MrLee's China Tour 2012

A tentative 20 to 21 day tour of China is being planned. ( Begins First week in September )
Click on the following link: 2012 Six Province Tour of China to view pictures of the 18 day tour. This is a book I published that shows the sites we visited on the last tour. The 21 day tour will include the core of this book. If there is an 18 day tour we will substitute the Leshan Buddha instead of the irrigation system.
Tentative Itinerary:
1. Beijing---Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall
2. Overnight train to Xian---Terra Cotta Warriors, Old Chinatown, Walled City
3. Inner Mongolia-- Sand dunes, grasslands, Older remnants of Great Wall, Monasteries
4. Sichuan---Chengdu, World Heritage Panda Reserve, Leshan Giant Buddha
5. Guilin--Reed flute caves , Li River Boat Cruise
6. Xiamen--Guylangyu island, Hakka Earthen Houses
7. Vietnam
8. Shanghai---French Concession, The Bund, The Pudong

The new features of this tour is the addition of Mongolia and scenic drive through Guilin to Vietnam.(21 day tour) 18 day tour will substitute Leshan Buddha instead of the Irrigation system. The Mongolian tour and drive the length of Guilin to North Vietnam.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day01 Depart Calgary (or Vancouver) for Beijing- crossing International Date Line

Day02 Arrive Beijing

Arrive historical Beijing，capital of People’ Republic of China, now a modern metropolis with a population of 19 million! On arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by our professional guide at the international arrivals’ exit, and transfer to our hotel to check in 5* Beijing New Century Grand Hotel, or similar hotel. Have dinner at local restaurant. (D, dinner)

Day03 Beijing

Full day trip to Great Wall, a symbol of Chinese ancient civilization, climb the wall as much as you can and enjoy the breath-taking view; lunch at a Cloisonne Factory on the way; later in the day pay a visit to National Stadium called the Bird's Nest, the main stadium of the magnificent 2008 Beijing Olympics. (BLD: Buffet Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner included at local restaurant, same for below).

Day04 Beijing

Full day Beijing tour: today’s first stop is to visit Temple of Heaven, sacred place where ancient emperors worshiped the heavens to pray for a good harvest ; later we’ll tour Beijing’s old residential area the Hutongs, and enjoy a nice rickshaw ride tour into the alleys; lunch with a local family. Later in the tour a gentle walk around Tiananmen Square, largest city square in the world and political center of the nation. We’ll also do some shoppings if time permits, including a stop at a fresh water pearl workshop and an eyeglass store. Return to hotel. (BLD)

Day05 Fly Beijing/Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

After breakfast, transfer to airport and fly to Hohhot, capital city of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of China. Hohhot means “green city” in Mongolian language. Arrive, met by our guide and transfer to the town for lunch and tours, visit the regional museum and also the Dazhao Lamasery, which is the largest and the most famous Tibetan Lamasery in Huhhot, and a Mongolian handicraft factory, etc. Overnight at 5* Hohhot International Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day06 Hohhot- Xilamuren Grassland (2 hrs ride)

Breakfast at hotel, check out and drive to Xilamuren Grassland (1.5-2 hrs ride); enjoy the scenery of Yinshan Mountain & rurals along the way. Tours on the grassland: watching Mongolian traditional performance such as horse racing, wrestling; visiting with herdsman’s family and try some milk products made by the native inhabitants ; climb Obo Hill, traditional sacrificial altar of the Mongolians. Also try horse ride(at extra charge) if you like. Overnight at local best Mongolian ger camp. (BLD)

Day07 Xilamuren Grassland –Baotou City (2 hrs ride)

View an exciting sunrise if you can get up early in the morning; after breakfast, drive to Baotou, a city located along the Yellow River; tour the Sand Singing Valley, typical scenery of the gobi desert, where we camel ride, or sliding on the sand. Overnight at Baotou, local 5* Shenhua Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day08 Baotou, & fly Baotou/Xian

After breakfast, some city tours in Baotou, which is the largest industrial city in the region and a historical place. Later today, we’ll fly to Xian, the ancient capital of China, cradlle of Chinese civilization and a center of Chinese culture and art. Met by our guide and transfer to our hotel 5* Xian Shangri-la Golden Flower Hotel or similar, check in. (BLD)

Day09 Xian

Full day Xian, tour the Ancient City Wall, the best preserved city walls from the dynasties; walking on the Wall; later visit a Jade Carving Workshop, chance to learn Chinese jade culture and pick up some beautiful, quality jade items if interested. Afterwards, proceed to Terra Cotta Soldiers & Horses Museum, one of the most exciting archeologial finds in the 20^th century and known as the “8^th wonder” of the world: see the various pits of the terra cotta figures and also the bronze chariot of the pwerful Qin Emperor, all dating back more than 2200 years . Return to your hotel. (BLD)

