F.A.Q. China & TibetChina & Tibet

F.A.Q.

Why travel with Djoser to China and Tibet?

During our 11-day China, 17-day China, Tibet & Yangtze program and our 22-day China & Tibet program, a qualified local Chinese travel guide will accompany your group. You will have different guides in China and Tibet. For the 17-day China, 24-day China and 29-day China/Tibet programs (with international groups) a Dutch travel guide will accompany the group for the duration of the trip. Included excursions take us to the Great Wall and the terracotta army of Qin Shuang. A local, English-speaking guide leads these excursions. You will spend the nights in good, clean tourist class hotels always with a shower and toilet in the room. Many of our China tours end in the global metropolis Hong Kong, where we will spend two more nights. Besides taking several domestic flights we will also make use of night trains for the longer routes. During some tours, besides cities like Beijing and Hong Kong, we will also visit the modern trade city Shanghai. The 24-day tour follows a route on which we will visit the most beautiful province of China: Yunnan. Here we will visit, amongst other things, the Naxi village Lijiang. The most complete tour takes 29 days and leads you on a tour across “The roof of the World”: Tibet.

I will be joining a Dutch (International) group. Will I have problems with language?

It is possible that you could one of only four North American travelers on this trip, made up of Dutch travelers from Djoser, Netherlands. Almost all travelers from the Netherlands have a wonderful command of English and are willing to socialize. Many fellow travelers are willing to help with translations. The Dutch tour leader (who is a trip coordinator, not a lecturer) will address the group, first in Dutch. He/she will then repeat the important information to you in English. There is a breakfast meeting with the group and tour leader each day, which is a good time to review materials and to go over plans for the day. At some stops we may also have the assistance of a local country guide will address the group in English.

The overwhelming majority of people who book these trips enjoy the international blend but frankly, it is not for everyone. It is inevitable that there will be times when your fellow travelers are speaking Dutch. If you have a travel partner, it is much easier to blend in to conversation, or at least to have a buffer for an English conversation. A flexible and easy-going nature are essential when joining an international group. Single travelers may feel a little isolated at such times, particularly at the beginning of the trip. But as the group gets to know each other, socializing gets easier. Before booking, you can check with us to see if another North American traveler has booked. Singles who adapt well on these trips are typically experienced travelers, more independent type travelers or those who are comfortable with English being the second language on the trip.

What is the quality of the hotels in China and Tibet?

Djoser makes use of good, tourist class hotels in China (and Tibet); always tidy and of good quality. Most hotels have been built within the last few years. The rooms are standard double rooms, have air-conditioning where needed and every room has its own shower and toilet. Each hotel has a pot of hot, boiled water ready for making a homemade cup of coffee, tea or soup.

You can look at a sample of our lodgings on our website by clicking through the following link: http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

How is transportation organized on this tour?

During the trip we use several modes of transportation. Because of the long distances, we use some internal flights throughout the trip. We also travel on sleeper trains, a typical Chinese way of traveling. Chinese sleeper trains are separated in the so-called hard seats, (you can only sit) hard sleepers and soft sleepers. During all train trips, we use the hard sleepers. This entails that you sleep in an open compartment with six hard sleeping facilities. In these hard sleepers, you are provided with sheets, blankets and pillows, however a sheet lining might come in handy. In addition, you will find a thermos with hot water so bring your own mug. The major chatter and the rustling of tea cups abrubtly ends when the lights are turned off and you are slowly rocked to sleep by the movement of the train. On the 22-day trip with U.S. and Canadian participants you will have the option to upgrade to a soft sleeper. It is more spacious, sleeps four, and is good for people who are sensitive to cigarette smoke. This option is not available on the 17, 24 and 29-day trips. The rest of our travel is with our own locally hired bus. The travel days can sometimes be long; distances are great and roads are not always good.You will be amazed by the amount of bikes you see in the cities as well as in the rural areaa. To explore some areas, the bike is by far the best form of transportation. There are also taxis, mini-buses, and rickshaws that can take you almost everywhere very inexpensively.

On the 17-day China, Tibet, Yangtze trip, you will board the cruise boat Jiangshan and stay in comfortable first-class cabins, with 2 beds, private bath facilities and air-conditioning. The boat was built in 1990 and renovated in 2001-2003. The boat is 265 ft. long, 43 ft. wide, and holds around 500 people. Facilities include restaurants (Chinese style), air-conditioning, satellite communication, TV, a health clinic, shops, a dance halls, a viewing hall, a hair salon and a recreation center.

You can look at sample of our transportation on our website by clicking through the following link: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

Will I be on my own to find places to eat?

