☆ Bangkok
☆ Pattaya
☆ Phuket
☆ Lingshan Buddhist Scenic Spot
☆ The Bund
Discover 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
☆ Grand Canal
☆ Suzhou Classical Garden
☆ Hangzhou West Lake
Tour Code: TC16
Duration: 16 Days
Optional Features and Upgrades: Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose optional and extension programs at the time of booking:
Service Language: English
Extra Service: Travel Insurance Visa Service
1) Round-trip international flight from New York City / Los Angeles / San Francisco to China and Thailand
【Seattle /San Jose/ Washington / Boston/ Las Vegas / Chicago / Houston --Depart Need USD 300 More】
【Atlanta / Austin / Charlotte / Dallas / Denver / Detroit / Memphis / Miami / Milwaukee--Depart Need USD 500 More】
【Oklahoma City / Philadelphia / Phoenix / Portland / Sacramento / San Antonio / San Diego--Depart Need USD 500 More】
Land tour Only without round trip air ticket: 【-USD200 Minus】
2) Ground transportation between the cities ( BY BUS )
3)Hand-picked 4 star hotel accommodations with daily ABF (Based on ratings by booking.com)
4) Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda
5) Food as specified on the itinerary (B-breakfast L-lunch D-dinner X-no meal)
Please note that if the flight for your tour is during the lunch or dinner time, your meal will be served on board by the airline.
6) Special cultural programs as specified in the schedule
7) Professional English speaking local tour expert
8) All tax and fuel surcharge
9) UTOvacation’s Travel Assurance Program ( Free Reschedule before 150 days prior to trip departure and before air tickets are issued )
1) Travel insurance.
2) Any personal expenses.
3) Tour Extensions and Optional programs.
4) A Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping USD 290/person is required and payable by Credit Card Before Depart.
5) China visa fee.
6) Single Supplement: USD 599.
7) A no-show fee of $100 per person, per day will be issued if, for any reason, a customer does not attend the daily scheduled activities. This applies to all sponsored tours, packages and all discounted China tours, including this product.
UTOvacation prioritizes the safety and well-being of our customers. We do not oblige our customers to travel to destinations still impacted by Covid-19, force majeure, natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, and more), political change, war, riots, and more. We believe in transparency and providing our customers with all the information they need to make informed decisions. Therefore, we kindly ask our customers to review our terms and conditions carefully and take full responsibility for their purchasing and travel decisions.
ALL PRICES ARE IN USD
DEPOSIT POLICY:
Full Payment is Required at the Time of Booking.
Optional And Extension Programs:
* Extension Programs Policy: Since the reservations are limited, we recommend for you to select extension programs at the time of booking (No Extra Deposit Payment).
* Select your optional packages while you are in China & Thailand and pay to the local tour guide.
Group Size:
☆ 10 - 40 Each Departure Date.
Upgrade To Business Class:( Before Final Payment)
☆ (Only Available For USA -- Asia International Round Trip) Cost Extra USD$4000/per person.
Fly to Shanghai from USA/Canada.
Upon arriving at Shanghai International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and then transferred to hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Enjoy a morning city tour of Shanghai, the country's biggest city and a global financial hub. Explore 【The People’s Square】 and 【Nanjing Road】, the main shopping street of Shanghai and is one of the world's busiest shopping streets. Transfer to Suzhou, referred to as the "Venice of the East". Visit 【Lanli Garden】 where you could treasure the exotic silk embroidery history. Explore 【The Garden of Master of the Nets】, among the finest gardens in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the 【Silk Spinning Factory】 for a silk making demonstration. Transfer to Wuxi, an ancient city richly endowed with nature due to its pleasantly warm and moist climate – it boasts a reputation of being the “Land of Fish and Rice”. Explore the 【Lingshan Grand Buddha and Mt. Lingshan Scenic Area】 – a Buddhist paradise area of 30 hectares (74 acres). The park is famous for the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue and other attractions including the Brahma Palace, Five Mudra Mandala, Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni, Xiangfu Temple and many other Buddhist sites. Visit the 【Teapot Museum】 and famous 【Nanchang Street】.
(Recommended Options:)
Boat ride on the Grand Canal with walk around the local market. USD 30
After breakfast, enjoy the scenery as we pass by 【Lake Tai】, the third-largest freshwater lake in China. Visit the 【Lihu Park】, and the largest Fresh Water Pearl Center. After lunch, transfer to Hangzhou, one of China's seven ancient capitals. With its beautiful lakes, mountains and many attractions, it has become a world-famous tourist destination and one of China’s top attractions. Marco Polo once called Hangzhou the most enchanting city in the world. Take a 【boat tour of West Lake】, the most famous attraction in Hangzhou. Last stop, 【Liuhe Pagoda】, Hangzhou Six Harmonies Pagoda, on the foot of 【Yuelun Hill】, facing the 【Qiantang River】.