Day10 Fly Xian/Chengdu

Some more tours in Xian, including visit to Small Wild Goose Pagoda, a magnificent architecture from Tang Dynasty. Later, transfer to airport and take flight to our next destination - Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province & hometown of giant pandas & home of spicy Sichuan Cuisine; Arrive in Chengdu, lunch and brief city tour of Chengdu, tour Riverside Park; check in 5* Minshan Hotel & rest. (BLD)

Day11 Chengdu-Leshan-Chengdu

Day trip to Leshan (by about 2.5 hours coach ride one way), enjoy the rural view on the way. Arrive Leshan for lunch and then tour to Leshan Giant Buddha & Temple, the largest Buddha statue in the world which is amazingly carved from a huge rock on site during the Tang Dynasty more than 1200 years ago. Drive back to Chengdu. (BLD)

Day12 Chengdu, Fly Chengdu/Guilin (Flight CZ3242, ETD 2010-2140)

More time in Chengdu, visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding & Research Institute, an organization specially engaged in the research of captive breeding, conservation of the giant pandas, and today you’ll see the most giant pandas than anywhere in the world; later visit to a beautiful park by the Jinjiang River. Then take evening flight to Guilin – a small but unique south China city that boasts the most beautiful scenery and landscape in China. On arrival, meet our guide and drive to our hotel 5* Guilin Sheraton Hotel, check in & rest. (BLD)

Day13 Guilin

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to the pier for our 0930AM departure cruise along the picturesque Lijiang River, enjoy this 4-hour cruise journey and the unrivalled scenery, landscape on the way; lunch served on boat. Disembark at Yangshuo town in early afternoon, we’ll spend some time in Yangshuo, those who have the energy can follow our guide taking a bike ride into the villages and view the beautiful countryside that includes a lot of rice paddies; those who don’t go can just relax and have some free time in the local market. Afterwards drive back to Guilin. (BLD)

Day14 Guilin, & drive Guilin/Nanning (5 hours)

This morning, we’ll tour a spectacular Karst cave, the Reed Flute Cave on the outskirts of Guilin. After lunch, we drive southwards to Nanning, capital city of the province known as Guangxi Zhuang (“Zhuang” is the largest ethnic group in China) Autonomous Region and this is the area where China borders Vietnam. Arrive Nanning and check in to centrally located 5* Nanning Hotel or similar hotel, dinner at local restaurant. (BLD)

Day15 Nanning-Detian Waterfall (3 hours drive)

Drive to Nanning-Detian Waterfall and enjoy the beautiful tropical country view along the way. Detian is a small quiet town located right on the Sino-Vietnam Border but with the better road system it now attracts thousands of tourists from all over to view the breath-taking view of Detian Waterfall. Enjoy the fantastic scenery and later walk to the border, lingering around a small border market. After that, we drive to Mingshi village, overnight at local best Mingshi Shanzhuang Hotel. (BLD)

Day16 Mingshi-Nanning

Breakfast at hotel, enjoy a peaceful morning in this beautiful country village, tour around the fields, taking a bamboo raft on the small river and enjoy the tranquil ambiance & unrivalled scenery everywhere. Afterwards, we'll drive back to Nanning. Arrive in Nanning in the afternoon and visit to the GuangXi Botanic Garden; check in back Nanning Hotel. (BLD)

Day17: Nanning/Xiamen

ABF at hotel, in the morning we’ll visit the interesting Guangxi Regional Museum, to learn about the history of local areas and interesting Zhuang nationality’s culture and customs. Afternoon fly to to Xiamen. Arrive Xiamen, a city on China’s south-east coast, facing Taiwan from across the Taiwan Strait a city known as “Garden City on the Sea”, and also home to many overseas Chinese people... meet our guide and transfer to check in 5* Xiamen Pan Pacific Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day18 Xiamen-Hakka’s Earth Buildings-Xiamen

Full day trip by coach to Nanjing County to view the unique earth buildings of the Hakka’s people, which is a magnificent architectural work of village houses known for its unique style, ingenious structure and grand scale. Historically, the earth building was a well-protected fortress for the Hakkas to defend themselves against enemies. These houses from history are still homes of local people . Drive back to Xiamen in the afternoon. (BLD)

Day19 Xiamen, fly Xiamen/Shanghai (Flight FM9254, ETD1040 – ETA 1155)

After breakfast, tour Xiamen City, our visits include a stroll around the vehicle free Gulang Islet, drive along the beautiful seaside avenue, visit South Putuo Temple, etc. Later in the afternoon, transfer to airport and we fly to Shanghai the financial, economic center of the country and a symbolic

city of modern China, with a population of 22 million! arrive Shanghai check in our hotel, 5* Shanghai Jinjiang Tower Hotel;or similar hotel. (BLD)

