Q & A:Guide & Tipping

1.How to meet your guide? - Top

When you choose our package tours with guide service included, your local guide will meet you at the airport, the railway station, the port or at the hotel. At the airport, port or train station, the guide will hold a greeting sign with the name of one of your group member’s name on it (usually it is the name of the person who contacted with us and organized the tour). The guide will stand in the place where she/he can be easily located and seen as you come through the arrival gate. In some cases the guide will need to meet you at the hotel where you are staying. The guide will call you the night before to set a meeting time and place to wait for you in the lobby.

2.Do I have to tip in China? - Top

Although gratuities are not officially required, and are entirely voluntary, tipping has become a common practice in China in some areas. It has become the norm to tip the tour guide and driver, hotel bellboy in recognition of their good service. It is not customary to leave tips at local restaurants. Normally, you do not need to tip at hotel restaurants, as the bill includes 10% to 15% service charge.
China Highlights does not include tipping when quoting the tour price. We suggest $5 to $10 /per guest per day for tour guide and 3 to 8 USD for the driver when traveling in a small group of say - 2 to 5 people. For example, if 2 people are traveling in a party and stay in Beijing for 3 nights, the combined tip for the tour guide could be US$30 to US$60. Active tours like hiking, biking, rafting, we suggest that doubling the tip is appropriate.

3.What about the Chinese tour guides? - - Top

China has tens of thousands of trained and licensed tour guides. Some of them are professors, librarians, and teachers, working part time. There are exams once in a couple of years. Only the passed are qualified to work. China's travel companies are categorized into three classes. Class 1 can work directly with foreign tour operators. Tour guides working for this class are usually more experienced. English language is the first foreign language and most spoken by tour guides. They work according to pre-arranged schedules by his employer and talking about your tour sites is his basic job. Beyond these, he has to talk with the person who sends him.

4.What should I do if I can not find my guide? - Top

Upon your arrival: Our guides will surely be waiting for you at the airport upon your arrival. However, if for some extraneous reason you cannot find our tour guide upon arriving at the airport, then please call our toll free number for help. It would be wise to keep a contact list with our office number on it in an accessible place in the unlikely event that you have a problem.

At scenic areas: Some of the popular tourist spots in China can be crowded during the peak seasons and China's public holidays. Some guests may lose their guide in a crowd. When you find the guide is not with you and can not find he or she in the immediate area, please follow the following steps:

 1. First of all, Don't Panic'. Relax and breathe. Realize that your guide is not far away and he or she is actively looking for you. You will be found soon.

2. Secondly, stay where you are and let the guide find you. Do not move far away. This will ensure that you are found in a timely manner.

3. Lastly, if there seems to be a problem with your guide finding you, find the nearest phone and call our free toll number and your travel advisor will help you to find the guide.

5.Which languages do you your tour guides speak? - Top

Guides speaking major European languages are available in the major tourist cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Guilin. Other language guides may be available but they need to be booked a head of time.

In smaller cities we cannot guarantee a full range of services but we are happy to make a request for you.

6.What will my guide do for me during my Small Group Tour? - Top

Your guide is our representative "on the ground" in each city. He/She will make all the necessary arrangements trying to ensure that your stay is all you want it to be. The guide will help you to check into the hotel, arrange all transport for your tour as well as assist with shopping. Your guide will accompany you during your stay and will also provide interesting information about China and the sights that you will see during your stay. In short, if you need something just ask, and the guide will do their utmost to help.

Home | Testimonials | Safe Payment | Terms & Conditions| Links
China Day Tours | China Hotels | China Flights | Transfers | China Guide | My Account | HelpCenter
paypal verifiedMember of CATSIATA MemberPATA MemberASTA MemberUSTOA Member