China Tour Frequently Asked Questions

If you are planning on a tour to China and you have many questions to figure out, you can stop by and spend time here reading the following content. You may find some useful information here to make yourself clear about your China tour.

What documents do tourists need for a China tour?

1. When traveling to China, all need to obtain a visa prior to arrival and hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months prior to the date of entry into the country.
2. If you plan to visit Tibet, you need a Tibet travel permit that is usually obtained through a Chinese travel agent 15 days before entering Tibet. For some unopened areas, you also need to obtain an Alien’s Travel Permit issued by the PSB of Tibet.
3. For travel to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR, foreigners from certain countries and regions may enter Hong Kong and Macau without a visa. Foreigners who don’t enjoy visa-free access must apply for a visa or entry permit in accordance with SAR government regulations.

Tibet Travel Permit

How to get a visa?

If you are a United States citizen, you should know that it is easy to obtain a China visa for tourism. You can directly apply for it from the Chinese embassies or consulates. You should visit the official website of the embassy of China in the United States to get detailed requirements. However, you can book a tour with us and we can help you go through the process to get your visa easily.

Where to exchange currency in China?

You can exchange your own currency into Chinese currency in your own country before leaving for China. But the currency restriction for entering China is 20,000 yuan, which means that you shall not bring more than 20,000 yuan cash when you travel to China.

However, most airports, band branches, as well as most five-star hotels offer currency exchange services to foreign tourists with varied commission fees.

Can I use my credit cards in China?

In China, you can use your credit cards in most four-star hotels, 5-star hotels, shopping malls, and some big foreign chains. When there are small shops or restaurants that cannot accept your credit cards, you can pay in cash.

Can I withdraw cash from ATM in China?

Foreign tourists can withdraw cash in China with their Visa or Mater Card via an ATM. You can just follow the instructions in English and get the cash from an ATM.

Is it possible to use my own cell phone in China?

First of all, you need to make sure that your cell phone is unlocked by your carrier. But without a SIM card from the Chinese carriers, you will be charged high when making any phone calls. So, you’d better try to buy a SIM card in some major cities in China. If you are traveling to some small cities, you can ask your local travel guide to help register a SIM card for you in advance.

Is it necessary for us to have a tour guide when traveling in China?

China boasts so many beautiful natural landscapes and historic sites for tourists to visit. If you are first to China or you are about to travel to a new city, it is highly recommended that you travel with a local tour guide to ensure you a comfortable tour in China.

What kinds of meals will be served to us in China?

It is believed that you know that Chinese cuisine has enjoyed a good reputation all over the world. When you are traveling in China, you can take every chance to have a taste of different Chinese meals. You will have your breakfast in your hotel. Hotels that we choose for foreign tourists usually serve breakfast in western style and Chinese style. Lunches will be arranged at local restaurants with Chinese food. And tourists usually need to take their dinner on their own.

What kinds of hotels will we be staying in?

We have picked up some of the best hotels of different types for tourists to choose from. From Inn to 5-star hotels, all hotels we provide are high quality with the best service.

If I want to shop in China, what should I pay attention to?

Different cities in China have different souvenirs for tourists to purchase. Those souvenirs will represent the features of those cities. If you choose to shop in shopping malls, you should know that the prices are fixed and you don’t need to do bargains. But things are different if you are going to shop with street vendors. If you plan to purchase something expensive, you may want to consult your tour guide and he or she will give you useful suggestions.

Do I need to tip my tour guide, driver, or hotel staff in China?

In fact, China is not the same as other countries. It is not a culture in China for tourists to tip tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff. But if you want to appreciate them for their service, you can do that sometimes.