Heritage Tours

heritagetours@theparkcommunity.org
(303) 850-9998 ext. 160
Grand Tour - China
$1,899/adult   |   $1,599/child (under age 12)
 
Winter:  December 21, 2023 – December 30, 2023
(Booking Closed)
The Grand Tour brings you up close and personal with some of China’s most renowned world heritage sites. Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Warriors, Chengdu Giant Panda Reserve, and the Li River, while immersing in unique cultural experiences for an unforgettable panoramic view of China’s breathtaking past and present. Relax and enjoy worry-free touring with our knowledgeable, caring, and trustworthy guides who will take care of every detail of your in-China travels.  All guides are fluent English speakers and seasoned tour professionals!
 
Even more, travelers hoping to visit their/their child(ren)’s orphanage city are able to add an Orphanage City Visit either before or after the main Grand Tour itinerary.
 
Please contact us if you have any questions. We are excited to make your dream trip a reality.
The Major Cities
(Click on each tile to learn a little bit more about each stop)
Tour Resources

The right outfits take time

Everything you need to know about that pesky little piece of paper

It’s never too early to start becoming a pro

Frequently Asked Questions
Tour Logistics

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Each tour group is divided into smaller travel groups, around 8-12 parties per group (depending on the number of travelers), each with their own tour guide. This tour group and guide will be yours for the entire tour.

We try our best to arrange groups based on the age of the adoptee travelers. Tour groups will have staggered bus departure times, sightseeing schedules, and often different restaurants for group meals.

Yes, of course!

Please make sure to email heritagetours@theparkcommunity.org to make any travel group requests. The earlier that you make requests, the more likely it is that they will be honored. We try our best to honor every request.

Yes, of course! Please make sure to register together under the same profile. The email address provided upon registration will be used for all Heritage Tour correspondence, so be sure to pass information on to your travel companions if they do not have access to that email.

Of course you can! Our Heritage Tour opportunities are for everyone.  Please spread the word! We would love the chance to help make your travel dreams a reality.

Yes, you can, but please understand that unused tours are non-refundable and the cost of the Tour package is a fixed cost.

Please let us know in advance  of your decisions so that we can confirm your preferences with your tour guide.

$3-6 or 20-35 RMB per day per person in your party for each tour guide. It is fine to tip in either USD or RMB currency. You should plan to tip $1-3 or 7-20 RMB per day per person in your party for tour bus drivers. To make tipping easier for your family, you can tip your guide & bus driver at the end of each city on the tour. 

No, the Grand Tour starts in Beijing and ends in Guangzhou. We can help make arrangements for your party to fly back to Beijing. Since your Guilin-Guangzhou train is already included in the main tour costs, we can just charge the difference in airfare/ticket fare.

Your party can also fly home from Hong Kong or Shanghai instead of Guangzhou. The same price differential rule applies. Please contact our Heritage Tour department for more information.

Click here to view our 2024 Grand Heritage Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule

Tour Preparation

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China no longer requires a negative PCR test to enter China.

Wearing a mask is suggested at airports and train stations. In more crowded sight-seeing areas, some people still choose to wear masks, especially elders and kids, but it is not required. There are no more public COVID testing stations or daily requirements.

China has no specific immunization requirements for entering their country and the U.S. has no immunization requirements for re-entry. This includes no requirements for COVID immunizations.

We recommend that you ask your personal physician, a travel/immunization clinic, and/or the Center for Disease Control about any vaccinations requirement updates or suggestions.

CDC website for specific recommendations.

Each traveler will need:

  • A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity from departure date
  • Chinese tourist visa (L visa)
    • Obtain a Chinese tourist visa from a Chinese Embassy/Consulate prior to travel. For more detailed information on travel visas, please view our Visa Information page.

When it is time to apply for visas, we will send you a Letter of Invitation from China to include with your application.

Please check your passport and the passports of each individual in your travel party to verify that all expire at least 6 months after your tour dates.

Due to the unpredictability of international travel, we highly recommend that you purchase international travel and medical emergency insurance. Visit our Tour Resources section for more information.

All of the hotels we will be staying at have in-house clinics for any mild medical needs. For anything more urgent, our guides are able to take you to the nearest hospital, if needed.

For any prescription medication, it is recommended that they be kept in their original containers in case of emergency. Make sure that you pack amounts slightly more than enough for the entire trip and have a plan for the drastic time change. For more information regarding medications in your carry-on or checked bags please visit TSA guidelines.  

Yes, all of our tour guides will try their utmost to help ensure that all meals are safe for any dietary restrictions. However, due to cultural and culinary differences in China, we cannot guarantee dietary accommodations and suggest packing snacks if food allergies are severe or if you are on a strict diet.

Please mention any and all food allergies, dietary needs, or health concerns on your registration form. This will help our guides better prepare.

We also have translated cards available for common allergies or physical conditions. Visit our Tour Resources section to find these under “Travel Tips”. If you would like a translated card that is not yet listed, please contact us.

