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General
information
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Laurus tour for
me?
What
is the group size?
What happens after I pay deposit?
Q: What does the tour price include?
A: The price includes everything promised in the itinerary and under
Terms & Conditions except tips, visa costs, insurance, airfare taxes and
surcharges. Insurance premium will be quoted on request and the price is
based on age, trip duration and total trip cost. Details of the other
additional charges are listed at the bottom of each itinerary. With Laurus
Travel there is absolutely no hidden cost.
Q: How come there are no tour dates and prices
on your Website?
A: Please click on the tour title on the tour list for prices and
departures.
Q: Does Laurus Travel accept credit cards?
A: Laurus Travel accepts American Express and the transaction is
subject to a 3.5% surcharge. The surcharge may change at any time without
notice. Please contact us for confirmation of the current surcharge rate
if you wish to pay by American Express.
Q: Why does Laurus Travel provide fewer meals
than some companies?
A: We cut out some of the dinners as a result of customer feedback.
Our customers appreciate the flexibility that after a long day of
sightseeing they can go out and enjoy a private meal in a restaurant of
their choice at an hour to their liking. As a matter of fact, a great
majority of our customers consider exploring the local restaurant scene a
key element of their China travel experience. And all this is made easy
with assistance from the local guides and the tour leader. Our concept may
not suit travellers on a very tight budget but a decent meal can be had
almost anywhere in China for less than $10 if you have the right people
pointing you in the right direction.
Q: Can you help us obtain Chinese visa?
A: Yes. Please refer to Chinese Visa below
for details.
Q: Do you recommend any inoculation shots?
A: See Health & Hygiene below for details.
Q: Do I need Chinese currency before arrival?
A: No. See Money below for details.
Q: What is the baggage allowance on
intra-China flights?
A: Twenty kilograms or 44 pounds. See What to Wear &
Pack below and Terms & Conditions.
Q: Where do we meet the guide and the group?
A: If you purchased the full package and arrive according to our tour
schedule, you will be met at the airport on arrival and join the group at
hotel.
Q: What time zone is China in?
A: China spans several time zones but the whole country operates to a
single standard time (GMT+8) all year round. Beijing Standard Time is 13
hours ahead of North America's Eastern Standard Time and 16 hours ahead of
Pacific Standard Time. The difference becomes one hour less during our
Daylight Saving Time in North America.
Q: Do we eat Chinese food throughout the tour?
A: Please refer to Food below for details.
Q: Is Internet access available at all the
hotels?
A: Yes, but be prepared to pay a small fee for the service.
Q: Is it expensive to call home from China?
A: No, if you use a phone card, which can be purchased locally. For
added convenience you may want to sign up for the mobile phone rental
service provided by Laurus Travel. Please contact us for details.
Q: Do I get non-smoking rooms throughout the
tour?
A: See Hotel & Room Type below for details.
Q: Is laundry service available during the
tour?
A: Hotels provide speedy laundry service. The cost is reasonable by
North American standard. Laundromat style self-service facilities are not
available in China.
Q: Do I need to bring my own hair dryer?
A: No. The hotels all have it.
Q: Is cigarette smoking a big problem in
China?
A: Yes. People smoke in elevators and restaurants too. China accounts
for 20% of the world's population but consumes over 30% of the world's
tobacco products.
Q: Is quality medical treatment available when
I need it?
A: Private hospitals staffed by doctors trained in the West can be
found in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Be sure you have adequate
medical and evacuation insurance coverage.
Q: Are public toilets outside hotels generally
clean?
A: No, not by Western standards. Bring your own anti-sceptic wipes and
always have a small roll of toilet paper on you.
Q: What would you send us when departure date
is near?
A: Three weeks before departure you will receive by e-mail the updated
itinerary with hotel details and, if applicable, confirmation of
electronic air ticket. If you don't use e-mail we'll mail you a hard copy.
Your tickets for local flights will be issued in China and delivered to
you through the local guide or tour leader. The name badge and Laurus
luggage tag will be given to you upon your arrival in China.
Q: Do you have a recommended reading list?
A: Yes, Laurus Travel maintains a comprehensive and well researched
reading list
available to our customers only.
Q: How should we handle tipping?
A: Please refer to Tipping below for details.
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Is a
Laurus tour for me?
We hope nobody will be offended by our candour. The whole idea of this
warning is to help you understand what you are getting yourself into and
what we expect of our customers. The ultimate goal is to enhance customer
satisfaction.