Morning educational stop for a taste of Dragon Well Tea at the 【Meijiawu Tea Village】. Later drive back to Shanghai on China’s central coast, the country's biggest city and a global financial hub. Appreciate scenery by walking along【the Bund】, a mile-long stretch along the 【Huangpu River】. This area is the best place to capture the western influences of the old days.
(Recommended Options:)
Cruise on the 【Huangpu River】, while on the cruise, you can take an outside view of the 【Oriental Pearl Tower】, the modern symbol of Shanghai City. USD 45
Enjoy a day of leisure or you may choose an optional day-tour of Shanghai highlights.
(Recommended Options:)
【Shanghai maglev train】is the fastest train in the world with the unbelievable top speed of 431km per hour. It is the only super high-speed bullet train with Magnetic technology in operation all over the world. Take in some last-minute shopping at the【Knock-off Market】before exploring the famous【Xintiandi】, a stylish pedestrian street made up of Shikumen and modern architecture. Explore 【Tianzifang】, a touristic arts and crafts area that has developed from a renovated traditional residential area in the French Concession area of Shanghai, into an area of boutique shops, bars and restaurants. Explore【Jin Mao Tower】, an 88-story landmark skyscraper, standing at 420.5 metres tall it’s one of the tallest buildings in the world. USD 100
(Recommended Options:)
Shanghai Permanent Show-【ERA-Intersection of Time】USD 45
Fly to Bangkok. Well known as the City of Angels, Bangkok is the present capital city and the focal point for Thailand. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your tour representative and escorted back to your hotel by an airport shuttle. Please note that while we are doing our best to accommodate early arrivals, hotel check-in time is generally not before 3:00 pm. Baggage storage can be arranged at the hotel. Free at leisure time for the duration of the day.
This morning, your sightseeing in Bangkok begins with a visit to the Bangkok Chinatown District, and the Temple of Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit), home to the world's biggest solid-gold Buddha statue, measuring 10 feet high, weighing over 5 tons, and valued at $14m. Afterward, visit Khao San Road, translates as "milled rice", a hint that in former times the street was a major Bangkok rice market. In the last 20 years, however, Khaosan Road has developed into a world-famous "backpacker ghetto". Enjoy some free times, and you may want to walk to the “Grand Palace” (ticket not included), which is The Landmark of Bangkok!
Relax over breakfast before a scenic drive to Pattaya (approximate 1.5 hours), a popular vacation spot on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand whose beaches and entertainments draw thousands of visitors annually. Experience the Gems Gallery, learning about Thailand's most prized gemstones. Then, check in to your hotel, and the remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax on the sands or by the pool.
(Recommended Options:)
Pattaya Seafood dinner & Alcazar Cabaret Show: USD 50
After breakfast, you’ll visit the Khao Phra Tamnak (Khao Phra Bat) --- Locate on a small hill on the south of Pattaya Beach, which is the best spot to see the panoramic view of Pattaya City and Pattaya Bay from above. Afterward, stop at Thai-Silk Center - the best place to shop silks in Thailand. In the afternoon, return transfer to Bangkok for an overnight stay.
(Recommended Options:)
Night Market & Siam Niramit Show with Dinner: USD 50
Free day at leisure.
(Recommended Options:)
Ayutthaya Excursions (incl. Tuk Tuk Ride experience): USD 75
After breakfast, fly to Phuket, the biggest of Thailand’s islands. Upon arrival, visit the Phuket Old Town was built on riches reaped from Phuket's tin boom of last century when the metal was an extremely valuable commodity. Unlike many Thai provincial capitals, Phuket Town fairly shines with personality and nowhere more so than its Old Town. In this historically rich part of town, you will find shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), ornate and beautifully preserved 'shophouses', quaint cafés, tiny printing shops, impromptu private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district. Later, ride on a Long-tailed boat to Pearl Farm, to gain a little knowledge of south-sea pearls, and follow-up the Souvenir-shop. Afterward, return to your hotel, enjoy the rest of your afternoon free at leisure.
(Recommended Options:)
James Bound Island Tours: USD 65
Enjoy a free day at leisure.
