General information about frequently asked questions before traveling to Beijing China.

Question: How can I be sure that you are a legitimate tour company?
Answer: familytourbj.com is a travel-related website, having reliable travel information for travelers visiting Beijing, China. Although it is private owned company, it ensures you a safe and sound, joyful, comfortable and unforgettable journey here, in Beijing, China.

Question: When is the best time to travel to Beijing?
Answer: Beijing is suitable for travel year-round but the best time to visit Beijing is from April to early November. It is worth noting that the city is very busy during the national holiday marking the Spring Festival that falls during January or February depending on the lunar cycle. Similarly the city is very crowded during the first few days of May and October, while during July and August the weather is very hot. For these reasons the city is probably best avoided at these times. Many people prefer to visit in March and April when it is very much cooler and not crowded. The average temperature at this time reaches approximately 15 C by day falling to a low of around 5 C at night.

Question: Is it safe to go out late in Beijing?
Answer: Beijing is a pretty safe place, but going out late is not a good idea, especially alone. Though serious crime against foreigners is rare, pick-pocketing and purse-snatching has increased in recent years. Like any where else, it is always wise to be cautious especially when you are in a crowded place.

Question: How can I get to Capital Airport by myself?
Answer: Many people prefer getting there by taxi, which is very convenient. The fare is about CNY150.00 (including the expressway toll) for a 50 minutes' ride from the city center.

You could also get there by the airport shuttles. There are five routes available with departures every 15 or 30 minutes from various places in the city.

Please note that you need to arrive at a stop at least two and a half hours before your plane departs to ensure that you arrive in good time for check-in.

Question: What are the airline companies in Beijing? How can I contact them?
Answer: The major airline companies and their contact numbers are:

Question: Which is the best way from the Beijing Airport to town?
Answer : You can take a taxi from outside the Airport, the cost should be around RMB 150. Or take an airport shuttle bus. Or you can take the city train/subway to the downtown from Airport terminal 2 and 3. See more information on Beijing Airport shuttle bus lines and Beijing Taxi.

Question:  Will we have language barrier in Beijing China?
Answer : Most of the large and popular restaurants have an English menu for foreigners  so it shouldn't be difficult. As for hotels, they will give you a card with the address of the hotel. NEVER lose this card, and just give it to your taxi driver when your done sightseeing, and he'll take you back. The major signboards on the streets are both in Chinese and English.

Question: Which sites are the most popular and must to be seen in beijing?
Answer : - Forbidden City
- Tiananmen Square
- Great Wall (Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyonguan, Jinshanling, or Simatai)
- Summer Palace
- Hutong tour
- Temple of Heaven
- Yonghegong Lamasery
- Panjiayuan market (early weekend morning)
- Peking duck meal
- Chinese acrobatic performance
- Chinese opera performance
-Chinese Kungfu show

Question: Is it better for us to travel independantly or go with an organized tour in China?
Answer : If you want to be adventurous, you don't need a tour to help, as you know tons of travellers visit indepedently a great number of places in China every year without any knowledge of Chinese. If you have no time for searching for the travel information and don't want to be intrepid for your trip, taking a group tour is a good way!

Question : Is it easy to find a taxi on the tourist sites in Beijing?
Answer : It is very easy to find taxis in Beijing, especialy next to touristic attractions. The taxi fleet has recently been upgraded, and taxi drivers have to learn some english (though it might still be a bit difficult to communicate with some of them). When you take a taxi, don't forget to ask for the receipt (Fapiao in chinese): it could be usefull if you forgot something in the cab ( a telephone number is written on the taxi driver's license in the taxi. Make sure they are metered. Last, but not least important is to make sure the taxi's plaque starts with "B", otherwise, it is a black taxi!

Question: How to plan my China trip with you?
Answer : 1. Send us an inquiry by filling in one of our online forms. Tell us when to come, how many days, where you want to go and wehere you live, how many people, and any other information which is necessary for us to plan a perfect China tour for you.
2. After we receive your inquiry, one of our professional tour advisor will email you and give you a proposal with price.
3. If you accept the proposal (you may modify it till you are satisfied with it) and the price, please write to us to confirm booking.
4. You need to pay a deposit of USD50-150 per person to secure the booking and we will make all the reservation according to your tour itinerary immediately after we receive your deposit.
Just tell us what you want for your China tour and let us do the rest! We provide prompt response, professional tour design, reasonable price, and worry-free customer service.

Question: Do children get discounts?
Answer : It depends upon the age of your children:
1.Any child over the age of 12 is considered as an adult by the travel agency and hotel industry, thus will no longer get any discount.
2.Children who are under 12 years old can get 50% discount for the flight booking. For hotel booking, stay for free in their parent's room using the existing bedding, requirement for an extra bed will occur extra charge.
3.Children no more than 2 years old pay only 10% for the flight booking. Free baby cots for babies in the hotels.

