Tarago Educational Community
Senior Primary School
China Trip 2015
The Tarago Educational Community
working together to:
 Provide and expand learning opportunities
for future pathways
 Build and grow local and international
partnerships
 Develop global citizenship
 Promote socialisation and transition
 Share resources and expertise
It is our shared vision that the children of the Tarago
educational community will speak with respect and knowledge
about Asia and, through education, develop their social,
creative and vocational opportunities in this region becoming
citizens of the global world.
China Trip 2015
Initial Booking Form
Adult:
$2,250.00
Child under Under 12 years old:
$1,950.00
Parent:
Name _________________________________________________
Email Address ___________________________________________________________
Phone Number ____________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: __/__/__
Do you have a passport?
Yes
Have you travelled overseas before?
No
Yes
( please circle)
No
Student:
Name: ________________________________________
Date of Birth: __/__/__
Age for dates of travel: __________
Do you have a passport?
Yes
Have you travelled overseas before?
No
Yes
( please circle)
No
$100.00 per person deposit paid
Return to the school by Friday the 25th June
Part I Your Tour
1. Itinerary Overview
2. Price Quotation
3. Includes & Excludes
4. Important Notes
Part II Detailed Itinerary
Part III Useful Tips
1. Suggested Visiting Time
2. Travel Insurance
3. Average Climate Information in China
4. Guidebook to China
5. Tips by Destinations
PART I YOUR TOUR
Itinerary Overview
Tour price includes the following hotels, activities, and transport, and visits to attractions are by
private car and guide unless otherwise stated. Your guide will pick you up from lobby of your hotel
in the morning. The guide will confirm the pick-up time the day before. If you prefer to start next
day's trip earlier or a little later, please feel free to tell your guide.
Click here to see itinerary details »
Day & Date
Place &
Transport
Accommodation
Today’s Activities
Meals
01.
Thu 26-Mar15
Melbourne to
Shanghai, TBA
(Your
arrangements)
Kingtown Hotel
Plaza Shanghai ***
(Superior Twin Bed
Room)
Airport to Hotel Transfer
(Shanghai), Receive the SIM
Card from Your Guide
\
02.
Fri 27-Mar15
03.
Sat 28-Mar15
04.
Sun 29-Mar15
Shanghai
Kingtown Hotel
Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl TV
Plaza Shanghai ***
Tower, Yuyuan Market, Old
(Superior Twin Bed
Shanghai Restaurant(Lunch),
Room)
Merrylin(Dinner)
Shanghai
Kingtown Hotel
Plaza Shanghai ***
(Superior Twin Bed
Room)
free day
B
Garden Hotel ***
(Business Room)
Our guide and driver will escort
you from Shanghai to Suzhou
B
Shanghai to
Suzhou
(private transfer:
110KM 2 hours)
B,L,D
05.
Mon 30-Mar15
Suzhou
Garden Hotel ***
(Business Room)
free day
B
06.
Tue 31-Mar15
Suzhou to
Changshu
Changshu Hotel
(Superior Room)
Our guide and driver will escort
you from Suzhou to Changshu
B
07.
Wed 01-Apr15
Changshu
Changshu Hotel
(Superior Room)
visit your sister school
B
08.
Thu 02-Apr15
Changshu
Changshu Hotel
(Superior Room)
visit your sister school
B
09.
Fri 03-Apr15
Changshu
Changshu Hotel
(Superior Room)
visit your sister school
B
10.
Sat 04-Apr15
Changshu to
Suzhou to
Beijing, Train No.
G132 (Suzhoubei
Railway Station Beijing Nan
Red Wall Hotel
Beijing ***
(Standard Room)
Our guide and driver will escort
you from Changshu to Suzhou,
Train station Transfer (Suzhou),
Train station to Hotel Transfer
(Beijing)
B
South Railway
Station) Dep
12:48 - Arr
17:47 (secondclass)
Beijing
Red Wall Hotel
Beijing ***
(Standard Room)
The Forbidden City, Hutong Tour
including the Bell Tower or the
Drum Tower((rickshaw tour),
Tiananmen Square, Quanjude
(Chaobei Branch)(Dinner), Jin
Ding Xuan Restaurant(Lunch)
12.
