Superb! I am deeply grateful for what the Summer Tour has provided for the girls. They will take away wonderful memories, a deeper pride in their heritage, and a greater sense of whom they are. We appreciate the financial help as well for we could never all done this on our own.
~ Nancy, mother of LiAnn
Questions and Answers
Are non-Chinese siblings allowed to participate?
What is included in the Heritage Tour fee?
What is not included in the Heritage Tour fee?
How soon after sending an application will families be confirmed as participants?
How do we go about getting a travel visa?
Do you have recommendations as to where should we get airline tickets?
When should we plan to arrive in China? When should we plan to depart China?
We are interested in visiting our child's orphanage; can that be arranged?
How many escorts or guides are on the Tours?
Is a daily itinerary available?
Our child needs a passport and/or my passport is about to expire; can we submit our application without it?
Yes, you may mail your application without the passport numbers and expiration dates. However, correct passport names, numbers, and expiration dates must be submitted as soon as they are available and are required before departure to China.
Are non-Chinese siblings allowed to participate?
Due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese government, only a very limited number of non-Chinese siblings are allowed to participate in this program. This trip is not strictly for tourism; it a cultural exchange program targeting adopted Chinese children. The PRC has designed the trip to be an experience that the child shares with one chaperone (usually a parent). The spaces on the trip have been designed with this in mind.
What is included in the Heritage Tour fee?
The Heritage Tour fee includes domestic transportation within China per the schedule including buses and domestic airfare, site entrance fees, accommodations in four-star hotels, bilingual tour guides and/or escorts, tips and gratuities, and three meals a day (except last day which includes breakfast only). Also included is scheduled shuttle transportation from the Guangzhou international airport to the Tour hotel (on arrival day) and from the Tour hotel to the Shanghai international airport (on departure day).
What is not included in the Heritage Tour fee?
The Heritage Tour fee does NOT include passport and visa processing fees, international airfare, extra activities beyond site entrance fees (such as the panda bear petting fees), business center and room services, laundry, personal purchases such as snacks and drinks, or travel insurance (emergency medical and trip cancellation).
We know that tips and gratuities are included; however, is it permitted to give a personal tip to a guide when he or she goes out of our way to help us?
There is no policy that prevents you from making an extra contribution when you feel that extraordinary service warrants it, but it is entirely optional and not expected.
How soon after sending an application will families be confirmed as participants?
Families are ideally notified within two weeks if the child-to-parent ratio is balanced. Single-child/two parent families and families with non-Chinese siblings take longer to consider as there is a limited quota allowed.
How do we go about getting a travel visa?
A recommended visa service can be suggested, as the Chinese consulates no longer accept applications via the mail. The visa application form must be accompanied by the passport, a recent passport photo, the appropriate fee, and, if the applicant was born in China, the Chinese passport or last US passport with a Chinese visa. Click here for more information about the visa process.
Do you have recommendations as to where should we get airline tickets?
A list of travel agencies used in the past can be provided. NOTE: Children age twelve and over are considered adults.
When should we plan to arrive in China? When should we plan to depart China?
The first day of the Heritage Tour (Sunday, July 20, 2008) is scheduled as an arrival day. For those participants arriving from international destinations, shuttle transportation from the Guangzhou International Airport will be provided (see above). The last day (Friday, August 1, 2008) is designated as a departure day. For those participants departing for international destinations, shuttle transportation to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport will be provided (see above).
You are, of course, fee to plan your arrival and departure from China at times that are convenient for you. Some participants have preferred to arrive earlier than the Tour commencement or stay beyond the end date of the Tour in order to do additional sightseeing, recover from jet lag, make an orphanage visit, and so on. Travel accommodations prior to and following the Tour dates are not included in the Tour planning or costs. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements; however, we would be pleased to offer suggestions based on the experiences of past participants. Likewise, free shuttle transportation is only available from and to the designated airports and is available only on the arrival date (July 20th) and departure date (August 1st).
We are interested in visiting our child's orphanage; can that be arranged?
Families are welcome to make arrangements to visit their child's orphanage either before or after the official Heritage Tour. Agencies that other families have used to make such arrangements can be suggested.
How many escorts or guides are on the Tours?
A group of 40-55 people will have, as a minimum:
Is a daily itinerary available?
The dates and venues for 2008 are available. Details for all itineraries will be posted as soon as they become available.
Still have questions?
Please contact chinaher@chinaheritagetours.org
The Summer Tour is a great idea. It helps our children
stay connected to their birth country and makes all of us ambassadors to China. It helps the girls meet other children adopted from China and people living in China.
~ Sandra, mother of Elisabeth
