Help & FAQ

Every private tour includes a dedicated guide speaking your language (English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish and more), private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver, and personalized itinerary. Optional photographer with DSLR and drone can be added upon request.

We recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks before your travel dates, especially during peak seasons (April-May, September-October). For major holidays like Chinese New Year, book 2-3 months ahead.

Absolutely! All our tours are fully customizable. Share your interests, preferred pace, and must-see attractions, and we'll craft a perfect itinerary just for you within 24 hours.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, and bank transfer. All payments are processed securely with full encryption.

Yes, a 20% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before your trip start date.

Yes, we provide detailed invoices and receipts suitable for travel insurance claims or business expense reports.

Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. Cancellations 15-29 days before incur a 10% fee. Cancellations within 14 days incur a 30% fee. No refund for cancellations within 48 hours.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance. We can provide quotes from trusted partners covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and baggage loss.

Tours operate rain or shine. In case of severe weather that makes activities unsafe, we'll reschedule or provide alternative arrangements at no extra cost.

Most foreign nationals require a visa. However, citizens of certain countries can enjoy 30-day visa-free entry or 144-hour transit without visa. Check our Travel Guide for detailed visa requirements.

Yes! We provide guides in English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, and more. All guides are certified by China National Tourism Administration and speak your native language fluently. Just let us know your preferred language when booking.

We accommodate all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, and allergies. Please inform us when booking.

Our private tours have no forced shopping. If you're interested in local markets or specialty shops, your guide can recommend authentic places based on your interests.

Yes, we use modern, air-conditioned vehicles appropriate for your group size. All vehicles are regularly maintained and driven by experienced, licensed drivers.

We provide 24/7 local support. Your guide will provide emergency contact numbers, and our team is always available via phone, WhatsApp, or WeChat to resolve any issues immediately.

No hidden fees whatsoever. The price you see includes all listed services. Entrance fees, meals, and personal expenses are clearly marked as included or excluded.

Yes! Groups of 6+ people receive a 5% discount, and groups of 10+ receive 10% off. Contact us for custom group quotes.

For bookings over $3000, we offer interest-free installment plans. Contact our team to discuss payment options.

Citizens of 50 countries holding an ordinary passport can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits or transit. The list covers 35 European countries (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom), Australia and New Zealand, 7 Asian countries (Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain) and 6 American countries (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada). The policy runs until 31 December 2026 for 48 of the 50 countries, until 31 December 2027 for Russia, and has no expiry date for Brunei.

Citizens of 57 countries holding a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region may enter China visa-free at any of 65 open ports across 24 provinces and stay up to 240 hours (10 days). Permitted activities are tourism, business and family visits; work, study and news reporting still require a visa. All nationalities also get 24-hour transit visa-free entry at every open port.

Yes. Travellers from countries without a visa-free arrangement need an L (tourist) visa, applied for at a Chinese embassy, consulate or visa application centre before departure. QTour supplies an official invitation letter and confirmed hotel and itinerary documentation to support your application at no extra charge.

Standard processing takes 4 working days, express processing 2–3 working days, and rush processing as little as 24 hours at some visa centres. Apply no earlier than 3 months before travel. Most tourist visas are issued for a single or double entry with a 30–60 day stay per entry; 10-year multiple-entry visas are available to US citizens.

Yes. All foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, arranged through a licensed agency such as QTour at least 20 days before travel. You must book a guided tour — independent travel is not permitted. Some routes (Everest Base Camp, Ngari) also require an Alien's Travel Permit. We handle both and send scanned copies for your flight or train check-in.

Not if you are using visa-free entry or a transit visa-free arrangement — both require a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. If you hold a valid tourist visa, a return or onward ticket is still checked by airlines at boarding and by immigration on arrival.

A private China tour including an English-speaking guide, private vehicle with driver, all entrance fees and hotels with breakfast typically costs $100–150 per person per day at budget level, $150–300 per day with 4-star hotels, $300–450 per day with 4–5-star hotels and selected meals, and $450+ per day for luxury travel. QTour's published tours start from $35 for a half-day excursion and from $449 for a 3-day Beijing city break.