Mon 06-Apr15
Beijing
Red Wall Hotel
Beijing ***
(Standard Room)
The Mutianyu Great Wall(with
round way cable car), Xin
Shuang Quan Restaurant(Lunch),
Jardine Matheson Spring
Restaurant(Dinner)
B,L,D
13.
Tue 07-Apr15
Beijing to
Melbourne, TBA
(Your
arrangements)
Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing)
B
11.
Sun 05-Apr15
B,L,D
Price Includes
1.
Entrance
fees:
To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
2.
Meals:
All meals as specified in the itinerary. If the restaurant indicated is not available on the day,
your guide will arrange another restaurant from our list of approved restaurants. We
recommend local Chinese restaurants to give customers authentic experiences; however some
local restaurants are not up to standard in some remote areas, so we recommend standard
tourist restaurants.
3.
Private
Transfers
:
Transfers between airports, railway stations, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in
Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking
guide
(as
listed
above).
Your comfort is our priority! Click here to get a description of the vehicles that we use for our
tours
4.
Luggage
Transfers:
Between airports, railway stations and hotels.
5.
Guide:
As outlined in the itinerary; a local English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each
city. Our full day private tour packages provide a guide and van for a maximum of 8 hours.
N.B. German, Spanish, French and Italian speaking guides are difficult to provide for small
groups during the high season. Please ask your travel advisor for more information.
6.
Hotels:
Shanghai:
Kingtown
Suzhou:
Beijing:
Hotel
Garden
Red
Wall
Plaza
Shanghai
Hotel
Hotel
***
(Superior
***
Beijing
Twin
Bed
(Business
***
(Standard
Room)
Room)
Room)
Please note double bed room is on request basis which is subject to Hotel's availability and reconfirmation
upon
check-in.
All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified. Hotel prices are based on
double
occupancy.
Hotel check-in is usually available at 12 noon however some hotel only allow check in after
2pm. Check-out is usually 12 noon on the day of check-out. Early check-in may be available on
a case by case basis by request in advance.
7.
Transport
:
suzhoubei To Beijing Nan South Transfer via Train, G132 (second-class) (Our arrangements)
8.
Rail
Travel
Railway booking offices do not accept reservations until 10 days (or longer in some special
periods, like National Day, Labour Day) before departure. China Highlights is normally able to
secure all proposed tickets (98%), but occasionally government action (eg train charter) or
other forces intervene, making tickets unavailable. China Highlights reserves the right to change
your tickets to other means of transport if appropriate, which may result in some changes to
your
schedule.
Note: Please take good care of your train ticket stub as it will be checked when you leave the
train
station.
For train travel information
9.
Service Charge & Government Taxes:
10. Insurance
The insurance is China Life Tourist Accident/Casualty Insurance for in country activities only. All
participants need to have made their own insurance arrangements for the 23/3/15 – 8/4/15 on
booking.
11. Arrangements:
The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
12. All credit card processing fees
Price Excludes
1.
China
Entry
Visa
Fees
All travellers to mainland China require a valid China visa. Application form available on
booking.
2.
Excess
Baggage
Charges.
For Check-in luggage: Adult and children are entitled to a free checked baggage allowance in
economy class of 20kg /44 lbs, business class 30kg /64 lbs and first class is 40kg /84 lbs). The
size
limit
for
each
piece
is
40x60x
100cm
or
15.7x
23.6x
39.4
inches.
For carry-on luggage: each economy class passenger is allowed one piece of 5kg/11 lbs; firstclass is allowed 2 separate articles of 5kg/11 lbs each. The size limit for each piece is 20 x 40 x
55cm or 7.8 x 15.7 x 21.6 inches.
3.
Personal
Expenses:
Expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional
activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.
4.
Meals:
Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
5.
Gratuities,
Tips
to
Guides
or
Drivers
Unlike other travel agencies in China we pay the guides and drivers a base salary. The tipping is
not mandatory however the guides and drivers, as in many other countries, will usually expect a
tip. Those customers wishing to tip often ask us what they should give. Our suggestion would
be:1 person RMB 150-200/day, 2 people in a group RMB100 day/person, 3-5 people in a group:
50-70 RMB /day/person, 6-9 people in a group:40-50 RMB /day/person, ≥10 people in a group:
20-30 RMB /day/person. The driver would be half the amount, and separate offer to each is
best. Of course, only tip if the service has truly satisfied you. Hotel bell boys require a tip of
about CNY10 per bag.
