☆ Phuket, Bangkok 3-6 nights Extension Available.
☆ Shanghai, Beijing, Xi an, and Yangtze river cruise extensions are available.
☆ Absorb the bustle and beauty of Bangkok with its gold-leafed shrines, temples, and markets.
☆ Visit the vibrant Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, with time to relax on its glittering beaches.
☆ Enjoy the spectacular Alcazar show.
☆ Explore the beautiful white beach of Coral Island.
* Discover as many as 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
☆ Great Wall
☆ Forbidden City
☆ Temple of Heaven
☆ Summer Palace
☆ Grand Canal
☆ Suzhou Classical Garden
☆ Hangzhou West Lake
☆ Three Gorges of Yangtze River
☆ Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum
Tour Code: USUTC10
Duration: 10 days
Optional Features and Upgrades: Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose optional and extension programs at the time of booking:
Service Language: English
Extra Service: Travel Insurance Visa Service
1) Round-trip international flights from Los Angeles.
Departure Cities with additional airfare:
【San Francisco Depart: U$500 extra per person】
【New York Depart: U$700 extra per person】
Land tour Only without round trip air ticket: 【-USD200 Minus】
2) 4-star hotel accommodations.(5-Star Hotel Upgrades are available)
3) Ground transportation between the cities ( BY BUS ).
4) Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda.
5) Food as specified on the itinerary.
6) Special cultural programs as listed in different cities as specified in the schedule.
7) Professional English speaking local tour expert in each destination city.
8) All Taxes & Fuel Surcharges.
1) Any visa fees.
2) Travel insurance.
3) Any personal expenses.
4) Tour Extensions and Optional programs.
5) A Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping USD $330/person is required and payable by Credit Card.
6) Single Supplement Fee (Our tour price is based on double occupancy. If a single passenger is traveling alone and not sharing a room for the entire trip, the tour price charged to the single traveler will be double the standard tour price.)
7) A no-show fee of $100 per person, per day will be issued if, for any reason, a customer does not attend the daily scheduled activities. This applies to all sponsored tours, packages and all discounted China tours, including this product.
ALL PRICES ARE IN USD
DEPOSIT POLICY:
Full Payment is Required at the Time of Booking.
Optional And Extension Programs:
*Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose optional and extension programs at the time of booking.
Group Size:
☆ 10 - 40 Each Departure Date.
Fly to Beijing from the USA.
Upon arriving at Beijing International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and then transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Free at leisure to explore Beijing at your own pace. Or you may choose an optional day-tour of Beijing highlights.
(Recommended Options US$75):
After breakfast, visit 【Tiananmen Square】-the biggest city central square in the world, the area of the square is about 44 hectares and it can accommodate 1 million people. Explore the incredible 【Forbidden City】 with its best-preserved imperial palace complex. Experience Hutong, the old town of Beijing, on a man-powered pedicab to experience how natives live in their traditional lifestyle. Step in one of the local 【Siheyuan courtyard house】 to learn how to make Chinese dumplings and enjoy a real typical home-made lunch. Walk around the 【Lotus Market】.
(Recommended Options US$55):
Visit the 【Summer Palace】& Visit the exterior of 【Bird"s Nest】&【Water Cube】(2008 Olympic stadiums) Being the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, Summer Palace greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long been recognized as "The Museum of Royal Gardens".
After breakfast, explore the【Juyongguan Great Wall】, one of the seven greatest man-made wonders of the world and definitely the focal point of China. You will hike along the Great Wall. On the way there, visit Jade Store first. In Chinese, jade is pronounced as ‘Yu’, and it has a history in China of at least four thousand years. After that visit 【Chinese Herbal Institute】 to learn about traditional Chinese medicine which has existed for thousands of years.
(Recommended Options US$45):
Evening large scale dramatic musical performance 【Golden Mask Dynasty Show】
Fly to Bangkok. Well known as the City of Angels, Bangkok is the present capital city and the focal point for Thailand. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your tour representative and escorted back to your hotel by an airport shuttle. Please note that while we are doing our best to accommodate early arrivals, hotel check-in time is generally not before 3:00 pm. Baggage storage can be arranged at the hotel. Free at leisure time for the duration of the day.
Bangkok’s history dates back to the 15th century where its strategic location at the west bank of the mouth of the Chao Phraya River made it an important customs and trading outpost during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Today it is a major city with a population of over 8 million. On the first day of Bangkok, you shall embark on the morning excursion to explore this forever vibrant city of Asia. Discover the amazing Golden Buddha statue at Wat Traimit in Chinatown that was almost forgotten for a few hundred years if not for an accident that chipped off its stucco shell to reveal its golden self. Weighing a staggering five-and-a-half ton, the gold seated Buddha was plastered over and disguised to hide it from invading the Burmese army that ransacked the old kingdom. Then proceed to visit Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram – a Buddhist temple in the Dusit District of Bangkok that typifies Bangkok"s ornate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs, and elaborate finials. Also known as the marble temple, it is built in 1899 at the request of King Chulalongkorn and is one of Bangkok"s best-known temples and a major tourist attraction. Designed by the half-brother of the king, it is built of Italian marble with displays of Carrara marble pillars, a marble courtyard, and two large marble lions guarding the entrance. The interiors are decorated with crossbeams of lacquer and gold, and in shallow niches in the walls of paintings of important stupas all over the country. The cloister around the assembly hall houses 52 images of Buddha. The afternoon is at your own leisure, or join the optional tour to explore more of Bangkok.
