How to Plan a China Tour: FAQ for New Zealand Travellers

Both work well — the right choice depends on your travel style and budget. Group tours are structured itineraries with fixed dates, set accommodation, and a group of typically 8–16 travellers sharing the same schedule. They cost 20–40% less than private equivalents, are fully organised so you do not need to handle logistics, and provide a social dimension that solo or couple travellers often appreciate. The trade-off is flexibility: the itinerary is set, and the pace must accommodate the whole group. Tailor-made private tours are planned specifically for you. Departure dates are flexible, the itinerary can be built around your interests (food, history, photography, hiking), accommodation can range from 3-star to 5-star at your choice, and the pace is yours. They cost more, but the experience is qualitatively different. CTS recommendation: For first-time visitors to China who prefer structure and certainty, our group Discovery tours are excellent value. For travellers with specific interests, repeat visitors, or families with children, our tailor-made Signature itineraries are worth the premium.

Minimum recommended lead time: 3 months. For travel during peak periods — October Golden Week (Oct 1–7), Chinese New Year (late January or February), and New Zealand school holidays — book 5–6 months in advance. These periods have limited availability on group departures and significantly higher prices for accommodation. For travel during shoulder seasons (March–May, November), 3 months is generally sufficient for group tours. Tailor-made itineraries need slightly more time for careful planning — 4 months is ideal. Key items that require early booking: - Domestic flight tickets during peak periods - High-speed rail tickets on popular routes (Beijing–Xi'an) - Accommodation in major cities at quality properties - Specialist experiences (panda volunteer programme, private Great Wall access)

Standard CTS tour packages include: Usually included: - Airport transfers (arrival and departure) - All domestic transport (private vehicle, domestic flights or high-speed rail between cities) - Accommodation (twin or double room as specified) - Breakfast daily; some dinners as noted - English-speaking local guide at each destination - Group entrance fees to major attractions - 24/7 emergency support contact Usually not included: - International flights (Auckland to China and return) - Travel insurance (strongly recommended — mandatory for visa applications) - Visa fee (NZD 130–220 depending on application type) - Personal spending, souvenirs, optional activities - Lunches and most dinners - Tips for guides and drivers (NZD 5–10 per person per day is customary) Ask specifically about: Whether international flights are included. Some packages include them; most CTS packages price them separately so you can choose your own routing.

Yes — and we encourage it. Our Discovery group tours have fixed itineraries because they depart on set dates with multiple travellers. However, even within group tours, we can often accommodate small modifications: a different hotel tier, an additional excursion, or a day's extension at the end. Our Signature tailor-made tours are built entirely around your preferences. We start with a consultation about your interests, travel style, pace preference, and budget, and design the itinerary from there. Common customisations include: - Adding food-focused experiences (cooking classes, market tours, restaurant bookings) - Including natural areas alongside the classic cities (Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan) - Incorporating a Yangtze River cruise segment - Adjusting the city mix (spending more days in Xi'an, skipping cities that don't interest you) - Adding a Tibet or Silk Road extension Contact us to start the conversation — we typically respond within one business day.

China is consistently rated as one of the safer destinations in Asia for foreign travellers. Crime: Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Petty theft (pickpocketing in crowded areas) exists as it does in any major tourist destination — standard precautions apply. Health: Tap water is not drinkable in China; use bottled water. Food safety standards in established restaurants and hotels are good. Air quality varies by city and season; those with respiratory conditions should check pollution levels. Scams: The main risks for tourists are non-violent: "tea ceremony" scams in Beijing and Shanghai (a friendly local invites you for tea, the bill is enormous), art gallery scams, and overpriced taxis at tourist sites. Awareness prevents most of these. Language: Outside tourist areas and major hotels, English is limited. Our guides handle all communication; on tailor-made tours, we provide a 24/7 emergency contact number for situations where you need immediate translation support. SafeTravel NZ rating: Check the NZ government's SafeTravel website before departure for the current official advisory. China has consistently been rated as low-risk for New Zealand travellers.