1.
This is not your booking confirmation!
Quotations, flight numbers and proposed hotels are subject to change until confirmed. All the
hotels and flights proposed above are available at the time of proposal, but we are not able to
guarantee availability until we have secured the booking after receiving your confirmation of your
acceptance of our proposal. If we are not able to book what we have proposed, we will give you
alternative options and ask for your approval before securing the booking. We do appreciate an
early confirmation from you.
2.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Please advise how you wish to make payment. We accept Cash, Credit Cards, Traveler's Checks
or Cashier checks. Please visit our web site to read our Terms and Conditions and to check how to
make the payment.
Payment guide:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/aboutus/terms.htm#payment
Terms and conditions:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/aboutus/terms.htm
Cancellation policy
http://www.chinahighlights.com/aboutus/terms.htm#cancellation
3.
Alteration of Itinerary
China Highlights reserves the right to alter or modify the itinerary of any tour if there are air
schedule or surface transport changes, and/or events beyond our control make such alteration
necessary. If such a situation arises, the increase or decrease in the tour price will be calculated
and charged accordingly.
Travel Insurance
While working on your China vacation we suggest you to have a look at our travel insurance page.
Or you may choose to source your own insurance options.
PART II DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY TOP
Day 1 Thu 26-Mar-15
Place & Transport: Melbourne to Shanghai, TBA Distance: 1KM (1miles) (Your arrangements)
Accommodation: Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai *** (Superior Twin Bed Room)
Today's Activities: Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai)
Receive the SIM Card from Your Guide :
A Free SIM Card – China Highlights provides to you a SIM card for free, with 50 yuan prepaid
fee. With this SIM card, you can use your own mobile phone (unlocked and not CDMA format) in
China to make both domestic and international calls. Read more about SIM Card Informtion.
Wi-Fi Rental – Rent a cheap and convenient 3G Wi-Fi package so that you can surf the Internet
anytime and anywhere while traveling in China. Read more Wi-Fi Rental Information.
Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai :
Tel: 021-61371111
Fax: 021-61371119
Address: No.126 Xinzha Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Shanghai
See China's largest and most prosperous city through our Shanghai tours.
Shanghai is a fascinating mix of modern metropolis and traditional Chinese features. Its historical and modern landmarks,
ever-expanding skyline and gorgeous night view create lingering scenes. The lively markets and old streets are well worth
exploring. The surrounding water towns like Zhujiajiao and Qibao Town offer history and leisure.
Explore Shanghai and see its highlights with our Shanghai tours. We also offer Shanghai airport/hotel/train station pick-up
and transfer service to take you out of the hassle. China Highlights is also glad to help design your own Shanghai tour using
our over-10-year experience in customizing China tours.
Day 2 Fri 27-Mar-15
Place & Transport: Shanghai
Accommodation: Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai *** (Superior Twin Bed Room)
Today's Activities: Yuyuan Garden, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yuyuan Market
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Old Shanghai Restaurant allowance incl CNY 120 per person, Dinner at
Merrylin(Dinner) allowance incl CNY 0 per person. Most clients find this allowance more than
adequate.
Yuyuan Garden (1 hour)
: Yuyuan Garden is located in the center of Shanghai old quarters.
It was a private garden built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty, with typical Chinese classic
architecture and style. The complex covers an area of 2 hectares, with rockeries, pavilions, ponds
and corridors. Yuyuan Garden is surrounding by a busy market place, where visitors can find
everything from popular local snacks, handicrafts, antiques and souvenirs to some famous timehonored restaurants.
