China Travel FAQ

The Terms and Conditions below govern the relationship between you, the clients, and us, Oriental Tours and Travel (Oriental Tours) by booking a tour with us; you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. For the sake of your own interest, please read them carefully and make sure you understand and accept these terms.

Reservation

　　A deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. The account balance is due 45 days prior to the departure date. If Oriental Tours does not receive your final payment 45 days before departure, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and charge cancellation fees accordingly .If the booking is made less than 45 days before departure, full amount should be paid when booking.                   Available methods of payment are credit card, check, cash, direct deposit or money transfer. A 3% surcharge applies for certain tours if pay by credit card. Balance due date and methods of payment will be advised at the time of booking.

　　Please note:

　　•There is a $75.00 p/p change fee for any changes made to a reservation after it has been confirmed

　　•Any passenger name change made to a booking reservation after it has been confirmed will result in a $100 p/p name change fee and is subject to additional airline change and/or cancellation fees.

　　Cancellation

　　The following fee will be assessed per person accordingly when you cancel your reservation:

　　A.$200    60 or more days prior to departure

　　B.$300   45 – 59 days prior to departure

　　C.$600   30 – 44 days prior to departure

　　D.$800   15 – 29 days prior to departure

　　E$1000   3 – 14 days prior to departure

　　F 100%  Less than 3 days or nonappearance

　　Written notice of cancellation must be received by Oriental Tours either by mail, or email. Oral cancellation by phone will not be acceptable.

　　In addition to the above stated cancellation charges, if ticket for airlines, cruises or trains have already been issued or final confirmation has been received at the time of cancellation (regardless of number of days prior to departure), the traveler will be assessed an additional airline, cruise line, or train cancellation penalty and service charge pursuant to the suppliers’ rules and regulations. Oriental Tours reserves the right to issue airline tickets immediately upon receipt of your tour payment.

　　When the total number of tour members falls below ten persons, Oriental Tours reserves the right to cancel the tour 30 days before departure. Liability is limited to full refund of money received by Oriental Tours.

Fees & Charges

　　All air-inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set itinerary may incur additional airline ticket costs (Breakaway Fee). Arrangements such as transfers, accommodation, etc., outside the set group arrangements/dates are at an additional cost and are not covered by the Breakaway Fee.

　　TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES

　　Air Ticket:

　　•    A round trip economy class cabin is included with the tour for passengers who choose the all-inclusive packages. Please call our representative for flight schedule and/or upgrade your air ticket at time of reservation.  If you can’t depart or return with the tour group, then a US$50 service fee will be charged per person besides possible surcharge on airfare.

　　•    Air routing is at the discretion of Oriental Tours for all of our tour packages. Oriental Tours reserves the right to change international airline outlined per availabilities at the time of booking.

　　•    All taxes, government fees, and fuel surcharges associated with airline tickets are included and are subject to change at the time of booking. Clients are responsible for any extra charges incurred due to airport taxes and full surcharges increased.

　　•    Economy Class China Domestic Airfares are included for both All-inclusive Tour Packages and Land Only

　　Note:  As per airline rules, most of special discounted fares (such as group ticket) are not allowed change name or refundable once ticket issued, therefore, please submit your official travel documents (such as passport copy) 60 days prior to travel date, we will issue air ticket as per travel documents you provided.  For any reason of name changed before ticket issuance, an amendment notice by mail or fax must be received 60days by Oriental Tours before your departure date.

　　Hotel Accommodation:

　　Tour fare is based on two adults sharing one room. King-bed rooms are per request but can’t always be guaranteed. Single supplement applies for travelers requiring single-occupancy room. Please notify the travel agent your needs when booking your trip. Oriental Tours will use hotels listed in brochure. We reserve the right to substitute hotels in similar or higher standard if the hotels listed in the brochure are not available.

　　Meals:

　　Meals daily will be provided as mentioned in itinerary. Buffet breakfast or American breakfast is provided in hotel, lunch and dinner in Chinese style are provided in local restaurants licensed by Chinese National Tourist Administration.