For in-China flights:

  • Checked luggage weight allowance: ≤ 44 lbs
  • Carry-on size restrictions: 14in. x 19in. x 22in.

Plan to bring an additional $50-$100 if you are a heavy packer. You may lock your bag for in-China flights but you must leave your bag unlocked for your international flights.

For bullet train travel:

  • Checked luggage weight allowance: ≤ 110 lbs.
  • Carry-on weight allowance: ≤ 44 lbs.
  • Carry-on size restrictions: 36in. x 36in. x 36in.

Your hotels on the trip will have laundry services available; however, with the quick speed of the trip, it can be challenging to get hotel laundry done in time. Plan on only being able to do laundry when you are staying at least 2 nights in a given city so that your clothes have ample time to dry.

Please keep in mind that hotel laundry services can be very expensive. Be sure to carefully review the laundry form provided by the hotel in regards to the price per item. There may be some opportunities to have your laundry done outside of the hotel in Chengdu and Guilin. These options could be cheaper.  Your guide will be able to notify you if this service is available. 

Cost & Fees

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A $200/traveler deposit is required upon booking. This deposit is applied toward your tour total and is non-refundable except under extenuating circumstances.

Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about this deposit.

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide free trip coverage for adoptees traveling on a heritage tour.

Your tour fee does not cover:

  • International airfares
  • Passport and/or China Visa fees
  • Tips or gratuity
    • Suggested tip amount for Guide: $3-6 or 20-40RMB/day/person
    • Suggested tip amount for Driver: $1.5-3 or 10-20RMB/day/person
  • Additional $330 for single room occupancy in hotels
  • Personal expenses, spending money
  • Meals not included on the itinerary
    • Approximately $20-$40/person/day for any lunch & dinner
  • Any optional tour excursions
  • Transfers between the airport and the hotel before or after the main tour itinerary

Click here to view our 2024 Grand Heritage Tour Add-Ons Fee Schedule

Itinerary Details

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Beijing has two international airports, PEK and PKX. 

PEK is located closer to the city and pickup and transportation is covered for this location.

PKX, Beijing’s newest airport, is located and additional 40 minutes outside of the city. Our transportation costs do not cover this distance and travelers will be charged an additional $15/person if requiring transportation and pickup from this location. If flying into PKX, please let us know. 

Unfortunately, all orphanages have been closed to visitors since the pandemic. We hope the government will allow orphanages to reopen again soon. As of right now, orphanage visits have to be verified and approved on a case by case basis.

Let us know if you do want to visit your/your child’s orphanage on your birth city tour so that we can do some homework for you.

Same goes for visiting the CCCWA. Currently, it is not open to outside visitors, but we are hoping this changes soon.

It’s true that our Grand Tour is very go, go, go, but we have built in a rest day and several shopping and free time opportunities throughout our schedule. There’s just so much to pack into a tight 11 days!

Although it is one of our favorite cities to tour, we will not have any tour plans for Guangzhou on the Grand Tour itinerary. If you are hoping to stay longer, we are happy to help arrange any additional travel plans you are hoping to fit into your trip. Just contact us and we can discuss!

Orphanage Visit

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*Please keep in mind that orphanage visits are not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the orphanage.*

For an orphanage visit, you will need:

  • Orphanage Visit Application Form
  • Adoption Registration Certificate
  • Abandonment Certificate (Chinese version)
  • Printed copies of Adoption Registration Certificate, U.S. passport, and Abandonment Certificate to bring with you to China.

Yes, to everything except the orphanage visit. Pending approval of your Orphanage Visit Application, our guides can contact the orphanage for you, but the go/no go decision is ultimately up to the orphanage. 

Your Orphanage City Tour costs (including hotels, flights/trains, transportation, guide services, etc.) will be calculated specifically for your trip.

Yes! You can take a day trip to visit your/your child’s orphanage in Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, or Guilin while the group is traveling in each particular city. The additional cost of this would be approximately $200-$500 per family per orphanage visit.

  • Day 1: Fly into the capital city of the birth province. Get settled and acquainted.
  • Day 2: Drive to orphanage city/town, visit the orphanage, visit foster parents or finding spot (if information is available), stay overnight in the orphanage town or travel back to the provincial capital
  • Day 3: Free day or sightseeing before flying back to Beijing to join the main tour OR flying to your departure city to fly back to the U.S.

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Yes, this can be arranged for an additional fee.

Yes, this can be arranged in most cases. Please be sure to note this on your registration form. Again, you must first obtain permission to visit any orphanages in China.

  • Although gifts are not required as part of the orphanage visit, if you would like to bring a gift, you can consider bringing small toys, candy, school/art supplies for the children living in the orphanage. You may also consider inquiring with the orphanage about any needed items. If you would like, you can purchase what is needed in China.

    Gifts/donations are strictly optional.