Optional Program: Landmarks of Bangkok Tour: USD 49 per person (Minimum To 10 PP)
Participate in this exhilarating tour visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok that was constructed in 1782 by the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I. The palace complex of many buildings had been the residences of many Kings of Thailand until the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, but it remains a working palace, with several royal offices still situated inside. View the royal chapel that is situated within the walls of the palace more popularly known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew. It houses a figurine of the meditating Buddha seated in a yogic posture, made of semi-precious green stone, clothed in gold, and about inches tall that is considered the palladium of the Kingdom of Thailand. Then take a ride in a motorboat along the Chao Phraya River to take in the famous landmarks visible along the banks of this famous waterway of Bangkok.
Today, there will be an eye-opening treat to visit the famous Gems Gallery to take in all you need to know about gemology. The Gems Gallery is situated in four major cities in Thailand. And Gems Gallery has more than two decades of experience with jewelry and gems and draws on the accumulated knowledge of Man"s more than 4,000 years relationship with precious stones. Next, take the approximately two-hour ride on the air-conditioned vehicle to Pattaya – a coastal resort city next to the Gulf of Thailand. Upon arrival and check-in, enjoy at your own leisure at the beach, rest in the hotel or explore this beach city on your own.
Optional Program: Alcazar Cabaret Show and Dinner: $59 per person (Minimum To 10 PP)
The Alcazar Cabaret Pattaya is recognized internationally throughout the entertainment circuit. Alcazar is more than just a drag queen show and in the early days was not accepted. After years of evolvement and development of new technology, the Alcazar Show is world acclaimed. It has successfully blended the art of acting, stage design, costumes, and performance so well that all ages can enjoy the spectacular show. The Alcazar show is a must-see for visitors local or foreigners.
Free day at your leisure to relaxing on the sands or by the pool.
Optional Program: Coral Island Tour with Seafood Lunch: $69 per person (Minimum To 10 PP)
One of a glorious archipelago of islands off Pattaya, Coral Island (Koh Larn), is a 4-square-kilometer chunk of perfection, famous for its white-sand bays, verdant interior, and translucent seas — the latter home to wonderful outlying stretches of coral reefs. The island boasts three main beaches — Ta Waen, Thong Lang, and Samae Beach — each a crescent of pure sands lapped by blue waters and dotted with restaurants, food stands, sunlounger hire outlets, and watersports vendors. Leave the beaches of Pattaya and head into the sparkling Gulf of Thailand to visit the idyllic beaches of Coral Island on this 5.5-hour tour. An enjoyable 45-minute speedboat ride from Pattaya, and framed by white beaches and inviting turquoise waters straight from a tropical brochure. On arrival, sink your toes into the talcum-powder sands and enjoy several hours of free time to relax or explore as you wish. Swim over the coral beds in the glass-clear shallows, top up your tan on the beach or explore the lush wooded hills,. Wrap up your visit with a mouth-watering seafood lunch at a simple beachside restaurant before cruising back to Pattaya and a return hotel transfer.
In the morning, you will board on the transportation to leave for Bangkok. Along the way, visit the hilltop of Khao Phra Tamnak (Khao Phra Bat) on the south of Pattaya Beach, where one can see the panoramic view of Pattaya City and Pattaya Bay. Then stop at Thai-Silk Center - the best place to shop Thai silk and handicrafts. Driver back to Bangkok in the afternoon. Spend the evening as you wish or join our optional tour (extra cost) to Asiatique Riverfront Night Market and enjoy a classic Thai dinner and dance show “Siam Niramit” at the Grand Theatre.
Optional Program: Asiatique Night Market and Siam Niramit Show with Dinner at $69 per person (Minimum To 10 PP)
Asiatique The Riverfront is an expansive open-air mall with river views and a cutting-edge "festival market and living museum" concept. It"s a fairly new night market located in the heart of Bangkok City. Also, a great meeting place where local and foreign families can come together to revel in an energetic environment. Siam Niramit Show at the Grand Theatre with Dinner- Savor a delicious buffet dinner as you sit back and enjoy the performance. 700 years of history unfold before your eyes as the actors demonstrate pivotal moments of Thailand"s history, reenact cultural festivals, and reveal ancient customs
After breakfast, transfer to airport and board the flight back to your sweet home.
Note: *Depending on the air availability, we might take the flight back to USA/Canada which departure in the early morning (00:00am-03: 00 am) on the next day and today a full day on our own to explore the city, and transfer to Bangkok airport in the evening. Hotel checks out before noon. 【 Late check-outs are available for purchase if you wish to relax and enjoy your hotel room. 】
Flight Upgrades:
International Flight Upgrades:
☆ Regular Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight(s) to connect your destination country gateway. If this is not possible, you will take flights with moderate layover time: + U$0
☆ Express International Flight (between USA and China): We are trying to put you on a direct flight(s) to connect your destination country gateway. If this is not possible, you will take flights with limited layover time of less than 6 hours each way
Price: U$1,099/person
(Early bird price U$699/person)
☆ Swift International Flight (between USA and China): You will take a direct flight with no layover guaranteed (if there is (an) direct flight(s) service already existing between your departure gateway and the arrival gateway of your destination country)
Price: U$1,699/person
(Early bird price U$1,099/person)
Intra-flight from China to Thailand Upgrades:
☆ Regular Intra-flight: You will take flights with moderate layover time: + U$0
☆ Swift Intra-flight: You will take a direct flight with no layover guaranteed: U$999/person (Early bird price U$599/person)
Business Class Upgrade:
☆ Upgrade To Business Class(Only Available For USA -- Asia International Round Trip): U$6,000/person.