The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY, ¥). Visa, MasterCard and American Express work at hotels and large stores, but daily spending is almost entirely cashless. Foreign visitors can now link international Visa and MasterCard cards to WeChat Pay and Alipay, which are accepted almost everywhere including street stalls and taxis.

Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected. It is not included in QTour prices and is entirely at your discretion. Many travellers give a guide roughly ¥100–200 per day and a driver ¥50–100 per day for good service, but there is no obligation.

Very little. ¥300–500 (about $40–70) in small notes is enough for emergencies. WeChat Pay and Alipay cover virtually every transaction, and ATMs at major banks accept international cards. Notify your bank before you travel to avoid card blocks.

No. QTour prices state inclusions and exclusions clearly on every tour page. Included: private guide speaking your language, private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver, all entrance fees, hotel accommodation with daily breakfast, and airport or train station transfers. Excluded: international flights, lunches and dinners unless stated, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa fees and gratuities.

September and October are the best months for most of China, with cool, clear weather and autumn foliage. April and May are the best spring alternative. June to August suits Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu and Inner Mongolia because of the high-altitude climate. December to February is the season for Harbin's Ice Festival and the mild south.

Avoid travelling during Chunyun (Spring Festival travel rush), the National Day holiday (1–7 October) and Labour Day week (1–5 May). These are the busiest periods of the year: high-speed rail tickets sell out within minutes, hotel prices double or triple, and major attractions are extremely crowded. If you must travel then, book 2–3 months ahead.

Air quality has improved substantially in recent years. Beijing, Shanghai and most major cities now report good or moderate air quality for most of the year. Winter (November–February) in northern cities can still see haze. Travellers with respiratory conditions should carry a mask and check daily AQI reports.

China is large, so winter varies enormously. Harbin in the north-east drops to −20°C and hosts the Ice Festival; Beijing averages 0°C with dry, clear days; Shanghai is 3–8°C and damp; Guilin and Yunnan stay 10–15°C; and Sanya in Hainan reaches 25°C, making it China's winter beach destination.

Book through the official Railway 12306 app or website, or let QTour book on your behalf. Tickets are tied to your passport number, so you must carry your passport to board. Sales open 15 days before departure and popular routes sell out quickly in peak season. Your passport acts as the ticket at the gate.

The fastest G-series trains cover the 1,318 km Beijing–Shanghai route in 4 hours 18 minutes, with departures every 10–20 minutes at peak times. A second-class ticket costs about ¥553–¥662 and first class about ¥933–¥1,068. Flying takes about 2 hours 20 minutes plus airport time, so the train is usually faster door to door.

It is manageable but easier with a guide. Metro signage, station names and major attractions are bilingual in big cities. Taxis and smaller restaurants are not. Useful tools are a translation app with offline Chinese, a screenshot of your hotel address in Chinese characters, and a Chinese SIM or eSIM with data. All QTour tours include an English-speaking guide and a private driver.

Yes, but many Western services are restricted. Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp are generally inaccessible without a VPN. WeChat, Alipay, Amap, Didi, Meituan and 12306 work normally and are what locals use. Buy a tourist SIM or eSIM on arrival, or set up a roaming plan before you travel.

Airport express trains and metro lines are fast and cheap in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps cost more but are door to door. QTour includes private airport or train station transfers with every booking, so a driver meets you at arrivals with your name on a sign.

Yes, with preparation. China has a long tradition of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, and dedicated vegetarian restaurants exist in all major cities. Outside those, you can ask for 'sù de' (vegetarian) dishes, but be aware that meat stock, lard and oyster sauce are common. QTour guides order on your behalf and pre-arrange vegetarian meals where needed — tell us your requirements when booking.

Chinese cuisine relies heavily on wheat, soy sauce and peanut oil, so allergies need careful handling. QTour provides a translated allergy card that you show at every meal, and our guides speak to the kitchen directly. We plan restaurant choices around your restrictions and can arrange self-catering apartments where required.

No. Do not drink untreated tap water. Hotels provide bottled water, usually replenished daily, and boiled water is safe. Avoid ice in drinks outside reputable hotels and restaurants. Bottled water costs ¥2–5 in convenience stores and is available everywhere.