Day20 Shanghai

Full day tour of the busy, dynamic metropolis. First stop at the waterfont, the Bund, to view the beautiful architures on both sides of the river, you hardly believe you are in Shanghai! After, we’ll visit the former French concession. We also will visit a Silk Workshop to see silk being made from the silk cocoons; and do some shoppings too; in the afternoon visit the Shanghai Museum. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful Shanghai Acrobatics Show; return to hotel. (BLD)

Day21 Shanghai

More tours and shopping in Shanghai. Visit Yu Yuan Garden, a beautiful south China style private garden, and then spend time for fun bargain shopping at Old Town Market just outside of the garden. After lunch you’ll have some free time on your own to explore more of Shanghai or additional shopping. This evening, we’ll have Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (BLD)

Day22 Depart Shanghai/Canada

Time free to relax before drive to airport for flight back home. (B)

End of Trip!

All inclusive tour includes:

Return air fare
All meals --buffet breakfasts (Western cuisine included), lunch, dinner
Air conditioned buses
Certified English speaking tour guides in each province
Tour leader
5 Star American Hotels
All entrance fees
Shopping at Friendship stores
Four Internal air flights
Overnight train ride Beijing to Xian
Shuttle service between airports, train stations and hotels

5 Star Hotels on tour include:

1) Beijing 5* New Century Grand Hotel

2) Hohhot 5* International Hotel --- if we go to Inner Mongolia

3) Hilamuren Grassland Ger Camp (local best)

4) Baotou 5* Shenhua Hotel

5) Xian 5* Shangri-la Golden Flower Hotel

6) Chengdu 5* Minshan Hotel

7) Guilin 5* Sheraton Hotel

8) Nanning 5* NanNing Hotel

9) Xiamen 5* Pan Pacific Hotel

10) Shanghai 5* Jinjiang Tower Hotel. Or similar 5* h

Terms and Conditions:

All inclusive cost: $5,200 CAD
$500 non-refundable deposit to place booking
Balance 60 days prior to departure
Travel and medical insurance is not included
Cost based on double occupancy
Tentative cost: airfare and land package $4,500 (18 day tour ) $5,200 ( 21 day tour CAD ) (not finalized)
Tips not included: Approximately $200 per person covers tips for coach drivers, tour guides and tour leader. ( $10 CAD per day)
Vaccinations not-included: Hepatitis A & B
Visas not included
Extra cost for single room $850 for 18 day, $1030 for 21 day

Note: Look at older posts for detailed overview of 2012 itinerary and travel tips.

Contact: Ron Lee
email: leeronald82@gmail.com
TRAVEL TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN CHINA

Know Before You Go

Good preparation can make a China Tour more enjoyable and care free. The following information will help clarify what to expect on your China travel vacation.

Do before you go

Flights to China

Air China mileage

Passport & China Visa

China Tour Group Size

Packing for a China Tour

Gratuities

Travel Insurance

Jet Lag Precautions

Air China & Air Canada

Canada Duty-free

Do before you go
Make sure that you have 1) your valid passport ready, and 2) obtain the right China visa. 3) Check your name spellings on your airline tickets to make sure it matches EXACTLY on your passport. 4) Check the weather in the places you are going to visit in China and pack your baggage light and smart. 5) Call the airline related to get your seat pre-assigned and your special dietary request placed as soon as you receive your airline tickets.

Make two copies of your passport identification page. This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or relatives. Carry the other one along with a passport size photo with you in a separate place from your passport. Leave a copy of your China Tour itinerary and contact information with family or friends at home so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

Flights to China
Contact the airline concerned to confirm the flight number and any possible schedule changes prior to leaving for the airport. Connecting passengers should verify, at the time of check-in, that luggage can be checked through to your China destination. For transpacific flights, you must check in at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Please check the detailed Air China Flight Schedule for your China Tours.

If you choose to arrange your own add-on flights to the designated gateway city, you must take the following facts into consideration before booking any flights. RCL Communications is not responsible for any missed connections and penalties/loss as a result. For a peace of mind, please buy trip interruption insurance. Note:

For transpacific flight, you must check-in at least three (3) hours ahead of departure time.
It takes at least one (1) hour to clear customs and claim your checked baggage.
For domestic flight, you must check in at least two (2) hours prior to departure time.

Most airline tickets are issued using a special fare which cannot be changed or cancelled without incurring additional cost. Should you lose or misplace your tickets while traveling, you should immediately notify the airline. In most cases the airline will have you complete a Lost Ticket Indemnity Form, and for a fee, issue replacement tickets.

For Air China flight schedule of your China trip and all other issues regarding your air travel to China, please read more details at Air China Flight Schedule and All About Flights.

Additional airline fees
Additional airline fees may apply at check-in. Fees may be charged by airlines for services such as preferred seat selection and baggage handling. Please note that fees are determined by the airline you check in with and may change at any time. Additional overweight baggage fees are charged and vary by airline. Please check with your airline for weight restrictions. The airline fees are not part of the RCL Communications tour fare. It is our customer’s responsibility to check with the related airline for up-to-date information.

