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China

 
 

VISA

  1. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the return.
  2. A visa is needed for all tourists entering China. Visa must be obtained by the traveler prior to arrival in China. To obtain a China visa, travelers may visit the nearest Chinese Consulate Office or its website. Visa application form can be downloaded from the consulate's website:
  3. For travelers who join Peony Tours to Tibet, China entry visa is the travelers' own responsibility, Peony Tours will obtain the required Tibet Travel Permit through the local agent for you.
  4. Peony Tours is not responsible when you are denied entrance for any reason at any foreign country, even if you have a valid passport and visa. The tour fare does not include any fees of passport and visas.

TRAVEL INSURANCE / HEALTH MATTERS

  1. For your own protection, all travelers are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance prior to departing on your trip.
  2. Due to the length of the trip and local traveling conditions especially to Tibet, Silk Road or Mongolia, it is advised that you consult your doctor for existing medical / dental conditions before departure.
  3. If you are taking prescription medicine, please full label and pack in your hand luggage sufficient quantity for the duration of the trip.
  4. In case of illness during the trip, please immediately notify your tour conductor and local guide for assistance.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

  1. Please bring with you the name, phone number and address of the person you wish to contact in case of emergency while on tour. We suggest you make copies of all your travel documents and keep them in a safe place. Also, we recommend that your passport, air tickets, cash and other travel documents not be kept together, so you would not lose everything in case something happens. Be sure you have everything with you before leaving for the airport.
  2. For re-entry into the States, Resident Aliens need both a passport and an Alien Resident Card.

CLOTHING

Visit Weather Channel Service at www.weather.com for weather information before you go, and pack accordingly. We suggest you bring comfortable, casual clothing and two pairs of comfortable walking shoes for the trip. A raincoat, an umbrella and a light jacket are useful for traveling in all seasons.

BAGGAGE

  1. Baggage allowance on tour coaches is one large suitcase and one small bag per passenger. Do not over pack, leave some space for purchases during the tour. Since your suitcase will be transported frequently during the trip, be sure it is strong enough to withstand all the handling. Also be sure it has wheels, a luggage tag showing the name and contact information, and a lock. (Please use Peony Tours tags for easy identification by our airport staff). Unless you use a TSA approved lock, otherwise do not lock your luggage before the security check at the airport. For more information on the TSA approved locks, please check TSA's website at: www.tsa.gov
  2. Baggage allowance for USA-China flights vary by the airlines and is subject to change at any time. Travelers are required to check the airline's website for baggage policy before departure.
  3. For China domestic flight, high-speed rails and trains, explosives and dangerous items including knives, any weapons, etc. are strictly prohibited. Each passenger is allowed one checked luggage, up to 44 lbs/20 kgs, and one carry-on bag. Checked luggage must have a lock (combination locks are recommended). Baggage without a lock may be refused for transport.
  4. Consider packing one change of clothing, one set of underwear and toiletry in your carry-on bag to avoid inconvenience caused by delayed or lost luggage.
  5. DO NOT pack prescription medicine, valuables and other personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep them in your carry-on bag.

THINGS TO BRING

  • Your contact lenses solution and aspirin, over-the-counter medicine for flu, indigestion, motion sickness, etc.
  • Sunglasses, hats, casual clothes and comfortable shoes.
  • electrical converter and adapters (220V in China).
  • To protect the global environment, more and more hotels in China stop providing toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, razors, nail polish and shoes brushes, unless guests request. Travelers are strongly advised to prepare these items for yourself.

MONEY MATTERS

  • The Chinese currency is called RMB, and cash in US dollars cannot be used. You may exchange the USD to Chinese Yuan when you are in China. Converting RMB back to US dollars you will need original receipts.
  • The commonly accepted types of international credit cards are Visa card, Master Card, Union Pay, American Express, Diners Club International, Discover or JCB can be used in large shopping stores in major cities, but cash in advance can only be processed at designated banks.
  • Small businesses or retail vendors may require cash or mobile payments in RMB.
  • There are two main mobile payment apps in China: Alipay https://memberprod.alipay.com/account/reg/index.htm and WeChat Pay (wechat). You can download the Alipay app from the mobile APP STORE, register with your US phone number, and add your US credit card information (Visa card, Master Card, Union Pay, Diners Club International, Discover or JCB are accepted). After shopping, scan the merchant's QR code to complete the payment.
  • ATMs are quite popular in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, but they can only withdraw RMB. Each withdrawal will charge a handling fee. The exchange rate is roughly the same as that of a credit card, but there is a maximum limit for daily withdrawals.
  • Personal checks are not acceptable in China. As of April 2024, the exchange rate apply:
    1 USD = 7.20 CNY (Chinese Yuan Renminbi)
    1 USD = 7.80 HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) 

CUSTOMS

  • China Customs: Foreign visitors are allowed to import, free of duty, one carton of cigarettes, one bottle of 750ml alcohol. There are no restrictions on importing the following items for personal use: medicine, camera/camcorder, rolls of film, foreign currency, etc. Professional recording equipment is not allowed without an import permit. Pornographic magazines, weapons, inflammable and explosive items, books of a political nature and certain drugs are illegal and are not allowed to be taken into China. Merchandise labeled as “cultural relics” or “antique” may not be taken out of China without an official export license. Save all your currency exchange receipts and purchase receipts for possible Customs inspection. For details of China Customs regulations, please check www.customs.gov.cn.
  • U.S. Customs: Observe US Customs restrictions when bringing in duty free goods from China. Fruits, vegetables, meat products are not allowed into the U.S. The importation of counterfeit and pirated goods is prohibited or restricted for all travelers returning to the U.S. It is your responsibility to ensure you are not breaking the law. For detailed regulations please the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department's website: www.cbp.gov.