After breakfast, transfer to airport and board the flight back to your sweet home.
Note: *Depending on the air availability, we might take the flight back to USA/Canada which departure in the early morning (00:00am-03: 00 am) on the next day and today a full day on our own to explore the city, and transfer to Phuket airport in the evening. Hotel checks out before noon. 【 Late check-outs are available for purchase if you wish to relax and enjoy your hotel room. 】
Tour Extensions( Pre-Tour Only)-(Choose before the trip):
1): Beijing Express View Itinerary Click Here
Price: USD$599.00
Single Supplement: USD$ 220.00
Gratuity: USD$ 45.00
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
*Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda,
*Food as specified on the itinerary
*Guided Sightseeing Luxury Tour
*Ground transportation
*Hand-picked 4 star hotel accommodations with daily ABF
*Special cultural programs as listed in different cities as specified in the schedule
*Professional English speaking local tour expert in each destination city
*Minimum guarantee of 6 ppl
Stay Like A Local-Extensions:
1) Phuket 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS Hotel with flight extension (airport drop off not included)
Price: USD 499.00
Single Supplement: USD 300.00
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
*3-4 star hotel accommodations with daily ABF
2) Return Flight Extension-3 DAYS (airport drop off not included)
Price: USD 299.00
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
3) Return Flight Extension-5 DAYS (airport drop off not included)
Price: USD 399.00
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
Optional Programs-( Minimum guarantee of 10 ppl ) :
* Select your optional packages while you are in China & Thailand and pay to the local tour guide.
Day 04 Suzhou "Boat ride on the Grand Canal with walk around the local market" ($30)
Day 06 Shanghai "Huangpu River Night Cruise" ($45)
Day 07 Shanghai "Shanghai maglev train & knock-off market & Xintiandi & Tianzifang & Jinmao Tower." ($100)
Day 07 Shanghai "ERA Show-The intersection of Time."($45)
Day 10. Pattaya Seafood dinner & Alcazar Cabaret Show: US$50 ( Click Here )
Day 11. Night Market & Siam Niramit Show with Dinner: US$50 ( Click Here )
Day 12. Ayutthaya Excursions (incl. Tuk Tuk Ride experience): US$75 ( Click Here )
Day 14. James Bond Island Tours: US$65( Click Here )
Hand-picked 4 star hotels: (Based on ratings by booking.com)
Suzhou: Holiday Inn Suzhou Huirong Plaza/similar
Hangzhou: Merchant Marco Garden Hotel/similar
Wuxi: Swiss-Bel Hotel Liyuan/similar
Shanghai: Shanghai Koyal International Hotel/similar
Bangkok: The Royal River Hotel or similar
Pattaya: Cholchan Pattaya Beach Resort or similar
Phuket: D Varee Mai Khao Beach or similar
International Air:
(*UTOvacation reserve the right to confirm the airlines below)
☆ United Airline
☆ American Airline
☆ Delta Airline
☆ Air China
☆ Air Canada
☆ Hainan Airlines
☆ China Eastern Airlines
☆ Cathy Pacific Airlines
☆ China Southern Airlines
☆ Xiamen Airlines
☆ Beijing Capital Airlines
☆ Sichuan Airlines
☆ Hongkong Airline
☆ Eva Air
☆ Saudia
Remark:
1) We reserve the right to modify the itinerary if necessary subject to the local conditions.
2) Guaranteed departure with minimum of 10 travelers.
3) Price subject to change at the time of reservation.
4) For travelers under 12 years old are as follow:
Child between 2-11 years old with bed | Infant under 2 years old |
100% of adult tour fare | We don"t suggest people bring Infants under 2 years old to participate on this tour |
5) Tour fare is based on American/Canadian adults (non-student group), twin share.
6) As this is a sight-seeing and shopping tour, there are designated local shopping stops on this tour, and a minimum amount of time (60 mins) must be spent at each shopping site. However, there is no obligation to purchase anything. For those who are not very keen on shopping, visits to shopping sites should be treated as cultural learning experiences as all the products including jade, silk, tea, etc are deeply ingrained in the Chinese culture and well worth learning.
7)The hotels listed in the itinerary are subject to change and may be substituted with a similar category hotel without prior notice, if unavailable. Multi-carriers/airlines are used for the group tour airfare. Once the group tickets are issued the airline information may be released by the group ticketing department about 30 days prior to trip departure. Uto vacation can reserve the right to issue tickets without prior notice.