Passport & China Visa
All foreign nationals traveling to the People's Republic of China must travel on a valid passport with at least six(6) months remaining validity after the entry date into China. A tourist visa must be obtained prior to entering the PRC. Please read complete details about Passport & Visa for your China Travel Vacations.

Arrival Procedures
An RCL representative will greet you once you have cleared the Customs area at your China arrival airport.

Baggage
Always remember, "He who would travel happily must travel light". We strongly recommend you travel with one piece of checked luggage, one carry-on bag, and one personal item per person.

Baggage Allowance for China flights
Baggage allowance differs for the Trans-Pacific and the China domestic sections of your China trip. Baggage allowance for the Trans-Pacific flight is two pieces of checked baggage per person. Total dimensions (Length + Width + Height) of the two pieces must not exceed 107 inches (273cm); maximum dimensions of single piece shall not exceed 62 inches (158cm). Maximum weight per piece is 50 lbs. Each passenger may carry one piece of carry-on luggage, the combined dimensions of which shall not exceed 45 inches (115cm).

China domestic flights are more restrictive than Trans-Pacific flights. You are allowed only one piece of checked baggage, and that must not exceed 44 lbs per person. In addition, you are allowed one carry-on bag not to exceed 11 lbs, and one personal item such as a purse or camera bag. The carry-on must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. The airport authorities seldom weigh your carry-on baggage, but the size of it does matter, particularly when the flight is full. This is the rule. Sometimes it is enforced strictly and sometimes it is not - depending on the local airport and how full the flight is. The checked-baggage rule, allowing only one piece and its weight allowance are usually enforced, particularly in the inland cities.

Overweight luggage in excess of allowances will incur excess baggage charges payable on site by the passenger. For domestic China flights, you may be asked by the airline to pay fees of approximately $2 to $4 per pound in excess of the weight limit.

For U.S. & Canada domestic flight to Air China gateways (SFO, LAX, JFK, YVR), fees may be charged by airlines for services such as preferred seat selection and baggage handling. Please note that fees are determined by the airline you check in with and may change at any time. Additional overweight baggage fees are charged and vary by airline. Please check with the airline directly for the updated information on checked & carry-on baggage, weight restrictions, and seat selection. Check Airline Fee Chart for further details.

Baggage Lock & Liquids
You are advised that you leave your checked baggage unlocked in line with U.S. airport security rule. Or, if you wish to lock your baggage, you MUST use a TSA recognized lock, which allows TSA screeners to open and re-lock your bags for security screening. Ordinary locks are cut if physical inspection is required.

If you fly out of Vancouver you can either lock your checked baggage or leave it open to your discretion.

China aviation and transportation authorities have a different rule on this issue and your checked baggage must be locked during the transportation in China. You only need to lock the major compartment of your baggage. This is a Chinese regulation. If your bag is found unlocked during transit, the airline or the train station will lock it for you and you will be billed for the locks. So prepare a lock for the main compartment of each bag and any lock will do.

Liquids & gels over 100 ml must be packed in checked luggage at all airports in both U.S. and China.

Baggage Precautions
Make sure that you have luggage tags for each checked suitcase. A copy of your itinerary and contact information should also go in an outside pocket of your luggage to aid the airline personnel to locate you in case you and your luggage become separated. Never check luggage containing prohibited items (i.e. lighters), valuables (i.e. cash, jewelry, and cameras), fragile items (i.e. undeveloped film, bottles, eyeglasses) or critical items (i.e. medicines, travel vouchers). You should read more information about TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items.

Baggage Damage/Lost
RCL Communications will not be responsible for loss or damage to your luggage and/or personal belongings. You must report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your travel insurance provider. Travel Insurance covering lost and damaged baggage is strongly recommended. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form must be filled with the carrier before leaving the airport.

Baggage Lock
Your checked baggage must be locked during transportation while in China. This is a Chinese regulation. No specification on type of locks as long as there is one.

Inoculation
Inoculation is not mandatory for your China travel. However, we remind you that traveling in China does require certain precautions. Most seasoned travelers get immunized for Hepatitis A&B and Tetanus. Note we are not in the position to tell you that you should or should not take certain inoculation. We, therefore, highly recommend that you consult your family doctor to verify your particular needs, or contact your local Travel Clinic for their professional advice. You can locate a Travel Clinic in your area by a Google search using keyword “Travel Clinic” or look at your local Yellow Pages. Some shots need to be taken well in advance. For the latest overseas travel health information, please contact the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by visiting www.cdc.gov/travel or by calling toll-free 1-800-232-4636 1-800-232-4636 .

Medication
If you take prescription medication, be sure to bring enough to last the entire trip. Keep these medications with you and do not pack them in checked baggage.

