China Heritage Exploration 11 Days - USA Depart

China is an exciting and thrilling tourist destination. There are a few key things you need to keep in mind when traveling in China. 

Before Packing

Check the weather of your destination a week before your trip and get a sense of the clothes you'll need to pack. Determine the purpose of your trip and decide what to pack. Make a packing list and mark the number according to the importance. Leave keys, your contact information and a copy of your travel itinerary to family or friends.

China Picking List

We suggest travelers pack as light as possible. Pack smart ! Leave more space to make your tour comfortable and pleasant.

Essential Items

Passport, Visa, Insurance Policy and other necessary travel documents. Air, cruise or train tickets. A guide book or phrasebook with English. Map of places you are going to visit. Emergency card with your detailed contact information including full name, address, phone number. Credit card, Traveler's checks, and cash. First-aid kit. Your medical record and medicines like vitamins, Pepto Bismol and Imodium chew-able. Toiletries. Alarm clock or watch with an alarm. Pocket tissues. As most public bathrooms in China do not offer toilet paper, and you'll be glad that you have some when you need it.

Clothing/\Weather

The casual outdoor clothes are highly recommended. A pair of comfortable walking shoes. Socks, pants, and underwear. An umbrella and waterproof. Laundry bag. Bring clothes according to what season you are traveling.If you are going to board the Yangtze River Cruise on your trip, make sure to bring along one or two sets of smart causal dress for evening banquets.

Spring (Mar - May): Western suites, sports coats, jackets, sweater, long sleeve shirts. Summer (Jun - Aug): T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear. Autumn (Sep - Nov): Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain wear. Winter (Dec - Feb): Down garment, overcoat, thick woolen sweaters, lined coats, cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes.

Other Items/Electricity

Camera and batteries. Camcorder. Mobile phone. Chargers of your cell phone, digital camera, etc. The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Wash rooms in many middle and high-class hotels are equipped with transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers. For safety purpose, preparing an adapter is a much better idea.

Currency Exchange

China's legal currency is Renminbi, shortened as CNY. Also known as Chinese Yuan. When you purchase small items such as bottle water, snacks, small souvenir, use cash is more convenient. We recommend you exchange Chinese cash at the front desk in the hotels you stay. 300 -500 CAD or USD /person is enough to start off. Airport is usually not a good place for exchanging money as the rate is not the best.

China Packing Tips

Make copies for all your necessary materials and keep the copied items separately from the original one. Store a backup of your information in your email account or on a USB thumb drive. Do not carry too much cash. Do not carry expensive jewelry and watches. Do not keep your credit card and identification card together. Do not pack excessive quantities of drugs as you may have problems at China Customs. Rolling your clothes together instead of folding them one by one to save space. Put the items you regularly use at the top of your carry on. Leave some room in your bags for gifts and souvenirs. Always put the valuables in the hotel safe and clear your safe when checking out. 

Travel Safety & Security

China is relatively a safe country to travel around compared with some other countries.

Hotel Preferred Bedding Configuration

- Twin Room (two separate beds)

- Double Room (one bed)

*Requests are not guaranteed and are subject to each hotel's discretion and availability.

During The Tour

Never drink the tap water in the hotels. Never let the stranger come into your room. If someone is knocking at your door, never open the door until his identity is verified. If your passport is not needed, never carry it along with you all the time just in case. Keeping a photo copy of your passport is a wise choice. When hanging out in the bustling places like open markets and busy streets, be care of your belongings in case of theft, especially camera, purse, and so on. Avoid traveling alone since you are not familiar with the places. Ask the policemen or seniors for help in case you are lost and they would be of great help for you. Never return back to the hotel too late when you are alone. Always exchange money at the Bank of China or at the hotel counters. Never exchange money in the black market. Get small bills prepared before getting out since street vendors, taxi, restaurants, convenience stores only take RMB cash and major credit cards are widely accepted in big shopping malls.

China Washrooms

In China, most of the toilets are squatting ones. Clean sit-down toilets are commonly available in hotels. If you want to find a bathroom on the street, just look for the sign of "WC"  Since paper tissue is rarely provided in a washroom, always carry yours.  

What Vaccines Do I Need To Travel In China?

Based on personal medical history and advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the following vaccinations are recommended for travel to China:

- Japanese Encephalitis: This virus occurs in almost all Asian countries, including parts of China. Vaccination is recommended for those spending extended periods of time outside and in parts of southern China where irrigation is done through flooding.

- Rabies: Rabies is spread through the saliva or scratch of an infected animal. China has the one of the highest number of reported Rabies cases in the world, and vaccination is recommended for travel.

