China Travel Information & FAQ

Yes. We work with travel advisors, agencies and trade partners to arrange private China tours for their clients and groups. Your group travels independently and is not combined with travelers booked through other agencies. You retain the client relationship; we handle itinerary design, costing and in-country coordination.

For general trade-partner arrangements, including commission or net-rate options, see the Travel Agency & Group Partners section of our Horizon FAQ.

Travel dates, number of travelers and rooms, passports held, hotel level, interests, budget range, and any mobility or dietary needs. Tell us whether your clients or group will use a visa or visa-free transit, since this changes the routing.

We aim to respond to new inquiries within one business day. Detailed proposals for custom China trips or groups may take longer, depending on the itinerary and services requested. Our office hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Mountain Time. We are closed on Sundays.

Your clients or group will receive a final itinerary, emergency contact details, and a pre-departure guide covering entry requirements, payments, useful apps, tipping and local customs.

Horizon Travel Group is a Utah-based travel company, IATA/IATAN accredited since 2012 and a member of NTA. We design your itinerary, handle booking and payments in US dollars, and stay with you from first call to homecoming. Inside China, licensed Chinese travel agencies that we contract provide vehicles, drivers, guides and local services.

Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai make a useful introduction to imperial history, archaeology and contemporary city life. Depending on your interests and available time, consider Chengdu, Guilin and Yangshuo, or Yunnan. We recommend balancing major sights with time for local neighborhoods and a comfortable travel pace.

The best season depends on the route. Spring and fall often suit classic city and cultural itineraries. Spring Festival, around January or February, the Labor Day holiday around May 1, and the National Day holiday around October 1 can bring heavy demand, higher prices and limited availability. Summer school vacations also increase crowds at popular sites. Check the official holiday calendar for your travel year and book early when dates overlap.

Yes. Our team serves travelers in both English and Mandarin, which helps when you want to understand a menu, a custom or a change of plans.

We arrange a private evening on a quiet section of the Great Wall, with a sunset champagne dinner and stargazing, run with a local partner of more than 10 years.

For most mainland China round-trip itineraries, yes. US citizens are not covered by China’s current nationwide 30-day unilateral visa-free policy, so most standard trips require a tourist (L) visa unless a specific regional visa-free policy applies. A common alternative for eligible itineraries is China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, which allows a stay of up to 10 days when you enter from one country or region and continue to a different country or region through an eligible port.

Canadian ordinary passport holders can currently visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for eligible purposes, through December 31, 2026. Other nationalities have different arrangements. Tell us which passports your party holds and verify the rules for each traveler, especially for departures in 2027.

Often, yes, when the complete itinerary meets the policy. For example, a US–China–Japan route may qualify, while a US–China–US round trip does not meet the third-country or region requirement. Eligible travelers need a confirmed onward ticket and must use approved ports, remain within permitted travel areas and leave within the allowed time. We can review the routing with you, but immigration authorities determine admission. Check the current National Immigration Administration rules before booking flights.

If a visa is needed, plan to apply around two months before departure, following the instructions of the Chinese embassy or consulate serving your place of residence. Allow time for online review, passport submission and any additional documents. Published processing times do not cover every step or guarantee approval.

For tourist visa applications in the United States, follow the current requirement for more than six months of remaining passport validity and at least two blank visa pages. The 240-hour visa-free transit arrangement requires an eligible passport with at least three months of remaining validity. Confirm the rules for your nationality and entry route before departure.

Most foreign travelers need to complete an Arrival Card unless they fall within an exempt category. China offers a free online Arrival Card through official National Immigration Administration channels, and travelers can also complete the process at the port of entry. Use only official channels; there is no fee to submit the form.

Most standard tourist routes are accessible to foreign visitors, but entry permission does not cover every destination or activity. Tibet and certain restricted areas require additional authorization. Travelers using 240-hour visa-free transit must stay within the approved areas. Weather, site reservations and local access controls may also affect a route.

Exact inclusions vary by itinerary and are listed in your written proposal. Depending on the program, a China package may include hotels, transportation, guides, scheduled entrance tickets, listed meals and domestic transfers.

Private vehicles are reserved for your clients’ group for the road transfers and touring specified in your itinerary. Travel between cities may include high-speed trains or domestic flights, as detailed in your proposal.

For Horizon’s general inclusions policy, see our Horizon FAQ. Your proposal governs your specific booking.

A deposit is required to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is due according to the payment schedule in your booking documents. Cancellation terms depend on the type of trip and how far in advance notice is received. Any applicable processing fee will be disclosed before payment.

For current deposit amounts, final payment deadlines, and cancellation terms, please see our Horizon FAQ.

Travel protection is strongly recommended for China travel, including medical and emergency evacuation coverage.

For current travel-protection guidance and information about Horizon’s licensed insurance partner, please see the Travel Protection section of our Horizon FAQ.

Allow time for immigration, baggage collection and customs. Keep your passport, visa or visa-free entry details, hotel address and travel itinerary accessible. Transit travelers should also have their confirmed onward booking ready. If an airport transfer is included, follow the meeting instructions in your final travel documents; an airport pickup does not include expedited immigration.

Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used, and supported international cards can be linked to these apps. Download your preferred app and complete any requested verification before departure. Check your card issuer’s approval requirements and the app’s current fees and limits. Keep Chinese yuan and a backup card available. For connectivity, confirm mainland China coverage and access to the apps you need with your roaming or eSIM provider; access varies by service.

Restaurants generally do not expect tips. On tours, tipping guides and drivers is customary. We give suggested daily amounts in your pre-departure guide.

Check current entry health requirements and CDC guidance for China, then consult a healthcare professional at least a month before departure. Recommended vaccines and medicines depend on your health, route and activities. Rural travel and high-altitude destinations may need extra preparation. Entry rules and medical recommendations are separate considerations.

We plan realistic daily schedules and provide an emergency contact number for your trip. Please let us know about any medical needs or mobility limitations before booking so we can discuss suitable arrangements.