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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 performance £15.00, Acrobatic display £19.00, Hutongs tour £13.00, Summer Palace £15 including transport.
Xian - Han Dynasty tombs £20.00, City Walls by bike - £10.00.
Hong Kong - Hong Kong Island tour £30.00.
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.
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Local Staff: Accordingly you should allow approx. £25 for gratuities for local staff.
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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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Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
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Local Currency: China: Renminbi/Yuan. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Dollar.
Recommended Currency for Exchange: Both USD and GBP can be exchanged in China and Hong Kong.
Where to Exchange: Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability: Available in most towns/cities.
Credit Card Acceptance: Accepted in some shops and restaurants.
Travellers Cheques: Travellers Cheques are extremely difficult to change in China, particularly during New Year, so we recommend you bring a mixture of cash and cards instead.
Additional Information: Remember to keep your currency declaration form – it will be required when you leave.
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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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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.
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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.
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Nothing 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 topSeasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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 daytime temperatures in Harbin during the winter can reach -30°C, with nighttime temperatures reaching even lower still.
Hong Kong enjoys more of a sub-tropical climate and the winter months tend to produce temperatures in the high teens, with January being more susceptible to cloud cover, with occasional rain and cold fronts.
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 topOne main piece and a daysac. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember, you are expected to carry your own luggage – so don’t overload yourself.
It 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 bottles onto aircraft if they have been checked in as main luggage. Any bottles in the hand luggage may be confiscated.
Back to topYou are best to bring in multiple layers of clothes that can be added or removed according to your level of activity. Thermal winter clothing is ideal and a down jacket is recommended. We also suggest a warm hat, gloves and neck warmer. Salopets may be useful.
Back to topWarm insulated boots/shoes for northern China, trainers for Hong Kong.
Back to topA torch, water bottle, high factor suncream (at least factor 15), good quality sunglasses and a lip salve with sun protection. Please note that camera batteries loses their charge quickly in the extreme cold, so these may need to be recharged frequently in Harbin.
Back to topDue to the weather conditions in China at this time of year it may be necessary to rearrange the itinerary at short notice. Whilst festival dates and events are planned well in advance on accasion they may be subject to last minute changes and we cannot guarantee exactly what will take place. We would endeavour to contact you to inform you of any change made known to us in advance of departure.
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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