- Polio: Though the last Polio case was reported in China in 1994, the country borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries where the virus is still an endemic. Ensure your vaccination is up-to-date.

- Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is spread to humans through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person. This shot is recommended especially if you plan to sample some of China’s many street food offerings 

- Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease commonly spread through sexual intercourse, exchange of body fluids, use of an infected needle, or piercing tools.

Any travel products or services that are purchased from UTOvacation contains a contractual agreement between you/the traveller and UTOvacation and indicates that you have agreed to UTOvacation Terms and Conditions. Please ensure that you have read carefully the UTOvacation terms and conditions (which are available on www.utovacation.com) before making any payment.

【Reservation】

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to secure a travel date.  Please note, full payment is required when booking special on-sale products (check the product page for full description)

【Deposit Policy】

Initial deposit:  $100.00/pp at the time of booking. 2nd deposit of $200.00/pp after 2 weeks of booking.

The $300.00 deposit count towards the final payment

【For Online Reservations Procedures】

Step 1   Visit UTOvacation website: www.utovacation.com

Step 2   Login or Register a new account.

Step 3   Select your desired departure date and departure city

Step 4   Make a deposit online, for exact deposit amount please refer to tour package online.

Step 5   Secure a valid VISA

Step 6   Make secondary deposit payment (if required) and/or final payment

Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 150 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.

* In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please review carefully your product pages for your reference. 

-Visa 

The following documents from the passenger are required if the visa is applied through UTOvacation Visa Center:

Original Passport (Make sure your actual passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected departure time)

Recent passport size photo with white background. Check requirement click here  

Visa Application Form (Complete with signature and date)

*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $50 administration fee.

Step 7. Trip Confirmation.

A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the Main Contact Passenger One Month before departure.

【For Offline Reservation Procedures】

Step 1. Make reservations. A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to secure the space. We accept cash, cheque, money order, debit card, credit card, email transfer, TD transfer. A 4% surcharge is applied to American Express. Full payment is required when booking if the package is a special on-sale product. 

Step 2. Complete the reservation. Call 1-855-526-1286 to request Booking Form. Fill out all the information on the Booking Form with authentic signature and date on the bottom of the second page. It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure documentation accuracy and travel documents validity. You will be liable for the full loss caused by incorrect information. By the time you full-fill the booking form, you have agreed to receive correspondence from UTOvacation which might include news flash, email blast or any other promotions in the future. Email/Fax your current and valid Passport Copy with the Booking Form together to info@utovacation.com/416-251-7778 

Step 3. Finalize the booking.

- Make secondary deposit payment (if required) and/or final payment

- Final Payment 

Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 150 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.

* In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please review carefully your product pages for your reference. 

- Visa 

The following documents from the passenger are required if the visa is applied through UTOvacation Visa Center:

Original Passport (Make sure your actual passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected departure time)

Recent passport size photo with white background. Check requirement click here  

Visa Application Form (Complete with signature and date)

*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $50 administration fee.

Step 4. Trip Confirmation.

A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the Main Contact Passenger One Month before departure.

【Cancellation policy】

UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify any tour prior to departure date if the group has less than 10 passengers. An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra charge or a full refund will be issued

All cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in writing via email or fax including your reservation number, full name and date of travel.

Any cancellation of issued flight tickets prior to outbound departure (all the segments are unused) at the originally issued location shall incur a penalty of CAD/USD 350.00 per ticket. No refund will occur once travel has commenced.

Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to departure.

Cancellation Fees, except where specified:

No. of days prior to Tour departure Cancellation fee as % of total tour fare: $ per person

•           150 days or above                   $300.00 as the penalty 

•           90-150 days                             $300+30% as the penalty 

•           Within 30-90 days                    $300+50% of tour fare as the penalty 

•           Within 30 days                         100% of tour fare as the penalty 

- No refund will be available on departure date and/or after the tour has commenced (Including denied and/or rejected by Immigration Department or Custom of destination).

- No refund or reimbursement will be available on any voluntarily giving up meals, tours and/or accommodations. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fee occurs from any giving up decision from passengers. i.e. Since air ticket, transportation, accommodation, and meals have to be arranged in advance during high season (i.e.Holidays, Special Events, and other important activities and conventions), no departure date changed is allowed. No refund will be available on departure date changing and/or booking cancellation.

- Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fire, weather, governmental and local authority's order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by accident is beyond the responsibility of UTOvacation. Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible.

【No Show】

 If for any reason, a passenger does not attend the scheduled daily activities during the tour, an additional supplement fee of $100 per day per person has to be paid. (Only applicable for China Tours)

【Special Remarks】

Although we would be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTOvacation would not be responsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during the tour.