　　Sightseeing:

　　Sightseeing program is executed according to itinerary. However, Oriental Tours, its offices in China and local handling agencies reserve the right to make alterations or adjustment in the itinerary including but not limited to the order of sightseeing, hotels, meals and culture programs should they think such decisions are necessary to make your trip run more pleasantly, or for the reason of weather, fire, strikes, war, flight schedule adjustments or cancellation, safety issue, political reason, custom regulations, natural disasters and others situations which are out of our controls

　　Admission/Entrance Fee:

　　All necessary main entrance fee for the programs or places mentioned in the itinerary will be included.

　　NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PACKAGE:

　　Airfare add-on from hometown to gateway cities, meals not specified in the tour program, costs of passports, visas, vaccinations and inoculations, optional sightseeing tours, excess baggage, health, accident and baggage insurance, telephone, laundry, tips to bell hops, guides, drivers, items of a personal nature, Fee for extended stay, Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters ,fire ,weather ,government and local  authority’s orders, strikes, war, riots, damages or injury caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of travel agents and caused  due to the tourist action violating the law. fees incurred due to delay, changes or cancellations beyond the control of Oriental Tours and any items not specifically listed as included.

TIPPING

　　Tipping is an expected element on our tours. For the sake of simplicity and consistency, the recommended amounts are all in US dollars. If you choose to tip in CNY or CAD the amount should equal the US dollar amount. At the start of the trip, a lump sum is collected from each traveler based on $10 USD per day per person. This is the money that will be used to tip the local guides, drivers, porters, and the crew of the ship if the itinerary includes a Yangtze cruise. This lump sum covers everyone but the tour leader and hotel bell service. The recommended amount for the tour leader is $7 to $10 USD per day per person.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

　　It is the client’s responsibility to obtain passport and travel visa. We require a photocopy of each client’s passport at the time of tour booking. The visa must be secured before the trip and a copy of it must be submitted to us prior to departure unless the visa is obtained through Oriental Tours. Clients wishing to obtain their visa through Oriental Tours should make the request on the tour reservation form and forward the application to us within our required time frame. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that they meet the visa application requirements set by the Chinese government and that they verify the visa for accuracy upon its receipt. Note: our visa service is available only to residents in United States.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

　　Travel medical and evacuation insurance is strongly recommended. Lack of proper coverage may cause difficulty at the time of visa application. We also recommend trip cancellation & interruption coverage for the protection of your investment. We offer competitively priced insurance plans from multiple providers. We hold no responsibility for any insurance claims. We need proof of medical and evacuation insurance if the coverage is obtained elsewhere.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

　　Each client is restricted to one piece of checked luggage during the tour. We do not accept exceptions even if the client is willing to pay extra. According to the local airlines, the checked piece must weigh no more than 20kg (44 lbs). One carry-on weighing no more than 5kg is allowed. The client must be able to lift and comfortably transport their own luggage short distances as porter service may not be available at all hotels, airports, train stations, cruise and ferry terminals. Baggage allowance and rules for international flights can be found on the carrier’s website. The following dimensions for checked luggage apply to economy class passengers on all local flights:

　　Maximum dimensions should not exceed 100 x 60 x 40 in centimeters (39.5 x 23.5 x 15.75 in inches). Baggage exceeding the weight and/or size limitations should be transported as freight.

YOUR PRIVACY

　　We operate in full compliance with federal privacy legislations. We reserve the right to photograph and film group activities and use the resulting materials for promotional purposes. However, we will not identify the participants. If you prefer not to have your image used for such purposes, please mention this on your reservation form and also remind the tour leader and local guides on arrival.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

　　Oriental Tours act only as agent for our suppliers and contractors who provide transportation, accommodations and other related travel services. Oriental Tours assume no responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident with any services resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, strikes, government regulations, thefts, cancellations, errors, omissions, failure of any means, discrepancies or changes over which we have no control. Oriental Tours apply all reasonable checks and measures in utmost good faith to ensure that details in the itinerary are carried out exactly as specified. However, changes, including, but not limited to, substitution of hotels or vessels of equal or similar quality and air carriers, may be made out of necessity.

　　Clients must be aware that there may be different living standards and practices outside of their home country including but not limited to provision of utilities such as water, electricity, accommodation, food preparations and services of all kinds. Under no circumstances shall we be responsible for any inconvenience, loss, damage or injury resulting from these conditions.

