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Do I need a Visa to travel in China?
Yes, a travel visa is essential for almost all foreigners entering China. If you are departing from Hong Kong, we can process your visa for your if you just bring your passport along to the pre-departure briefing in Hong Kong the night before departure (you do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong). The fee is 800rmb (GB£80, EUR100, US$125, HK$980) and we will return your passport to you the next day before entering Mainland China. Unfortunately we are not able to offer this service to American or French passport holders.
If you are departing Beijing or Shanghai you will need to apply for your own visa in one of the many Chinese embassies around the world. We will issue you with the invitation letter and detailed itinerary which is now required in order to apply for the visa.
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What is the payment policy?
For all trips, a deposit of GB£200 or US$320 is required in order to confirm your booking, and the remaining amount is due one month prior to your departure.
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How can I pay?
After making a booking on our website, you can either make payment directly to our British Bank account with the following details, or pay online via paypal. There is a charge of 3.4% if paying by paypal.
- Bank Name: HSBC
- Account Name: The Dragon Trip Pte. Ltd.
- Account Number: 8153 1115
- Sort Code: 40 02 08
- Branch Address: HSBC Bank Plc, 455 Strand, London, WC2R 0RH
- Swift Code MIDLGB22
- IBAN: GB82MIDL40020881531115 -
What is the food like on the tour?
Your guide will always offer to take you for a group meal, where we go to a local restaurant which we know is hygienic and has cheap and delicious food. These meals usually work out at 30rmb (£3/$4.50) per person, but if you do want to eat cheaper, you can always grab a bowl of noodles or fried rice for no more than 10rmb (£1/$1.50).
If you are craving Western food, the hostels all offer affordable Western dishes like pizza and pasta for about 30rmb.
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Do the Chinese really eat dog?
Despite the saying, “Chinese people will eat anything with four legs apart from tables”, in reality, dog is only eaten in certain parts of China, and only in winter! If you do want to give it a try, then in Yangshuo you can taste a selection of our furry friends, such as dog and cat, but also a variety of other insects and snakes.
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Can I upgrade to a private room?
Yes, if you’d like to upgrade to a private room, the price is £25 per room per night. Note this is the fee for the room, not per person, so if you are a couple upgrading, you split this price between the two of you. Just email at least three weeks prior to departure to let us know you’d like to upgrade.
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What is the standard of the accommodation?
All of the hostels are very clean, air-conditioned or have fans, are safe, have good showers, internet, washing machines and most importantly, have real Chinese character.
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What travel insurance do I need for China?
We require all our customers to have backpackers travel insurance when coming on the trip. If you do not already have this by the time you arrive in Hong Kong, we can assist you in purchasing this from Chartis for only £25.
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Can I upgrade to first class on the night trains?
Upgrades to first class sleeper trains are available on the following routes: Yangshuo to Chengdu, Chengdu to Xian, Shaolin to Beijing, Fujian to Macau. Each journey costs £30 to upgrade. Just email us at least three weeks prior to departure to let us know you’d like to upgrade.
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Who are the guides?
Each group will be accompanied by a combination of Chinese and Western guides. All our Chinese guides speak fluent English and Mandarin, and have the passion and knowledge to ensure that they can help you have a great time in each destination.
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Do I need any special vaccinations for China?
The Dragon Trip aims to enter no areas with tropical diseases. However, like with any backpacking trips, we urge you to seek advice from a travel nurse before departing your home country.
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What is the refund policy?
You are entitled to a full refund for any reason up to 10 days after you make a booking, after this period, all payment are non-refudnable. In the event of tour cancellation due to unforseen events in China, we will also provide a full refund.
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Why is The Dragon Trip so much cheaper than other tours?
Firstly, we normally use public transport to get to the train stations and visit local attractions, and we find this not only keeps costs lower, but also provides a chance to experience the real China, rather than observe it at a distance from a tourist minibus. Secondly, we often use young tour guides who work for us just for one or two seasons after graduating university. They are highly educated and thoroughly trained, but as they are doing it more for personal experience rather than to make money, they are cheaper, and some may argue, more enthusiastic than the ‘career’ tour guides used by most tour companies in China.
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What is different about travelling with The Dragon Trip?
We offer a package solely aimed at budget travellers, who want to travel with other likeminded people. We offer a balance between cultural activities, extreme activities and great night life. We offer access to the real China, where you get to experience ‘The Middle Kingdom’ as an insider, rather than a tourist.
We constantly strive to provide you with the best value for money, yet your safety is always our absolutely priority.