Legal & Policies

Booking Conditions

General reference guidance on booking practices you are likely to encounter when arranging travel through the reputable local Chinese operators referenced on Hidden China — always confirm written terms directly with your provider.

Scope of This Document

Hidden China is a travel inspiration and information platform. We do not sell tours, issue quotes, or directly accept bookings or payments through our website.

The conditions below are provided for general reference purposes only. They outline the standard booking terms and cancellation practices you can typically expect when arranging travel with the reputable local Chinese travel agencies, homestays, train operators, and scenic-area management bureaus that we recommend in our guides. Always confirm the exact, full terms and conditions — in writing — directly with your chosen provider before making any payment or commitment.

Pre-Booking Checklist (Recommended Before You Pay Anyone)

Before booking any trip component referenced or suggested on our website, verify all of the following with the operator or platform:

  • Operator identity and business license (for agencies in China, check they hold a valid Travel Agency Business License issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism).
  • Full itemized breakdown of what is and is not included in any quoted price (e.g., park entrance tickets, guide gratuities, single-room supplement, internal flights, visa fees, meals, travel insurance).
  • Cancellation and refund policy (including force majeure scenarios), stated clearly in writing.
  • Deposit amount, payment schedule, accepted currencies, and accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Alipay, etc.).
  • Minimum group size thresholds (if any) and what happens if they are not met.
  • Exact traveler name(s) as shown in passports — Chinese airlines, trains, and many hotels do not accept name corrections after booking.

Typical Payment & Deposit Terms (Reference Only)

While terms vary by provider, most reputable China-based local agencies follow patterns similar to the following. These are examples only — your provider's written terms prevail in all cases:

  • Deposits: 20–50% of the total package cost is typically payable at the time of booking to secure hotels, guides, and permits (particularly for Tibet, Xinjiang, and restricted areas that require advance permits).
  • Final balance: Usually due 14–30 days before departure for scheduled trips; longer lead times may apply during peak holidays (Spring Festival, May Day, National Day in early October).
  • Accepted methods: Bank transfer (CNY via UnionPay, USD/EUR/GBP via SWIFT or Wise), Visa/Mastercard (sometimes with a 2–3% processing fee), and in some cases PayPal or Alipay TourPass.

Typical Cancellation Terms (Reference Only)

Cancellation policies vary significantly by season, provider, and the type of service. Below are common structures you are likely to encounter, but they are not a guarantee of terms you will receive from any third party.

  • More than 30 days before departure: Deposit refunded minus an admin fee (commonly 5–10%) unless non-refundable permits or international tickets have already been issued.
  • 15–29 days before departure: 50% of total package refunded, or deposit forfeited — whichever is greater.
  • 7–14 days before departure: 25% refund of total package; some providers offer no refund at this stage.
  • Fewer than 7 days or no-show: Usually no refund is issued, and the full balance remains payable.
  • Single-day tickets / train / flight: Cancellation rules vary by park, airline, and China Rail — many high-speed rail tickets can be modified or refunded up to departure with a small fee, while deeply discounted airfare is often non-refundable.

Force Majeure & Disruption

Travel in China can occasionally be impacted by events outside of any provider's control — including natural disasters, landslides (common in mountainous areas like Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan during rainy season), government-ordered scenic-area closures, flight cancellations due to air traffic control, epidemic restrictions, public security events, or visa policy changes. Standard practice among reputable operators is:

  • Reasonable efforts to re-route or substitute comparable services where feasible.
  • Pro-rata refund of prepaid, unused services that cannot be substituted (e.g., a closed scenic park ticket, a cancelled river cruise, an unused hotel night).
  • No refund for services already delivered or for non-recoverable costs already paid to third parties (e.g., non-refundable domestic air segments, already-issued Tibet permits).
  • We strongly recommend purchasing a comprehensive international travel insurance policy that covers trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and weather/geopolitical disruptions before travel.

Important Local Booking Restrictions

  • Tibet Autonomous Region: Foreign travelers require a Tibet Travel Permit issued by an authorized Chinese travel agency in addition to a Chinese visa. Permits typically take 10–20 working days, cannot be obtained independently on arrival, and are non-refundable once issued.
  • Xinjiang & Border Areas: Some remote areas near China's international borders require an Aliens' Travel Permit or military-area approval — confirm access restrictions and permit requirements with your agency before booking.
  • Real-Name Ticketing: Nearly all long-distance trains, domestic flights, and most national park entrance tickets in China are real-name and non-transferable. Names on your booking must match your passport exactly — even a single missing middle initial can prevent boarding.
  • Holiday Blackouts: Prices and availability change dramatically during China's three "Golden Week" holidays (Spring Festival / late Jan–Feb; May Day / May 1–5; National Day / Oct 1–7). Book 3–6 months in advance, and expect many providers to enforce stricter (often non-refundable) terms during these windows.

Passports, Visas & Documentation

  • You are solely responsible for ensuring that your passport has at least 6 months of remaining validity from your date of departure from China, plus at least 2–3 blank visa pages.
  • Confirm visa requirements with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate, or via the official China Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) website, well in advance. Our visa guide is for general information only — immigration rules change frequently.
  • If using the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, ensure that your itinerary meets all official requirements (eligible nationality, correct ports of entry/exit, onward ticket to a third country, etc.) before departure.

Health, Safety & Travel Insurance

  • Check recommended and required vaccinations — particularly for rural and border areas — with your local travel clinic 4–8 weeks before departure.
  • Altitude sickness is a real risk in destinations such as Tibet, Qinghai, western Sichuan, Shangri-La, and parts of Yunnan. Follow acclimatization guidance and descend immediately if symptoms worsen.
  • We require that all travelers carry a valid international travel insurance policy with adequate coverage for overseas medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss, and trip cancellation before commencing any trip referenced on our site.

Complaints & Disputes with Operators

If a service delivered by a third-party operator falls materially short of what was confirmed in writing, the standard escalation process in China is:

  1. Raise the issue with your local guide or the agency's on-duty contact during your trip — many problems can be resolved immediately on the ground.
  2. Submit a written complaint with photo/video evidence and specific dates/times to the operator's customer service within 14 days of the incident.
  3. If unresolved, you may contact the 12301 National Tourism Service Hotline (operated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) or the local MCT branch in the relevant province — keep all invoices, contracts, chat records, and receipts. Many reputable operators participate in the official tourism complaint resolution scheme and are required to respond within defined timelines.

Limitation of Our Role

Because Hidden China is not the booking party, seller, or principal for any travel service you arrange with a third-party provider:

  • We are not a party to your booking contract. Your contractual relationship is directly with the operator, agency, platform, or provider you pay.
  • We cannot issue refunds, process cancellations, or make changes to your booking on any provider's behalf — you must contact the provider directly.
  • We make no warranty as to the financial condition, performance, reliability, or conduct of any third-party operator referenced on this site, and accept no liability for any loss, injury, or disappointment arising from arrangements you make with them.

Contact

Questions about these booking reference conditions? Email legal@hiddencn.com. For booking support, refund requests, or service complaints, contact your chosen travel provider directly using the details on your booking confirmation.

Last Updated: August 2026