8) For Travel Visa service:
* If you choose UTO’s Visa Application Service with your booking, we will contact you by email about 60-120 days prior to trip departure for your visa application. Please call 1-855-526-1286 for more information.
* Please note: A final trip confirmation will be sent to the main contact passenger via email one month prior to departure that includes a day-by-day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information. 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.
9) Any deviations to other destinations and/or extensions are subject to a $150 change fee, plus any air fare difference---please call 1-855-526-1286 for detail information.
10) Reservation changes: changes to an existing reservation, whatever the cause, will incur a $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 and re-booking. See airline name changes section for specific information. Replacing a traveling passenger with another traveling passenger constitutes a cancellation, subject to cancellation penalties, and is not covered by this reservation changes policy. Changes or additions 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.
11) If for any reason, a passenger does not attend the scheduled daily activities during the tour, an additional supplement fee of $100 per person per day has to be paid.
12) Please note that if the flight for your tour is during the lunch or dinner time, your meal will be served on board by the airline.
13) All tour extension & optional programs require a minimum of 10 participants to commence. UTOvacation reserve the rights to cancel the tour extension without prior notice. In the instance of cancellation, the tour extension or optional tours shall be refunded.
14) This tour requires some walking during sightseeing. Handicap facilities are not up to the North American standard. We ask all passengers to be careful of the small steps in the old shrines and temples.
Meals:
* This trip requires a Chinese Visa for USA & Canada passport holders.
* UTOvaction"s China Visa Service is USD$484 Per Person for American Passports.
* Thailand Visa Is Not Required For USA, Canada Passport Holders.
Visit the "IATA Travel Centre" for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm
* A final trip confirmation will be sent to the main contact passenger via email one month prior to departure that includes a day-by-day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information.
* 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 $100pp administration fee.
* All information and requirements in regard to visa applications are available on the Chinese Consulate"s website. Applicants are required to bring their visa application along with all supporting documents. Please contact your local Chinese Embassy/Consulate directly if you apply for a Chinese visa on your own.
Please call 1-855-526-1286 or email [email protected] for any inquiries about travel visas.
More about Travel Documents
*It is your responsibility to ensure that you- and any child travelling with you- have all the valid travel documents necessary to enter in, exit from or transit through, each country/region on your itinerary. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.
*Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your date of return. Passport must be in good condition: passport damaged beyond normal wear and tear will not be accepted.
*Consult with the appropriate embassy, high commission or consulate about the travel document requirement for any country that you plan to enter in, exit from or transit through.
*Some country no longer issue paper visas but rather electronic visas. E-Visa holders must present the printed e-Visa and valid passport at the checkpoint.
*International travel with infants and children may be required to show documentary evidence of your relationship and a Letter Consent or permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.
*Americans holding dual citizenship must travel to the United States with a valid U.S. passport. American permanent residents returning to the United States from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
*Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents returning Canada from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).
Thailand is often referred to as the “land of smiles,” and while it may be a cliché, it also happens to be quite true. On the whole, Thailand is a very welcoming, friendly country, particularly when you get outside the large tourist centers like Phuket and Bangkok. Also, Thailand is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and stunning, clear blue seas, with over 2,000 miles of coastline and 8,000 tropical islands!
Packing List For Thailand:
- Passport – Ensure your passport is valid for at least a year and has plenty of blank pages. Also get a passport cover – they’re cheap, and will protect your passport from damage plus provide a handy place to stash tickets etc whilst in transit.
- Travel Insurance – Make sure you have travel insurance that covers your full range of activities e.g. scuba diving (World Nomads backpacker travel insurance is recommended by Lonely Planet amongst others and can be bought immediately online)
- Thai SIM card – it’s much cheaper to switch over to a Thai SIM card on your phone rather than use roaming from home. You can buy a Thai SIM card online with Klook and pick it up at the counter at the airport when you arrive in Thailand. Alternatively, you buy a SIM at one of the telecom shops at the airport or once you’re in the city.
- Do I Need A Visa For Thailand? – USA and Canada nationalities do NOT need a visa for Thailand – you simply arrive in Thailand and get a stamp that allows you to stay 30 days in Thailand. (This is technically known as a visa waiver stamp). See this official list for the full rundown of which nationalities do not require a visa to enter Thailand.
- Prescription Medicines – Have a full supply of any prescription medicines you require
- Credit Cards and Debit Cards – Have credit cards and a debit card that will work in international ATMs and won’t block you due to being accessed from Thailand.
Must-Have Items to Carry
- Whether you purchase them locally or bring them from home, you'll certainly want each of these essentials with you:
- Sunscreen: Prices for sunscreen often reflect the fact that locals rarely use it.