Hotel Upgrade:
☆ 5 star hotel accommodations in China: U$1,099/person (Early Bird Price U$699/person)
☆ 5 star hotel accommodations in Thailand: U$999/person (Early Bird Price U$699/person)
☆ Luxury 5 star hotel accommodations in Thailand: U$1,699/person (Early Bird Price U$1,299/person)
Meal Plan:
☆ Breakfast Package ( Day 3-10 ): U$299/person
Tour Extensions:
Please note, there is a minimum attendant requirement (10 participants) for these extensions,
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour prior to departure date.
1) Phuket 4 Days 3 Nights 4-star extension ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1299/person
Single Supplement: U$1299.00
2) Phuket 4 Days 3 Nights 5-star extension ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1499/person
Single Supplement: U$1499.00
3) Phuket 7 Days 6 Nights 4-star extension ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1699/person
Single Supplement: U$1699.00
4) Phuket 7 Days 6 Nights 5-star extension ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1999/person
Single Supplement: U$1999.00
5) Shanghai Express 6 Days 5 Nights Tour Package ( Pre-Tour ):
Price: U$1699/person
Single Supplement: U$1699.00
Gratuity: U$100/person
6) Xi"an Terra Cotta Warriors 3 Days 2 Nights Tour Package ( Pre-Tour ):
Price: U$1799/person
Single Supplement: U$1799.00
Gratuity: U$60/person
7) Yangtze River Cruise 6 Days 5 Nights Tour Package ( Pre-Tour ):
Price: U$1999/person
Single Supplement: U$1999.00
Gratuity: U$90
8) Chiang Mai 5 Days 4 Nights Tour Package ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1899/person
Single Supplement: U$1899.00
9) Bangkok 4 Days 3 Nights 4-star extension ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1499/person
Single Supplement: U$1499.00
10) Bangkok 4 Days 3 Nights 5-star extension ( Post-Tour ):
Price: U$1699/person
Single Supplement: U$1699.00
11) Beijing 4 Days 3 Nights 4-star extension ( Pre-Tour ):
Price: U$1299/person
Single Supplement: U$1299.00
Optional Tours: Click here to view details
* Select your China optional tour packages while you are in China and pay to the local tour guide.
Day 3 Beijing: Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City with lunch: U$75/person
Day 3 Beijing: Summer Palace, Bird"s Nest & Water Cube (Exterior): U$55/person
Day 4 Beijing: The Golden Mask Dynasty Show: U$45/person
Day 6: Bangkok Landmark Tour with Boat Ride: U$49/person
Day 7: Alcazar Cabaret show & Dinner: U$59/person
Day 8: Coral Island Tour with Seafood Lunch: U$69/person
Day 9: Asiatique Night Market & Siam Niramit Show with Dinner: U$69/person
Stay Like A Local-Extensions:
1) Return Flight Extension: 3 Days (Airport pick up and drop off service Not included):
Price: U$1299/person
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
2) Return Flight Extension: 5 Days (Airport pick up and drop off service Not included):
Price: U$1399/person
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
3) Return Flight Extension: 6-20 Days (Airport pick up and drop off service Not included):
Price: U$1499/person
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
4) Return Flight Extension: 6-60 DAYS (Airport pick up and drop off service Not included) (Depart from other Asian Cities):
Price: U$1899/person
Included:
*Return flight from Tokyo / Osaka / Seoul / Taipei / Beijing / Shanghai / Hong Kong / Manila / Singapore / Kuala Lumpur / Ho Chi Minh City / Phnom Penh / Bangkok / Phuket
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
*Please note the exact departure date or return city may be selected at a later point prior to final payment or you may specify your preferred return date in the "Remark" Column.
4-Star Hotel:
(Based on ratings by booking.com / TripAdvisor / Expedia)
Beijing: Hampton by Hilton Beijing Daxing Flower of The World / Holiday Inn Beijing Shijingshan Parkview or similar
Bangkok: Montien Riverside Hotel Bangkok / Mandarin Hotel Bangkok / Grand China Hotel Bangkok or similar
Pattaya: Cholchan Pattaya Beach Resort or similar
5-Star Hotel Upgrade:
(Based on ratings by booking.com / TripAdvisor / Expedia)
Beijing: Chunhuiyuan Hot Spring Holiday Resort / similar
Bangkok: Pullman Bangkok King Power or similar
Pattaya: Pullman Pattaya Hotel G / Mytt Beach Hotel Pattaya or similar
Luxury 5-Star Hotel Upgrade in Thailand:
(Based on ratings by booking.com / TripAdvisor / Expedia)
Bangkok: The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok or similar
Pattaya: Grande Centre Point Pattaya or similar
International Air:
*UTOvacation reserve the right to confirm the airlines, sample as below:
☆ United Airline:
☆ American Airline:
☆ Delta Airline:
☆ Air China:
☆ Air Canada:
☆ Hainan Airlines:
☆ China Eastern Airlines:
☆ Cathy Pacific Airlines;
☆ China Southern Airlines;
☆ Xiamen Airlines;
☆ Beijing Capital Airlines;
☆ Sichuan Airlines;
☆ Hongkong Airline:
☆ Eva Air:
Visa:
* The standard trip ( without Shanghai / Xi an / Yangtze river cruise extensions ) doesn"t require a Chinese Visa for USA & Canada passport holders, if your trip in China exceeds 144 hours in total, it requires a Chinese visa.
(Policy might change at any time according to the Consulate General of China"s Website.)
* Thailand does not require a visa for USA & Canada passport holders.
Visit the "IATA Travel Centre" for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm
* UTOvaction"s China Visa Service Options:
1: Group visa ( Single entry valid for 1 month from the date issue. At Least 2 People Travel Together. For less than 79 years old ): U$398/person
2: Individual visa ( Multiple entries valid for up to 10 years ): U$484/person
* A final trip confirmation will be sent to the main contact passenger via email one month prior to departure that includes a day-by-day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information.