Yes — travel insurance is mandatory, both for your China visa application and as a practical necessity. For your visa: Chinese visa applications for New Zealanders now require proof of travel insurance as part of the application. Your policy must cover medical evacuation and have a minimum medical coverage of NZD 100,000. Practically: Chinese healthcare is high-quality in major cities, but hospital bills must be paid upfront by foreign nationals and then claimed back from your insurer. A serious medical event without insurance can cost NZD 50,000–200,000. Medical evacuation from China to New Zealand costs NZD 80,000–150,000 uninsured. What to look for in a policy: - Medical coverage: NZD 500,000 minimum - Medical evacuation: included - Trip cancellation/interruption: included - COVID-19 coverage: confirm specifically - Pre-existing conditions: declare and check coverage Recommended NZ providers: Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Cover-More, IAG/AMI. Compare at least three quotes. Do not travel to China without it.

Cost varies significantly by tour type and accommodation standard. Approximate per-person costs for a 10-day tour (not including international flights): Group Discovery tour (CTS standard): - Tour package: NZD 3,200–4,500 per person (twin share) - Visas: NZD 130–220 - Travel insurance: NZD 200–350 - Personal spending (lunches, souvenirs, tips): NZD 600–900 - Total: NZD 4,130–5,970 Signature tailor-made (4-star hotels): - Tour package: NZD 5,500–7,500 per person - Personal spending: NZD 800–1,200 - Total: NZD 6,630–9,170 International flights from Auckland: NZD 1,400–2,800 return depending on airline and season. Total trip cost estimate: NZD 5,500–12,000 per person depending on tour type, travel season, and flight class. Budget and shoulder-season travel is possible; luxury-class travel is also available. Contact us for a specific quote based on your dates and preferences.

Payment in China has shifted dramatically to mobile payments (WeChat Pay and Alipay), which creates a challenge for foreign visitors whose bank accounts are not linked to Chinese mobile numbers. What works for international travellers: Cash (Chinese yuan / RMB): Still accepted everywhere, from street vendors to taxi drivers. Exchange NZD to CNY before departure at ANZ, BNZ, or Westpac; rates are generally better in New Zealand than at Chinese airports. Alipay International: Alipay has launched an international version allowing foreign credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) to be linked to an Alipay account. Works at most merchants. Set this up before departure. Credit cards: Accepted at international hotels, high-end restaurants, and some tourist sites. Not reliable at small restaurants, markets, or transport. Practical recommendation: Bring NZD 500–800 in cash (CNY equivalent) for daily expenses. Set up the Alipay international app before departure. Your hotel concierge can assist with local cash exchange if needed. Our guides handle payments for group activities; this is most relevant for personal purchases and meals on your own time.

CTS Tours offers two main types of China travel: Discovery Tours (group departures): - A Tale of Two Cities — Beijing & Xi'an (7 days) - Shanghai & Surroundings (7 days) - Fixed departure dates throughout the year - Group size: 8–16 travellers - Includes accommodation, transport, guide, major entrance fees Signature Tours (tailor-made): - Custom itineraries designed for your group (2–12 people) - Flexible departure dates - Choice of hotels from 3-star to luxury - Available for all destinations: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Yunnan, and more - Includes full private guide service throughout To discuss your options, contact our team — we will respond within one business day with specific recommendations and a no-obligation quote.

On a guided tour with CTS, no. Your local English-speaking guide handles all communication throughout. For independent movement within your tour (exploring on your own during free time), a few practical tools help: Translation apps: Google Translate's camera function reads Chinese text in real time — menu items, street signs, transport information. Works without a data connection if you download the Chinese language pack offline. Useful phrases: Even minimal Mandarin is appreciated. "Xièxie" (谢谢, thank you), "Nǐ hǎo" (你好, hello), and showing your hotel's name card (every hotel provides them at check-in) covers most situations. Ride-hailing: DiDi (China's Uber equivalent) works with an English-language interface and eliminates taxi language barriers. Your guide will help you set it up on day one. Navigation: Baidu Maps is more accurate than Google Maps in China. Download it before departure; it works with English searches for major landmarks. Major tourist attractions and 4–5 star hotels all have English-speaking staff. The language challenge is real but manageable with preparation.