Payment Policy & Methods

For your peace of mind, please read our payment policy carefully before booking a China Culture Tour with us. Contact us if you require clarification of any point. We accept the following methods of payment:

• 1. Credit card via PAYPAL online payment
• 2. Credit card via MONEYBOOKERS online payment
• 3. Wire transfer/bank transfer to our partner Bank of China
• 4. Pay by WESTERN UNION money transfer

Reference exchange rate: Please refer to Bank of China EXCHANGE RATE.

We use a conversion rate for Chinese currency (CNY) to US$ of CNY 6.8 = US$1 for the purpose of quotation. This rate remains in place until such time as there is a significant movement in currency rates. We quote in CNY and must charge your credit card in CNY. All banks and credit card companies buy Chinese currency at their local rate for payment, and this may vary marginally to our quoted rate. You will find the final payment charged may therefore be more or less than we quote. Also, the bank or card company will deduct a transaction fee from your card.

We only make charges in Chinese Currency (CNY) to you. As the exchange rate changes monthly, so the balance of your payment may change accordingly. For example, when you pay a 10% deposit it may hypothetically leave a balance of CNY6800=US$1000 whilst the exchange rate is CNY6.8=1USD, 2 months later, the exchange rate may change to CNY6.5=1USD, so your balance will be 6800/6.5=1046US$. In this instance, you will find U$46 extra charged from your card. (Note: you may pay the full amount in a single transaction to avoid such an eventuality)

Price Inclusive

• Tibetan Permit (only when your China tour package includes a Tibetan  tour arranged by us).
• Entrance fees to all attractions  specified in the confirmation of your China Culture Tour package.
• China domestic air fare or train tickets as specified in the confirmed China tour package.
• Accommodation as listed in each city as specified in the confirmed China tour package.
• Private transfers between airport and hotel, train station and hotel, hotel and sightseeing in an air-conditioned vehicle as specified in your confirmed China tour package.
• Meals: breakfasts, lunches and dinners specified in the confirmed itinerary.
• Yangtze Cruise with 0.5 cabins per person as specified in the confirmed China tour package.
• English speaking guide and driver service in each city as specified in the confirmed itinerary. Guides will change from one city to another.
• Luggage transfer service between airport and hotel or train station and hotel as specified in the confirmed china tour package.
• Accident insurance coverage as specified in the confirmed China tour package.
• Government and airport taxes and fuel charges as specified in the confirmed China tour package.

Price Exlusive

• International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China.   To book international air tickets, we recommend:　www.expedia.com
• China entry visa fees
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal expenses during your tour
• Optional gratuities to guide or driver
• Any cost that is not listed in the final Confirmation Letter of  booking

Yangtze Cruise Only

(Only applicable to clients booking a Yangtze Cruise)

Price Inclusive for Yangtze Cruise:

• A. Entrance fee: the sights listed in the itinerary.
• B. Meals: daily meals as listed in the itinerary. (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• C. Room: 0.5 cabin per person on ship as listed in the itinerary.
• D. Luggage Transfer: Between the ship and pier.
• E. Service Charges & Government Taxes.

Price Exclusive for Yangtze Cruise:

• A. Transfers: From airport to pier in Chongqing/Yichang/Wuhan/Shanghai.
• B.  Incidental charges incurred such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals not included in the itinerary.
• C. Any personal expense.

