Got Questions ……
Before You Go
» When to go to China?
The size of China ensures that its climate is extremely diverse, ranging from tropical in the south to sub arctic in its northern latitudes. Winter in the north, between December and March, is bitterly cold and very dry, with temperatures in Beijing dropping as low as -4ºF (-20ºC). During summer, May to August, rain falls and temperatures soar. In central China the Yangtze River valley experiences long, humid and hot summers between April and October, while in winter temperatures drop below freezing. In south China, around Guangzhou, summer brings typhoons and high temperatures between July and September. Winters are short and chilly.
» Should I purchase travel insurance?
Government health insurance plans may not cover all emergency medical expenses once you leave your home province/territory and typically cover only a limited portion once you leave the country. It is always prudent to purchase travel insurance to avoid an interruption of your journey.
» What documents do I need for travel?
All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. An entry visa is necessary to enter China. You will need to fill out an application form, 1 passport size photo and your passport to obtain an entry visa.
» Can I use my credit, debit and ATM cards in China?
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in major cities. Generally, only hotels with ratings of three or more stars, major shopping centers and retailers and large restaurants and supermarkets accept non-Chinese credit cards. Beyond that, you'll need cash.
In large cities, most bank machines accept major international networks, so your ATM and debit cards should serve you well, though you'll want to keep an eye on exchange rates and service fees.
» When do I get my travel documents?
Travel Documents are generally released 3 weeks prior to the departure date. They will either be be sent to the Trip organizer of the school or during our pre-breifing session.
» What vaccinations are required?
Although there are no mandatory inoculations for any of our destinations, the best person to ask is your family doctor. The Canadian Government often makes recommendation for vaccinations or immunizations.You can review their helpful travel advisories at
www.voyage.gc.ca. In all cases, however, it’s best to go to a doctor several months before of departure.
» What if I am not a Canadian Citizen?
Some countries have different visa or entry requirements for travellers of different citizenships. We will assist you in providing information in how to obtain an entry visa, however each country has the final say on visa and entry requirements.
» Will my cell phone work?
Cell phones work at most destinations, depending on your mobile providers. Generally, roaming charges can be quite expensive, but we’ve found that text messaging – although slightly more expensive than in Canada – can be used effectively to communicate with your friends and family back home. For detailed information on cell phones in your destination, contact your provider.
» What is the food like in China?
Chinese cuisine varies widely from region to region. Hearty root vegetables and healthy greens as you move from south to north and tropical fruits replace the staple grain changes from rice to wheat. Any visit to China will provide a number of gustatory adventures, and they're easy to have, as food is everywhere. For the less adventurous, globalization has brought Western chain restaurants into most places around China; however the menus are not always what you're used to from home (and may not even be in your language).
During Your Trip
» Are the trips supervised?
Yes. Normally, the school faculty will accompany the students to the destination along with one Tour Director from Tour East Holidays. .
» Is the food and water safe?
Tour East Holidays has chosen hotels with high health standards. Bottled water is available across all properties and are usually complimentary in your hotel room. In addition, we provide 2 bottles of water per person when touring. Because even a small change in diet can affect your digestive system, we recommend that those with sensitive stomachs should be sure to bring the appropriate medications just in case.
» What happens in an medical emergency?
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, our first priority is ensuring that the injured person receives immediate medical attention. A Tour East representative will be with the student as soon as possible after an incident occurs and will be present until the situation has stabilized. Immediately after ensuring that medical needs are met, our staff will contact the school’s chaperones and/or the student’s parents to advise of the situation.
» What if I get Lost?
Every student that is travelling with the group will be given a card with the hotel’s address, telephone number and the Tour Director’s phone number in destination.