Yuyuan Market (30 minutes) : Located next to the Yuyuan Garden and also known today as the
City God Temple, it was built in the fifteenth century during the Ming Dynasty.The area around the
temple used to be a venue for Shanghai people celebrating festivals, and now it is a ‘heaven’ of
tasting Shanghai snacks.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower (1.3 hours)
: One of the tallest TV towers in the world, known for
its distinctive spheres, or "pearls", it stands across the river from the Bund, among the exciting
architecture of the east bank. The Shanghai History Museum is Located on the first floor of the
Oriental TV Tower. There you can see the four major exhibition units reflecting Shanghai's history,
modern and recent revolutionary history respectively.
Old Shanghai Restaurant : Old Shanghai Restaurant is an old and famous local restaurant which
serves typical Shanghai Food as well as different flavors from other parts of China.
Merrylin : Enjoy Chinese food.
Day 3 Sat 28-Mar-15
Place & Transport: Shanghai
Accommodation: Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai *** (Superior Twin Bed Room)
Today's Activities: free day
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Sun 29-Mar-15
Place & Transport: Shanghai to Suzhou
Accommodation: Garden Hotel *** (Business Room)
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Shanghai to Suzhou
Meals: Breakfast
Garden Hotel :
Tel: 0512-85888588
Fax: 0512-85888906
Address: No.477 Liuyuan Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Suzhou
Appreciate the beauty and elegance of ancient Chinese landscape gardens with China Highlights' Suzhou tours.
Suzhou is a city with historical significance and beautiful landscape gardens. It is regarded as "heaven on earth" with
Hangzhou City. Its classic gardens were placed on the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. It is also a production
base of fine silk. Nearby water towns like Tongli and Zhouzhuang offer peaceful atmosphere.
Choose from our Suzhou tours to see the best of Suzhou. China Highlights can also help you create your own Suzhou tour
with our over-10-year experience in customizing China tours.
Day 5 Mon 30-Mar-15
Place & Transport: Suzhou
Accommodation: Garden Hotel *** (Business Room)
Today's Activities: free day
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Tue 31-Mar-15
Place & Transport: Suzhou to Changshu
Accommodation: Changshu Hotel
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Suzhou to Changshu
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Wed 01-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Changshu
Accommodation: Changshu Hotel
Today's Activities: visit your sister school
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Thu 02-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Changshu
Accommodation: Changshu Hotel
Today's Activities: visit your sister school
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Fri 03-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Changshu
Today's Activities: visit your sister school
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Sat 04-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Changshu to Suzhou at Beijing, Train No. G132 (Suzhoubei Railway Station Beijing Nan South Railway Station) Dep 12:48 - Arr 17:47 (second-class)
Accommodation: Red Wall Hotel Beijing *** (Standard Room)
Today's Activities: Our guide and driver will escort you from Changshu to Suzhou, Train station
Transfer (Suzhou), Train station to Hotel Transfer (Beijing)
Meals: Breakfast
Red Wall Hotel Beijing :
Tel: 010-51098888
Fax: 010-51098999
Address: 31,Shatan Bei Street, East Area
< p>Click here to print the map of your hotel which provides information about the area around
the hotel which may be of assistance.
Beijing
China Highlights' Beijing tours cover the highlights of China's capital city, be it the ancient imperial remnants or modern
development.
Beijing is a must-see destination for visitors to China. Having served as China’s capital for more than 800 years, Beijing's
glorious ancient past and modern vibrancy mingle perfectly and you will never get enough of it. Beijing is a city boasting the
most number of cultural heritage sites in the world. A trip to see the Great Wall is the dream of many visitors. How to Plan a
Beijing Tour page can help you plan a Beijing tour, giving you specific ideas on visit Beijing as a couple, with your family,
or just for a short stay.
See the best of Beijing through our Beijing tour packages. We also provide Beijing airport/hotel pick-up and transfer service
and Beijing day trips. China Highlights can also help you tailor-make your own Beijing tour. We have specialized in
customizing Beijing tours for more than 10 years.
Day 11 Sun 05-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Beijing
Accommodation: Red Wall Hotel Beijing *** (Standard Room)
Today's Activities: The Forbidden City, Hutong Tour including the Bell Tower or the Drum
Tower((rickshaw tour), Tiananmen Square
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Jin Ding Xuan Restaurant allowance incl CNY 60 per person, Dinner at
Quanjude (Chaobei Branch)(Dinner) allowance incl CNY 100 per person. Most clients find this
allowance more than adequate.