Long-term travel overseas might cause tourists to develop stomach upset; a change in water, food, sleep habits and/or climate may all cause discomfort. Bring anti-diarrhea medications such as Imodium and Lomotil just in case.

If your China tour includes Tibet (elevation of 12,000 feet), you are strongly recommended to visit your doctor or a travel clinic for their professional advice about traveling at high altitudes. People may experience Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) with symptoms like light-headedness, shortness of breath and may tire a little more easily at that high elevation. Medication to reduce mountain sickness may be advised by your physician. Oxygen bags are available at your Tibet hotel; you may borrow or lease from the hotel housekeeping. While you are in Tibet, you must move in a very slow pace.

Internet
Internet access is available at almost all hotels on your China Spree travel itinerary. You can use the computers in the business center at your hotel for a fee. Internet access is usually charged by minute and may be expensive. Many hotels offer free internet access at your hotel room, so you may want to bring your own laptop, but some hotels do charge for that and it could be expensive (up to $15-18 per day). Wi-Fi is not commonly available in China hotels. Most hotels in China either do not have WiFi at all or only have WiFi in a public area. Usually you will not have access to WiFi from your hotel room. In order to use iPad or iPhone in your hotel room, you may buy an AirPort Express from Apple to convert the internet access from the cable modem to wireless. Your iPhone can roam to China but data roaming could be expensive. As a matter of fact, you will be very busy on your China Spree tour and you may not have much time to browse the internet.

China Tour Guides
Please rest assured you are in good hands when you join RCL Communications inclusive China package travel. Our travel guiding system in China is comprised of a centralized office on a national level, local offices and partners in each destination city, and an extensive network of tour guides.

For a tour group with 15 travelers or more, a professional China Spree National Guide (a Chinese national) will be assigned to accompany the group throughout mainland China, supervising the work performed by local agencies and smoothing over any possible difficulties along the trip.

Your National Guide is a licensed professional who gives you personal care and is accessible 24 hours a day throughout your trip in mainland China (For tours in Hong Kong you only have a Hong Kong local guide). For your convenience, your National guide may give his/her cell phone number to you at the beginning of your China tour.

In addition to your national guide, a local guide is assigned along the trip in each destination to provide in-depth tour services to you and offer assistance on local tour arrangements. Sometimes, your National Guide may also act as your local guide in the city where he/she is from, provided he/she has a local tour guide license and is eligible to do so.

If the group size is under 10, the tour will be locally guided, from arrival to departure, with a local guide in each destination area or city. Your local guide will offer professional services of local tour arrangements and will be at your service while you are in his/her city, taking care of your accommodation, sightseeing tours, meals, transportation and transfers. Your local guide will assist you with airport check-in at the conclusion of your local tour, and see you safely take off before he/she can go home. You will be flying on your own from city to city. Most airports in China are newly built, equipped with modern facilities with instructions in both Chinese and English including the airline boarding notice. You should have no confusion or difficulty during transit from city to city without an accompanying tour guide.

Our tour guides are hand-picked, well trained and service oriented. They are constantly evaluated based on the performance and our customer evaluation of each individual China tour group. We strive to hire only the best. We know the success of your China trip largely depends on the quality of your tour guides.

Money Matters
China is very much a cash-based society – bring a money belt or clothing with secure pockets because you’ll need to carry around a fair amount of local cash. Major credit cards are only acceptable at hotels, tourist stores and upscale shops. Tipping can be made with either U.S. dollars or the equivalent Chinese RMB. Pay in smaller bills when shopping with street vendors.

Chinese Currency
The Chinese currency is known as Renminbi (RMB), literally "People's Money". The basic unit of RMB is Yuan (dollar), which is divided into 10 Jiao (dimes), which is divided again into 10 Fen (cents). Bank of China issues RMB bills in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Yuan and 1, 2, 5 Jiao. Bronze and nickel coin equivalents exist for the smaller units.

As of end of 2011, CAD$1=RMB 6.2, Exchange rate fluctuates daily. Check here for the current rate.

Chinese RMB is not internationally exchangeable; you must wait until you arrive in China to change your money and spend it all or exchange back to U.S./Canadian dollars before you leave the country. Hong Kong's currency is the Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). It is internationally exchangeable and worth slightly less than RMB. Note, Hong Kong dollar cannot be used in mainland China and you must convert all your HKD back to USD or CAD before leaving Hong Kong.