Must-tries by region: Peking duck and zhajiangmian in Beijing; roujiamo and biangbiang noodles in Xi'an; xiaolongbao in Shanghai; hotpot in Chongqing and Chengdu; dim sum and roast goose in Guangzhou; rice noodles in Guilin; and dongpo pork and Longjing shrimp in Hangzhou. China's eight great regional cuisines each have distinct flavours — Sichuan is spicy and numbing, Cantonese is fresh and light, and Shandong is savoury and seafood-led.

China is one of the safest countries for tourists, with very low rates of violent crime. Petty theft such as pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, so keep valuables secure. The biggest risk is road traffic — always use designated crossings. QTour provides 24/7 on-ground support for all booked clients.

We strongly recommend it. A policy covering medical evacuation is essential if your itinerary includes Tibet, high-altitude regions or remote areas. Insurance should also cover trip cancellation, since cancellation fees apply within 60 days of departure. China requires proof of travel insurance for some Tibet permits.

There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry to China from most countries, though yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from an affected area. Recommended routine vaccinations are up to date, plus hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid for longer trips. Consult a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

Essentials: comfortable walking shoes, layers for temperature swings, a universal power adapter (China uses 220V, type A/C/I plugs), any prescription medication in its original packaging with a doctor's letter, hand sanitiser, a reusable water bottle, and a small amount of cash. For Tibet and high-altitude regions add sun protection, lip balm and altitude medication.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express work at hotels, department stores and international chains, but many local shops and restaurants do not accept foreign cards. The practical solution is to link your international card to WeChat Pay or Alipay, both of which now support foreign cards and are accepted almost universally.

Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119, traffic police 122, and tourist complaints 12301. There is also a 24-hour immigration and entry-exit service line on 12367. QTour clients additionally have a direct 24/7 emergency contact for their guide and our operations team.

Yes. Children are warmly welcomed in China, and highlights such as the Chengdu panda bases, the Great Wall, high-speed trains and Xi'an's Terracotta Warriors appeal across ages. QTour adjusts pace for families, arranges child seats, books connecting rooms and builds in rest time. Note that some attractions are not stroller-friendly, and panda volunteering has a minimum age of 12–16 depending on the programme.

Major modern attractions, airports, high-speed rail stations and metro systems in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are largely accessible, with lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. Older sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and many temples have steps and uneven surfaces. QTour plans routes that minimise stairs, arranges accessible vehicles and can hire a pusher for the Great Wall where needed.

Yes. QTour offers photography-focused itineraries and an optional professional photographer with DSLR and drone, and photos are delivered digitally within 48 hours. Popular photography routes include Guilin's karst sunrise, Zhangjiajie's pillars, Yuanyang rice terraces and the Silk Road dunes. Drone use requires permits in some areas and we apply on your behalf.

Yes. QTour handles corporate groups, incentive travel, conferences and meetings in China, including venue sourcing, interpretation, transport logistics and team-building activities. Contact us with your group size and requirements for a tailored proposal.

Yes. QTour is a licensed Chinese travel agency operating from Beijing, serving travellers from more than 80 countries. Every booking includes a dedicated guide, private vehicle and professional driver under our one-booking-one-team policy.

More than 60 days before departure: full refund minus an administrative fee. 30–60 days: 50% refund. 15–29 days: 25% refund. Less than 15 days: no refund. We recommend travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellation.

Book 2–3 weeks ahead for standard dates, and 2–3 months ahead for peak season (April–May and September–October), Chinese New Year, and any itinerary including Tibet or permits. QTour can also arrange trips at short notice for layover, port-call and last-minute travellers — ask us.

Send us your travel dates, group size, interests and preferred hotel standard using the Create My Trip form. A QTour consultant replies with a day-by-day draft itinerary, hotel options and pricing within 24 hours, free of charge. Revisions are unlimited and there is no obligation to book.

Our guides speak English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Arabic. Tell us your preferred language when booking and we will match you with the right guide.

Yes. QTour accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, bank transfer in USD, EUR, GBP or CNY, and Alipay or WeChat Pay. A deposit of typically 20–30% confirms your booking, with the balance due 30 days before departure.