* If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation one month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $100pp administration fee.
* * All information and requirements in regard to visa applications are available on the Chinese Consulate"s website. Please contact your local Chinese Embassy/Consulate directly if you apply for a Chinese visa on your own and applicants are required to bring their visa application along with all supporting documents.
Please call 1-855-526-1286 or email [email protected] for any inquiries about travel visas.
More about Travel Documents
*It is your responsibility to ensure that you- and any child travelling with you- have all the valid travel documents necessary to enter in, exit from or transit through, each country/region on your itinerary. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.
*Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your date of return. Passport must be in good condition: passport damaged beyond normal wear and tear will not be accepted.
*Consult with the appropriate embassy, high commission or consulate about the travel document requirement for any country that you plan to enter in, exit from or transit through.
*Some country no longer issue paper visas but rather electronic visas. E-Visa holders must present the printed e-Visa and valid passport at the checkpoint.
*International travel with infants and children may be required to show documentary evidence of your relationship and a Letter Consent or permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.
*Americans holding dual citizenship must travel to the United States with a valid U.S. passport. American permanent residents returning to the United States from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
*Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents returning Canada from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).
Thailand is often referred to as the “land of smiles,” and while it may be a cliché, it also happens to be quite true. On the whole, Thailand is a very welcoming, friendly country, particularly when you get outside the large tourist centers like Phuket and Bangkok. Also, Thailand is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and stunning, clear blue seas, with over 2,000 miles of coastline and 8,000 tropical islands!
Packing List For Thailand:
- Passport – Ensure your passport is valid for at least a year and has plenty of blank pages. Also get a passport cover – they’re cheap, and will protect your passport from damage plus provide a handy place to stash tickets etc whilst in transit.
- Travel Insurance – Make sure you have travel insurance that covers your full range of activities e.g. scuba diving (World Nomads backpacker travel insurance is recommended by Lonely Planet amongst others and can be bought immediately online)
- Thai SIM card – it’s much cheaper to switch over to a Thai SIM card on your phone rather than use roaming from home. You can buy a Thai SIM card online with Klook and pick it up at the counter at the airport when you arrive in Thailand. Alternatively, you buy a SIM at one of the telecom shops at the airport or once you’re in the city.
- Do I Need A Visa For Thailand? – USA and Canada nationalities do NOT need a visa for Thailand – you simply arrive in Thailand and get a stamp that allows you to stay 30 days in Thailand. (This is technically known as a visa waiver stamp). See this official list for the full rundown of which nationalities do not require a visa to enter Thailand.
- Prescription Medicines – Have a full supply of any prescription medicines you require
- Credit Cards and Debit Cards – Have credit cards and a debit card that will work in international ATMs and won’t block you due to being accessed from Thailand.
Must-Have Items to Carry
- Whether you purchase them locally or bring them from home, you'll certainly want each of these essentials with you:
- Sunscreen: Prices for sunscreen often reflect the fact that locals rarely use it.
- Sunglasses: Sunglasses often get abused, so consider buying a cheap pair locally.
- Mosquito Repellent: Dengue fever is a serious problem throughout Thailand. The best defense is to protect yourself from bites. Mosquito coils can be purchased everywhere; burn them while sitting on your porch or balcony.
-Toilet Paper: You'll find it on tables in restaurants but not always in the bathrooms!
- Hand Sanitizer: Soap isn't a guarantee, even in nice restaurants. You'll certainly want some after your first squat toilet experience.
- Power Adapter: Most of the power outlets in Thailand are universal now; they accept both the US-style flat-pronged plugs as well as the rounded European-style power plugs. To ensure that you can connect everywhere, consider bringing a universal power adapter and check the voltage ratings (Thailand uses a 220-volt system) on your devices/chargers. Anything that relies on USB charging or has a dual-voltage transformer should be fine.
Clothing:
The casual outdoor clothes are highly recommended. A pair of comfortable walking shoes. Socks, pants, and underwear. An umbrella and waterproof coat will be strongly recommended because it often rains in Thailand. Bring clothes according to in which season you are traveling.
Bangkok, Thailand: Annual Weather Averages
April is the hottest month in Bangkok with an average temperature of 31°C (87°F) and the coldest is December at 26°C (79°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in December. The wettest month is September with an average of 220mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in April when the average sea temperature is 30°C (86°F).
Phuket Thailand: Annual Weather Averages
March is the hottest month in Phuket with an average temperature of 29°C (83°F) and the coldest is January at 27°C (81°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in April. The wettest month is September with an average of 400mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in April when the average sea temperature is 30°C (86°F).
Hotel Preferred Bedding Configuration
- Twin Room (two separate beds)
- Double Room (one bed)
*Requests are not guaranteed and are subject to each hotel's discretion and availability.
China is an exciting and thrilling tourist destination. There are a few key things you need to keep in mind when traveling in China.
Before Packing
Check the weather of your destination a week before your trip and get a sense of the clothes you'll need to pack. Determine the purpose of your trip and decide what to pack. Make a packing list and mark the number according to the importance. Leave keys, your contact information and a copy of your travel itinerary to family or friends.
China Picking List
We suggest travelers pack as light as possible. Pack smart ! Leave more space to make your tour comfortable and pleasant.
Essential Items
Passport, Visa, Insurance Policy and other necessary travel documents. Air, cruise or train tickets. A guide book or phrasebook with English. Map of places you are going to visit. Emergency card with your detailed contact information including full name, address, phone number. Credit card, Traveler's checks, and cash. First-aid kit. Your medical record and medicines like vitamins, Pepto Bismol and Imodium chew-able. Toiletries. Alarm clock or watch with an alarm. Pocket tissues. As most public bathrooms in China do not offer toilet paper, and you'll be glad that you have some when you need it.