Exchanging money
You can change money at hotels, China arrival and departure airports, and at Bank of China branches. The official exchange rate is used in most places so it’s unnecessary to shop around for a better deal. For the sake of convenience and safety we suggest that you change money in your hotel. Almost all hotels in your China trip offer foreign currency exchange service supervised by Bank of China. Retain the exchange receipts because you will need the receipt to convert RMB to your home currency at the end of the trip. Those traveling to Hong Kong can change RMB to Hong Kong Dollars there, but make sure you convert all Hong Kong dollars to RMB or your home currency before departing Hong Kong. You must exchange all Chinese RMB before the last day of your tour because you won’t have time to convert it back to your home currency at the airport.
Traveler's Checks
The fact is that Traveler’s Checks become more inconvenient to use in China, particularly in the smaller cities and in local Chinese hotels. So don’t rely on Traveler’s Checks.

If you are lucky to cash your Traveler’s checks, you will find the advantage of it is obvious: you can always void them if they are lost. Keep your exchange slip; you will need it when buying back your home currency. We recommend you use only Traveler’s Checks issued by major financial organizations such as American Express and Visa. But note, cash, particularly in the form of U.S. dollars is easier to use than Traveler's Checks.
U.S. Currency (or Canadian dollar)
Your busy tour schedule may not be convenient for you to find ATMs for cash advancement, you need to bring some cash with you. Please note: foreign coins are not acceptable in China. All paper bills should be complete, not badly worn and free from graffiti. Partial, badly worn or defaced bills will not be accepted by local vendors.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards are only acceptable at hotels, tourist stores and upscale shops. We recommend you use a credit card for any big purchases at tourist stores and purchase insurance for the shipped items. Please call your credit card company to let them know you are traveling in China so they won’t decline your transactions made during your trip.
Personal Checks
Personal checks are NOT acceptable in China.
ATMs (Automated Teller Machine)
ATMs become more popular in the big cities of China (i.e. Beijing and Shanghai), expect high service fees for credit card and bank card cash advances. Don’t count on ATMs in the smaller cities or remote areas like Yunnan and Tibet. ATMs are commonly used in Hong Kong. Most ATMs in China can only be used for withdrawing RMB. The exchange rate on ATM withdrawals is similar to credit cards but there is a maximum daily withdrawal amount.
Carrying Money
You may feel more comfortable using a money belt for large sums of cash and credit cards. Care and good judgment is a must in all travel.

Time Difference
Although P. R. China covers five time zones, only Beijing Standard Time is adopted for the entire country. It is 8 hours ahead of GMT, 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (15 hours ahead of PST in daylight saving time). People in China's far western regions like Tibet follow a later work schedule to keep pace with the official centralized Beijing Time. Please check World Clock for current regional time.

When it's 8 am in Beijing, the time in other Canada cities at Daylight Saving Time is:

Vancouver	Calgary / Regina	Winnipeg	Toronto
5 pm (previous day)	6pm (previous day)	7pm (previous day)	8 pm (previous day)

The following is the easiest way to convert Canada time to Beijing time during Daylight Saving Period:

Pacific Time + 3 hours, then switch AM and PM. For instance, it is 5 pm in Vancouver, Beijing time is 8 am, the next morning.

Eastern Time only change AM and PM. For instance, it is 8 pm in Toronto, Beijing time is 8 am, the next morning.

Electricity
China's electrical current is 220V, 50 cycles AC. Plugs and Outlets come in a variety of shapes and are different from that in North America. Adapters and converters are readily available at all hotels but may be limited to a small number. So if you have to use them in urgency you are advised to bring along your own adapters and converters for your North American appliances. As soon as you check-in, you should contact Housekeeping to borrow adaptors and converters. Hair dryers and irons are readily available also.

Water
Tap water is not considered safe to drink in China despite the fact that water in China is commonly chlorinated and processed. Drink only bottled water or boiled water. Bottled purified water and soft drinks can be easily obtained at reasonable prices. All your hotels offer boiled water to your room daily, with which you can safely make tea.

Meals
All meals are included as specified in your China Tour itinerary. Breakfasts included on your China Tour are usually American buffet breakfast to give you a good start for the day. Lunches and dinners are usually served in local Chinese restaurants with a set menu and in a family style. The tour strives to improve the meal arrangements for foreign group travelers to China. The tour guides take pride in selcting the meal quality and variety to focus on China’s many famous regional specialties, meanwhile using as many good local restaurants as we possibly can and eliminating junk tourist restaurants at all costs. This is one of the MAJOR differences that sets RCL Communications apart from ALL OTHERS.

A regular lunch/dinner is composed of 6-12 dishes shared by 6-10 people sitting at a round table (which symbolizes union and perfection-harmony). One beverage of your choice (beer, mineral water and soda) is included per person per meal at no additional charge; Chinese tea is usually complimentary. Special meals such as an authentic Peking Duck dinner, Dumping Banquet, Tea Lunch, Hot Pot dinner, and Dim Sum that reflects China’s many famous regional cuisines, are arranged for China our travelers to provide opportunities to further enhance your culinary experience.