To enjoy a tour like ours the customer must take
the time to educate themselves so that they can set the expectations
realistic. People who get the most out of what we offer are those who
embrace our concept of conducted group travel and fully understand that
our tour packages come with limitations.
Generally, our happiest customers are those who
had experience dealing with other tour companies before travelling with
us. Such travellers have a good sense of what to expect and a reasonable
yardstick to measure our performance. Conversely, lack of experience and
proper perspective often leads to misconceptions including wild
overestimate of what one's tour payment can buy.
The customer's relationship with Laurus Travel
must be based on complete trust. People who are uncomfortable giving us
their full trust should hang on to their money. It is demoralizing to work
with someone who views the business with suspicion.
Due to the nature of group travel, we truly
regret that we are unable to accommodate participants with any physical
disability or mobility difficulty who may need special attention from time
to time. Our tours involve frequent and strenuous walking and stair
climbing. Our booking Terms and Conditions stipulate that "A client who
is deemed unreasonably impeding the progress of the tour due to physical
disability will be removed from the tour at the client's expense."
Also, anyone over the age of 74 is required to submit a completed medical
questionnaire at the time of booking for us to assess their ability to
travel.
What happens after my
deposit is paid?
The invoice will be delivered to you via e-mail within 2 business days
upon receipt of your deposit. Instructions on where and how to obtain your
Chinese visa will be e-mailed to you when the final payment is due (70
days before the trip). Electronic tickets for international flights and
the finalized itinerary with hotel and emergency local contact details
will be sent via e-mail three (3) weeks before the trip.
What is the group size?
We limit our group size to 20
and we need a minimum of 10 participants to guarantee a departure. Please
note this rule does not apply to private and promotional tours.
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Tour
Leader and Local Guide
An experienced bilingual tour leader is provided when there is a minimum
of 10 participants in a group. The tour leader who may be a resident of
Canada or China meets up with the group at the Chinese port of entry and
stays with the group throughout the tour except Hong Kong wherever
applicable. A local guide is available in each city. In cases where a tour
leader is not provided, the local guides will step up their efforts to
fill the void.
Hotel & Room Type
We use mostly 5 and 4-star hotels for our tours and choose them for their
quality, comfort, location and service. However, it is important to keep
in mind that in some remote areas such as Tibet accommodations may be
basic. We assume all clients need non-smoking rooms and put in our
requests with the hotels accordingly. When a hotel is unable to
accommodate our request we make sure they do their best to minimize the
odour of cigarette smoke. Rooms for tour groups are assigned by a run of
house system. Consequently, requests for a specific floor or room type
will not be accepted.
Food & Beverage
Buffet breakfast combining Chinese and Western dishes is served in hotels
throughout the trip. Tea, coffee, milk, fresh fruit and a variety of
juices are also available. Again, choices may be very limited when we stay
at 3-star or lower-grade hotels out of necessity.
Lunch and dinner would be local cuisine served in
restaurants outside the hotels. Tea is included; beer or soft drink is
limited to one glass per client. Meals during Yangtze cruise do not
include beer or soda. A standard lunch or dinner consists of pork or fish
or chicken plus vegetable dishes, soup and rice or noodle. Serving
utensils are provided.
Vegetarians and clients allergic to certain food
items such as nuts, MSG or sesame oil should disclose their allergy at the
time of reservation and then remind the tour leader or local guides once
on the tour. Every effort will be made to satisfy the client's needs, but
for legal reason Laurus Travel does not guarantee the dishes served
contain absolutely no such ingredients. Clients with special dietary needs
due to medical conditions must disclose their needs at the time of
reservation and be prepared to pay extra.
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Motor Vehicle
Comfortable, air-conditioned motor coaches or minivans are used
depending on group size. The vehicles are professionally operated and well
maintained. There will be enough empty seats to ensure everyone's comfort.
We do not share vehicles with strangers or other groups, except during
Yangtze cruise when shore excursions are arranged by the cruise operators.
Money
 The
Chinese currency is called Renminbi (RMB), or People's Currency, with Yuan
being its basic unit. For up-to-date exchange rates, we recommend the
websites of Bloomberg and Bank of Canada. What can you buy with one US
dollar? Three bottles of beer or 5 bottles of water. Five dollars will buy
you a pair of jeans or a decent meal at a not-too-shabby local restaurant.
