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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 - Opera £15.00, Hutong trip £13.00, Temple of Heaven £3.50, Summer Palace £4.00
Xian - City Walls by bike - £10.00; Tang Dynasty show & dumpling banquet £25.00, Wild Goose Pagoda £5.00
Yangshuo - Sound and Light show £21.00 (£26.00 for VIP seat), Bamboo rafting £15.00, Painting lesson £8.00, Caligraphy lesson £8.00 Cooking class £13.00
Please note there will not be time for all these optionals.
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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 Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Back to topLocal Staff: Accordingly you should allow approx. £25 per person for gratuities for local staff.
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Local Currency: Renminbi/Yuan.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Take EUR, USD$ or GBP cash.
Where to Exchange: Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival. Passengers flying via Beijing can change money easily at Beijing airport while connecting flights.
ATM Availability: Most towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
Credit Card Acceptance: Most major restaurants and stores.
Travellers Cheques: Can be exchanged in most major towns but only during bank hours. Please note that this is very time consuming and is not recommended.
Up-to-date information re:global exchange rates can be obtained at https://www.currencyexpress.com/explore/
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| UK | China | Hong Kong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | £1.00 | £1.00 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | £1.30 | £1.30 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | £1.30 | £1.30 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | £2.20 | £2.20 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | £7.50 | £7.50 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | £14.00 | £14.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | ||
| Breakfast | £5.00 | £4.00 |
*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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China: Single entry visas are required by all visitors and can be obtained through Explore’s recommended Visa Service, Visa Swift, or for overseas clients by their Explore agent.
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.
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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.
Back to topNothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Though not compulsory, travellers may wish to immunize themselves 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 topSingle parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel
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 a wide spectrum of extremes due to its huge area. Summer months are hot and rainy though in the south the climate is tropical and we can experience rain at any time of the year, often falling in sharp tropical rain-storms which are heavy but short lived. Winter is colder and drier, temperatures in Beijing can be as low as -12c.
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 topUnfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
Back to topIt is essential that your baggage is lockable; the airport authorities insist on this. Please be aware, before boarding a flight in China that the Chinese authorities will only allow glass bottles onto aircraft if they have been checked in as main luggage. Any glass bottles in the hand luggage may be confiscated. Please bring a shoulder bag large enough to carry clothing and toiletries for the nightstop in Ping An as we will not bring our main luggage with us for the night.
Back to topLightweight clothing is needed all year round with some warmer clothes for the cooler evenings. Casual clothes are the most practical. You may also wish to bring some lightweight rainwear or an umbrella.
Back to topComfortable walking shoes, trainers and sandals
Back to topTorch, insect repellent, sunglasses, sun cream and a water bottle. A Mandarin phrase book may also be helpful.
Then 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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