Things to Know for Your Trip to China

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Each passenger must be in have a valid passport for more than six months after the return date of travel, Additionally, travelers must be in possession of a Visa for China, Visas must be obtained prior to departure from the USA or originating country.

CUSTOMS
You may bring in almost anything you'll need for personal use and your convenience. Limited items per adult allowed into China duty free are: Two cartons of cigarettes and two bottles of liquor, Important: Upon departure from China, it is important to be aware that China does not permit the exportation of any object over 120 years old; these are officially classified as "national treasures," if you purchase any antiques, please make sure you obtain the official red wax seal on your receipt to prove the item is approved for export.

BAGGAGE
Domestic Flights: Passengers are allowed only 44 pounds of luggage per person. We suggest that you take just one lockable check-in bag per person, if possible, to avoid having to pay excess baggage charges within China.
International Flights: Passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Therefore, if you make purchases in China, you can easily purchase a second suitcase for bringing these additional items home at the end of your tour. In all cases, excess luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. When you arrive at airports in each city, you will be required to claim your own luggage, due to security restrictions, At most major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually for a small additional fee. After exiting the security area of the airports, your baggage will be taken by local baggage handlers and delivered to your room in each hotel. Upon departure from each hotel, you will be instructed by your escort to place your luggage in the hallway outside of your room at a specified time for baggage collection. If you add or subtract the amount of check-in baggage during the trip, please advise your Tour Escort, who needs to know the exact number of check in baggage to be transported at all times. We strongly recommend that you purchase baggage insurance prior to departure from the USA.

FORMALITIES
When you enter China, you will receive a Health Declaration Form,
which is self-explanatory and can be easily completed. You will also receive a Customs Form for Incoming Passengers (an original and carbon copy). The Customs Officer will review the form, keep the original, and return the carbon copy to you. Be sure to keep this copy in a safe place, as you will need to present it when leaving the country. The Baggage Declaration Form ("Customs Form") is currently under review in China and may no longer be necessary when you enter China.

WHAT TO PACK
The following are suggestions for both men and women:

DON'T FOGET TO PACK
Valid Passport Travelers Checks
Copy of the first page of Your Passport Copy of Your Airline Ticket
Departure documents Travel alarm clock
Camera, batteries and film supply
Sunscreen/Tan lotion,
Extra luggage locks, set of luggage keys
Sewing kit, safety pins Extra
First Aid kit: Soft, foldable slippers
Money belt for plane
Extra set of eyeglasses Folding Umbrella
Prescriptions for Medicine & Eyeglasses
Remember! Affix your Baggage Tag.

 

CURRENCY
The Renminbi (RMB) is the country's legal tender. The basic unit of Renminbi is Yuan and the subsidiary units are Jiao and Fen. The Yuan is divided into 10 Jiao and a Jiao is equal to 10 Fen. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be changed at the hotels and large department stores. The hotels past the official exchange rate and convert dollars without banking fees. Retain your receipts to re-convert "Yuan" at the end of your stay in the Peoples Republic of China. Hotels, Friendship Stores and most major arts and craft stores accept major credit cards such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard. However, for street shopping, you will need local currency. We suggest you purchase travelers checks in small denominations ($20 or $501 that can be exchanged for local currency, Yuan") at the hotels.

TIME
Chinese standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and
13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, USA.

WEATHER
Due to its vast area, China's weather varies considerably from region to region and from season to season. Since China's geographical position is roughly equivalent to that of the USA, as a rule of thumb, weather in northeastern China (Beijing, Xian) is similar to that of the northeastern USA (New York, Philadelphia). Conversely, weather in southern China (Guilin, Guangzhou) is similar to that of the Southern USA. (Florida).

HEALTH
Health Requirements are constantly changing. Therefore, we recommend that you please check with your travel agent to ascertain which, if any, countries in the tour require proof of inoculation and/or a vaccination certificate. Additionally, please contact the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) 404-639-3534 for updated information.

FOOD
All breakfasts served in the hotel are Western Buffets, with a large choice of items to choose from. All lunches will be Chinese-style served at local restaurants, selected by the Chinese tour operator. Many dinners will also be Chinese-style at local restaurants, while others may be Western-style in the hotels where you stay.
For Chinese lunches and dinners at local restaurants, beverages are included, but type of included beverage varies from restaurant to restaurant. We recommend that when you arrive at the restaurant you check which beverages are included, so you can avoid extra charges. Please keep in mind that beverages that you order, not included on the menu, are your own responsibility and are payable directly to the restaurant. In the case of Western-style hotel dinners, drinks are never included and must be purchased individually. Please be aware that Chinese cuisine varies from city to city and region-to-region and may not always taste like the Chinese food in your hometown. But, be adventurous - try the local cuisine! You do have the option at all times to have dinner at your hotel instead of the included Chinese dinner at a local restaurant. However, please note that this meal is at your own expense there is no refund for missed group meals.

DRINKING WATER
It is advisable to drink only bottled water, easily obtainable at stores. We suggest that you bring a small thermos for touring days and fill it each morning with bottled water so that the water stays cool while you are on tour. When you arrive at your hotel, we suggest that you check to see if it has a water purification system; water in the hotel tap system may or may not be potable.

HOTEL FACILITIES
You will be accommodated in modern, comfortable hotels. All of the Western-style hotels have private bathrooms, air-conditioning and heating, plus a variety of shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Each hotel has timely, efficient laundry service at rates comparable to those of hotels in the USA. Of course, in mare remote areas hotels may be beneath our usual standards, but we hope you will agree the sightseeing and cultural highlights of those cities far outweigh the importance of Superior accommodations in such remote areas.

