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We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
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The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
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Beijing - Summer Palace - 40 Yuan, Birds Nest - 50 Yuan, Temple of Heaven - 35 Yuan, Forbidden City - 60 Yuan. Opera- 150 Yuan, Acrobats- 180 Yuan
Xian - Wild Goose Pagoda - 50 Yuan, Tang Show- 250 Yuan, City wall by bike - 100 yuan
Yangshou - bike hire - 10 Yuan, raft from Hongqi to Shengdi - 250 Yuan. Li river rafting- 200 Yuan, Tai Chi- 80 Yuan, Cookery lesson- 130 Yuan, Caligraphy- 80 Yuan, sound and light show- 260 Yuan
Shanghai - Acrobatic performance - 280, Yu Yuan gardens - 40 Yuan.
Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
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Local Staff: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly you should allow approx. £25 for gratuities for local staff.
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| UK | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | £1.00 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | £1.30 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | £1.30 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | £2.20 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | £7.50 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | £14.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | |
| Breakfast | £5.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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It is your own responsibility to obtain a visa for this tour. To obtain the visa Explore suggets using their reccomended visa service Visa Swift http://www.visaswift.com/explore.aspx
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China: Entry visas are required by all nationalities and can be obtained through Explore’s recommended visa service, Visa Swift, or for overseas clients by their Explore agent.
A single entry visa is required for this tour and must be obtained before departure.
Please note that if your flights are via any other city in China you must not proceed through customs. Instead you must remain in the transit area and directly proceed to your connecting flight.
Registering with the Chinese authorities: You are required to register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival in China: Chinese authorities are now actively enforcing this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process, and you will be registered for the duration of your tour. Please note that if you intend to arrive more than 24 hours before your tour starts or to stay in China after your tour has finished and you are not staying in a hotel, you will need to register with the local Public Security Bureau.
Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate or consular office.
Back to topAdditional documents needed: in order to finalise the purchase of train tickets the Chinese rail companies require a photocopy of the details page in your passport. In order for our local agent to book the train tickets for your tour please forward us a copy of your passport as soon as possible.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Back to topNothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against infectious hepatitis, diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to take immunisation against Japanese Encephalitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
Back to topWe strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topChina has primarily a temperate climate, with the four seasons encompassing a wide spectrum of extremes due to its huge area. During the winter Beijing and Xian are generally cold and dry, a factor caused by the cold Siberian air masses moving southwards across the Mongolian Plateau. The weather in China can be unpredictable but normally cold in march then gradually warming. The north can be hot and dry in the summer months whilst being humid and hot as we travel further south.
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Back to topTo assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
Back to topOne main piece of baggage and a daypack. Total allowance is 20kg (44lb) maximum. Please note that there is a weight restriction of 7kg for hand luggage/daypack for international and internal flights.
Back to topAs we will be using a lot of public transport it is important that you can easily carry your own bags. Soft shell bags/backpacks are easier to manage than hard cases. It is recommended to take a padlock for flights in and around China.
In the hotter months you will need to pack accordingly with light weight shirts and tops. In the earlier parts of the year it can get very cold so jumpers and fleeces are recommended.
Back to topComfortable shoes and sandals. If participating in rafting or visiting the jungle, old trainers (as they get wet) are useful.
Back to topYou will need a good insect repellent, suncream, sunglasses, sun hat a small torch and a personal water bottle.
Back to topThen we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
Back to topFor comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Back to topRecommended Maps: GeoCenter China (1:4,000,000).
Recommended Books: Insight Guide China, Colin Thubron: Behind the Wall, Jung Chang: Wild Swans, Paul Theroux: Riding the Iron Rooster, China Rough Guide, Lonely Planet: Hong Kong & Macau, Frank Welsh: A History of Hong Kong.
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