　　The passenger contract issued together with the air ticket by the air carrier shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the passenger; Oriental Tours shall not be responsible for any delays, substitutions of equipment or any act of omission whatsoever by the carrier, its agent, employees and contractors.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

　　You are responsible for providing us with correct, complete and accurate information regarding personal details. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in irrecoverable loss.

　　If you have made independent travel arrangements, you accept responsibility for joining our tour on time. Oriental Tours are not able to refund monies paid to us, or any third party acting on our or your behalf, or make compensation where, for whatever reason, you miss any part of our tour or fail to use any other travel arrangements made by us.

　　When you book arrangements with Oriental Tours, you accept responsibility for the proper conduct of yourself and your party. If your actions or omissions cause damage to any property in the provision of the contracted arrangements, or cause delay or diversion to any flight or other means of transportation, you agree to pay any charges incurred. You agree to abide by the authority of the tour leader, local guides and our local agents. Conduct or behavior causing danger, distress or annoyance to others may lead to the client’s removal from our tour with all expenses to be borne by the client.

OUR RIGHTS

　　Oriental Tours reserve the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a tour member at any time. Oriental Tours reserve the right to alter the itinerary, including substitution of accommodations and modes of transportation.

According to the Law of the People’s Republic of China Concerning the Administration of Foreigners Entering and Leaving the Country, foreign tourists must apply for visas at China’s foreign affairs offices, consulates or other organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A group of five tourists or more can apply for a group tourist visa. This is usually handled by a travel agency organizing groups. People coming to China from countries which have visa agreements with China (such as agreements which exempt tourist groups from visas) are treated in accordance with these agreements.

Foreigners requesting to visit Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Xiamen Special Economic Zones may apply directly to visa authorities in these zones for tourist visas to special economic zones. Foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong for a 72-hour visit to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone are exempt from entry visas. If you want to go to Tibet for a visit you can apply for a visa only with the consent of the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region or any one of its foreign representative offices.

A foreigner holding the tourist visa should go to an appointed port of entry or one which is opened to foreigners, receive the examination by a frontier inspection station, submit a valid passport and visa for inspection, and fill in an entry card, entry into China is granted only after the frontier inspection has approved all the documents and stamped them with an entry seal.

A foreign tourist may travel in China within the approved period of time. If he wishes to continue the traveling in China after the approved time of his stay expires, he should apply to the local public security organ for the extension of his stay. After he has finished his travel in China, he should fill in an exit document before his visa expires and submit his documents to the frontier inspection station in a port opened to foreigners; he is allowed to leave the country only after his document is stamped with an approval seal. Visa Extensions are dealt with by the local Public Security Bureau. The period of extension varies, but if travelers hold a 30-day visa, they can expect to obtain an extension of 15 days to one month. Second extensions are rarely granted. The penalty of overstaying your visa in China is at least RMB300 per day.

A foreigner who has lost his passport in China should promptly report to the local public security organ, explain what has happened, apply to the Embassy or Consulate of his own country for an exit document with a certificate issued by the local public security organ, and go through related formalities at an entry and exit inspection department. Only then is he allowed to leave China.

A foreigner staying in China with a tourist visa is not allowed to engage in activities beyond the capacity as a tourist, such as employment, religious propaganda and illegal journalist interviewing. Violators of this stipulation will be punished.

There are four types of transit visas in China:

1. Tourist Visa

Tourist visas are issued to foreigners who enter China temporarily for vacation, visiting family or other personal affairs. It usually requires a letter from a Chinese tour agency confirming your trip to China or a letter from a family member inviting you to visit China.

2. Business Visa

Business visas are issued to foreigners who are visiting China temporarily for business purposes. This can include research, lectures, scientific & technological exchanges. To receive a business visa, you will need an official invitation from a Chinese business contact.

3. Work Visa

Work visas are issued to foreigners who are moving to China work. The foreigner must have a position secured in China and work with their employer to file the paperwork required to receive the visa. Visa will be extended to immidiate members accompanying them to China.

4. Student Visa

Student visas are issued to foreigners who come to China for study. If you are visiting China for a conference or lectures, you should probably apply for a business visa. You will need a letter for the hosting school to receive the visa.

