Private Luxury Tours & Luxury Vacations

A passport is required to enter China and it must be valid for more than six months after the return date of travel.

Visas are required by all foreigners entering mainland China. Presently, visas are not required for U.S. and Canada citizens visiting Hong Kong and Macau.

Travelers in transit can stay in China visa-free for up to 72 hours as long as they have an onward air ticket for a flight from China to another destination departing within that time period. Please refer to the Chinese Embassy website for the latest up-to-date information.

Please note while a Transit Visa is a convenient and cost-saving method of entry,  such policy can change quickly and without notice. We strongly recommend obtaining your visa in advance to avoid any entry issues.

Explorient offers Visa service to China for residents of the Northeastern States of The United States.

China Visa Instructions

• New Year’s Day – January 1st
• Chinese New Year/Spring Festival – February 12, 2021
• Ching Ming Festival – Mid April
• Labor Day – May 1st (3 days)
• Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival – June
• Mid-Autumn Festival – mid September
• National Day (Golden Week) – October 1-7

Departure taxes on all domestic and international flights are now included in the cost of your tickets; thus they do not need to be paid separately at time of departure.

On Domestic flights, passengers are allowed 44 pounds of luggage per person. On International flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated allowances, and these charges are your responsibility.  At most major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually for a small additional fee.

China’s geographic area is slightly larger than the U.S.A; it covers similar latitudes, with the lion’s share located in the temperate zone. This provides endless year-round variety for visitors to the country, from ice festivals in the north to tropical beach resorts in the south. Keep in mind the vast distances between destinations when planning your trip. Traveling, along the popular Golden Route (Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin) is the rough equivalent of visiting Chicago, Washington DC and Atlanta, all in one trip.

While China is a year-round destination, the months of April May, September, and October are ideal months for travel anywhere in the country. In the north, the winters are cold, and summers are warm, with moist monsoon air streams making it hot (80% of China’s rainfall occurs between late May and early October, mostly in the Southern regions). 

International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is provided at all hotels. SIM Cards for your mobile phones are also widely available. You may also check with your mobile service provider if an international plan may be available. 

Internet Access will be available at all hotels although charges may apply. Wifi is widely available in public areas including restaurants and hotel lobby. For those accustomed to using Google services such as GoogleMaps, GMail, etc., it is important to note these services are NOT accessible in China, as are social media sites/apps such as Facebook and Instagram. 

Most hotels provide postal services for documents and small packages. If you need to ship items such as antiques and cultural relics that are under customs control, you will have to ask for the help of the local branch of the international post office.

Renminbi(US$1=approx. RMB 6.8), the Chinese currency, is issued by the state bank, the People’s Bank of China.  The standard unit of the Renminbi is Yuan, with jiao and fen as the subsidiary units. Renminbi features the following denominations: one, two, five, ten, fifty and a hundred yuan; one, two, and five jiao; and one, two and five fen. The abbreviation for Renminbi is RMB.

ATMs are readily available throughout China. If you’re bringing cash, currency exchange is available at banks and most hotels. China remains very much a cash-based society (unless you’re setup for  mobile payment apps such as Alipay or UnionPay) so it is advisable to obtain RMB once you arrive. USD and other foreign currencies are NOT accepted. 

So far the following foreign credit cards are acceptable in China. However, many smaller shops and restaurants accept only cash, AliPay /UnionPay or credit cards issued locally. Again, it is important to always have some cash in hand. 

1. Master Card
2. Visa
3. American Express
4. JCB
5. Diners
6. Union pay

A visa is required to enter China for most foreign nationals including U.S. and Canada passport holders. With the exception of transit visas, they must be applied for in advance at your local Chinese Embassy/Consulate. 

According to related laws and regulations, the luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs supervision and control. Passengers should make accurate declarations to customs officials regarding the luggage they carry into or out of the territory.

Electrical appliances will require an adapter that can change the shape of the plug prongs, as well as an electrical voltage converter that will allow a normal 110-volt American appliance to take 220 Volt Chinese current. Most hotels have a hair-dryer in each room.

All breakfasts served in the hotel are buffet style of Western and Chinese cuisine, typically with a large choice of items to choose from. Depending on your tour, some lunches and dinners are also included. 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.

Tap water in China is NOT potable, but bottled mineral water is provided in your room and  available for sale everywhere.  We recommend that you use only bottled water for drinking.

No special vaccinations are required, but those who have traveled from an infected area before coming to China should have vaccination records available for a Health Declaration form upon arrival.   Generally speaking, Hepatitis-A shots, which safeguard against waterborne diseases, are recommended for those who travel overseas frequently. You may also contact the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) for the most up-to-date information.

Tipping is customary and expected by travel guides, tour bus drivers, porters and in hotels. On tours tipping $12 to $15 per person per day is customary. Of course, you may adjust up or down based on your level of satisfaction.

Arrangements for domestic air and ground transportation are included and made by the ground operator. All ground transportation, airport transfers and sightseeing will be provided via private car and guide. Travel by motor coach will be by modern air-conditioned coaches for large groups.

China is generally safe for tourists. While on your own,  you are free to explore on your own through a variety of transportation; however, we recommend the use of  taxis as they are both convenient and inexpensive.

Valid Passport (with visa). Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure documents. Electrical adapters. Camera(s) & mobile electronics. Sunscreen.  Pocket size Kleenex. Folding Umbrella/rain gear.  Comfortable walking shoes. Small bills for tips. Cash or ATM card.