- Sunglasses: Sunglasses often get abused, so consider buying a cheap pair locally.
- Mosquito Repellent: Dengue fever is a serious problem throughout Thailand. The best defense is to protect yourself from bites. Mosquito coils can be purchased everywhere; burn them while sitting on your porch or balcony.
-Toilet Paper: You'll find it on tables in restaurants but not always in the bathrooms!
- Hand Sanitizer: Soap isn't a guarantee, even in nice restaurants. You'll certainly want some after your first squat toilet experience.
- Power Adapter: Most of the power outlets in Thailand are universal now; they accept both the US-style flat-pronged plugs as well as the rounded European-style power plugs. To ensure that you can connect everywhere, consider bringing a universal power adapter and check the voltage ratings (Thailand uses a 220-volt system) on your devices/chargers. Anything that relies on USB charging or has a dual-voltage transformer should be fine.
Clothing:
The casual outdoor clothes are highly recommended. A pair of comfortable walking shoes. Socks, pants, and underwear. An umbrella and waterproof coat will be strongly recommended because it often rains in Thailand. Bring clothes according to in which season you are traveling.
Bangkok, Thailand: Annual Weather Averages
April is the hottest month in Bangkok with an average temperature of 31°C (87°F) and the coldest is December at 26°C (79°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in December. The wettest month is September with an average of 220mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in April when the average sea temperature is 30°C (86°F).
Phuket Thailand: Annual Weather Averages
March is the hottest month in Phuket with an average temperature of 29°C (83°F) and the coldest is January at 27°C (81°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in April. The wettest month is September with an average of 400mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in April when the average sea temperature is 30°C (86°F).
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.
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 of travel products or services that youpurchase from UTOvacation contains a contractual agreement between you andUTOvacation and it represents that you have agreed to UTOvacation Terms andConditions. Please make sure that you read carefully before making anypayment.
Reservation
Online Reservations
Step 1. Visit UTOvacation website: www.utovacation.com, login orRegister your account. (Learn how to book online Click Here)
Step 2. Choose your desired departure date and departure city
Step 3. Enter the travellers’ information according to theirpassport. Please identify and provide the contact information for the mainpassenger. All communication from UTOvacation will be sent to the mainpassenger only.
Step 4. Make your payment online
A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space. (The specific deposit amount is determined by the requirements specified on the product pages and the amount indicated during the enrollment process for each respective product.)
Step 5. Finalize the booking by uploading all required documents to your online account no later than 180 days before your departure date (If you choose to provide your required documents after your initial booking). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by 180 days of your departure date, your booking may be subject to suspension, cancellation, or forfeiture. If our supplier makes an exception and accepts your late booking (due to late payment and late document submission), you will be able to continue your tour with an additional surcharge for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Final Payment
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior todeparture unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the duedate, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain thepre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.
* In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment.Please carefully review your product pages for reference.
Please note: Your timely payment is important to guarantee your seat/cabin and ensure the overall tour package price. Your 2nd deposit and balance or final payment will NOT be charged automatically by UTOvacation and payment reconciliation in time on your side is necessary to confirm your booking.
The full or balance payment (if any balance on your invoice) is required 180 days prior to the tour departure date. For all packages, please ensure the submission of all essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by this date (180 days before the tour departure). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, a surcharge will be applied for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Step 6. Trip Confirmation.
A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotelinformation, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passengerapproximately one month before departure.
By booking your tour online with UTOvacation.com you acknowledge and agree toall three terms and conditions including the Internet Sales & DepositPolicy and the Sales and Cancellation Policy. You also confirm and agreethat you understand that the deposit is non-refundable.
Offline Reservations
Step 1. Complete the reservation.
Call 1-855-526-1286 to request Booking Form. Fill out all the information onthe Booking Form with an authentic signature and date on the bottom of thesecond page. It is the passenger"s responsibility to ensure documentationaccuracy and travel documents validity. You will be liable for the full losscaused by incorrect information. By the time you full-fill the bookingform, you have agreed to receive correspondence from UTOvacation which mightinclude newsflash, email blast or any other promotions in the future.
Email/Fax your current and valid Passport Copy with the Booking Formtogether to [email protected]/416-251-7778
Step 2. Finalize the booking.
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior todeparture unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the duedate, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain thepre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred. * In addition, some productsmay require a second deposit before final payment. Please carefully review yourproduct pages for your reference.
Step 3. Trip Confirmation.
