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Registration Form (Download)

Assumption of Risk (Download)

Chinese Visa Application (Download)

Business Inquiry Form (Download) *Optional

Travel Insurance Information (Download)

Optional Tour Information (Download)

CITSLINC Release of Liability (Download)

Business Conference Information (Download)

Important Information

Trip Cost - $2199 per person

• $300 non-refundable deposit with registration

• Registration available on Chamber website

• Balance of $1899 due by August 1, 2013 (After August 1, $500 additional cancellation fee will apply)

Trip Includes

• Roundtrip international airfare (does not include travel to and from LAX)

• 4-and 5-star hotel accommodations

• 3 meals each day

• Deluxe bus tours

• Airport taxes throughout the trip

• Intracity transportation

• Fluent English-speaking tour guides

• Entrance fees for attractions

Passport & Visa
A current passport and China travel visa are required. Passport is traveler’s responsibility and must be valid six months beyond visa approval date.

Informational Meeting
March 21, 2013
5:30 - 7 p.m.
Hilton DFW Lakes Exececutive Conference Center
Thinking about signing up? Bring all your questions to this meeting!

Itinerary (subject to change)

October 5 - Los Angeles/Beijing
Check in at Los Angeles International Airport for an afternoon flight by 12:30 p.m. to Beijing. Your adventure begins as you fly trans-Pacific aboard a wide cabin jetliner. Cross the International Dateline.

October 6 - Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the Capital of China at 11 p.m. after a stopover in Shanghai. You will be met by your local tour guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.

October 7 - Beijing
Visit the Tian An Men Square, the largest square in the world, and the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 A.D., where the emperors prayed to the heaven for a good harvest Sightseeing also includes the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, home of 24 emperors with a total space of 9,999 rooms, and the Summer Palace, known for many significant features, such as the Long Corridor with painted gallery, Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, Seventeen- Arch Bridge and Marble Boat.

October 8 - Beijing
Tour bus excursion to the Great Wall, the 4,000-mile long and 2,000 years old construction is said to be the only man-made structure visible by naked eye from the moon. Visit to the Ming Tombs, one of 13 Ming Emperors’ Tombs is fully excavated and open for exploration. Roasted Beijing Duck Dinner.

October 9 - Beijing/Shanghai/Suzhou
Morning flight to Shanghai, then take the tour bus trip to Suzhou. Afternoon sightseeing to the centuries old Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill and Hanshan Temple. Visit to the National Embroidery Institute to see silk embroidery, an important local craft with 1,000 years of history. Evening Dinner Show of the traditional Chinese Music.

October 10 - Suzhou/Hangzhou
Morning tour bus journey to Hangzhou. Visit to Economic Development Zone. Visit to the centuries old Lingyin Temple, with the main feature of the 64.3 ft-high camphor-wood carved Buddha.

October 11 - Hangzhou/Shanghai
Morning boat cruise on West Lake with relaxing stopover at jewel-like pagodas and tea houses.  Afternoon tour bus trip to Shanghai.

October 12 - Shanghai
Sightseeing includes the Yu Garden, a maze of marvelous pavilions, ponds, rocky works and over arching trees. Visit to the Bund, a famous waterfront park. Business visit to the Pudong economic development zone.

October 13 - Shanghai/Los Angeles
You may spend your final hours in China on your own in the morning. Your afternoon flight will depart by 2:50 p.m. for Los Angeles where you will arrive at 10:30 a.m. on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Go to China?
1. Any one over the age of 18 can attend.

Registration Information
1. When is the registration deadline? August 1, 2013  
 
2. What must be submitted by the registration deadline? Each passenger  must submit their completed registration form, signed waiver and emergency contact form, and payment in full by August 1, 2013. No extensions will be granted.
 
3. May I register my guest in a separate room? Guest registration is based on double occupancy. However, if your guest would like a separate room, he/she can upgrade for an additional $500.00.
 
4. May three people share a hotel room? Yes. Please indicate this on your registration form.
 
5. If I need to cancel, will I get a refund? Any change or cancellation after July 15th, will result in a $300 fee deducted from your payment.
 
6. May I upgrade to a business class flight? Yes. An upgrade to business class on the round trip flight is $5,000 for LAX.
 
7. Can I receive airline points? Check with the airline when you arrive. Typically the answer is ‘no’ because Citslinc purchases the tickets as a group.
 
Chinese Visas
1. What do I need to submit to obtain a Chinese Visa through ACCE/Citslinc? You will need to submit your signed visa application, your current U.S. passport valid for six full months after the travel date (the actual, physical passport must be submitted), two 2”x 2” passport photos, and payment of $155 to the Grapevine Chamber.
 
2. Who do I send my visa items to? Please send to:
 
Grapevine Chamber of Commerce  ATTN: RaDonna Hessel, 200 Vine Street, Grapevine TX 76051
 
3. If I go through ACCE/Citslinc, when are my visa items due to ACCE? July 15, 2013
 
4. When will I receive my passport with my Chinese Visa? They will be returned to the Chamber approximately four weeks after they are submitted .  The Chamber will alert you via email when it has been received. It will be your responsibility to get your documents from the Chamber.
 
