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According to the requirements of American students and parents, Hope Education Foundation (HEF) has succeeded in arranging many students to study Chinese one by one in Beijing. By 82-day studying, it is obvious to see the improvement of Chinese in reading, writing, and speaking. And at the same time, students will establish the friendly relationship with teachers and students. So American students will maintain a sustain studying and practicing Chinese by contact Chinese friends online.
 
 
Current location:Home >> FAQ >> Details
 

FAQ

Author/Source:HOPE-EDU.ORG  Updated:11/12/2008
 

Q1: Are tour participants required to buy additional insurance?
A: HEF has already made arrangements with its exclusive tour operator, HEF, to include the necessary accident insurance fees in the tour package price. Each of the tour participants is fully insured by the standard policy issued by China Personal Safety Insurance. However, the participants are advised to purchase optional insurance for special circumstances such as "Tour Cancellation Insurance" and "Personal Property Loss Insurance". Participants are expected to have their own health insurance. Please click here to see our current insurance policy.
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Q2: Are tour participants expected to follow certain rules?

A: The professional PTS tour guide in charge is familiar with the tour dangers, and will take precautions by setting safety rules for the participants to follow, i.e., beware of slippery surfaces around certain canyon and cliffs, stay away from highway, etc. The participants are advised to stay together with others in the tour and follow the tour leader's instructions.
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Q3: Does the participant need a visa to visit Hong Kong?
A: For the U.S. passport holders, visa is not required for 90-day stay as a tourist. For other passport holders, please inquire at your nearest Chinese Consulate.
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Q4: How does a participant get Chinese visa?

A: Visa is required for Americans and most other nationalities. HEF will help you process your visa after the confirmation of the booking. Visa Processing Service detailed instructions along with the visa application forms will be sent to you upon receipt of your tour deposit. You may also apply for an individual visa directly at the Chinese Consulate in your city.
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Q5: What are the Chinese customs regulations?

A: All visitors must fill out customs declaration forms to present on arrival. The copy should be kept to hand in on departure. Reasonable amount of currency (including RMB) can be brought in along with alcohol, cigarettes, cameras, camcorders, radios, and tape-recorders for personal use. Certain valuable items, such as digital cameras, office machines, computers and gold declared on the form must be brought out of China or else import duty will be charged on them.
Prohibited imports include arms, ammunition and explosives; printed matter, film or tapes detrimental to China; dangerous or narcotic drugs; infected animals, plants or food. It is also forbidden to take out any of these items, or endangered species of animals or plants and antiques without export permits.
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Q6: When is the best time to visit China?

A: Deciding on the time of the year to visit china depends on your personal preferences such as which places you wish to visit, what type of weather you enjoy, and how much of a travel bargain you are looking for. Remember that China is a huge country with many different climates and types of terrain. It is similar to the United States in size and shape. In September and October, the weather is most comfortable and considered the peak tourist months at China's most popular destinations. Prices are lower in the shoulder season, which runs from late March through April and from June through August. The prices are at the lowest level during the tourism off-season months in winter starting in late November.
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Q7: Is there a morning wake-up call service in the hotels?

A: Yes. This service is available free of charge upon your request.
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Q8: Can you give us some tips for shopping in China?

A. China is undergoing a transition from a planned to a market economy and commodities are priced in one of the following three ways: 1- the fixed prices are set by the state; 2- the prices are regulated by the state; 3- the market prices prevail. Most of the tourist merchandises fall under the third category of market prices. Therefore, when you go shopping, it pays to visit several shops to get the best price.
Like most other countries, China is plagued by counterfeit products, especially on street stands. Tourists are advised to make informed choices and preferably shop accompanied by local guides. Also, big department stores and tourist stores designated by the government tend to have better credibility. When shopping, you should always ask for a receipt.
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Q9. What cautions should foreigners take when buying Chinese antiques?

A. Chinese antiques consist of the following six categories: Porcelain; calligraphy and paintings; books; jewelry; curios; and furniture.
The first thing to consider is whether the antiques are allowed out of China. According to Chinese laws; only antiques dated after 1797 (during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing dynasty) can be traded and taken out of China. Before Antiquities are allowed to be taken out of China, each piece must bear a certified wax seal stamped by the National Administration for the Preservation of Cultural Relics, or as an alternative, an exit permit for the item must accompany it. The Administration has officers stationed at various department stores and antique markets to help shoppers verify their purchases. If you happened to purchase a defective product, you may file a complaint with the local consumers' association.
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Q10. Shall participants bring cash or Travelers' Checks?
A: Participants may bring a small amount of cash. Travelers' Checks are safer and command a slightly higher exchange rate than cash.
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Q11. What credit cards are accepted in China?

A. Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in China. These include: Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
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Q12. What does the tour price quotation exclude?

A. The Price does not include: China visa fee, extra insurance, personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, gift) (link to Price Does Not Include:)
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Q13. What does the tour price quotation include?

A. The Price for tours Includes: (link to Price Includes)
Transpacific air and domestic air (as mentioned in the tour description), transportation (bus, boat, train), hotel accommodations (4 star, based on double occupancy), meals, admissions, English speaking guide, airport tax, tips for drivers and guides, insurance in China, a T-shirt and a belt bag, cultural exchange fees, group photo, one bottle of water daily, a phone book from Hope Education Foundation.
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Q14. What is single supplement?

A: The price quoted for hotel, guide and transfers are all based on double occupancy. If participant wants to have a single room, he or she must pay an extra charge. This additional charge is called single supplement.
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Q15. What are the media available for participants?

China Daily, an English-language newspaper, is published in China six days per week (except on Sundays). This publication is very informative and may be obtained from the big hotels free of charge; among other things, it contains the television schedule and a diary of cultural events in Beijing. Unfortunately, same-day editions are available only in large cities; elsewhere, the publication will be distributed several days late. Two other English-language publications, the Shanghai Star and Shanghai Talk, are also available. Other foreign-language newspapers and journals available in large hotels include the International Herald Tribune, The Times, Asian Wall Street Journal, Time (magazine), Newsweek, Far Eastern Economic Review, and many more.
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LEGEND:
HEF = HOPE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
PTS = PERFECT TRANS & TRAVEL SERVICE INC.

Hope Education Foundation
Addr:533 S Atlantic Blvd.#306 Monterey Park, CA 91754
Tel:1-800-341-7983 (626)-282-6660; FAX:(626)-382-1234 ; E-mail:info@hope-edu.org
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