Link to Visa Application Form

You can apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate in your nation for a tourist visa. You can either go to the embassy to get an application form in person or download the application form by visiting the website of the embassy or consulate. The costs and the length of time to process a visa vary from country to country

When applying for a visa, foreigners are required to answer certain questions and go through the following formalities:

A: Providing a valid passport or any document in place of a passport. Your passport (original, not a copy), which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, with at least one blank visa page (amendment pages and pages with bar codes are not acceptable for visa stamping).

B: Filling in a completed, signed Visa Application Form and handing in 2 up-to-date passport photos. The photo must be similar to the one in your passport. Only photos which are head-only, full frontal, with a white background, approximately 1-1/2″ by 2″ are acceptable. Cut-outs from personal photographs are not acceptable.

C: Submitting documents needed for visa application and documents which explain one’s reason(s) to enter China.

For group tourist visas, a confirmation letter from a provincial tourist bureau or a government-authorized Chinese travel agency; a name list of the whole group in triplicate and one copy of the information page of each passport are required.

For Canadian and US passport holders, visa is not required for Hong Kong if your stay is less than 90 days as a tourist. For other passport holders, please consult with your nearest PRC embassy or consulate.

If you are travelling to Hong Kong first, visas for the rest of China can be obtained fairly quickly from the Visa Section, Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, 5/F Lower Block, China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel of the office: ++852-25851657 OR ++852-25851680 OR ++852-25851794

Note:

1) You need to go there Monday to Friday during business hours.

2) The visa will be processed within 24 hours

Requirements to obtain a Visa in Hong Kong

A. 1 recent passport photo.

B. Passport which needs to be valid at least more than 3 months.

C. Call the office before your visit.

A China Tourist and Business (F) Visa can be obtained easily in Hong Kong. It can be obtained with the help of a travel agent but at least 3 full working days should be allowed for this procedure

Residents of the following countries would be granted visa-free entry to Macau. Passport holders of other countries not specified hereunder should apply a visa for entry admission.

The following counties are visa-free to enter Macau

A: Asia:

India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand

B: Europe

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

C: Africa

Egypt, Seychelles, South Africa

D: America

Brazil, Canada, Mexico, USA, Uruguay

E: Oceania

Australia, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samo

You need to apply for “double” or “multiple” entry Visa if you need to leave and re-entering mainland China. Please keep in mind that even when you leave for Hong Kong, Macao from mainland China, you still need to have “double” or “multiple” entry Visa.

The Chinese government requires that your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the expiry date of your visa.

　　You’ll need at least one-entire blank page in your passport for the visa. Your country’s embassy or consulate can usually add additional pages to your passport if need be.

　　Losing your passport is very bad news indeed. Getting a new one takes time and money. However, if you will be staying in China or any foreign country – for a long time, it helps tremendously to register your passport with your embassy. This will eliminate the need to send telexes back to your home country to confirm that you really exist.

　　If you lose your passport, you should certainly have some ID card with your photo many embassies require this before issuing a new passport. Some embassies will accept a driver’s license, but others will not – an expired passport will often save the day.

Canada
Add: Room 604, Shanghai Shang Cheng Xi Feng No.1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai
Tel: 021-6279 8400
Fax: 021-6279 8401

United States of America
Add: No.1469, Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai
Tel: 021-6433 6880
Fax: 021-6474 6867

Canada
Add: Room 801, Grand Hotel of China Liuhua Lu, Guangzhou
Tel: 020-8666 0569
Fax: 020-8667 2401

United States of America
Add: 1 South Shamian Jie, 510016
Tel: 020-8188 8911
Fax: 020-8186 0201

Consulate of Canada
Add: Metropolitan Tower Suite 1705, Wuyi Lu, Yuzhongqu, Chongqing 40010
Email: cdncon@public.cta.cq.cn
Tel: 6373 8007
Fax: 6373 8007

Consulate General of the United States of America
Consular District: Chongqing municipality, the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, Tibetan Autonomous Region
Office: Consulate Road No.4, 4th section Renming Nan Lu, Chengdu
Tel: 028-558 3992 / 558 9642
Fax: 028-558 3520

Embassy of Canada
Add: 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Sanlitun
Tel: 6532 3536
Fax: 6532 4072

Embassy of the United States of America
Add: 3 Xiushui Bei Lu, Jianguomenwai
Tel: 6532 3831
Fax: 6532 3297