After the booking is confirmed, if the price increased following the imposition of a surcharge on fuel by the carrier or an increase in the exchange rate, insofar as the exchange rate applicable before the date on which the services are provided has increased by more than 5% since the date on which the contract was entered into; and/or if the increase, without taking into account any increase in the provincial sales tax or Canada's goods and services tax, raising taxes, royalties or reauthorized charges by a competent public authority, is equal to or greater than 7% of the price of services, you may choose between a full and immediate reimbursement of the services or the provision of similar services.

There could be possibilities that we might have to make alternations for your confirmed arrangements and we reserve the right to alter the order of touring and modify itineraries at any time to ensure the smooth running of your tour. Most alterations will be minor and of little effect on your overall arrangements. We will do our best to notify you of any such minor changes before your departure (Or as soon as possible if you have already departed), we will have no other liability to you.

【Special Request】

Seating/Cabin assignment: UTOvacation have no access to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise. All the spots are arranged by the airline/cruise line group department or randomly selected by the computer system. Therefore, UTOvacation cannot help the customers to change, reserve, pre-assign seats/cabins.

Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTOvacation will not be responsible for any preferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first class seats). 

Hotel Preferred Bedding: Requests are not guaranteed and are subject to each hotel's discretion and availability.

【Reservation Changes】

Changes to an existing reservation, for whatever the cause, will incur $100 per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours and transfers.

*Please note that name changes to airline reservations are subject to full cancellation or re-booking. See Airline Name Changes section for specific regulations.

Replacing a travelling passenger is subject to cancellation penalties, and is not covered by this Reservation Changes policy.

Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the service provider.

There are no refunds for unused services.

【Travel Insurance】

UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase travel insurance at the time of booking.

【Baggage】

Each airline company has its own rules and regulations with the baggage weight, size, and number. The best way to find out the rules and regulations is to go visit the airline company official website and type in "Baggage Allowance" under the search bar.

【Tour Fare Includes】

- Transportation: International and domestic transportation fee (Bus, Train, Air tickets, and tax) are all included unless specified.

- Meals: Daily meals will be provided unless specified. Buffet breakfast is provided in hotel, lunch, and dinner in local style are provided in local restaurants licensed by the local Tourism Administration unless specified.

- Entrance fee of sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary, Coach, English Speaking Guide are included unless specified.

- Hotel Accommodation: Tour fare is based on two adults sharing one twin-bed room. Single supplement fee applies. UTOvacation reserves the right to substitute hotels of a similar or higher standard if the hotels listed in the itinerary are not available.

【Tour Fare Excludes】

- Visa Application Fee

-Any personal charges, such as phone bills, laundry, postage, and baggage over-weight charge, insurance, beverages, water, etc.

- Optional Tours.

-  A Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping $200USD/$270CAD per person for the whole trip for guide, driver and restaurant waiters on tour are not included.

- Any Items not listed in the itinerary.

- Any other charges caused by the acts of God, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority's order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of travel agents and incurred due to the tourist action violating the law.

【Important Notice】

UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel any booking/accommodation/flight arrangement if the customer fails to pay the compulsory tipping for the entire trip prior to departure date or the 1st day of arrival to the destination. 

(Please note, the tip is an industry-standard and is provided to the tour guides and bus drivers of the designated tours, to ensure our customers receive the best and high-quality service during the trip.)

【Warm Tips】

The extra cost of schedule delay caused by Air Flight cancellation will be undertaken by guests themselves. The missed itineraries will not be re-arranged. During the tour, it will be considered as surrendering application automatically if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or check in the prearranged hotel. All the extra cost will be undertaken by the client voluntarily. UTOvacation reserves the right to abandon any clients if such clients violate the law or damage the interest of tour groups. If clients apply for a visa through UTOvacation visa service center, once the visa is denied 90/150 days prior to departure date without any responsibilities on our end, we will return all pre-paid tour fare to clients except for the deposit and visa application fee.

If such case occurs within 90/150 days before departure date, we will return a portion or none of the pre-paid tour fare according to the cancellation penalty policy. If a child, 18 years old or younger, is travelling abroad with only one parent/guardian, children MUST carry a notarized consent letter signed by non-accompanying parent/guardian. If a child, 18 years old or younger is travelling alone, children must carry a notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardian. Such a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering into or leaving from a foreign country or by Canadian officials when re-entering into Canada. Failure of presenting such a document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned. Any cruise line reserves the right to cancel, modify or substitute any scheduled port of calls at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice due to the navigation authority and water conditions and UTOvacation shall not be liable for any loss to guests by reason of such cancellation or substitution.