VOLTAGE
Electrical current in China is 220 volts with 50 cycles rather than our own 110 volts at 60 cycles. Wall sockets will vary, some with two round prongs and others with three flat prongs. Please avoid taking unnecessary electrical appliances as adapters and converters are not readily available in China.

TRANSPORTATION
Arrangements for domestic air, railroad or boat transportation are made by the ground operator and may necessitate last minute changes for reasons beyond our control. Airline tickets for domestic flights along with final flight schedules win be given to passengers locally by our ground operator or through our main office. Travel by motorcoach will be by modern air-conditioned deluxe coaches. Please remember to rotate seats on the motorcoach so everyone will have the opportunity to sit near the front of the bus during the tour. Also, please note that you are requested to refrain from smoking on your tour bus. Rest stops are made along the way at periodic intervals to accommodate smokers.

AIRPORT TAXES
Within China, each airport assesses an "Airport Renovation Fee," usually ranging from about $6 to $12 per person, per city, which varies from city to city. These Fees are not included in your tour fare and must be paid in local currency whenever you board a domestic flight. (Incidentally, these fees only apply to air flights and are not applicable to trains or ships. For tours including Hong Kong, the airport tax is approximately $12 per person, which must be paid in local currency upon departure from Hong Kong.

ESCORTED and LOCALLY HOSTED TOURS INFO.
In each city, a local English-speaking guide will meet you upon arrival and handle all arrangements, including sightseeing commentary, while you are in that city. Additionally, a National Guide is normally assigned to groups of 15 or more. The National Guide will meet you upon arrival in the first city and will remain with the group until departure from the last city.

TIPPING
Your tour includes the services of a private tour guide throughout. Part of the responsibility of your tour guide is to ensure the smooth operation of your tour and to guarantee that all services are rendered efficiently and expediently. To help your tour guide "make things happen" in China, tipping is expected and is a customary procedure.
Your tour has pre-paid the tips for the various included meals on your tour as well as for airport portage and other incidental tips. Further tipping, on a per, person basis is only our recommendation and is entirely at your discretion. Please refer to the Tipping Guidelines listed.

Cruises on the Yangtze River: An additional tip will be expected for passengers on the Yangtze River cruises.

Tour guide:
The Tour guide 's gratuity is not included in the cost of the tour. Therefore, we recommend, if you are pleased with his/her services, a gratuity of $4 per person, per day, to be given at the end of the tour: This is only our recommendation and is entirely at your discretion.

Tipping on "Locally Hosted" Tours:
Your "locally hosted" tour includes the services of a local escort and driver in each city. To ensure the smooth operation of your tour and to guarantee that all services are rendered efficiently and expediently, the following tipping is expected and is a customary procedure.
National Guide:
$3.00 per person, per day if applicable.
Local Guide:
$2.00 per person, per day
Driver:
$1.00 per person, per day
Hotel Porter:
It is customary to give Porters an additional tip of 50 cents per bag for delivery of luggage to your room.

TRAVELERS REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
Any disability requiring special attention should be reported to JC travel & Cruise at time the reservation is made. JC Travel & Cruise will make reasonable attempt to accommodate the special needs of such travelers, but it is not responsible for any denial of services by carriers, hotels, and other independent suppliers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member for walking, dinning, getting on and off motorcoaches and other transportation vehicle, or other personal needs. Travelers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion. Cruise ships have limited handicapped facilities, almost all have stairs rather than elevators.

MAIL
We recommend that you purchase stamps and postcards when you arrive in China. We suggest that you use your time at the airports to catch up with your correspondence.

SHOPPING
All tours in China include some time for shopping. The most popular shops are government-operated "Friendship Stores," located in all major cities and well stocked with a variety of export items. Although not always offering the lower prices, Friendship Stores do offer reliable quality and convenient selections. In addition to major credit cards, these stores accept local currency. You may also enjoy shopping at local stores and vendor stores usually located within walking distance of your hotels. Of course, in such cases, bargaining is required, and a close inspection of the merchandise is highly recommended. Whenever you are shopping in your group, plan to purchase items 10 to 15 minutes or more before your announced departure time. Do not wait until it is time to leave the store before deciding to buy an item, or you will delay your entire group's scheduled departure. For "antique lovers," there are several areas well known for antique shopping, particularly in Shanghai and Beijing. Only antiques over 120 years old or less are legally available for purchase and export, with all older items being restricted as "national treasures." If you purchase antiques, be sure they bear the official red wax seal, which permits such items to be taken out of the country.

Important:  Finally, it is important to note that shoppers are sometimes encouraged to buy very large items and ship them back to the USA. In addition to the very long and tedious paperwork process involved, shipments from China (especially Xian and some of the remote areas) are not always reliable and may arrive late, broken or improperly delivered. If you buy large items and arrange to ship them home, this is certainly your prerogative. In such cases, however, JC Travel & Cruise cannot be held responsible for any lost or damaged merchandise and will not intervene in case of problems. Whenever shopping, please adhere to the old adage: "Buyer Beware!"   

PHOTOGRAPHY
Still cameras and video recorders for personal use are not restricted in China. Although 3mm film is readily available in China, you will find that blank videotapes may be difficult to find. Photography is generally permitted everywhere in China, with the exception of some airports or other public installations. If in doubt, please ask the local guide.We are currently creating content for this section. In order to be able to keep up with our high standards of service, we need a little more time. Please stop by again. Thank you for your interest!