TELEPHONE / INTERNET

  1. Telephone call: For direct dialing from China, the international access code is 00, China country code is 86. Major city codes: Beijing-10, Shanghai-21, Guangzhou-20. For other city codes, please contact telephone operators for assistance.
    • Calling North America from Mainland China, dial: 00 + 1 + City Area Code + Telephone Number
    • Calling China from North America, dial: 011 + 86 + City Area Code + Telephone Number
  2. Check with your phone company for an international roaming plan. You may buy a SIM card in China to use on your tri-band unlocked cell phone. The cards are prepaid and cheaper than hotel international call service.
  3. Internet: Internet access is available at most of our hotels on your Peony Tours' trip. Many hotels offer free internet access at the hotel lobby. Wi-Fi in rooms will be charged from $12 - $20 per day at some hotels. Fees are applied on Yangtze River Cruise.

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT

China and Hong Kong's electrical systems operate at 220V/50 Hz, different from the USA (120V/60Hz) and Taiwan (110V/60Hz). The electrical outlets are either for fat round pins or for flat angled blades. Most of the hotels in China have both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in the bathrooms, though in guest rooms 220V sockets are usually the only type available. It is strongly advised to bring your own international voltage converter and portable plug adapter.

FOOD AND DRINKS

  • Meals are included as per itinerary in China. Lunch and dinner are Chinese, and most meals are served as a set menu with 10 people per table. Drinks in your hotel mini bar are extremely expensive. Do not take drinks from the mini bar and try to replace them later. YOU WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY since the mini bar accounting takes place in the morning, before you can replace anything. Hotel stores generally carry a variety of soft drinks and bottled water.
  • Costs that are responsibility of the traveler: anything of a personal nature, walking sticks and porter services (for touring the Mt. Huangshan), cost of special exhibits and attractions inside a tourist site after paid entrance.

GRATUITIES

Tipping is customary all over the world. It encourages and rewards quality service. Your tour conductor, local guides, drivers, and other service personnel do their best to make your trip smooth and pleasant. Gratuities are tokens of appreciation. For your convenience, the Peony Tours national guide may collect the gratuities on behalf of the local guide and driver on the last day in each city. You may use your discretion in this matter if extra services are rendered or some services are not received. Peony Tours suggests tipping in the following manner:

  • $15 per person per day (in US dollars) to be distributed between drivers and guides.
  • For the Yangtze River Cruise, tipping is separate from the above. For the recommended amount, please refer to the cruise company's website: www.victoriacruises.com.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

National Holidays:

  • January 1 - New Year's Day, May 1 - Labor Day, October 1 - National Day

National Festivals:

  • Chinese Lunar New Year and Spring Festival - First day of the first lunar month
  • Dragon Festival - The 15th day of the fifth lunar month, * Qingming Festival
  • Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) - The 15th day of the eighth lunar month

MISC. REMINDERS

  1. It is very important that you bring with you on tour your passport or the ID that you present at the time of booking of reservation. Names on airline tickets, cruise lines, trains, hotels, attractions, and Tibet visa will match the name on your passport or the ID that you use at reservation.
  2. Please keep an eye on your valuables at all times. Watch out for pickpockets while sightseeing.
  3. Respect other group members, your tour guides and drivers. Never walk alone at night.
  4. Bring name and phone number of an emergency contact. Read your itinerary and hotel information carefully before departure. Leave a copy of your itinerary and hotel list with your family.

CHECK IN TO AIRLINE & EMERGENCY CONTACT

  • It is very important to check in to the airline at least three hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic flight.
  • Checking in online is pretty much standard now with many airlines. The time that check in opens varies from one airline to another, from 48 hours to 24 hours before the flight. Check your airline's website for accurate and further information. Bear in mind, at this stage you may be able to select or change your seat if you have not done so.
  • Look for Peony Tours representatives at the arrival airport in China. Wear the red PEONY TOURS NAME BADGE at departure and arrival airports for easy identification. For missed, delayed or canceled flights or other emergency, please contact one of the following offices:

DURING OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5:30 PM

  • Headquarters: 626-289-2450,
  • Los Angeles: 626-289-1010,
  • San Francisco: 650-259-9983,
  • New York: 212-973-1998

AFTER OFFICE HOURS: Please call +86-021-62053666, 626-677-3415

  • If we miss your calls, please leave your message with your name and phone number. Your message is very important to us. We'll call you back as soon as we can.
  • Air China (CA) North America Call Center: 1-800-882-8122
  • Cathay Pacific (CX) North America Customer Center: 1-800-233-2742
  • Eva Air (BR) Los Angeles: 1-310-362-6600

Average Temperature of Major Cities in China(°)

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