A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotelinformation, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passengerone month prior to departure.
Make the reservations. A Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is requiredto secure the space. We accept cash, cheque, money order, debit card, creditcard, email transfer, TD transfer. A full payment is required when booking ifthe package is a special on-sale product.
By booking your tour offline with UTOvacation.com, you acknowledge and agree toall three terms and conditions including the Internet Sales & DepositPolicy and the Sales and Cancellation Policy. You also confirm and agreethat you understand that the deposit is non-refundable.
Travel Visa
The following documents from the passenger are required if travelvisa is applied through UTOvacation’s Visa Center:
*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, thesupporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to thetrip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $50administration fee
Trip Cancellation and Eligible Refunds
Please ensure you have read the Trip Cancellation Policyin full and have not scrolled past or by-passed this section.
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour prior to departuredate. An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra charge.
All passenger cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in written formby email or fax including your reservation number, full name anddate of travel, cancellations will only be accepted in writing.
Once air tickets are issued, they are considered non-refundable. Any cancellations made, whether prior to or after the commencement of travel, will not be eligible for a refund. An administration fee will also apply. No refund will be issued once travel hasbegun.
Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the writtencancellation is received and based on the following dates prior todeparture.
All reservations, except where specified:
All refund-related processes will take around 6 to 8 weeks to process.
No refund will be available on departure date and/orafter the tour has commenced (Including denied and/or rejected by ImmigrationDepartment or Custom of destination or Cruise port terminal officer).
No refund or reimbursement will be available to passengers who voluntarilyforego meals, cruise, tours and/or accommodations. A surcharge may apply shouldthere be any additional fees occurred from services refused by the passengers.i.e. Since air ticket, cruise ticket, transportation, accommodation, and mealshave to be arranged in advance during high season (i.e.Holidays, SpecialEvents, and other important activities and conventions), no departure datechanged is allowed. No refund will be available on departure date change and/orbooking cancellation.
Any other charges, refunds or rebates caused by the acts of God, Force Majeure,natural disasters, fire, weather, governmental and local authority"s order,political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damagesor inquiry caused by accident is beyond the responsibility of UTOvacation andtherefore, you agree to hold UTOvacation harmless and non-liable for anyrefunds or compensation outside of the previously defined refund structure.Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national lawsduring their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible or liable. By this signingthe agreement the client agrees to any offer of a voucher, future companycredit, or alternative arrangements as determined by management at thattime.
No refunds will be offered for Travel notices except for complete travel bans(Canada Travel Advisory Level 4) (USA Travel Advisory Level 4) which haveoccurred after the date of booking. Should an outright travel ban beimplemented by the departing or destination country/city, a full travel creditwill be offered. Refunds will not be granted for pre-existing situationsat the destination country at the time of the booking. Please note, shouldUTOvacation incur any unexpected costs from its suppliers, these costs would besubtracted from and balance/travel credit issued to the passenger
Please note, any refunded amount will not include fees associated with TravelVisa’s which have already been issued or any services that have already beendelivered.
All reschedule tours are consider non-refundable; regular cancellation policydoes not apply.
Optional programs and trip extensions
The pre-paid deposit/tour fare for any of the early bird deals or promotional packages is not refundable.
No Show
This is a sponsored tourand as agreed by the traveler before the purchase. The sponsorrequires that all passengers attend all the included activities/shopping stopsduring the trip. Not meeting this condition will lead to the revocation of thetrip’s and traveler"s sponsorship. Each and any no show will incur apenalty of $100 per person, per day. If the traveler does not attenddaily activities, payment will be immediately collected for the day missed.This penalty applies no matter the cause (including illness, flight/cruisedelays, quarantines, and etc). If passengers do not attend theactivities/shopping stops will need to pay associated penalties for missingscheduled activities, the sponsoring associations will cancel remaining hotelsand flights.
Shopping During your Tour
Although wewould be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTOvacation would not beresponsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during thetour. If you have any inquiries about the quality, price, after-sales service,etc., of the purchased goods, please contact the store directly.
For Chinarelated tour packages, include daily shopping arrangements, and participationin shopping is entirely voluntary. There is absolutely no obligation for anyforced shopping behavior, but group members are expected to visit the stores aspart of the tour itinerary. Shopping stops included relative quantity as listedin the itinerary: Jade Store; Chinese Herbal Institute; Silk Spinning Factory;Fresh Water Pearl Center and Pottery imitation factory.