Bring a few hundred dollars worth of cash, which
can be in any of the major hard currencies such as USD, CAD, EURO, GBP or
AUD. The cash should be a combination of large and small bills in good
conditions. Not all hotels in China are able to cash travellers cheques
but you do get a slightly better rate with travellers cheques. Clients
should always carry a major credit card in case of emergency or major
purchases. Since more and more ATMs in China now accept bank cards issued
by foreign banks, you should definitely considering bringing a bank card
with you.
Cash and travellers cheque can be converted into
RMB at Chinese airports, hotels and banks. The exchange rate is virtually
the same across the country as it is set by the central government. You
will have no need for Chinese currency until your arrival in China, where
you will get a better exchange rate. Every time you exchange money you are
issued a receipt. The receipt should be kept because this proof allows you
to revert your unused RMB into a hard currency upon exit.
Hong Kong
Currency - Hotels and banks in Hong Kong do not necessarily quote
the same rates. Make sure you compare the rates first and also take the
service fee into consideration.
Useful Links:
Bloomberg /
Bank of Canada
Extra Costs
The tour price includes everything promised in the itinerary and under the
Terms & Conditions except tips, visa costs, insurance, airfare taxes and
surcharges. Insurance premium will be quoted on request and the price is
based on age, trip duration and total trip cost. Details of the other
additional charges are listed at the bottom of each itinerary. With Laurus
Travel there is absolutely no hidden cost.
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Tipping
For local guides, drivers and bellhops we recommend a combined total of
USD6 or its equivalent in CAD or RMB per client per day. The tour leader
will collect the lump sum for the entire trip on the second day of your
arrival. Our suggested minimum amount for the tour leader is USD4 or its
CAD or RMB equivalent per client per day. Please wait till the end of the
tour to tip the tour leader. In calculating total tips please combine the
day of arrival and day of exit as one day and exclude free days where
applicable. Yangtze cruise operators may have their own recommendations on
tipping their staff, but the tour leader will tip the crew on behalf of
the group in reference to our guidelines. It is entirely up to you whether
you should tip extra. We understand the sensitive nature of this matter
and strive to make our policy on tipping as clear as possible. Should you
feel our practice unacceptable, please let us know before signing up with
us.
Shopping
We understand that for many travellers shopping is an integral part of
their international travel. During the tour you will be given time to shop
on your own and you can count on our tour leader and city guides for
unbiased shopping advice. Organized shopping stops are generally banned on
our tours and factory visits offering genuine educational value are
limited to two per trip.
Buyer Beware
Check price carefully and avoid using large bills when buying from street
vendors. Price haggling is a national sport in China but there are places
where bargaining may be laughed at. When in doubt always consult your
guide or tour leader. Think twice before making an offer because it is a
breach of local customs if the vendor accepts your offer and you walk away
from the deal. Always open the packaging on the spot to ensure the item
you paid for is the same as the one you bargained over. Chinese DVDs
including those being sold on the Yangtze cruise ship may not be
compatible with your DVD player at home.
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Weather &
Temperatures China is a
vast country where climate is extremely diverse ranging from tropical
in the south to sub-arctic in the north. Generally speaking, the best
months to visit China are April, May, September and October.
Please refer to the chart below for mean
temperatures of major Chinese cities or
click here for current weather report and forecast of any Chinese
city. |
|
Mean Temperature (Celsius) of
Major Chinese Cities
(Celsius x 2 + 30 ≈ Fahrenheit)
| City |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Beijing |
-4 |
-2 |
4 |
13 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
20 |
13 |
4 |
-3 |
| Chengdu |
6 |
8 |
12 |
17 |
26 |
24 |
26 |
25 |
22 |
17 |
12 |
7 |
| Chongqing |
8 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
25 |
29 |
29 |
25 |
18 |
14 |
10 |
| Guangzhou |
14 |
15 |
18 |
22 |
29 |
27 |
29 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
20 |
15 |
| Guilin |
8 |
9 |
13 |
18 |
29 |
26 |
29 |
28 |
26 |
21 |
15 |
10 |
| Hangzhou |
3 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
21 |
25 |
29 |
29 |
24 |
17 |
12 |
6 |
| Hohhot |
-15 |
-10 |
1 |
9 |
18 |
22 |
24 |
24 |
17 |
14 |
-10 |
-16 |
| Hongkong |
13 |
12 |
15 |
21 |
24 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
13 |
| Jinan/Qufu |
-1 |
-1 |
7 |
15 |
22 |
27 |
28 |
27 |
22 |
16 |
8 |
1 |
| Kunming |
8 |
10 |
13 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
18 |
15 |
11 |
8 |
| Lanzhou |
-7 |
-3 |
5 |
12 |
17 |
20 |
22 |
21 |
16 |
7 |
2 |
-6 |
| Lhasa |
-2 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
13 |
8 |
2 |
-2 |
| Nanjing |
2 |
4 |
8 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
29 |
28 |
23 |
14 |
11 |
4 |
| Shanghai |
3 |
4 |
8 |
14 |
17 |
24 |
28 |
28 |
24 |
16 |
13 |
6 |
| Tai'an |
-1 |
-1 |
7 |
15 |
22 |
27 |
28 |
27 |
22 |
16 |
8 |
1 |
| Urumqi |
-15 |
-10 |
1 |
10 |
19 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
18 |
-6 |
-10 |
-16 |
| Wuhan |
3 |
5 |
10 |
16 |
21 |
26 |
29 |
28 |
23 |
18 |
11 |
5 |
| Xi'an |
-3 |
2 |
8 |
14 |
20 |
26 |
27 |
26 |
20 |
13 |
7 |
1 |
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What
to Wear & Pack
Bring casual clothes and comfortable walking shoes. T-shirts, shorts and
jeans are suitable. Clothes that can be worn in layers are recommended.
