shoes that you are used to. Light clothing of a comfortable fabric that you can wear in layers is a good idea. More information about clothing will be included in your Confirmation Package.

Shopping

Our Tour Directors are willing to assist you with translation while shopping. However, Travel Design USA is not responsible for any purchases you make. After sales correspondence must be between you and the vendor. Closely examine all purchases.

Weather

China is a very big country and weather can differ drastically depending on the region in which you are traveling. Beijing seldom sees much rain and normally stays dry and breezy. Shanghai sits on the South China Sea and benefits from the moderate waterfront temperatures; however, rain is a bit more common. Spring and fall are the best times to visit: the temperatures are moderate and rainfall is scarce throughout China.

China Average Temperatures (°F)
City Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Beijing 24 28 40 56 68 76 79 76 67 55 39 27
Chongqing 46 49 57 66 72 77 83 75 65 65 57 49
Yichang 38 42 50 61 71 78 84 83 74 64 52 42
Guilin 46 48 56 65 74 79 82 82 78 69 59 50
Hangzhou 38 41 49 59 69 76 84 83 74 63 54 43
Hong Kong 60 61 65 72 79 82 84 83 82 77 71 64
Kuming 46 50 56 62 67 67 68 67 64 59 53 47
Lhasa 29 37 41 46 54 61 61 57 57 48 39 32
Shanghai 38 40 47 57 66 74 82 82 75 64 55 43
Suzhou 37 40 48 58 67 75 83 83 74 64 54 42
Urumqi 13 14 25 37 47 55 58 56 47 35 22 16
Xiani 30 36 46 57 67 78 80 78 67 56 44 33
Japan Average Temperatures (°F)
Osaka 48 49 55 67 75 81 88 91 83 72 62 53
Tokyo 49 49 54 64 73 77 83 87 80 70 61 53
Thailand Average Temperatures (°F)
Bangkok 89 90 92 94 92 91 90 90 89 89 88 87
Chiang Mai 84 89 94 97 93 90 89 88 88 88 85 82
Phuket 88 90 91 91 88 87 87 86 85 86 86 87


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China Discovery Tours
20407 Hawthorne Blvd.,  Torrance, CA  90503
Toll Free: 1-866-99CHINA (992-4462)
1-888-371-3228 (Nationwide)
Tel: 310-802-7100 (Local)    Fax: 310-370-4987
Office Hours: 9:00am - 6:00pm Pacific Time Monday - Friday
Email: info@chinadiscoverytours.com

 

Last Updated: May 06, 2008