What is included in the price?
a) International air transportation: Round-trip, trans-Pacific airfare to and from Los Angeles or New York to China.
b) China internal transportation: All intra-China flights are included per itinerary. Private motor coach land travel, private transfers between airport and hotel, and all China domestic transportation within tour are included.
c) Taxes and Fuel Surcharges: All U.S. and China air taxes, governmental fees (except for the Visa Application) and fuel surcharges are included in the tour costs.
d) Accommodations: First class hotel accommodations are included in your tour cost. Each room has private facilities. Tour fares shown are quoted on a per-person, double-occupancy rate. Rate for triple occupancy is as same as that for double occupancy. Triple room is a twin-bed, standard room adding a rollaway bed. Single occupancy is subject to Single Supplement charge.
e) Sightseeing & Admissions fees: Comprehensive sightseeing, West Lake cruise and evening shows including admission/entrance fees are included per itinerary. The arrangements of these programs are determined by local tour operators and are based on local circumstances such as weather, traffic, holidays, etc.
f) Meals: Daily meals and local flavors are included as specified in the itinerary. Buffet-style American breakfast is served at all the hotels on your trip. Lunch and dinner are usually served in Chinese restaurants in a “family style” with a set menu, including your drink.
g) Escorting/Guiding Services: Each tour bus has a professional tour guide assigned to each specific area or tour event to ensure that you are given the local perspective.
h) Porter Service: All luggage handling services are included throughout China.
What is not included in the price?
China visa processing fee USD $155/per application; Airfare to Los Angeles/New York from your home city. A one-time charge for all gratuities for the local guides, drivers and porters of $25/per passenger. Items of personal nature such as laundry, room service, phone bills, excess baggage charges, optional tours and insurance premium, as well as any items or services not specifically listed in the itinerary are not included.
How much is the deposit?
A non-refundable deposit of USD $300 per person is required to secure your reservation.
**This deposit goes toward the final trip price.
When is the deposit due?
The non-refundable deposit is due at time of sign-up and is used to secure your spot on the trip. The full payment is due by December 31st, 2012. Space is limited and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serviced basis and we can only hold a spot for people who make a deposit.
When is the full payment due?
Final payment is paid by check and must be received by December 31, 2012. Reservation is subject to cancellation if final payment is not received by due date; the deposit will be forfeited.
What if I have to cancel?
Notification of tour cancellation for any reason must be in writing. Verbal cancellation by phone is not acceptable. Any cancellation refunds will be calculated from the date the written cancellation is received in our offices.
Traveler(s) unable to complete the purchased trip for any reason acknowledge that any and all unused portion(s) of the vacation package are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. Should the traveler(s) cancellation change the room configuration and thereby incurs a single supplement charge to a roommate the amount of charge will be deducted from the travelers’ refund. This is in addition to any other cancellation fees that may apply.
To receive a refund, all air tickets and all other travel documents must be returned to the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce. Applicable refunds will be processed promptly following receipt of the written cancellation and documents.
Cancellation Penalty Policy makes any cancellations after December 31, 2012 incur a loss of $500/each, while any cancellations after the departure day incur a loss of the entire payment.
China visa handling fee is non-refundable and is in addition to the above penalty if the visa has already been processed.
What kind of travel documentation do I need?
All foreign nationals traveling to Mainland China must travel with a valid passport and a visa obtained prior to entering the country. Any passengers who participate in the trip with the Chamber are responsible for acquiring their own passport and visa.
Is the itinerary set in stone?
The world of travel is ever-changing. Therefore, the day-by-day itinerary provided on our website is preliminary and subject to adjustment and change. The final verified itinerary will be sent out approximately two weeks prior to departure. The Chamber pledges to make every effort to follow tour itinerary precisely; however, unforeseen situations do occasionally occur. If a hotel or flight in the itinerary becomes unavailable, the Chamber reserves the right to make substitutions with hotels/flights of equal standard and quality. There will be no refunds for any difference in the cost of those accommodations.
Are there opportunities for shopping?
Multiple times during the trip, you will have the opportunity for shopping. The Chamber is not responsible for any purchases you make during your trip, whether that merchant is part of the scheduled itinerary or not. View the PDF.
Is the gratuity included?
No, the customary gratuities for the tour guides, motor coach drivers, porters and wait staff are not included in the tour price. There will be a one-time gratuity of USD $25 charged to you when you arrive in China, which will cover all gratuities for the entire trip. The tour operator will use that $25 to tip service providers on your behalf throughout the entire journey.
What if I want to fly from JFK?
We will have a flight leaving from JFK available for an additional $100.
I am a member but my spouse isn’t, what rate do they have to pay?
Members of the U.S. Green Chamber may apply their discount to their immediate family. That is to say, they may pay the membership price for the trip ($2,195). This discount applies to your immediate family only. We apologize but this offer does not extend to friends.
Why would the U.S. Green Chamber choose China for a destination?
China leads the world in the generation of greenhouse gas emissions as well as having the singular distinction of being the world’s top producer of renewable energy technology. The United States holds the #2 spot for both of these categories. Since we contribute to each other’s economic stability as well as each other’s generation of greenhouse gas emissions, our business trip to China represents a concerted effort to explore sustainable practices that improve mutual commerce and our respective environments.
In an effort to account for the significant carbon costs of the China trip, the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce with be partnering with Nature and Culture International. Read about this incredible organization here.