No. The group will usually have breakfast together at the hotels. The guide will suggest safe places to eat for other meals. You are free to join the guide and other group members at meals or you can explore on your own. He/she will give you safe recommendations. You will only pay for the meals that you eat so you have ultimate flexibility.

Will I be on my own to find activities?

The same applies as for meals. The guide will discuss suggested plans for the day with the group, first thing in the morning. Group members can either join the guide and other travelers for an activity, or they can explore on their own. Again, the guide will give fun suggestions for places to go on your own. Unless otherwise noted in the program, you will pay for your own entry fees for museums or sites, as you go. So you only pay for the things that you choose to do.

What is the ‘hard-sleeper’ class on the train?

The trains in China know various ‘classes’ of travel, amongst which the ‘hard-sleeper’ class. Hard-sleeper does not mean that you will be sleeping on hard planks. The beds can even be called reasonably comfortable. During all train trips, we use the hard sleepers. This entails that you sleep in an open compartment with six hard sleeping facilities. In these hard sleepers, you are provided with sheets, blankets and pillows, however a sheet lining might come in handy. In addition, you will find a thermos with hot water so bring your own mug. The major chatter and the rustling of tea cups abrubtly ends when the lights are turned off and you are slowly rocked to sleep by the movement of the train. On the 22-day trip with U.S. and Canadian participants you will have the option to upgrade to a soft sleeper. It is more spacious, sleeps four, and is good for people who are sensitive to cigarette smoke. This option is not available on the 17, 24 and 29-day trips.

Is it possible to book a ‘soft sleeper’ compartment on the train?

Djoser has chosen for traveling in the ‘hard-sleeper’ class because in this class you will be traveling together with your group among the Chinese people who are on their way to, for example, far away family or a new job.This offers more contact with the local population than the closed compartments of the ‘soft-sleeper’ class. On the trips with the international groups Djoser does not offer the option to upgrade to a different class of travel on the night trains. But on the 22-day trip with U.S. and Canadian participants you will have the option to upgrade to a soft sleeper. It is more spacious, sleeps four, and is good for people who are sensitive to cigarette smoke. This option is not available on the 17, 24 and 29-day trips.

Tibet is situated at a very high altitude, does this altitude cause any inconvenience?

When traveling to Tibet it is possible that the high altitude can cause you some inconvenience. The symptoms that sometimes arise are shortness of breath, headache and nausea. Most people experience some light complaints, after a few days you get used to the altitude and the symptoms disappear. It is important to take it easy upon arrival and to drink a lot of water during your stay in Tibet. The percentage of people who experience actual altitude sickness is really quite small. If you have asthma or heart problems it is recommended that you notify your primary care physician about your visit to Tibet.

Is it possible to take cash out at ATM machines in China?

In more and more of the large Chinese cities it is possible to take cash out at ATM machines. Since the cities are very expansive it is however not always so easy (or it takes a lot of time) to find an ATM machine. Travelers’ checks and cash can often be exchanged in the hotels, so a bankcard with PIN number is not always necessary, though it is useful to bring along. Dollars are easy to exchange in China.

Which airline is used for the domestic flights?

Local Chinese airlines execute the domestic flights. The airplanes that are used in China mainly exist of Western-made Boeings and Airbuses. Since traveling by air has grown enormously popular in China over the last few years the planes are usually relatively new planes.

Is it okay politically to visit Tibet?

The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader in exile, encourages people to travel to Tibet and assures them of their safety. Hopefully travelers can observe for themselves what the situation is like and they can then share their experiences with others and make the public more aware of the situation in Tibet. We recommend that you do not bring any pictures of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government forbids all pictures of the spiritual leader. Handing out pictures can cause problems for people to whom the pictures are given.

Do I need a visa for this trip?

For China you need a visa which you can apply for at the Chinese Embassy. Visas cannot be issued through the mail and therefore must be procured in person at the embassy or by using a visa service company. For the visit to Tibet we need special permission from the Chinese authorities. After you book your tour you will receive more specific information about the required visa and information about It’s Easy, or recommended visa service provider. They offer discounts for Djoser customers. (www.itseasypassport.com).

How should I fill out the visa form?

We will provide instructions and a copy of the visa form for you when you register for one of these trips, complete with contact names in China, address of lodging and itinerary.

Is it possible to extend this tour?

When you book your trip you can request a layover. The layover cost is $150 for the flight deviation. If you would like an extension you can request an extension when you book for $100 per extension (for flight deviation). Djoser will book these flights subject to availability. Please let us know when you book how many nights and where you wish to extend or layover. Neither hotels nor airport transfers are provided for layovers and extensions.
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