Frequently Asked Questions

How much luggage can I bring?: You are allowed two checked bags totaling 70 pounds, with a 50-pound limit on either bag. You are allowed one carry-on and a personal bag.
Will my cell phone work in China?: You will need to check with your cell phone service provider regarding international calling plans.
Do I need to change my dollars to Chinese Yuan?: American dollars, Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the factory stores, but you will want to change some money to Yuan for other places. We recommend only changing small amounts each day rather than one large sum all at once as it is difficult to exchange Yuan back to dollars. The hotels will change travelers checks into Chinese Yuan for you. Street vendors will accept U.S. currency.
What kind of food will we have?: Breakfast each morning is a buffet at the hotel with American breakfast items – eggs, bacon, toast, etc. Lunches and dinners are at Chinese restaurants and consist of meats (pork, chicken, beef), vegetables and rice.
Is it safe to drink the tap water?: No. Even at the hotels, drinking the tap water is not recommended (but brushing your teeth and showering with it is ok.) Bottled water is available at the hotel and on the tour bus – it is recommended you buy the water on the bus (two bottles for $1) as it is significantly cheaper than anywhere else.
Do we need electric voltage converters?: Some hotels have one 110-volt outlet in the room, but not all of them. You may borrow a converter from the hotel if you need one.
What kind of hotels are we staying in?: These are 4- and 5-star hotels that are as nice as or nicer than the Hiltons, Marriotts, etc. found in the U.S. We will not know the specific hotel names until much closer to our departure.
What airline are we flying and can we request certain seats?: Air China. It is a 300-passenger commercial airplane. Seat assignments are made at the gate the day of departure. Any seating requests will be addressed at that time.
When will the passports and visa applications be collected?: We will start that process in early March. We will contact you when we are ready to collect your passport, visa application, and two additional passport photos. It takes about two weeks to get the visas stamped and your passports returned.
Are we required to tip?: There is a one-time $25 tip collected during the tour. This covers your tour guide, bus driver and hotel personnel. You are welcome to tip additionally if you are so inclined.
Are there optional side trips offered during the tour?: Yes. Most of them take place after dinner, but a few are during the day. Examples are the Peking Opera, a boat cruise, a Cirque de Soleil show, a high-speed train ride, etc. Your tour guide will let you know what is being offered each day. There is a small charge for these events, paid in U.S. dollars on the day of the event.
Is it acceptable to not participate in the tour on a given day?: Yes. If you do not wish to ride the bus, you must let your tour guide know. But please be aware that the bus will not return until after dinner each evening, so you would be on your own for the entire day.
What is the weather like at that time of year?: The average high temperature in Beijing during late October is in the mid-60s, with overnight lows in the mid-40s. In Shanghai, the highs are in upper 60s to low 70s. Beijing has a very low average rainfall at that time of year, but Shanghai gets about 3-4 inches per month.
How long is the flight from JFK to Beijing?: It is approximately 13 hours, non-stop.
What is the time difference between New York and China?: China is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. So if it is 10:00 am in New York, it is 11:00 pm in China.
Do the tour buses have restrooms?: No. The longest bus ride without a stop is two hours.
How many people will be on the tour?: We can take a maximum of 300 people. There is one flight per departure date, with a maximum of 150 people on each flight. Once in China, you will be grouped with approximately 25 people on each tour bus. You will stay with this group for the entire trip.
Are there any physical limitations? How much walking is required for the tour?: Some of the sites require a good deal of walking in order to see everything. For example, at the Great Wall, there are 40 steps leading to the wall. From there, you can do as much or as little walking as you like. To see the Forbidden City, it is a 2.5-mile walk from one end to the other. If you do not wish to take that walk, you can remain at the bus and wait for the group to return.
What is the daily schedule like?: Breakfast is served at 7:00 am, and we board the buses at 8:00 am. We do not return to the hotel until after dinner each evening, between approximately 6:30 and 8:00 pm.
Can three people share one hotel room?: Yes. The hotel will provide a rollaway bed at no additional charge. Please indicate on your registration form that there will be three people in the room.
Are any shots or vaccinations required?: No. We do suggest that you speak with your own doctor to find out if he/she has any recommendations.
Do I need to fill out the entire visa application form?: No. You need to fill out your first and last name, your date of birth, your home address, and your signature at the bottom.