Frequently Asked Questions
- Average Group Size
- Best Time to Travel to China
- Type of Clothes to Pack
- Restroom on Buses
- Final Package Information
- Immunizations
- Medication
- Travel Insurance
- Seat Assignment
- Food Allergies
- Air China Mileage
- Air China Partners
- Star Alliance Mileage
- Baggage Restrictions
- Currency
- Credit Cards
- Communication
- Electronic Equipments
- Hair Dryer
- Laundry Service
- Non-Smoking Room
- Water
- China Visa
- Deviation
- Land Only
- Tickets or Hotel Bookings Only
- Tour Extensions
- Travel Agents
- Altitude Sickness in Tibet
- Oxygen Availability in Tibet
Average Group Size
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.
Restroom on Buses
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 by standard USPS mail approximately 14 days prior to your departure date. If we are handling your visa to China, 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 Federal Express 2-day service (not including weekends) approximately 14 days 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 (by FedEx) as soon as the package leaves our office. All flights are e-ticketed, so you will not receive any paper tickets. If you have a connecting flight (either on your own or booked by us), a “Passenger Receipt” that looks like a paper ticket will be sent with your final package. This receipt is just for your records and not intended for use of travel. Please keep the receipt in a safe place. If you are departing directly out of JFK to China, you will also receive this receipt with your final package. If you live in the Bay Area and do not have any flights to SFO, this receipt will be hand delivered to you by our representative meeting you at the Air China check-in counter.
Immunizations
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
You must purchase your own insurance policy. If you are interested in purchasing trip cancellation to include coverage for pre-departure and pre-existing conditions, you must either call Travelex Insurance directly at 1.800.228.9792 or enroll online at www.travelexinsurance.com. Location Number: 05-8020. Agent Code: CFT.
Seat Assignment
For SFO departures, you may contact Air China directly at 1.800.882.8122, Monday-Friday, 6am-5pm Pacific Time for assistance. For JFK departures, call1.800.982.8802. You may also call for special meal requests (such as vegetarian meals). The call center will not take requests earlier than 30 days prior to your departure date. Please keep in mind that bulk head and exit row seats are only assigned on the day of departure and to Air China's discretion.
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
http://www.staralliance.com/en/travellers/benefits/benefits_faqs.html
Star Alliance Mileage
Although Air
Baggage Restrictions
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 inches nor can it weigh more than 44 pounds. The carry-on bag cannot exceed 45 inches nor can it weigh more than 10-15 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 return flight 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 6.4 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 Equipments
Yes, you will need both an adaptor 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 adaptors for use with U.S. made appliances. Therefore, it is advisable to bring your own electrical converters and adaptor plugs. It's best to purchase a universal adapter kit, which includes several different adaptors, so one is bound to work. The travel section of your nearest convenience store usually sells such a kit. Be sure it includes an adaptor that says China or Asia on it. One place you can find the type E and D plugs, which are most common in mainland China is here: Plug D and Plug E. The ground adaptors are Plug C and Plug F. *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 Room
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.
Deviation
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 non-promotional tour programs and all tours 13 days or longer. For information regarding commission rates, please contact our office.
Altitude Sickness in Tibet
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.
