This page is group land costs for China Travel Tips. When tour operators receive their group allocations for the PRC, they also receive a price tag from CITS covering all land costs in China. Hotel accommodations, three meals daily, tour escorts, and all surface and air transportation in China are arranged by CITS and included in the price of the package.

For 1988, land costs included in China tour offerings varied consider-ably-from a low of about $1,500 for 14 days in China (an average of$86 per day) to as much as $4,400 for 21 days, including a Yangtse River cruise ($209 per day). Tours that include Tibet can cost even more-up to $350 per day. Prices for the entire package may naturally vary among tour operators, owing to overhead and profit factors as well as actual costs for services provided. While standard CITS land charges to tour operators held fairly steady during the mid-1980s, the cost of “extra” services such as Great Wall excursions or ‘deluxe”-level Yangtse cruises placed upward pressure on prices. Moreover, many tour operators have opted to upgrade to newly available deluxe-standard hotels, thereby almost doubling the cost of accommodations. The “pinch” was most noticeable to seasoned China travelers from the 1970s who had grown accustomed to China’s bargain rates. However, a tourist’s day in China still costsless than it might in Tokyo or even Hong Kong.

Single-Occupancy Supplements. Hotel accommodations assigned by CITS are allocated on a double-occupancy basis. Single rooms are available at a surcharge of’ about $35 per day, although they cannot always be guaranteed in advance. Many tour operators advise passengers to re-quest single occupancy upon arrival in each city. If space is available the surcharge can be paid directly on the spot.

Items Not Included in the Tour Package Price. Land costs in China do not include meals or cultural events other than those arranged by CITS. Taxis and interpreter-escorts for individual sightseeing excursions are extra costs to expect (a car and driver can be hired for an entire day for about $40; daily fees for guides are about $35). Services of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone calls, and cables, are also charged as extra, as are alcoholic beverages. Of course, souvenirs, handicrafts, antiques, and other items purchased in the PRC add to the cost of the tour.

Since tipping is not practiced in China, there is no need to budget for these outlays for the PRC segment of the journey.

Costs for Non-China Itinerary Segments. Costs for non-China segments of the group itinerary are often the major source of disparities in China tour prices. Travelers should ascertain from travel agents exactly what additional services and amenities are offered in conjunction with each tour.

Excess baggage charges, passport and visa costs, and airport and departure taxes (e.g., Tokyo International Airport User’s Tax, aboutUS$7.50, and Hong Kong Departure Tax, HK$100) are not usually included in the tour price. The following are approximate guidelines for what to expect on most tours:

Accommodations. For cities outside of China, most packages include deluxe accommodations on a double-occupancy basis. For extended stays in Tokyo and Hong Kong, individuals should plan on daily hotel costs of at least $110 and $95 respectively (double occupancy).

Meals. Outside of China, group meal arrangements vary. Most tour prices include an “American” breakfast each morning at the hotel. Some tours provide dinner as well (on a table d’hote basis), or a banquet at each city visited. An occasional “welcome drink” is also provided. Service charges at hotels and restaurants used by the group are usually prepaid.

Transportation. Transfers to and from airports and hotels are, as a rule, included in the tour price, providing tour group travelers utilize group air reservations. Individual travel arrangements are usually left to tour members and, as is the policy in China, there is no refund made for unused sightseeing and meal services. Group sightseeing excursions ,including transportation and escorts, are provided as part of the overall Cost of the tour. However, again, travelers must foot the bill for individual sightseeing, taxis, entrance fees, and personal interpreters as required.