Price Adjustments
After the booking is confirmed, if the price increased following the impositionof 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 servicesare provided has increased by more than 5% since the date on which the contractwas entered into; and/or if the increase, without taking into account anyincrease in the provincial sales tax or USA Canada"s goods and services tax,raising taxes, royalties or reauthorized charges by a competent publicauthority, is equal to or greater than 7% of the price of services, you maychoose between a full and immediate reimbursement of the services or theprovision of similar services.
Tour Adjustments
UTOvacation retains the right to adjust, modify or reschedule tours if deemed necessary.
UTOvacation also reserves the right to adjust your tour date or itinerary if it feels it is in the best interest of its passengers especially in cases that involve the health and safety. This may include minor adjustments like the timing of a scheduled tour attraction visit to a complete date modification.
UTOvacation will do its best to notify you of any such changes before your departure (Or as soon as possible if you have already departed).
Stipulations. Please note, UTOvacation does its’ best to fulfill its tour obligations. However, UTOvacation is not liable for scenarios which impact room availability, tour execution, separate fees or other elements of the tour that is enforced by third party entities such as local and federal authorities.
Tour Credits
Please note: Travel
credit will be applied should there be any cancellation/refund occurs if the
tour/service has been paid by travel credit in the initial transaction.
Travel Seat Arrangements
Seating/Cabin assignment: UTOvacation has no power to control theseating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise(unless where specified). All the spots are arranged by the airline/cruiseline group department or randomly selected by the computer system. Therefore,UTO vacation cannot help the customers to change, reserve, pre-assignseats/cabins.
Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTOvacation will not be responsible for anypreferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first classseats). Some cruise packages allow the selection of cabins at the time ofbooking for an upgraded price; please refer to the product page fordetails.
Reservation Adjustments
Changes to an existing reservation by the passenger for whatever the cause,will incur a $299 per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. Thisincludes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours andtransfers.
*Please note that name changes to airline or cruise line reservations aresubject to full cancellation or re-booking. See Airline Name Changes sectionfor specific regulations.
Replacing a travelling passenger is subject to cancellation penalties and isnot covered by this Reservation Changes policy.
Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates atthe time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the serviceprovider. UTOvacation will make its best effort to minimize these costs,however, all payment will be payable by request of the local service providers.
There are no refunds for unused services.
Travel Insurance
UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase travel insuranceat the time of booking. UTOvacation does not directly offer Travel Insurance.The Travel Insurance recommended by UTOvacation are facilitated and owned by thirdparty operators. Any Travel Insurance purchased by the passenger is governed bythe third party and UTOvacation is not liable or responsible for saidinsurance.
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 govisit the airline company official website.
Please note, some destinations baggage is not included in the fair. Refer toyour specific tour product page’s terms & conditions for specific baggage allowances.
Tour Fare Includes
Please refer to your tour itinerary for the most updated information
Tour Fare Excludes
Vaccinations
- Please be advised that the vaccination requirements are subject to change in each country and that it is the responsibility of the traveler and not UTOvacation to check about the requirements before the arrival of your destination.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that all travelers should be up to date with routine vaccinations. Following that, travelers should check that they have been fully vaccinated against measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, and COVID-19 before starting their travel. Non-immunized or incompletely immunized travelers should be offered the routine vaccinations recommended in their national immunization schedules, in addition to those needed for international travel (e.g. yellow fever vaccine).
- The WHO recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to South America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, and rabies. Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, meningitis, and polio.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travelers, based on their specific itinerary. It is possible to find further details on the WHO website.
Additional Notes
The extra cost of schedule delay caused by Air Flight cancellation or change will be undertaken by passengers themselves. The missed itineraries will not bere-arranged. During the tour or cruise, it will be considered as surrendering application automatically if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or checkin the prearranged hotel or cruise.
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 a travel visa is denied for any reason either it is applied through UTOvacation Visa Service Center or applied on your own, the tour cancellation policy applies when cancellation of the tour is requested. UTOvacation holds no responsibilities for any denied Travel Visa application.
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 or leaving from a foreign country or by North American officials when re-entering into USA or Canada. Failure of presenting such document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned.
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel any booking/accommodation/flight arrangement if the customer fails to pay the compulsory tipping for the entire trip before the final payment due date.(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.)
Cruise lines reserve the right to cancel, modify or substitute any scheduledport of calls and the schedule at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice due to the navigation authority and water conditions. Any additional expenses cause by the trip interruption should be paid by the customers, which includes but not limited to meals, transportation, hotel accommodations, personal expense, and lost baggage. UTOvacation shall not beliable for any loss to guests.
