What months in China are Peak Season ,Shoulder Season, and Low Season?
  Generally and traditionally, the Peak Season refers to May, September and October; the Shoulder Season refers to March, April, June, July, August, and November; the Low Season refers to January, February, and December.

What documents do I need for entering China?
   You will at least need a passport valid more than 6 months from the departure date, and a visa. Visa is required for Australian and most other nationalities. For a group of more than 10 people, we will apply a group visa for you. For traveling to Tibet and other restricted areas, you also need a travel permit.

Are there any health requirements? Do I need immunizations to enter China?
Travelers are advised to check with their doctors before visiting China. A Health Declaration form must completed upon arrival. No immunizations are required for short-term travelers.
The health quarantine service has the right to prevent any foreigner suffering from AIDS, venereal disease, leprosy, mental illness, or active tuberculosis from entering China.

What are the baggage limits?
•  As different airlines have varying policies. Usually, each trans-Pacific passenger is allowed two check-in bags totaling 106 inches of three dimensions, and one carry-on bag not over 39 inches. There is no free luggage allowance for holders of infant tickets.
•  For domestic China and intro-Asia flights, you are allowed to check in one piece of luggage under 20 kilograms (44 pounds) total, and one carry on, of not over 10 lb . The fee for extra baggage or overweight baggage could be so high as to be prohibitive.
•  The liability of the airlines is limited for lost or damaged luggage. Passengers may apply for insurance coverage above the minimum value for checked luggage.
Travelers to China are advised to take only one suitcase and one carry-on bag.
I am quite confused about tipping in China. What exactly is happening?
•  Although officially prohibited, tipping is now widely accepted and expected by tour guides, hotel staff and tour bus or car drivers, in recognition of their good service. In restaurants, if no tip is added to the bill, a 10 to 15 percent tip is advisable. It is best to ask your travel agent, China tour operator for the amount you should pay. Usually it is based on your group size and time you travel.
How about the money stuff?
The official currency is the Renminbi (RMB). Its basic unit is yuan. Denominations come in 100 Yuan, 50 Yuan, 10 Yuan, 5 Yuan, 2 Yuan and 1 Yuan. Each Yuan consists of 100 Fen. Hong Kong uses HK dollars. The official exchange rate at this time is 8.2 yuan to 1 U.S dollar and 7.7 HK dollars to 1 US dollar. Visitors are advised to carry credit cards -- Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diner's Club -- and traveler's checks that can be accepted by most hotels and major stores and can be exchanged for cash of RMB. Keep the receipt of the transaction as you might need when you leave China to change your US dollars back in Bank of China at the airport.
What suggestions do you have for the first-timers?
Join a group and visit the most popular places before you explore this huge special world by your own. With a mind of adventures and good will, expecting minor changes or not smooth minutes due to cultural or material differences, relax yourself and enjoy your trip. The Chinese people are friendly to foreign visitors, your guides would be trained, experienced and your most reliable help. Follow his directions and your trip will be smooth and most enjoyable.  

What are the hotels like?
Hotels in China are star-rated by international standard, from one star to five stars. A 3-star hotel is just like Holiday Inn, Days Inn, etc. in Australia , or better: private bathrooms with tubs, TV, central air conditioning, direct long distance calls, restaurants service meals around-the-clock, post, shops, sauna, fitness, commercial center and beauty parlor are also available.
Do we eat Chinese food throughout the trip?
All breakfasts are western style buffet with juice, milk, eggs, sausage, cereals, and Chinese dim sum plates. It is richer and more colorful than most hotels in Australia . Lunch and dinner are Chinese food in family style. The round table dining accommodates 8 - 10 people.
Is the tap water drinkable?
Tap water is not drinkable except in some of the hotels. All hotel rooms are supplied with a thermos of boiled water, to make tea or drink as you wish. Bottled water is recommended. It can be purchased for about $0.25 to $0.75 per bottle everywhere.
Is it safe for foreigners traveling in China?
China is a very safe place for foreigners to visit. Even minor crimes are punished severely, especially if related to foreigners. Vendors at some sightseeing locations may be persistent but are usually polite. Just ignore them if you don't want to buy something. If you travel with a guide, just follow the guide and his /her direction. If you explore alone, be alert and use common sense.
What about the Chinese tour guides?
China has tens of thousands of trained and licensed tour guides. Some of them are professors, librarians, and teachers, working part time. There are exams once in a couple of years. Only the passed are qualified to work. English language is the first foreign language and most spoken by tour guides. They work according to prearranged schedules by his employer and talking about your tour sites is his basic job.
What is the airport tax in China?
•  If you are in a tour, all the airport tax in China has included in your tour pack.
•  Airport tax (they call it airport construction fee) is of 50 y uan (about US$6) per airport. This fee must be paid in cash before check-in. International Departure Tax (even flying to Hong Kong) is 90 y uan (about US$11). In Hong Kong, it is HK$50 (around US$6.5).
Any suggestion for travel insurance?
Travel to a country far from your home, one should always expect the unexpected. It is part of the nature of travel. Travel insurance always helps. With a small sum of premium, it covers trip cancellation, baggage damage or loss, accidents on the trip, etc. Check your travel agent for more detailed programs.
Is language a problem there?
Mandarin is spoken throughout China, and Most people in Hong Kong speak Cantonese and English. English is the first foreign language of China and becoming more and more common. In areas frequented by tourists, you won't have problem using English.

What do foreigners do about protecting their rights and interests?
The People's Republic of China protects the lawful rights and interests of foreigners within Chinese territory. If your legal rights and interests are infringed or something unpleasant happens to you, you may complain to related organs.
Complain to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) directly or to the Institutions of Supervision over Quality in each province, when:
   •  Your travel agents or hotels or other travel operators offer you poor service or do not follow the agreement;
   •  The guides or other travel staffs extort money from you;
   •  You are injured or your baggage are damaged or lost due to the fault of the travel operators.
Also, all the big tourist cities have set up hot lines for tourists to voice their complaints. Most of the complainants were satisfied with the verdicts, which were arrived at after thorough investigations and verification of facts.