Climate
China is a huge country with varied climates. In general, the north is cold and dry in winter. In the south, summer is hot and humid. The rainy season is in July and August. The best season to travel in China is April, May, late September, October and the first two weeks of November. The climate in Hong Kong is sub-tropical, similar to that of Hawaii. Read more on average temperatures in China's major tourist cities and their current weather conditions.

Dress & Laundry
China is a country with few dress taboos. Dress for comfort. Sandals, shorts, and jeans are widely accepted. Coordinate your outfits for multi-tasking. Dress in layers to suit various weather/temperature changes. No formal dress is required.

China hotels offer laundry service. It is convenient but may appear expensive for someone. The least expensive places to do laundry are in smaller cities like Xian and Guilin. Please check pricing at your Hotel Laundry List from the hotel information page of each tour.

Mail
Your China Tour hotels have postal service allowing you to send postcards and letters overseas. It usually takes more than 10 days for a postcard to reach North-America. The postage is charged in Chinese RMB equivalents to about 50 cents U.S. for a postcard, and 80 cents U.S. for a letter up to 20 grams.

Media
China publishes various newspapers and magazines in English. Among them, China Daily is a popular English newspaper, complimentary at most hotels. Imported publications like Time, Newsweek, and The Economist can be found at certain hotels. BBC, CNN or even HBO are becoming commonly available in most tourist hotels.

Cell phone
Blackberry and Iphone can roam to China, but data roaming could be expensive. Check with your phone carrier for their special internal roaming plan. You may also buy a SIM card in China to use on your cell phone if your phone is unlocked. You may also get an unlocked tri-band (multi-band) mobile phone from the States (Canada), and buy a local SIM card as soon as you arrive in China. The cards are prepaid -- e.g. RMB100 will get you quite a bit of talk time and at lower cost than the hotel IDD service.

For your convenience, you may rent a cell phone. Please visit Pandaphone.com for details.

Telephone
Both international and domestic calls can be made from your hotel room. Domestic long-distance rates in the PRC vary according to distance and are usually inexpensive. Local calls are either at a very low rate or free of charge depending on the hotel. International Direct Dial (IDD) calls made from a hotel room could be expensive when the hotel adds a surcharge on top of China's already high IDD rates. Some hotels may request that you pay a deposit before you can access the international line from your hotel room. Use a phone card for international calls; it is becoming more widely available and the rate is reasonable. Simply consult your Tour Director regarding this matter, he or she will be happy to assist you.

Calling North America from Mainland China
Dial 00 (international access code) + 1 (North America country code) + local number
Calling China from North America
Dial 011 (international access code) + 86 (China country code, or 852 for Hong Kong regional code) + China area code (minus initial zero) + local number
Essential Numbers in China
There are several telephone numbers that are the same throughout China. However, only
International Assistance and Local Weather Forecast are likely to have an English-speaking operator.

International Assistance:

115

Local Directory Enquiries:

114

Long Distance Enquiries:

113 or 173

Local Weather Forecast:

121

Police Hotline:

110

Fire Hotline:

119

Area Code list

CITY

CODE

CITY

CODE

Beijing

Guilin

773

Shanghai

Wuhan

Suzhou

512

Chongqing

Xian

Hangzhou

571

Nanjing

Wuxi

510

Lhasa

891

Canton

Chengdu

Hong Kong

852

Camera, Memory Card & Film
Your camera bag is considered a personal item and can be carried onboard in addition to your carry-on baggage. Make sure to bring many camera memory cards with you for your China travel vacations. A memory card is easy to obtain but may not compatible with your camera.

If you still use conventional camera and film you should be aware that when flying U.S. domestic and transpacific flights, you should pack all undeveloped film in carry-on baggage. Repeat screening on checked baggage will damage undeveloped film. Most X-ray machines in China's airports and railway stations are marked "film safe". However, films with a higher ASA rating could be fogged by repeat exposures to X-rays. You should carry such film by hand.

Toiletry
It is wise to bring hand wipes to use before dinner and after toilet. Also bring a handkerchief or bandanas; this can substitute for a hand towel. Often after washing your hands, there will be no way to dry them. Generally speaking, public toilets in China could be dirty. Be prepared for that. We understand your concern and tour guides know where to find “clean” restrooms and will assist you with that regard. Always bring your own toilet paper as it is not usually available in public toilets.

Packing for a China Tour
Pack light and you'll soon find you are better off with less!
The best packing question a traveler can ask is "do people where I am headed live without this item"? Don't pack the stuff which is readily available in the hotels where you will be staying. Don't cram your suitcase with unnecessary items, and you'll have room for the "treasures" you collect along the way. Remember that you will have access to:

Convenient, same day laundry service in all your hotels, if you send clothes in the morning you should have them back in the evening. The price is reasonable. For any destination city where you stay two or more nights you can do laundry.
A hair dryer and iron are readily available at most hotels for your use; simply contact Housekeeping.
Bath accessories in your private bathroom include disposable tooth brush and toothpaste, comb, soap, shampoo, body lotion, sewing kit, sanitary bag, shower cap etc.
You can easily purchase a shoulder bag or small piece of luggage to carry your purchases back home.
Virtually anything you require can be secured along the way. It is part of the adventure. Travel in China involves a lot of walking. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Make sure to check current weather conditions before you decide what clothes to pack. Consult our Essentials to Pack list.

