On average, there are 10-25 people per group. The size may be larger or smaller than the average number depending on the time of year you travel plus the tour you decide to join.
Best Time to Travel to China
China has humid summers and cold, dry winters. Therefore, the best months are April and May, during the Spring as well as September and October during the Fall.
Type of Clothes to Pack
Anything that is casual and comfortable to you along with a good
pair of walking shoes. Jeans, shorts, short sleeves and sleeveless
shirts are permissible. The sidewalks and walkways are paved with
stones so a good heal cushion will be helpful. There are no dressy
occasions during any given tour, so use your best judgment to pack the
proper attire because there is also no dress code for any of the
evening shows or sites visited. To better prepare yourself, check on
current weather reports a few days prior to departure since weather
conditions tend to fluctuate. For your convenience, we have provided a
link of China's current weather.
Restroom On Bus
There is no restroom on the bus, however, on a majority of our tours, you are not on the bus for a prolonged period of time (normally an hour or less). If possible, bus drivers are generally good about pulling over for emergencies. Meaning if you're not currently on the highway or stuck in traffic since it's not possible to gain access to any nearby restrooms.
Final Package Information
Your final package will be sent out by standard mail approximately 2 weeks prior to your departure date. If we are handling the visa to China for you, your passport will be sent back at the same time as your final package. However, instead of mailing it by standard mail, it will be sent by 2-day Federal Express approximately 2 weeks prior to your departure date. If you supplied us with an email address, an email with your FedEx tracking number will be sent to you as soon as the package leaves our office. If you made your own arrangements to meet the group at the San Francisco (SFO) airport, there will NOT be any airline tickets included with your final package because they will be given to you in person at the SFO airport. If China Focus booked your connecting flight to SFO, all airline tickets EXCEPT for certain domestic flights within China, which will be issued and given to you by your guide in China. These flights (if any) will be bolded and underlined in the finalized tour itinerary.
Shots
There are no shots mandatory to travel in China; however, we recommend Hepatitis A & B plus to update your routine shots such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, etc. We also suggest for you to visit your doctor since everyone's health varies and some individuals require special medical attention.
Medication
It's best to keep your prescription medication in its original
bottle. If you decide to consolidate them into one pillbox, you
must bring written documentation stating what type of drug it
is and what it is used for. As for vitamins, you may peel off
the label on the bottle as your documentation.
Travel Insurance
In order to be covered for pre-existing conditions with Travelex,
you must sign up within 21 days of your initial deposit date (the
day we receive your deposit in our office, which is the same as
"Date Issued" located in the upper right hand corner
of your invoice). If you do not have any pre-existing conditions,
you may purchase insurance at any time prior to your trip departure
date. You may call Travelex Insurance at 1.800.228.9792 for more
information or enroll online at www.travelexinsurance.com.
Location Number: 05-8020. Agent Code: Name of travel agent who
helped you (if any). Leave tour operator section blank because
the location number will automatically locate our company.
Seat Assignment
Seating assignments are done upon check-in only (Air China’s
policy). However, if you have a medical condition, you may contact Air
China directly at 1.800.986.1985 or 1.800.882.8122,
Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm Pacific Time for assistance. You may also
call either toll free number for special meal requests (such as
vegetarian meals). Also since it is a 12+ hour flight, a good neck pillow and loose clothes will help keep you comfortable during the flight.
Food Allergies
Simply state you wish to have vegetarian meals and/or what
type of foods you are allergic to and we'll send the remarks to
our partners in China to ensure the guides are aware of your dietary
needs/restrictions. If you would like vegetarian meals on the plane, please contact Air China directly at the above toll free numbers.
Air China Mileage
You need to enroll in the Air China Companion Club. Application
forms are available at the Air China check-in counter with a temporary
membership card attached. To ensure you are credited the proper mileage, don't forget to present your membership number upon check-in for each flight.
Air China Partners
The Star Alliance program allows customers to join the frequent flyer programs of member airlines and redeem miles across 19 different airlines, including Air China. So if you joined Air China’s Phoenix Miles program or United’s Miles Plus, you can use the miles on either one. Please visit The Star Alliance website for more information: http://www.staralliance.com/en/travellers/benefits/benefits_faqs.html
Star Alliance Mileage
Although Air China is currently a member of the Star Alliance, group tickets unfortunately DO NOT qualify for miles because it's the lowest class fare available on Air China. However, when you check into your Air China flights, please provide them with your membership number to build up your membership history.
Baggage / Luggage According to Air China's policy, each passenger is restricted to one check-in bag and one carry-on
bag. The check-in bag cannot exceed 62" nor
can it weigh more than 44 pounds. The carry-on bag cannot
exceed 45" nor can it weigh more than10-15 pounds.
A purse or camera bag is also allowed in addition to the carry-on per
person. These restrictions are enforced by the domestic airlines while
in China. If you join the 12-day Historic China tour, you do not have
any domestic flights within China, but the public transportation
companies (buses & trains) also restrict you to one check-in bag
per person. However, instead of 44 lbs., you're allowed 50 lbs. On your
way back to the U.S. from Shanghai (for all tours), each passenger is
allowed two check-in bags plus one carry-on bag. The combined
dimensions of the two check-in bags cannot exceed 107" and neither bag
can exceed 62" or weigh more than 50 lbs. each. The carry-on
restrictions remain the same throughout the trip. China
Focus is not responsible for damaged, lost, stolen or any excess
baggage fees incurred while on tour. Please consult Air China for fee
amount. Any claims on damaged, lost or stolen baggage must be filed on
the spot with the transportation company. A tip on how to
measure your bag (do not measure wheels): Size Limit = Length (left to
right) + Width/Depth (front to back) + Height (top to bottom).
