Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book the tour?
When is the final payment due?
What are included in the tour prices?
What are not included in the tour
price?
What is your group size?
What are the requirements for the
passport?
Do I need a Chinese visa?
Which travel insurance do you
recommend?
Which airlines do you use?
What is the baggage allowance?
What should I pack for my trip?
Is formal dress required on the trip?
Is any vaccination required for
traveling to China?
What is the health requirement for the
tour?
What are the temperatures in major
cities on this tour?
What forms of money should I bring?
Do I need to bring a electric
converter and adapters?
Is tap water drinkable in China?
What are the meals like during the
trip?
When shall I receive the final
departure package?
How do I book the tour?
Deposit of $300 per person (payable to
ChinaPlus, Inc.) with a completed
ChinaPlus Tour Reservation
Form is required at the time of booking. Both checks and credit
cards (VISA and MasterCard) are acceptable for deposit. Upon receipt of deposit and
the Reservation Form, ChinaPlus will mail out the confirmation letter with
invoice, China travel Q&A, travel insurance information, Chinese visa
application form and information. Return to top
When is the final payment due?
The full payment is due 90 days before the
tour departure date. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in
$50 late payment fee. The final payment can be paid in either checks
or VISA and MasterCard.
Credit Card Charge Authorization Form is required for credit card
payment.
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What are included in the tour
prices?
The tour prices include airline tickets from Los Angeles or San
Francisco, inter-China airfare, air-conditioned coach for ground transfers
for all the tour programs included in the itinerary, admission fees for all
the sightseeing and cruise excursions included in the tour programs, meals
and evening entertainments as indicated in the itinerary, luggage handling
and tips for one checked bag per person, bilingual professional tour
director and local English-speaking guides, 5-star (deluxe) hotels in most
cities. For details, please refer to the itineraries.
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What are not included in
the tour price?
Departure taxes, fuel surcharges, governmental fees, Chinese visa, travel insurance,
gratuities and any personal expenses are not included in the tour price. For
details, please refer to ChinaPlus tour brochure or contact ChinaPlus.
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What is your group size?
We limit each group to 10 to 20 guests.
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What are the
requirements for the passport?
A passport valid at least six months beyond the date of tour
completion is required and there are at least two blank pages marked
“Visas”. The passport must be signed by the passport holder.
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Do I need a Chinese visa?
Chinese visa is required for visiting China. The visa fee charged by
Chinese Consulate is $130 per person (subject to change). The visa can be
applied through ChinaPlus (at a service charge) or directly in the Chinese
Consulate. For visa application through ChinaPlus, visa application with
passport (NOT copy), one passport style color photo and payment (payable to
ChinaPlus, Inc.) is required 60 days before the departure date. For further details, please visit
www.china-embassy.org. However, United States citizens do not need a
visa to visit Hong Kong for up to 90 days of stay..
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Which travel insurance do
you recommend?
We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to protect you
and your travel investment. Please use The Custom TraveLite For ChinaPlus
Travelers Provided by Travelex. This insurance protection plan offers
comprehensive coverage benefit at low cost. For details and enrollment, please visit
its website.
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Which airlines do you use for
international flights?
We mainly use United Airlines (UA), American Airlines (AA) and Northwest Airlines (NW) as
the designated air carriers. Flight schedules will be provided 75 days
before departure. Air tickets on non-designated carriers can be arranged
upon request at additional air cost. The airline tickets included in the
tour packages is based on economy class. Airline tickets upgrade can be
purchased at additional cost (space is subject to availability and cost is
subject to change). To upgrade with mileage points, tour members need to contact the
airlines directly. Low airfare add-on for departure from most cities is
available.
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What is the baggage allowance?
China domestic flights
allow only one piece of checked baggage per person not exceeding 44 lb with
linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches. In
addition, each passenger can take one regular hand carry-on (size limit: 7
1/2 x 15 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches) not exceed 11 lb. As required by China aviation authorities, all checked
luggage on China domestic flights must be locked. Durable rolling bags
are highly recommended. (For international flights between China and the
U.S., each passenger can check in two pieces limiting maximum of 50 lb per
piece with linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches).
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What should I pack for my trip?
Sandals, shorts, and jeans are widely
accepted. Dress in layers to suit various weather/temperature changes.
Additionally, the following items are recommended: a pair of comfortable
walking shoes, alarm o'clock, light rain jacket or light folding umbrella, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, pocket calculator
and light-weight
binoculars. Same-day laundry service is available in all hotels and on
cruise ship. Please do not take what you do not really need. Hair dryer,
robe, towels (face tower, bath tower and wash cloth), tissues, toilet paper,
slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shampoo and soap are all provided in
the hotels rooms). Pack lightly.
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Is formal dress required on the trip?
No
formal dress is required. "Smart Casual" is recommended for a few special
dinners.
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Is any
vaccination required for traveling to China?
Vaccinations are not required by China authorities for travel to
China from North America. Should you have special health concerns, please
check with your health consultant.
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What is the health
requirement for the tour?
All the tours listed in the brochure are leisure tours. However, some
sightseeing programs require considerable walking and stairs. So these tours
are only recommended to travelers who can handle walking and stairs without
assistance. Tours including Tibet will reach an altitude of about 12,000 ft.
Should you have any concerns, please consult your doctor.
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What are
the temperatures in major cities on this tour?
China is a vast country where climate is extremely diverse ranging
from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in the north. Please check weather
forecasts for the cities on the itinerary before departure (available under
Travel Links on our website
www.chinaplustour.com).
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What forms of money should I
bring?
VISA, Master and American Express and Traveler’s check’s are
accepted in hotels, major tourist stores and on cruise ships. For small
purchases, cash is most convenient. Please carry about $300 to $500 cash per
person (for tipping, cash only). New and smaller notes are recommended
(bills with scratches, or look worn out, or with a corner missing are not
acceptable in China). Please don’t totally count on cash withdraw on ATM. The current
exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Chinese currency is about US$1 =
6.76
Chinese yuan (subject to change). Money exchange is available in hotels and on the cruise. The
exchange rate is the same all over China.
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Do I need to
bring a electric converter and adapters?
China's electrical system operates on 220 volts. You will need a
converter if your appliance is designed not for 220 volts. Appropriate
adapter plugs
are necessary. Please refer to
www.franzus.com for details.
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Is tap water drinkable in China?
Tap water in China is not drinkable (unless specified). Drink only
bottled water or boiled water. Most
hotels and cruise ships provide water kettle and complimentary bottled water (limited
quantity). Bottled water is available to buy
conveniently.
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What are the meals like
during the trip?
Breakfast is normally Western buffet. Lunches and dinners are
local cuisine served in set menu. A routine
group lunch/dinner is composed of 6-8 dishes and rice (or noodles), soup and
fruits shared by 8-10 people sitting at a round table. One glass of soft
drink (limited choice) is included for each meal. Chinese
tea is usually complimentary. A special dinner includes wine. Dessert is not served for a standard Chinese meal (but
available on the cruise). Diet Coke, Decaffeinated coffee and artificial
sweetener are normally
not available in hotels or local restaurants.
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When shall I
receive the final departure package?
We will send out the final tour package to all the tour members 30
days before departure, which normally include a cover letter, tour itinerary, hotel list, departure reminder,
documentation folder, name badge
and luggage tags.
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