For children under 18 who will be occupying a bed, there will be an additional$100 supplement per child. Please note, this is only applicable China discounted tours or any trip that includes China discounter tours.
Please note, there is a minimum attendant requirement (10 participants) for optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions prior to departure date.
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Please be advised that we will only respond to emails in the event of an emergency. For immediate assistance, we recommend contacting our customer support team through our online chat platform or by phone. UTOvacation assumes no responsibility in the event of a failure to contact us through online chat or phone and disclaims any liability for customers missing any travel documents or payments before or during the tour.
Safeguarding your payment(s) is our top priority. In order to prevent any rampant fraudulence or deception, we ask our customers to settle payment(s) through your account on UTOvacation official website at www.utovacation.com. Should you choose offline payment submission, Cheque/Money order/Bank draft/Credit card (with credit card authorization form filled out and signed) are accepted and the payee must be UTOvacation. Please be advised that UTOvacation has never been allowing Bank transfer/Email transfer for transactions and Cash is not recommended. If you find something suspicious regarding your payment, please call 1-855.526.1286 before any further actions.
Please note that the supplier provides all flight schedules. UTOvacation would not be held responsible or liable for any heavy layovers or arrival times that may affect your tour schedule. For example, if your flight arrives earlier than expected, your hotel accommodation may not be available for check-in. Likewise, you may arrive later than scheduled and early morning the next day. For customer who choose regular flights options, please note that you do not have choice for the flight companies,arrivel/departure time and numbers of layovers. If you request a better flight schedule, please check out the flight upgrade services we provide.
For customers who opt for regular flight options, please be advised that your flight schedule may include up to four stopovers, and layover times are not guaranteed. Your flight plan will precisely align with your intended travel schedule.
UTOvacation is not responsible for changes to the schedule, including alterations to routing or the number of stops in the itinerary, made by the airline company. Additionally, UTOvacation cannot provide compensation for schedule modifications, adjustments to seat assignments, or cancellations initiated by the airline.
Important
Passengers are required to settle the final payment and submit valid passport copies/ necessary documents before the deadline or immediately when the suppliers, airlines, hotels will be or are at a stop sale. Please note, after confirming such bookings, any cancellation, tour change, name change or travel credit converting are not allowed.
Dispute Penalty
Please note, if a customer requires cancellation of a product or service, kindly reach out to UTOvacation customer service. If a customer files a dispute/chargeback directly with their bank, the order will be automatically canceled and suspended in your account.If a customer wishes to reinstate their purchase or credit, they must pay a disputed penalty of $299 per transaction if the total payment amount exceeds $299; 50% of the total invoice amount if the amount is less than $299; all dispute penalties are per transaction. Chargeback fees, transaction fees, administration expenses, marketing/acquisition costs, and operations charges are all part of the disputed penalty. After you have reinstated your order and paid the disputed penalty, you will receive the travel credit. The travel credit can be used to book the same or different tours on our website. You will not be reinstated to your original order, and the amount you paid for that excursion will not be guaranteed.
Remarks:
1) UTOvacation reserves the right to impose relevant fuel/inflation surcharge if Brent Crude Oil Price Index or US/Canada Official CPI has jumped over 4% between your booking date and tour departure date.
2) UTOvacation usually sends out important notifications including but not limited to destination health protocols, travel industry policies, tour updates and safety alerts to our agents/customers by newsletter through email. We are not responsible for trip delay, service cancellation, price increase or any other types of loss caused by unsubscribing from our email list, wrong email address or a lack of checking email box/spam folder/junk folder on a regular basis. If you have not received our newsletter for a long time, make sure your email address is effective/valid and you are on our email list. OR contact us immediately at [email protected] for assistance.
3) Please note that local city taxes are not included in the invoice amount. These taxes, as imposed by the city, are typically calculated on a per-person, per-night basis. The customer is responsible for paying the local city taxes directly while staying at the designated location.
UTOvacation strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance for any future travel plans.
We have curated two reputable partners one in the USA and one for Canada. Once you have made your trip selection, please select the option of purchasing travel insurance.
For USA patrons, in order to qualify for the “Cancel For Any Reason” Option offered by John Hancock, you will need to purchase your insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit. Other insurance policies may be purchased later.
Please note, the travel insurance that is available for purchase is with our affiliate partners and not a direct product or offering of UTOvacation. For any questions or concerns, please contact the vendor directly.
American Travel Insurance (click for more details)
Canadian Travel Insurance (click for more details)
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