Currency
No, it is not necessary to exchange for Chinese currency (Yuan) prior to arriving into China, as money can be easily exchanged at banks, hotels, and major shops in each city. The fee is also very minimal (1% or less). All currency exchange transactions require your passport as photo ID. Be sure to keep your receipt of each transaction for your records. Please be aware that ATM machines are available, but must be internationally link to draw money from your bank. At this time we do not know which ATM's will work and not work. Please bring cash and plan to use credit cards (Visa, Master Card or American Express) for major purchases. Currency must be fairly recent and crisp condition and must not have writiing on it. If it looks wore out, old or have writing banks and vendors will reject it. Currently, $1 USD equals approximately $7 Yuan. Travelers checks have been increasingly difficult to cash at hotels, Chinese banks and other places that handle foreign currency exchanges. While they are still fine to use, make sure you have spare cash on hand until you find a bank or exchange market that accepts them.
Credit Cards
Informing your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans will ensure continued service in China. Most financial institutes have automated cutoff systems when you make a purchase outside of your usual pattern. So please contact them before you depart. It's also a good idea to ask if they charge conversion fees for using your card overseas.
Communication
The most efficient and cost effective way to get in touch with family and friends while you are in China is by email. Most hotels (if not all) offer Internet access in their business centers at a very reasonable rate ($1-3 an hour). If you wish to speak to family members or friends by telephone, then it's best to email them your room number upon check-in at each hotel and have them call you because calling back to the U.S. from China can cost about $1 USD per minute plus connection fees. A list of all the hotel phone numbers and how to dial to China from the U.S. will be sent with your final package. Be sure to have your family and friends purchase a phone card ahead of time because they offer much better rates than most long distance carriers or using a home/mobile phone.
Electronic Equipment
Yes, you will need both an adapter and a converter since China's
electrical system operates on 220/240 volts. Most hotels have
both two and three prong sockets that need specific adapters for
use with U.S. made appliances. Therefore, it is advisable to bring
your own electrical converters and adapter plugs. It's best to
purchase a universal adapter kit, which includes several different
adapters, so one is bound to work. The travel section of your
nearest convenience store usually sells such a kit. Be sure it
includes an adapter that says China or Asia on it. One place you can find the type I plug most common in mainland China is here: Mainland Plug. They also have the Hong Kong style plug adaptors Plug F and Plug C.
*Please note we are not affiliated with this store, we are only
providing examples of what to buy and encourage you to shop around.
Hair Dryer
Most hotels (if not all) already have a hair dryer in
each room. If not, you may request for one through housekeeping.
The same would apply for an iron, but a curling iron for your
hair is not available. You must bring an adapter and a converter
for this item.
Laundry Service
All hotels offer laundry/dry-cleaning services and the prices are similar to U.S. hotel prices. Try to bring easy to clean clothes for long durations.
Non-Smoking Rooms
We always request for a non-smoking room unless otherwise specified
by you.
Water
Never drink tap water in China because it is not potable.
However, it is safe enough to rinse your mouth and shower with.
Drinking water is provided in all of the hotel rooms plus bottled
water is inexpensive and readily available to purchase throughout
the trip.
China Visa
You must have a visa in order to enter China. If the tour you choose to join includes Hong Kong (Tour Code BH & YH), then you are required to have a double entry visa. The reason being that once you enter Hong Kong, you are considered departing Mainland China. Therefore, in order to continue on with the tour, you are required a second entry. All other tours only require a single entry visa. For more details, please see visa requirements.
Deviations
If you choose to deviate from the set itinerary on our tours,
there will be a deviation fee for changing your date of departure
and/or return. . .
Please contact our office for more details. Here are some examples: 1) If you decide to extend your stay
in China after any given tour, 2) If you decide to depart to China
earlier than your scheduled tour departure date, 3) If you decide
to only join the land portion of any given tour, 4) If you decide
to use our air to fly home to San Francisco after visiting a destination
outside of Mainland China arranged on your own (i.e. Philippines,
India, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, etc).
Land Only
We offer land only packages, but we only provide a one-way transfer from the airport to hotel in the beginning of your trip. You are responsible for making your own arrangements from the hotel to airport at the end of the tour. Taking a taxi would be the easiest and most economical way (about $25 USD per taxi ride, not per person).
Tickets or Hotel Bookings Only
Unfortunately we do not sell tickets or offer hotel bookings separately. We only offer all-inclusive packages. You may purchase the full package and skip out on the tours; however, there is no price reduction on the tour fare.
Tour Extensions
You may depart earlier than the rest of the group, stay later or both. Please contact our office for more information.
Travel Agents
Yes we do work with travel agents. For information regarding commission rates, please
contact our office.
Altitude Sickness in Tibet
Lhasa, Tibet has an altitude over 12,000 ft above sea level, that's 2.3 miles high. The results of being this high are thin levels of oxygen. This can cause the healthiest of people to feel winded, which is why we head straight to the hotel for rest upon landing. For those with health concerns, please check with your doctor before traveling to Tibet and make sure it's safe for you.
Oxygen Availability in Tibet
Oxygen is available, but it is not a cure for those with health concerns. Again, please check with your doctor before deciding to travel to Tibet.