Clothing/\Weather
The casual outdoor clothes are highly recommended. A pair of comfortable walking shoes. Socks, pants, and underwear. An umbrella and waterproof. Laundry bag. Bring clothes according to what season you are traveling.If you are going to board the Yangtze River Cruise on your trip, make sure to bring along one or two sets of smart causal dress for evening banquets.
Spring (Mar - May): Western suites, sports coats, jackets, sweater, long sleeve shirts. Summer (Jun - Aug): T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear. Autumn (Sep - Nov): Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain wear. Winter (Dec - Feb): Down garment, overcoat, thick woolen sweaters, lined coats, cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes.
Other Items/Electricity
Camera and batteries. Camcorder. Mobile phone. Chargers of your cell phone, digital camera, etc. The electricity used in China is 220 volt AC. Wash rooms in many middle and high-class hotels are equipped with transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers. For safety purpose, preparing an adapter is a much better idea.
Currency Exchange
China's legal currency is Renminbi, shortened as CNY. Also known as Chinese Yuan. When you purchase small items such as bottle water, snacks, small souvenir, use cash is more convenient. We recommend you exchange Chinese cash at the front desk in the hotels you stay. 300 -500 CAD or USD /person is enough to start off. Airport is usually not a good place for exchanging money as the rate is not the best.
China Packing Tips
Make copies for all your necessary materials and keep the copied items separately from the original one. Store a backup of your information in your email account or on a USB thumb drive. Do not carry too much cash. Do not carry expensive jewelry and watches. Do not keep your credit card and identification card together. Do not pack excessive quantities of drugs as you may have problems at China Customs. Rolling your clothes together instead of folding them one by one to save space. Put the items you regularly use at the top of your carry on. Leave some room in your bags for gifts and souvenirs. Always put the valuables in the hotel safe and clear your safe when checking out.
Travel Safety & Security
China is relatively a safe country to travel around compared with some other countries.
Hotel Preferred Bedding Configuration
- Twin Room (two separate beds)
- Double Room (one bed)
*Requests are not guaranteed and are subject to each hotel's discretion and availability.
During The Tour
Never drink the tap water in the hotels. Never let the stranger come into your room. If someone is knocking at your door, never open the door until his identity is verified. If your passport is not needed, never carry it along with you all the time just in case. Keeping a photo copy of your passport is a wise choice. When hanging out in the bustling places like open markets and busy streets, be care of your belongings in case of theft, especially camera, purse, and so on. Avoid traveling alone since you are not familiar with the places. Ask the policemen or seniors for help in case you are lost and they would be of great help for you. Never return back to the hotel too late when you are alone. Always exchange money at the Bank of China or at the hotel counters. Never exchange money in the black market. Get small bills prepared before getting out since street vendors, taxi, restaurants, convenience stores only take RMB cash and major credit cards are widely accepted in big shopping malls.
China Washrooms
In China, most of the toilets are squatting ones. Clean sit-down toilets are commonly available in hotels. If you want to find a bathroom on the street, just look for the sign of "WC" Since paper tissue is rarely provided in a washroom, always carry yours.
What Vaccines Do I Need To Travel In China?
Based on personal medical history and advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the following vaccinations are recommended for travel to China:
- Japanese Encephalitis: This virus occurs in almost all Asian countries, including parts of China. Vaccination is recommended for those spending extended periods of time outside and in parts of southern China where irrigation is done through flooding.
- Rabies: Rabies is spread through the saliva or scratch of an infected animal. China has the one of the highest number of reported Rabies cases in the world, and vaccination is recommended for travel.
- Polio: Though the last Polio case was reported in China in 1994, the country borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries where the virus is still an endemic. Ensure your vaccination is up-to-date.
- Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is spread to humans through contaminated food and water or contact with an infected person. This shot is recommended especially if you plan to sample some of China’s many street food offerings
- Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease commonly spread through sexual intercourse, exchange of body fluids, use of an infected needle, or piercing tools.
Any of the travel products or services that you purchase from UTOvacation contains a contractual agreement between you and UTOvacation and it represents that you have agreed to UTOvacation Terms and conditions. Please make sure that you read carefully before making any payment.
Reservation
Online Reservations
Step 1. Visit UTOvacation website: www.utovacation.com, login or register your account. (Learn how to book online Click Here)
Step 2. Choose your desired departure date and departure city
Step 3. Enter the travellers’ information according to their passports. Please identify and provide the contact information for the main passenger. All communication from UTOvacation will be sent to the main passenger only.
Step 4. Make your payment online
A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space. (The specific deposit amount is determined by the requirements specified on the product pages and the amount indicated during the enrollment process for each respective product.)
Step 5. Finalize the booking by uploading all required documents to your online account no later than 180 days before your departure date (If you choose to provide your required documents after your initial booking). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by 180 days of your departure date, your booking may be subject to suspension, cancellation, or forfeiture. If our supplier makes an exception and accepts your late booking (due to late payment and late document submission), you will be able to continue your tour with an additional surcharge for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Final Payment
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.
* In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please carefully review your product pages for reference.
Please note: Your timely payment is important to guarantee your seat/cabin and ensure the overall tour package price. Your 2nd deposit and balance or final payment will NOT be charged automatically by UTOvacation and payment reconciliation in time on your side is necessary to confirm your booking.
