About Our Service
I have never purchased any tours directly from China Online, what are the Procedures for Online Reservation? (It is very important for you to know) (Please click here to learn more about the Online Reservation Procedures)
1. What is a package tour?
We provide Taylor-made or customized Independent Tour packages and Organized Group Tour packages. All these are fully escorted packages. When you arrive in each city, our professional English speaking (other languages available) tour guide with a private air-conditioned car or coach, with driver, will meet you. They will be at your service for the duration of your tour, and will transfer you to the airport (or train station) when you are leaving for your next destination.
2. Can your packages be customized?
Yes, all the packages we offer are customizable to meet your satisfaction. We know every one wants something different, so we will work together with you to achieve what you require. We will refine your itinerary until you are satisfied
3. How long before the tour do I need to make the reservation?
We usually suggest our clients make reservations at least two months before the departure date. If you come to China in September or October (high season), we recommend you make the reservations three months prior to your departure date. We cannot always get reservations at hotels and on airlines at the last moment and we can obtain a better deal for you if you book early.
4. What is "high season"?
"High season" refers to the part of a year when the weather conditions and other elements for traveling are very good. This means that there are more people traveling than at other times. It is the busiest time for the hotels, airlines, and travel agencies. All hotels are heavily booked. If you plan to go traveling during the high season, you need to make the reservation two to three months prior to your departure date. In China, May, September and October are defined as the high season by most of the hotels, airlines and travel agencies.
5. How can I pay?
Because our internet infrastructure and China banking system is a little different, we presently can not process online payments. We can however charge your credit card SAFELY with the co-operation of the bank of China. Please check out the easy steps for the payment by reading our Payment Guide.
We also take wire transfer. Guide is also available here.
6. What guarantee do we have if we send our money to your bank by wire transfer?
We understand your worries about booking a tour online.
We will inform by email or fax you when we receive you payment. We will fax you the receipt of your payment. Please retain this receipt.
The travel industry in China is well regulated by the Government. The governing body for the travel industry in China is The China Tourist Administration (CTA). It is a requirement of this body that we place
RMB 1,600,000 (US$200,000) on deposit with this the CTA. This fund can be used by the CTA to settle any dispute between CHINA HILIGHTS and our customers in the event that such disputes cannot be settled between the parties.
Please click here to read the information sheet for the CTA.
7. When I will get confirmation letter?
Upon receiving your fax of the "Payment Guarantee" or the transfer receipt, we will immediately start making the reservations. It is important to complete the Payment Guarantee as quickly as possible. All reservations were available at the time we submitted the proposed itinerary but it is important that you respond as soon as possible so that we can make reservations for your trip. If reservations are not available at the time of booking we will suggest alternatives and ask for your approval before booking. The confirmation letter will be forwarded as soon as all booking are confirmed.
8. What is the difference between Independenet tours and Organized group tours?
An independent tour is with private tour guide and vehicle serving your group (individual, your family or friends) only, without others joining in. the departure date is flexible according to your vacation and the itinerary is flexible as well, as per your interests and needs.
An organized group tour travels on a fixed date and a fixed tour arrangement. You will have a shared tour guide and vehicle with others joining in to travel in a small group less than 16 persons.
A private tour gives more flexibility and privacy to conduct the tour on your way while an organized group tour goes with a fixed itinerary which is more economic with other travelers in your group to share the coach and guide.
9. On your web site, there are different kinds of hotels, deluxe, comfortable and budget, what are the differences? Thanks.
In most circumstances, GUILINCHINA.NET use 5 star hotels for Deluxe Class, 4 star hotels for Comfortable Class, 3 star hotels for Budget Class when hotels rated in this way are available.
In some remote areas or small towns when there are no hotels that are rated in this way or if the best hotel available is rated below that which you have requested, we will use the highest rated hotel that is available.
We request your understanding in this matter. Please be assured that GUILINCHINA.NET will do our best to satisfy your accommodation requirements. You will only be charged for the standard available if we cannot meet your request.