Overcoat or heavy jacket is not needed except during winter (December -
March). A dress shirt and a tie for men and a blouse and a skirt for
ladies should be perfect for captain's cocktail party and farewell dinner
if your tour includes Yangtze cruise. At no time is formal attire
mandatory.
Slide film is hard to find in China. Digital
camera users should bring their own battery charger, spare memory cards
and the original USB cable that comes with the camera. If you wear
prescription glasses, bring an extra pair. Also on your list should be
sufficient supply of prescription medication. Antibiotics and other
medicines for minor ailments may be necessary. You may also want to add to
your list an umbrella or raincoat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, a
swimsuit, earplugs, eyeshades, and an inflatable neck-rest for long
flights. Make sure the following items are not packed in suitcase:
passport, air ticket, prescription medication, wallet, camera, jewellery
or any other valuables.
Clients are advised to travel light. Luggage in
excess of the limit (20kg/44lbs) may land the whole group in trouble upon
checking in for local flights. Do read our Terms &
Conditions.
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Health & Hygiene
You are not required of any inoculation certificate to enter China.
However, we do suggest you contact your family physician or a travel
medicine clinic to determine what precaution you should take. We recommend
inoculation shots for hepatitis A and B and suggest that you check out
advice provided by the US
CDC and
Health Canada.
Tap water in China is not safe to drink; bottled
water is readily available. Hotels and restaurants offer boiled water at
no charge. Although food is prepared fresh and cooked or cleaned
thoroughly, stomach upsets are possible. Be sure to carry anti-sceptic
wipes and a small roll of toilet paper all the time.
Thrombosis & Jet Lag
Prolonged periods of immobility may increase the risk of traveller’s
thrombosis, the formation of blood clots in the legs. To avoid it, wear
loose clothing, stretch your legs and walk the aisles every 60-90 minutes
during flight.
Circadian dischronism, otherwise known as jet
lag, is every traveller’s nightmare. To minimize your suffering, avoid
sleep on the outbound transpacific flight. Jet lag is worse when you
return to North America. A good sleep on the return flight is essential
and a couple of melatonin pills may help.
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Electricity
The standard in China is 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin and three-pin
sockets are in use. If you don't have proper plugs for your camera or
laptop computer, you can always borrow one from the hotel but it may be
necessary to bring your own power adaptor. Please check your device first.
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
During the tour each client is limited to one piece of checked luggage,
which according to the Chinese air carriers must weigh no more than 20kg
(44 lbs). One carry-on weighing no more than 5kg is allowed per airline
rules. The client must be able to lift and comfortably transport their own
luggage short distances as porter service may not be available at all
hotels, airports, train stations, cruise and ferry terminals.
Maximum Size of Checked Baggage
Maximum dimensions should not exceed 100x60x40 in centimeters
(39.5x23.5x15.75 in inches). Baggage exceeding the weight and/or size
limitations should be transported as freight. According to Laurus Travel's
experience, baggage size slightly over the limit should not be an issue as
long as the total weight is within 20 kilograms or 44 pounds.
Minimum Size and Weight of Checked Baggage
Minimum weight of each checked baggage should not be less than 2kg
(4.4 lbs), and the minimum dimension should not be less than 30×10×20 in
centimeters or 12x4x8 in inches.
China Travel Videos and Photographs
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