The full or balance payment (if any balance on your invoice) is required 180 days prior to the tour departure date. For all packages, please ensure the submission of all essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by this date (180 days before the tour departure). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, a surcharge will be applied for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Step 6. Trip Confirmation.
A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passenger approximately one month before departure.
By booking your tour online with UTOvacation.com you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions including the Internet Sales & Deposit Policy and the Sales and Cancellation Policy. You also confirm and agree that you understand that the deposit/payment at booking is non-refundable.
Offline Reservations
Step 1. Complete the reservation.
Call 1-855-526-1286 to request a Booking Form. Fill out all the information on the Booking Form with an authentic signature and date on the bottom of the second page. It is the passenger"s responsibility to ensure documentation accuracy and travel documents validity. You will be liable for the full loss caused by incorrect information. By the time you full-fill the booking form, you have agreed to receive correspondence from UTOvacation which might include newsflash, email blast or any other promotions in the future.
Email/Fax your current and valid Passport Copy with the Booking Form together to [email protected]/416-251-7778
Step 2. Finalize the booking.
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred. * In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please carefully review your product pages for your reference.
Step 3. Trip Confirmation.
A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passenger one month prior to departure.
Make the reservations. A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space.. We accept cash, cheque, money order, debit card, credit card, email transfer, TD transfer. A full payment is required when booking if the package is a special on-sale product.
By booking your tour offline with UTOvacation.com, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions including the Internet Sales & Deposit Policy and the Sales and Cancellation Policy. You also confirm and agree that you understand that the deposit/payment at booking is non-refundable.
Travel Visa
The following documents from the passenger are required if travel visa is applied through UTOvacation’s Visa Center:
*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $100 administration fee..
A Word About Tipping
For the on-tour convenience of some itineraries, we will collect all gratuities which is to be shared by our local team. This may include tour leaders, guides, drivers, baggage porters, airport coordinators, restaurant waiters for all included meals and other staff in the team behind the scenes.
Please remember that these gratuities are appreciated as recognition for excellent service and we thank you for your encouragement and generocity.
Infant/Baby
We don"t take any infants or babies under 2 years old for any of our tours.
Trip Cancellation and Eligible Refunds
Please ensure you have read the Trip Cancellation Policy in full and have not scrolled past or by-passed this section.
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour prior to departure date. An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra charge should there be any travel restrictions, lock-downs imposed by governments, health organizations, travel bureaus. A full travel credit will be offered for future trip rebooking or rescheduling if there are extreme cases happening which are all beyond our control including but not limited to any global pandemics, regional epidemics, wars, or any other acts of god.
All passenger cancellation after booking will be consider non refundable, any cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in written form by email including your reservation number, full name and date of travel, cancellations will only be accepted in writing.
Once air tickets are issued, they are considered non-refundable. Any cancellations made, whether prior to or after the commencement of travel, will not be eligible for a refund. An administration fee will also apply. No refund will be available once travel has begun.
Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to departure.
All reservations, except where specified:
All refund-related processes will take around 6 to 8 weeks to process.
No refund will be available on departure date and/or after the tour has commenced (Including denied and/or rejected by Immigration Department or Custom of destination or Cruise port terminal officer).
No refund or reimbursement will be available to passengers who voluntarily forego meals, cruise, tours and/or accommodations. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fees occurred from services refused by the passengers. i.e. Since air ticket, cruise ticket, transportation, accommodation, and meals have to be arranged in advance during high season (i.e.Holidays, Special Events, and other important activities and conventions), no departure date changed is allowed. No refund will be available on departure date change and/or booking cancellation.
Any other charges, refunds or rebates caused by the acts of God, Force Majeure, natural disasters, fire, weather, governmental and local authority"s order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by accident is beyond the responsibility of UTOvacation and therefore, you agree to hold UTOvacation harmless and non-liable for any refunds or compensation outside of the previously defined refund structure. Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible or liable. By signing the agreement the client agrees to any offer of a voucher, future company credit, or alternative arrangements as determined by management at that time.
Should an outright travel ban be implemented by the departing or destination country/city, a full travel credit will be offered. Refunds will not be granted for pre-existing situations at the destination country at the time of the booking. Please note, should UTOvacation incur any unexpected costs from its suppliers, these costs would be subtracted from and balance/travel credit issued to the passenger.
Please note, any refundable amount will not include fees associated with Travel Visa’s which have already been issued or any services that have already been delivered or any incurred fees already charged by suppliers and such final refundable amount will be returned in the form of the original payment to the payer.
All reschedule tours are considered non-refundable; regular cancellation policy does not apply.
Optional programs and trip extensions
The pre-paid deposit/tour fare for any of the early bird deals or promotional packages is not refundable.
No Show
This is a sponsored tour and as agreed by the traveller before the purchase. The sponsor requires that all passengers attend all the included activities during the trip. Not meeting this condition will lead to the revocation of the trip’s and traveller’s sponsorship. Each and any no show will incur a penalty of $100 per person, per day. If the traveller does not attend daily activities, payment will be immediately collected for the day missed. This penalty applies no matter the cause (including illness, flight/cruise delays, quarantines, and etc). If passengers do not attend the activities or pay associated penalties for missing scheduled activities, the sponsoring associations will cancel remaining hotels and flights.
Shopping During your Tour
Although we would be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTOvacation would not be responsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during the tour. If you have any inquiries about the quality, price, after-sales service, etc., of the purchased goods, please contact the store directly.
For China related tour packages, include daily shopping arrangements, and participation in shopping is entirely voluntary. There is absolutely no obligation for any forced shopping behavior, but group members are expected to visit the stores as part of the tour itinerary. Shopping stops included relative quantity as listed in the itinerary: Jade Store; Chinese Herbal Institute; Silk Spinning Factory; Fresh Water Pearl Center and Pottery imitation factory.