Question: I do not want to join a guided tour, so which bus should I take to visit the Great Wall?
Answer: State-owned buses that go to the Great Wall can be found quite easily at three places: the Tian'anmen Square bus terminus, a stop at the southeastern side of Tian'anmen Square and at Deshengmen. These buses are operated by Beijing FIT Traveler's Center and will gradually replace the former special bus lines of You 1 to You 18. At present, there are three service routes available. You can choose to go to Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs; or to Juyongguan Pass and Ming Tombs, or to Badaling Great Wall only. The buses are manned by uniformed staff members who do not peddle for custom on the street or on the square. You will need to purchase tickets in the ticket hall.

If you are traveling on your own in Beijing, you should be aware of the illegal coach tours, which claim they are operated by legal travel agencies or by Beijing FIT Travelers' Center. To avoid being cheated, you are advised not to book tours from hostels or hotels with a low star rating. To be sure of value for money always take the state-owned buses (following the information above) or book through a recognized travel agency.

Question: How can I buy train tickets in Beijing by myself?
Answer: There are four railway stations in Beijing, Beijing Zhan (main station), Beijing Xi Zhan (west station), Beijing Nan Zhan (south station) and Beijing Bei Zhan (north station). The Beijing Zhan and Xi Zhan have ticket offices for foreigners in their international waiting rooms on the 1st floor. Passports need to be produced when booking or purchasing tickets.

The tickets are always sold 5 days in advance so you need to purchase early to be guaranteed seats. However, during peak travel seasons, such as May holiday (May 1st to May 7th), National Day (Oct 1st to 7th) and during students' vacations (late Jun to early September and late January to early February), we suggest you book tickets from travel agencies or your hotel ticket booking center.

Please note that you should arrive at the railway station at least one hour before departure, because it is always very crowded.

Question: Does your familytourbj online travel service only cater for individual tourists?
Answer: Our family tour service take great care of our individual tourists. But we are also interested in group travel organized by oversea travel agencies and organizations as well. We welcome our potential partners to join us and grow together.

Question: If I send you an inquiry, are you sure somebody from your office will take care of me immediately?
Answer: Please do contact us, you will get our reply in 24 hours.

Question: If none of your tours on the web fits me, what can I do ?
Answer: Please send us your request, we can arrange a special tour to your satisfaction.

Question: How long before my trip starting date do I need to make the booking?
Answer: We take last minute bookings and try to make your reservation per your request.

Question: How can I know my tour is confirmed?
Answer: You will receive a confirmation email or call from our office once your tour book is confirmed by our tour advisor or tour operator.

Question: How can I do the payment?
Answer: Please choose one of the following payment methods:
1. Pay cash upon your arrival. This method is usually for small tours with small amount of money.
2. Pay credit cards upon your arrival. This method is usually for some tours with big amount of money.

Question: Can I make any change when I already have started the tour?
Answer:Yes, we take last minute booking as well as change. But for the changes, you are kindly requested to pay extra if any losses incurred.

Question: What's your liability disclaimer policy ?
Answer: We, family Tour Beijing (Beijing Xieli International Travel Service Co., Ltd) purchased air and ground transportation, hotel, restaurant and other travel services from independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. Therefore Family Tour Beijing will be exempt from any liabilities for death, injury, baggage loss and damage or any other loss that may occur due to any act or omission of such supplier.

Question: What's your itinerary deviation policy ?
Answer: Itinerary Deviations to the planned itinerary may occur due to weather, traffic, or any other conditions beyond our control such as strike, acts of God, war, fire, acts of government, riot, etc. We will make our best to insure all the visits and excursions will be similar. Family Tour Beijing can substitute the itinerary upon your agreement.

Question: How about the restaurants and vehicles we are going to use?
Answer: The vehicles for the ground transportation should be in good condition with A/C. All restaurants should be appointed by local authorities of tourism bureau.

Question: What's your privacy policy?
Answer: We, Family Tour Beijing , agree not to disclose any your personal related information to any third party.

Question: What's your cancellation policy ?
Answer: We are sorry that you are going to cancel your trip in China. We appreciate you inform us by email at least one week before the tour starts. No charge for cancellation.

Question: If we are not satisfied with your services, What can I do?
Answer: You may first notify your guide immediately to avoid any potential similar problems from happening again during your trip.If your situation is quite serious, and you want to have a complaint, please kindly send us an email or call us in 30 days at the end of your trip. We are not responsible for any complaints after 30 day.

Question: If we want to leave some comment on our trip, how can I do?
Answer: At the end of your tour in Beijing,, you will get a feedback form from your guide. Please fill in the form and let the guide take to our offices. If you don't want the guide know your comment, please send us an email or tell us on web BBS. We'll reply in 24 hours.

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