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China

 
 

TRAVEL DOCUMENT & VISA

  1. The travel document you use to enter China must match the one provided at the time of registration. All bookings (flights, hotels, trains, cruises, Tibet permits, and attractions) are issued based on that information. Any issues caused by using a different document will be the traveler’s own responsibility.
  2. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the return.
  3. Permanent residents must carry their Green Card in addition to their passport to ensure re-entry into the U.S.
  4. U.S. passport holders must obtain a valid Chinese visa. Please complete the online application form and submit it before visiting the nearest consulate. China Online Visa Application (COVA): https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/. We can assist with applications through the Chinese consulates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. For consular jurisdiction: https://losangeles.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/visa/Notice/202407/t20240702_11445398.htm
  5. For travelers who join Peony Tours to Tibet, China entry visa is the travelers’ own responsibility, Peony Tours will obtain the required Tibet Travel Permit through the local agent for you.
  6. Peony Tours is not responsible when you are denied entrance for any reason at any foreign country, even if you have a valid passport and visa. The tour fare does not include any fees of passport and visas.

TRAVEL INSURANCE / HEALTH MATTERS

  1. For your protection, all travelers are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance prior to departing on your trip.
  2. Due to the length of the trip and local traveling conditions especially to Tibet, Silk Road or Mongolia, it is advised that you consult your doctor for existing medical / dental conditions before departure.
  3. If you are taking prescription medicine, please full label and pack in your hand luggage sufficient quantity for the duration of the trip.
  4. In case of illness during the trip, please immediately notify your tour conductor and local guide for assistance.

BAGGAGE

  1. Baggage allowance on tour coaches is one large suitcase and one small bag per passenger. Do not over pack, leave some space for purchases during the tour. Since your suitcase will be transported frequently during the trip, be sure it is strong enough to withstand all the handling. Also be sure it has wheels, a luggage tag showing the name and contact information, and a lock. (Please use Peony Tours tags for easy identification by our airport staff). Unless you use a TSA approved lock, otherwise do not lock your luggage before the security check at the airport. For more information on the TSA approved locks, please check TSA’s website at: www.tsa.gov.
  2. Baggage allowance for USA-China flights vary by the airlines and is subject to change at any time. Travelers are required to check the airline's website for baggage policy before departure.
  3. For China domestic flight, high-speed rails and trains, explosives and dangerous items including knives, any weapons, etc. are strictly prohibited. Each passenger is allowed one checked luggage, up to 44 lbs/20 kgs, and one carry-on bag. Checked luggage must have a lock (combination locks are recommended). Baggage without a lock may be refused for transport.
  4. Consider packing one change of clothing, one set of underwear and toiletry in your carry-on bag to avoid inconvenience caused by delayed or lost luggage.
  5. DO NOT pack prescription medicine, valuables and other personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep them in your carry-on bag.
  6. Power Bank: starting from June 28, 2025, passengers are prohibited from bringing power banks on domestic flights if they lack a CCC (China Compulsory Certification) mark, have an unclear CCC mark, or belong to recalled models or batches.
    Please note: Power banks must be carried in your carry-on bag and are not allowed in checked baggage.

ITEMS & CLOTHING

  • Your contact lenses solution and aspirin, over-the-counter medicine for flu, indigestion, motion sickness, etc.
  • Sunglasses, hats, casual clothes and comfortable shoes. Electrical converter and adapters (220V in China).
  • In line with eco-friendly practices, many hotels no longer provide disposable personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, razors, nail polish and shoes brushes, unless guests request. Travelers are strongly advised to bring these items as needed.
  • Visit Weather Channel Service at www.weather.com for weather information before you go, and pack accordingly. We suggest you bring comfortable, casual clothing and two pairs of comfortable walking shoes for the trip. A raincoat, an umbrella and a light jacket are useful for traveling in all seasons.

CUSTOMS

  • China Customs: Foreign visitors are allowed to import, free of duty, one carton of cigarettes, one bottle of 750ml alcohol. There are no restrictions on importing the following items for personal use: medicine, camera/camcorder, rolls of film, foreign currency, etc. Professional recording equipment is not allowed without an import permit. Pornographic magazines, weapons, inflammable and explosive items, books of a political nature and certain drugs are illegal and are not allowed to be taken into China. Merchandise labeled as “cultural relics” or “antique” may not be taken out of China without an official export license. Save all your currency exchange receipts and purchase receipts for possible Customs inspection. For details of China Customs regulations, please check www.customs.gov.cn.
  • U.S. Customs: Observe US Customs restrictions when bringing in duty free goods from China. Fruits, vegetables, meat products are not allowed into the U.S. The importation of counterfeit and pirated goods is prohibited or restricted for all travelers returning to the U.S. It is your responsibility to ensure you are not breaking the law. For detailed regulations please the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Department’s website: www.cbp.gov.