Price Adjustments
After the booking is confirmed, if the price increased following the imposition of a surcharge on fuel by the carrier or an increase in the exchange rate, insofar as the exchange rate applicable before the date on which the services are provided has increased by more than 5% since the date on which the contract was entered into; and/or if the increase, without taking into account any increase in the provincial sales tax or USA Canada"s goods and services tax, raising taxes, royalties or reauthorized charges by a competent public authority, is equal to or greater than 7% of the price of services, you may choose between a full and immediate reimbursement of the services or the provision of similar services.(except for acts of God, wars, national strikes, travel restrictions, significant inflations, global pandemic or anything beyond our control)
Tour Adjustments
UTOvacation retains the right to adjust, modify or reschedule tours if deemed necessary.
UTOvacation also reserves the right to adjust your tour date or itinerary if it feels it is in the best interest of its passengers especially in cases that involve the health and safety. This may include minor adjustments like the timing of a scheduled tour attraction visit to a complete date modification.
UTOvacation will do its best to notify you of any such changes before your departure (Or as soon as possible if you have already departed).
Stipulations. Please note, UTOvacation does its’ best to fulfill its tour obligations. However, UTOvacation is not liable for scenarios which impact room availability, tour execution, separate fees or other elements of the tour that is enforced by third party entities such as local and federal authorities.
UTOvacation reserves the right to modify, reschedule the tour or issue a full travel credit to clients should there be any of the following situations occurring which are all beyond our control
1) Global/regional pandemics recognized by WHO/destination country health authority
2) Travel restrictions and protocols or lock-downs that are put in place imposed by local government or travel governing organizations
3) Flight cancellation or being unable to provide a full capacity by the airlines
4) Wars and strikes
5) Any other acts of God
An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra administration fees if clients wish to rebook the same package.
Cancellation policy applies if tour is requested to be cancelled by clients under the above situations.
A surcharge might incur imposed by the third party i.e. airlines, cruises, hotels, ground tour operators, any other service providers under the above situations.
Tour Credits
Please note: Travel
credit will be applied should there be any cancellation/refund occurs if the
tour/service has been paid by travel credit in the initial transaction.
Travel Seat Arrangements
Seating/Cabin assignment: UTOvacation has no power to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise (unless where specified). All the spots are arranged by the airline/cruise line group department or randomly selected by the computer system. Therefore, UTO vacation cannot help the customers to change, reserve, pre-assign seats/cabins.
Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTOvacation will not be responsible for any preferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first class seats). Some cruise packages allow the selection of cabins at the time of booking for an upgraded price; please refer to the product page for details.
Reservation Adjustments
Changes to an existing reservation by the passenger for whatever the cause, will incur a $299 per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any services such as optional tours and transfers. The deposit and/or full payment for any optional feature that is on an early bird or special sale promotion is non-refundable and non-transferable.
*Please note that name changes to airline or cruise line reservations are subject to full cancellation or re-booking. See Airline Name Changes section for specific regulations.
Replacing a traveling passenger is subject to cancellation penalties and is not covered by this Reservation Changes policy.
Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the service provider. UTOvacation will make its best effort to minimize these costs, however, all payment will be payable by request of the local service providers.
There are no refunds for unused services.
Travel Insurance
UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase travel insurance at the time of booking. UTOvacation does not directly offer Travel Insurance. The Travel Insurance recommended by UTOvacation are facilitated and owned by third party operators. Any Travel Insurance purchased by the passenger is governed by the third party and UTOvacation is not liable or responsible for said insurance.
Flight upgrade
Our ticketing department will send you an email 30 days prior to your departure to confirm your flight details.
Baggage
Each airline company has its own rules and regulations with the baggage weight, size, and number. The best way to find out the rules and regulations is to go visit the airline company"s official website.
Please note, some destinations baggage is not included in the fare. Refer to your specific tour product page’s terms & conditions for specific baggage allowances.
Tour Fare Includes
Please refer to your tour itinerary for the most updated information
Tour Fare Excludes
Flight Package Description
Silver Flight Package ( Guaranteed maximum of one-stop/layover to your destination country gateway )
If your departure city has indirect flight(s) with only one stop/layover to connect your destination country gateway, we guarantee to provide you with flight with only one stop/layover to your destination country gateway if you select such package early enough before we issue the tickets.(Option and flight itinerary are subject to availability)
Gold Flight Package ( Guaranteed non-stop flight to your destination country gateway )
If your departure city has regular direct flight(s) to connect your destination country gateway, we guarantee to provide you with a non-stop flight to your destination country gateway if you select such package early enough before we issue the tickets. (Option and flight itinerary are subject to availability)
Vaccination
- Please be advised that the vaccination requirements are subject to change in each country and that it is the responsibility of the traveler and not UTOvacation to check about the requirements before the arrival of your destination.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that all travelers should be up to date with routine vaccinations. Following to that, travelers should check that they have been fully vaccinated against measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, and COVID-19 before starting their travel. Non-immunized or incompletely immunized travelers should be offered the routine vaccinations recommended in their national immunization schedules, in addition to those needed for international travel (e.g. yellow fever vaccine).
- The WHO recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to South America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, and rabies. Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, meningitis, and polio.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travelers, based on their specific itinerary. It is possible to find further details on the WHO website.
The extra cost of schedule delay caused by Air Flight cancellation or change will be undertaken by passengers themselves. The missed itineraries will not be re-arranged. During the tour or cruise, it will be considered as surrendering application automatically if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or check in the prearranged hotel or cruise.