Gratuities
Tips are commonly expected from foreign tourists to China. Whether they are considered as gratuities or service fees, tips are the major motivator for the tour guides. Your China Tour national guide, local guides, drivers and porters are professional, conscientious, and most thankful for your acknowledgment. We realize that tipping can be confusing on a group tour to China; the following gratuity guideline is introduced solely for the convenience of China Spree group travelers:

CAD$10 per traveler per day, shared between all guides, porters and drivers.

Outside dining: service charge is included (except in Hong Kong)

Detailed gratuity suggestions are also listed for specific programs and will be sent to you before you leave for your China vacation. Since your National Guide (where applicable) will accompany you throughout the trip, and is responsible directly to you, you may choose to give partial gratuities to your National guide entrusting him/her to dispense them along the way on your behalf. With gratuities given this way you will enjoy the journey in a more relaxing way. Although gratuities are customary, it totally depends on your satisfaction with the services.

Shopping
China is the world's factory and bargain shoppers' paradise. We are aware of the fact that shopping is an integral part of international travel, particularly to countries like China. However, your valuable travel time in China is limited and therefore China the tour features the minimum arranged shopping stops compared to all other tours.

Forced shopping is prohibited on our tours. We appreciate your input and feedback on this matter.

Tea House Scam (and possibly also the Art Gallery Scam)
Our travelers should use caution when dealing with unidentified strangers in your free time in Beijing or Shanghai.

Generally more than one young woman and man (or combination) may come up to you in a park, near a museum or other public place and ask if you are American/Canadian. They start up a conversation saying that they would like to practice their English and start asking you all sorts of questions as they engage you in conversation (where are you from, what do you do, what kind of car do you drive, what sights have you seen in Shanghai). They explain that they are students from another town in China touring Shanghai and possibly other cities. Just as they are getting ready to leave, they mention that they are on their way to see a performance at a tea house or they may say they are going to see a traditional Chinese tea ceremony and do you want to come along? If you accept, you risk the chance of being (over) charged a lot of money for "service and tea" and not realizing what the amount will be.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend you buy travel insurance to protect yourself and your travel investment against the unexpected. Please read more details about Travel Insurance.

Air China & Air Canada
Air China (CA) and Air Canada (AC) are code-sharing partners. Both airlines are members of Star Alliance.

Per rules of Air China, Air China group airfare only applies to flight operated by Air China (CA992/991, CA998/997) which refers to flight from Vancouver (YVR) to Beijing. Air China currently does not operate any flight from Toronto (YYZ) to Chi

Air China does not allow upgrade to business class using Air Canada mileage. Neither can you get a free Air China ticket by redeeming your Air Canada mileage through Air China .

Jet Lag Precautions
Jet lag happens when your body's inner clock falls out of sync with daily cycles of light, rest and meals as you cross time zones to reach your destination. Its symptoms are fatigue, irritability and vague disorientation. You cannot totally avoid jet lag, but you can minimize its effects. Here are some suggestions:

Get several good nights of sleep before your trip departure.
Set your watch to your destination time when you board the plane, and adjust sleep and meals accordingly.
Try to sleep on the plane.
Walk around the plane occasionally, do isometric exercises at your seat.
Drink plenty of water and fruit juice while flying.
Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks during and after the flight.
On arrival, throw yourself into your new schedule, avoid naps, and try to stay awake until your normal sleeping time at home.

Canada Duty-free Exemption
When shopping in China, keep receipts of all purchases. Upon reentering the Canada be ready to show customs officials what you've bought. Each resident returning to Canada is entitled to one of the following personal exemptions based on his/her time absent from Canada (including all goods and/or gifts purchased or received abroad)

24 hours or more: CAN$200, 48 hours or more: CAN$800, 7 days or more: CAN$800

This includes alcohol and tobacco, see information below:

1.5 L of wine or 1.14 L of liquor or 24 x 355 ml cans or bottles (8.5 L) of beer or ale. You must be of legal age in the province of importation.

200 cigarettes, 200 tobacco sticks, 50 cigars or cigarillos and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco (Special duty may apply).

You must complete a Declaration Card before entering Canada Customs. Sample Declaration Card.

Please check the guideline for residents of Canada returning to Canada, and updated information on Duty-free exemptions and available at Canada Border Services Agency web site PDF version of Guideline for Residents of Canada Returning to Canada

MrLee's China Tour 2012

Travel Tips

Saturday, December 15, 2012

2013 China Tour : Sept.-October