MONEY MATTERS

  • Chinese currency is called Renminbi (RMB). Cash in US dollars cannot be used in China. You may exchange the USD to RMB when you are in China. Converting RMB back to US dollars you will need the original receipts.
  • The commonly accepted types of international credit cards are: Visa, Mastercard, Union Pay, American Express, Diners Club International, Discover and JCB. These credit cards can be used in large shopping stores in major cities, but cash withdrawals by credit card can only be processed at designated banks.
  • Small businesses or retail vendors may require cash or mobile payments in RMB. There are two main mobile payment Apps in China: Alipay (https://memberprod.alipay.com/account/reg/index.htm) and WeChat Pay. You can download the Alipay or WeChat App from the mobile App Store, register with your US phone number, then add your US credit card information. When you are shopping, scan the merchant’s QR code to complete the payment.
  • ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) are popular in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, but they can only withdraw RMB. And a handling fee applies to each withdrawal. The exchange rate on ATM withdrawals is roughly the same as for credit cards but there is a maximum limit for daily withdrawals.
  • Personal Checks are NOT acceptable in China.
  • 6. As of Oct 2025, the exchange rate: 1 USD = 7.11 CNY (Chinese Yuan Renminbi)

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENT

China and Hong Kong’s electrical systems operate at 220V/50 Hz, different from the USA (120V/60Hz) and Taiwan (110V/60Hz). The electrical outlets are either for fat round pins or for flat angled blades. Most of the hotels in China have both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in the bathrooms, though in guest rooms 220V sockets are usually the only type available. It is strongly advised to bring your own international voltage converter and portable plug adapter.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Meals are included as per itinerary in China. Lunch and dinner are Chinese, and most meals are served as a set menu with 10 people per table. Drinks in your hotel mini bar are extremely expensive. Do not take drinks from the mini bar and try to replace them later. YOU WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY since the mini bar accounting takes place in the morning, before you can replace anything. Hotel stores generally carry a variety of soft drinks and bottled water.

TELEPHONE / INTERNET

    1. Telephone call: For direct dialing from China, the international access code is 00, China country code is 86. Major city codes: Beijing-10, Shanghai-21, Guangzhou-20. For other city codes, please contact telephone operators for assistance.
      • Calling North America from Mainland China, dial: 00 + 1 + City Area Code + Telephone Number
      • Calling China from North America, dial: 011 + 86 + City Area Code + Telephone Number
    2. 2. Internet: Internet access is available at most of our hotels on your Peony Tours' trip. Many hotels offer free internet access at the hotel lobby. Wi-Fi in rooms will be charged from $12 - $20 per day at some hotels. Fees are applied on Yangtze River Cruise.

GRATUITIES

Tipping is customary all over the world. It encourages and rewards quality service. Your tour conductor, local guides, drivers, and other service personnel do their best to make your trip smooth and pleasant. Gratuities are tokens of appreciation. For your convenience, the Peony Tours national guide may collect the gratuities on behalf of the local guide and driver on the last day in each city. You may use your discretion in this matter if extra services are rendered or some services are not received.
Peony Tours suggests tipping in the following manner:

  • $15 per person per day (in US dollars) to be distributed between drivers and guides.
  • For the Yangtze River Cruise, tipping is separate from the above. For the recommended amount, please refer to the cruise company’s website: www.victoriacruises.com.

MISC. REMINDERS

  1. Please keep an eye on your valuables at all times. Watch out for pickpockets while sightseeing.
  2. Respect other group members, your tour guides and drivers. Never walk alone at night.
  3. Bring name and phone number of an emergency contact. Read your itinerary and hotel information carefully before departure. Leave a copy of your itinerary and hotel list with your family.
  4. Costs that are responsibility of the traveler: anything of a personal nature, walking sticks and porter services (for touring the Mt. Huangshan), cost of special exhibits and attractions inside a tourist site after paid entrance.
  5. If you have any special request, such as booking additional domestic flights in China, changing flight dates, or reserving extra hotel rooms, these must be arranged before departure.

HIGH-SPEED RAIL GUIDELINES

All luggage must be carried by passengers themselves, as no checked baggage service is available.

 

A) Prohibited Items

  • Firearms & Ammunition: guns, bullets, major components, replicas
  • Explosives: fireworks, firecrackers, sparklers, similar items
  • Controlled Weapons: daggers, batons, tear gas, stun guns, crossbows, bolts
  • Flammable/Explosive Items: gasoline, kerosene, hazardous chemicals
  • Toxic Substances: cyanide, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides
  • Corrosives: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, liquid batteries, mercury
  • Radioactive Materials: above national exemption limits
  • Infectious Substances: highly pathogenic microbes, infectious samples
  • Other Hazardous Items: strongly magnetized items, foul odors, panic-causing items, unknown dangerous items
  • Sharp/Blunt Objects: long knives, scissors, axes, bats
  • Tools & Farm Implements: drills, saws, hammers, sickles, shovels
  • Others: bows, darts, slingshots, defense sprays (>50ml)
  • Animals: pets prohibited. Guide dogs allowed; sealed aquatic products (fish, shrimp, crabs, shellfish) permitted

B) Restricted Items

  • Alcohol: 24%–70% alcohol content, max total 3000ml
  • Household Items (non-pressurized): perfume, sprays, gels ≤100ml, max 1 per type
  • Nail Products: nail polish/remover ≤50ml
  • Aerosol Products: hair spray, mousse, hair dye, insecticide, air freshener ≤150ml each, max 1 per type, total ≤600ml
  • Matches: max 2 small boxes; Lighters: max 2
  • Power Banks & Lithium Batteries: single unit ≤100Wh (excluding electric wheelchairs)
  • Others: items restricted by laws or regulations

EMERGENCY CONTACT

For missed, delayed or canceled flights or other emergency, please contact one of the following offices:
DURING OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5:30 PM
Los Angeles: 626-289-1010, San Francisco: 650-259-9983, New York: 212-973-1998
AFTER OFFICE HOURS: Please call 626-677-3415 (Emergency only)
*** If we miss your calls, please leave your message with your name and phone number. Your message is very important to us. We’ll call you back as soon as we can. ***

While in China, please contact our Shanghai Office: +86-21-6205-3666
 

Average Temperature of Major Cities in China(°)

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