All the extra costs will be undertaken by the client voluntarily. UTOvacation reserves the right to abandon any clients if such clients violate the law or damage the interest of tour groups If a travel visa is denied for any reason either applied through UTOvacation Visa Service Center or applied on your own, the tour cancellation policy applies when cancellation of the tour is requested. UTOvacation holds no responsibilities for any denied Travel Visa application.
If a child, 18 years old or younger, is travelling abroad with only one parent/guardian, children MUST carry a notarized consent letter signed by non-accompanying parent/guardian. If a child, 18 years old or younger is travelling alone, children MUST carry a notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardian. Such a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving from a foreign country or by North American officials when re-entering into USA or Canada. Failure of presenting such a document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned.
Please note that some tour packages may require the compulsory gratuity which will be collected before your departure date. Failure to do so, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel the booking (including all accommodations and flight arrangements)
Cruise lines reserve the right to cancel, modify or substitute any scheduled port of calls and the schedule at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice due to the navigation authority and water conditions. Any additional expenses caused by the trip interruption should be paid by the customers, which includes but not limited to meals, transportation, hotel accommodations, personal expense, and lost baggage. UTOvacation shall not be liable for any loss to guests.
For children under 18 who will be occupying a bed, there will be an additional $100 supplement per child. Please note, this is only applicable to China discounted tours or any trip that includes China discounted tours.
Please note, there is a minimum attendant requirement (10 participants) for optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions prior to departure date.
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Please be advised that we will only respond to emails in the event of an emergency. For immediate assistance, we recommend contacting our customer support team through our online chat platform or by phone. UTOvacation assumes no responsibility in the event of a failure to contact us through online chat or phone and disclaims any liability for customers missing any travel documents or payments before or during the tour.
Safeguarding your payment(s) is our top priority. In order to prevent any rampant fraudulence or deception, we ask our customers to settle payment(s) through your account on UTOvacation official website at www.utovacation.com. Should you choose offline payment submission, Cheque/Money order/Bank draft/Credit card (with credit card authorization form filled out and signed) are accepted and the payee must be UTOvacation. Please be advised that UTOvacation has never been allowing Bank transfer/Email transfer for transactions and Cash is not recommended. If you find something suspicious regarding your payment, please call 1-855.526.1286 before any further actions.
Please note that the supplier provides all flight schedules. UTOvacation would not be held responsible or liable for any heavy layovers or arrival times that may affect your tour schedule. For example, if your flight arrives earlier than expected, your hotel accommodation may not be available for check-in. Likewise, you may arrive later than scheduled and early morning the next day. For customer who choose regular flights options, please note that you do not have choice for the flight companies,arrivel/departure time and numbers of layovers. If you request a better flight schedule, please check out the flight upgrade services we provide.
For customers who opt for regular flight options, please be advised that your flight schedule may include up to four stopovers, and layover times are not guaranteed. Your flight plan will precisely align with your intended travel schedule.
UTOvacation is not responsible for changes to the schedule, including alterations to routing or the number of stops in the itinerary, made by the airline company. Additionally, UTOvacation cannot provide compensation for schedule modifications, adjustments to seat assignments, or cancellations initiated by the airline.
Important
Passengers are required to settle the final payment and submit valid passport copies/ necessary documents before the deadline or immediately when the suppliers, airlines, hotels will be or are at a stop sale. Please note, after confirming such bookings, any cancellation, tour change, name change or travel credit converting are not allowed.
Dispute Penalty
Please note, if a customer requires cancellation of a product or service, kindly reach out to UTOvacation customer service. If a customer files a dispute/chargeback directly with their bank, the order will be automatically canceled and suspended in your account.
If a customer wishes to reinstate their purchase or credit, they must pay a disputed penalty of $299 per transaction if the total payment amount exceeds $299; 50% of the total invoice amount if the amount is less than $299; all dispute penalties are per transaction. Chargeback fees, transaction fees, administration expenses, marketing/acquisition costs, and operations charges are all part of the disputed penalty. After you have reinstated your order and paid the disputed penalty, you will receive the travel credit. The travel credit can be used to book the same or different tours on our website. You will not be reinstated to your original order, and the amount you paid for that excursion will not be guaranteed.
Remarks:
1) UTOvacation reserves the right to impose relevant fuel/inflation surcharge if Brent Crude Oil Price Index or US/Canada Official CPI has jumped over 4% between your booking date and tour departure date.
2) UTOvacation usually sends out important notifications including but not limited to destination health protocols, travel industry policies, tour updates and safety alerts to our agents/customers by newsletter through email. We are not responsible for trip delay, service cancellation, price increase or any other types of loss caused by unsubscribing from our email list, wrong email address or a lack of checking email box/spam folder/junk folder on a regular basis. If you have not received our newsletter for a long time, make sure your email address is effective/valid and you are on our email list. OR contact us immediately at [email protected] for assistance.
3) Please note that local city taxes are not included in the invoice amount. These taxes, as imposed by the city, are typically calculated on a per-person, per-night basis. The customer is responsible for paying the local city taxes directly while staying at the designated location.
UTOvacation strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance for any future travel plans.
We have curated two reputable partners one in the USA and one for Canada. Once you have made your trip selection, please select the option of purchasing travel insurance.
For USA patrons, in order to qualify for the “Cancel For Any Reason” Option offered by John Hancock, you will need to purchase your insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit. Other insurance policies may be purchased later.
Please note, the travel insurance that is available for purchase is with our affiliate partners and not a direct product or offering of UTOvacation. For any questions or concerns, please contact the vendor directly.
American Travel Insurance (click for more details)
Canadian Travel Insurance (click for more details)