To get a quick idea of the hotel standard, please read on.
BUDGET CLASS:: The budget class hotel (usually 3 Star) will have the all of the items below but will probably be of a better standard. We list the minimum standard.
24 hours hot water shower, clean bed, desk, drawers and closet, carpet or wood floor, telephones in every room with international direct dial(IDD), color television sets, writing materials,western and Chinese dinning rooms with English-speaking attendants, coffee shop,elevators, public signage, 16 hour guards, full time doorman, foreign exchange,?safe deposit boxes, luggage storage, wake-up calls and room service
In remote areas or small villages which have no star hotels, the guests' house or family Inn will always be equipped with clean bed, AC room, private bathroom with hot water shower.
COMFORTALBLE CLASS: The comfortable class hotel (3 and 4 Star) will have the all of the items below but will probably be of a better standard. We list the minimum standard.
24 hours hot water shower, clean bed, desk, drawers and closet, carpet or wood floor, telephones in every room with international direct dial(IDD), color television sets, writing materials,western and Chinese dinning rooms with English-speaking attendants, coffee shop,elevators, public signage,24 hours reception service, banquet, babysitting services, 24-hour room service available, medical services, in-house movies, music, mini bar, hair dryers, low-noise toilets, gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna, business center, function room.
DELUXE CLASS : 5 star hotel
24 hours hot water shower, clean bed, desk, drawers and closet, carpet or wood floor, telephones in every room with international direct dial(IDD), color television sets, writing materials,western and Chinese dinning rooms with English-speaking attendants, coffee shop,elevators, public signage,24 hours reception service, banquet, babysitting services, 24-hour room service available, medical services, in-house movies, music, mini bar, hair dryers, low-noise toilets, gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna, business center, function room
Five-Star hotels are usually palatial with huge lobbies, Service should be better than the four-star hotels described above. There are many hotels of five-star international standard. Some hotels have their own fleets of Mercedes and luxury Toyota vans that make regular runs to the airport or city center. Many have executive floors with concierges, free continental breakfasts, and fast check-in. They will have the good western food and the most luxurious breakfast buffets. Some leave chocolates on your pillow, or a rubber ducky on your bathtub, nice litter touches that bring a smile.
The Chinese hotel ratings are determined by China National Tourism Bureau who has a very strict standard. Please keep in mind that,GUILINCHINA.NET does not choose hotels for our clients only based on hotel ratings given by China National Tourism Bureau. We choose hotels for our clients based on many factors including feed back from our clients, location of the hotels, management of the hotels, market preference of the hotels (e.g. some hotels are very experienced in serving Chinese clients but not Western Guests).
10. Why do not we include some of your dinners in your tours?
GUICHINA.NET used to include all meals for our clients traveling in China. Customer feedback indicates that most of our clients prefer to leave the dinners open so that they can enjoy some time themselves after a day's tour with our guide and driver. They can choose either to go to a local restaurant for a little adventure or to have a simple dinner in the hotel where they stay. They may also prefer to choose a unique restaurant which appeals to their own tastes. Some clients prefer to have a western dinner instead of Chinese meal in local restaurant.
If you decide to eat locally, please ask for our guides’ recommendations. They will be able to recommend a good restaurant that will suit your taste.
For some “off-the-beaten-road” destinations, we will take the liberty of including dinners in those places where we think it is better to get meals pre-arranged. Some of our clients may find it very difficult to communicate with the locals or it may be hard to find a suitable restaurant.
11. Special notes for those going to Longsheng
Longsheng is located in a mountainous region on the northeastern part of Guilin. It takes 2 to 3 hours to drive the 100km. The natural beauty and the colorful ethnic Chinese cultures and customs attract people from all over the world. The zigzag road to Longsheng is a bit rough and can be dangerous in rainy days. If you have booked tours to Longsheng and it happens to be a rainy day, we reserve the right to offer you alternative activities. Your safety is our prime concern so please be prepared to accept our advice on these matters.
Got questions? Ask us here!
Sally Guo
Travel Advisor