5. What should I put for Section 2.1 on the Visa application? Tourism or Business Trip; choose the response that is most appropriate for you.
 
6. What should I put for Section 2.2 on the Visa application? Choose the option that is accurate for your personal travel plans. The cost will be the same.
 
7. What should I put for Section 2.5 on the Visa application? Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai
 
8. Who should I put for Section 4.7-4.10 on the Visa application? Please leave this section blank.
 
9. Can I get my Chinese Visa myself?  Yes.
 
10. I live and/or am inviting a guest outside of the U.S. Will I be able to get the visa(s) from the Chambers/Citslinc? No, one must apply for a visa within his/her country of origin.
 
11. Can I get my passport through the Chambers? No. You must obtain your own passport.
 
Trip Details
1. What does the trip to China include? Your package includes round trip airfare (from LAX), hotel accommodations, deluxe tour bus, a knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide in each city, three full meals every day, fees for most attractions and post-departure travel insurance.
 
2. When should I book my connecting flights? The Chamber recommends waiting until the final itinerary is released (typically 5 weeks prior to departure). Please give yourself a minimum of three hours between flights when traveling internationally.
 
3. When will I receive my final itinerary? The itinerary will be finalized in early September. 2013 and will be emailed to all registrants shortly after. Please wait to book connecting flights until this is received.
 
4. If I have already been to China, can I make my own schedule? All guests are expected to attend the business meetings and dinners. Please let the tour guide know if you chose not to attend any of the excursions and that you will not be present on the bus. It will be your responsibility to meet back up with the group.
 
5. How do I get to my international flight to China once I’m at the departure airport? You will need to pick up your luggage and the go to the correct terminal for your flight. Please do not confuse Air China with China Airlines. It is not the same.
 
Link to map of LAX: http://www.airportterminalmaps.com/LAX-terminal-map.html
 
6. What type of currency or legal tender should I take with me? Major credit cards are accepted. It is a good idea to call your credit card companies in advance to inform them of your travel plans. American dollars are accepted in some places. You will have the opportunity at your hotels to exchange U.S. dollars for Yuan if you choose to purchase items from street vendors. You can also bring American one dollar bills to use for street vendor purchases.
 
7. Do I need to complete customs forms? Yes. It is best to complete these forms while on the airplane, and have them ready to present at customs. You will be sent to the end of the line if you are not prepared. There will be instructions for claiming purchases on the forms.
 
8. What will the weather be like? The weather in China is comparable to the East Coast. Shanghai weather is similar to Washington, DC and Beijing is similar to New York.
 
9. What type of clothing should I pack for my trip? Most days you will be wearing comfortable sight-seeing clothes. Dress in layers as you will not be returning to the hotel during the day. You will be required to walk a fair amount, so bring comfortable shoes. Also be prepared, the Great Wall is all stairs. For the Business Dinners with distinguished guests – gentleman, please wear a coat and tie and women please wear business professional attire (dress, pantsuit, etc.). There are no cultural no-no’s regarding dress (ex. Women wearing hose, no hose, etc.), so be comfortable but more professional at those dinners. The morning meetings are sight-seeing casual.
 
10. How much luggage can I bring? You are allowed one carry-on and two checked bags. The checked bags should not weigh more than 50 lbs. each or 70 lbs. total. Please check with your specific airline for dimensional information.
 
11. Will my cell phone work in China? You will have to check with your service provider about your specific phone model and service plan.   (RaDonna’s experience was that you have to contact your cell phone provider and sign up for an international plan.  Others did not do this – and they did not have cell phone service.  I did for the majority of the trip)
 
12. Will there be internet access? Each hotel will have a business center with internet service. There may be a nominal fee at some hotels.   (RaDonna also notes that there are some websites that are blocked in much of China, including FaceBook.  Just be aware)
 
13. What voltage is used in China? China uses 220V. You will need a voltage adapter and converter. You can purchase these ahead of time at electronics stores or luggage stores or you may rent from the hotel.
 
14. What are the public facilities like? Be prepared for a culture shock. Restrooms at the public attractions (i.e. Great Wall) are traditional Chinese restrooms that are little more than a hole in the ground. It is not a bad idea to carry some toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you. Most restaurants and all hotels have western style toilets. Ladies, if you are concerned, check out this option: http://www.go-girl.com/
 
15. What types of meals are served? You will eat a western style breakfast in your hotel every morning. The other two meals of the day will be Chinese food. It is a good idea to bring your favorite non-perishable snacks!
 
16. How is the tap water in China? Bottled water is best to drink and is  available. Brushing your teeth with the hotel water is fine.
 
17. Are any vaccinations required? No. We do suggest you ask your doctor for recommendations. If you are susceptible to illness, you should bring your own over-the-counter remedies (Tums, Sudafed, etc.). They are hard to come by in China!
 
18. What gifts, if any, should I bring for our guest speaker and dinner hosts?  It is not necessary for you to bring an individual gift. However, you should bring business cards and plenty of them! Everyone you meet at these events will want to exchange business cards.
 
19. Am I required to tip? There is a one-time gratuity of $25 per person collected during the tour. This will cover all of the tour guides, bus drivers and hotel staff