The Forbidden City (2.5 hours)
: The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors between
1368 and 1911.This "city within a city" is a World Heritage Site, and is the largest and the best
preserved ancient imperial architecture complex in the world, with great square, halls and gates
contrast with intricate halls, gardens, courtyards and quarters. The exhibitions, both permanent
and temporary, are all important treasures of ancient China.
Tips: According to a notice of the Palace Museum (the Forbidden City), alcohol or other drinks
might not be taken into the Forbidden City. Water and other drinks can be purchased in the
Forbidden City.
Note: starting from April 1st, 2013, the Imperial Palace will be closed every Monday afternoon
throughout the year.
Tiananmen Square (50 minutes) : Tian'anmen Square is the largest city square in the centre of
Beijing, named after the Tiananmen (literally, Gate of Heavenly Peace) which sits to its north,
separating it from the Forbidden City. It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several
key events in Chinese history. As the world's largest city square and enduring symbol of China's
national pride, it is surrounded by many imposing buildings including the Heavenly Gate (entry to
the Forbidden City), Museums, government buildings and Chairman Mao's Mausoleum.
Hutong Tour including the Bell Tower or the Drum Tower((rickshaw tour) : Hutong is a
maze of historic alleyways with old single storey traditional courtyard houses, which are now fast
disappearing. In this one hour tour, you can hop on a rickshaw to ride through the narrow alleys
as well as visit a local family and find out about the different thresholds of the courtyards. Visit the
Gate and the Drum tower or the Bell tower.
Quanjude (Chaobei Branch) : Beijing Roast Duck is renowned as the most delicious food of
Beijing while Quanjude Restaurant enjoys a high reputation for its Beijing roast duck. It has
developed its own technique and are famous for outstanding quality. Quanjude Restaurant in
Chaobei Road is near Chaoyang Garden, being outstanding with neat environment, less crowded,
and nice and friendly service. Most popular dishes are Braised Seafood with Sauce, Braised Pork
Belly with Tea, Pan-fried Chicken with Lemon Juice, Beef dice with Black Pepper, Braised Eggplant
with Paste, Hand Shredded Cabbage, and QuanJuDe Premium Roast Ducks.
Jin Ding Xuan Restaurant : Established in 1998, Jin Ding Xuan Restaurant has become an iconic
brand in Beijing. The restaurant serves Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese and Huai foods. The overall
high standard of food, 24/7 service and friendly staff give this restaurant a great reputation.
Day 12 Mon 06-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Beijing
Accommodation: Red Wall Hotel Beijing *** (Standard Room)
Today's Activities: The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant allowance incl CNY 40 per person, Dinner
at Jardine Matheson Spring Restaurant(Dinner) allowance incl CNY 60 per person. Most clients find
this allowance more than adequate.
The Mutianyu Great Wall(with round way cable car) (2 hours)
: This less-crowded section
of the Great Wall is a about 2.5 hours' drive from downtown Beijing. A cable car takes you to a
good section (avoiding a very steep climb), where you can walk along the wall, through the watch
towers and enjoy superb views as it snakes across the hills and mountains. You can return by
cable car, walk down or walk along the wall for about an hour to descend by chairlift. Wear good
walking shoes and protection from the weather.
Tips: Compare with the Badaling section,walking sticks may be desirable for Mutianyu
section.especially for people who don't have strong legs or steady balance.
Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant : Xin Shuang Quan Restaurant is near Great Wall of Mutianyu
section. This garden style restaurant serves farmhouse dishes, specializing in rainbow trout,
sturgeon and salmon. The fabulous taste will leave you with great memories.
Jardine Matheson Spring Restaurant : "Jardine Restaurant in Spring" provides Hangzhou
cuisine, Cantonese cuisine and seafood. "Bao Chi Yan" The Abolone and sharksfin banquet is the
best recommended. It is decorated in an European harbor style setting.
Day 13 Tue 07-Apr-15
Place & Transport: Beijing to Melbourne, TBA Distance: 1KM (1miles) (Your arrangements)
Today's Activities: Hotel to airport Transfer (Beijing)
Meals: Breakfast
www.chinahighlights.com