Cancellation Policy

In the regrettable event of your having to cancel your China Culture Tour, cancellation fees and refunds are calculated as follows:

• No refund for the deposit say 20% due to any reason of the cancelation.
• Cancellation letter received up to 15 days prior to the beginning of your confirmed China tour: 70 % refunded and 30% charged of all monies paid except the necessary bank processing charge.
• Cancellation letter received 7 to 14 days prior to the beginning of your confirmed China tour: 60% refunded and 40% charged of the received tour payments including cost of Yangtze River Cruise (where applicable)
• Cancellation letter received from 3 to 6 days before the beginning of your confirmed China tour: 50% refunded and 50% charged of monies received excluding cost of Yangtze River Cruise.
• Cancellation letter received from 2 to 0 days before the beginning of your confirmed China tour: 40% refunded and 60% charged of monies paid (excluding cost of Yangtze River Cruise if applicable).
• Cancellation during the tour: we will refund 30% of paid uncompleted land component and charge 70% (exclude payment of Yangtze cruise)
• About Yangtze Cruise cancellations and refunds: Cancellations received 7 days or less before the tour commencement or No-show travelers will not be eligible for any refund of Yangtze River Cruise.

Alternation Policy of A Booked Tour

We reserve the right to alter or modify the itinerary of any China Culture Tour package should airline or train schedules change or for any eventuality beyond our control.

• Before the tour, if any changes occur with airline, train or Yangtze cruise schedules, we reserve the right to make necessary adjustments.
• During the tour, if any changes occur with airline, train or Yangtze cruise schedules, we reserve the right to make adjustments as necessary.
• If such a situation arises, the cost differences will calculated and charged or refunded accordingly. Wish you a nice China tour!

Loss during Your China Tour

With any personal possessions lost, damaged or destroyed during a tour we will assist with notifying the police and/or with any insurance claim

• We are not responsible for any loss caused by unpredictable reasons like robbery, theft, etc but will assist with any ensuing investigation.
• We are not responsible for any luggage loss at the airport or  by an airline but we will assist with investigation and retrieval.
• We are not responsible for any items lost in your hotel, on vehicles, at a restaurant or at a scenic spots but we will assist where possible.
• We are not responsible for your passports or Chinese visas, but, in the event of loss, will offer all possible assistance with retrieval.

Complaints & Claims

If you are dissatisfied with any service provided during any segment of your tour, please inform your local tour guide or your China travel consultant immediately to avoid any similar problem arising during the next stage of your China tour. Once we are informed of a problem, we will endeavour to rectify it promptly and to your satisfaction. Should you feel you have a justifiable claim for compensation, you need to inform us by email within 14 days of completion of your tour and attach relevant documentation in support of your claim. We cannot be responsible for any claim made later than 14 days after the end of your tour but claims made within the stipulated period will be assessed fairly and efficiently. Our Company reputation is, after all, very much dependent on your recommendation and we pride ourselves on our ability to prevent problems occurring and on solving them if and when they do.

Privacy policy

One of our aims is to make your online deal personal and safe. We abide by international law and Chinese law and will not breach your privacy.

• We do not divulge your email address. We will delete it from our mailing system if you do not wish to receive further communications from us.
• We will not send you any newsletters or junk mail, but, with your express permission, would appreciate being able to give your email address to  travelers who want to learn about us from you.
• We keep your credit card/bank account information confidential  and will destroy it once we receive your payment.
• We will not use your phone number or home address except in emergency or for normal contact before or during your tour.  This information will be deleted from our system once your tour is complete.
• We may ask for some photos you have taken during your tour to use on our web site.  If you agree, such photos will be used exclusively on our web site.
• Any private documents you provide us for your China travel  will  be returned or destroyed as soon as your China tour ends.

China Travel Insurance

Our tour packages include China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance to a maximum of RMB200,000 and is provided free of charge as part of our package. However, we highly recommend that you have full travel insurance cover from your own country. Insurance provided by us is not applicable where only hotel or flight bookings are made through us.

• We recommend you visit http://www.worldnomads.com to select a suitable policy.
  
• Alternatively, if you are over 65 years of age, you can choose to buy your insurance at http://www.insuremytrip.com (US & Canada) or http://www.globelink.co.uk (rest of the world).
• We are not responsible for any death or injury caused by a third party during your tour but we  do carry accident insurance cover for your protection. We will assist should any claim be necessary.  We recommend you have travel insurance before you begin your your journey and suggest you refer to http://www.worldnomads.com.