Questions, answered.

Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and interests. A travel designer replies within one business day with a first proposal, and we refine it together until every detail is right — nothing is booked until you're happy.

We recommend at least 6–8 weeks before travel to allow time for permits, visas, and a properly designed itinerary — but reach out even if your dates are closer and we'll tell you what's realistic.

It's a fully-planned trip from our existing catalog of journeys, randomly assigned to you — a way to travel with us at a fixed price without choosing the destination yourself. The surprise is part of the experience, but the standard's the same: private guide, handpicked stays, and everything coordinated before you land.

The price shown for each journey is per person based on two travellers sharing. Travelling solo? A single supplement applies — we'll quote it alongside your itinerary. Groups of more than five people are handled as a fully private, custom itinerary rather than our standard journeys — just let us know your group size when you enquire.

A private English-speaking guide, private transfers between cities, handpicked accommodation, daily breakfast and select meals, all permits and entrance fees, and guidance on travel and medical insurance requirements. International flights, visa fees, and personal expenses are not included — see each journey's page for the full breakdown.

For most nationalities, business and tourism stays of up to 30 days don't require a visa — instead you'll complete a mandatory Digital Arrival Card before you travel. This can be done online in advance through the official government portal, the WeChat or Alipay mini-program, or by scanning a QR code; if you haven't completed it beforehand, you can still do so on arrival by scanning a QR code, using a self-service kiosk at your port of entry, or filling out a paper card. Staying longer than 30 days, or travelling for a different purpose, still requires a visa arranged in advance through your local Chinese consulate.

It's a short mandatory registration for every traveller entering China, separate from the visa question above. Complete it online before you fly through the official government portal, the WeChat or Alipay mini-program, or a QR code — it only takes a few minutes. If you land without having done it, you can still complete it at the airport by scanning a QR code, using a kiosk at your port of entry, or filling out a paper card, though we recommend doing it in advance to skip the queue.

We don't sell insurance directly, but travel and medical insurance covering China is required for every trip we design. See our insurance guide for what to look for, or ask your travel designer for a recommendation.

Not at all. Every journey includes a private English-speaking guide from arrival to departure, so you're never navigating on your own.

The whole country runs on a single time zone, China Standard Time (UTC+8), with no daylight saving — so the time difference with home stays the same year-round, whichever season you travel in.

China's currency is the Renminbi (also called the Yuan, CNY). Mobile payment apps — Alipay and WeChat Pay — are the dominant way to pay almost everywhere, even at small street stalls, and it's worth setting one up with an international card before you travel. Cash and cards are still accepted, especially in hotels and larger stores, but carrying some cash is a good backup outside major cities.

Tipping isn't customary in China and isn't expected in restaurants, taxis, or hotels. Some higher-end establishments catering to international visitors may welcome a small tip, but it's a gesture, not an obligation.

Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and airports, though speeds can vary, and a number of international apps and websites are restricted. We recommend arriving with an unlocked phone and picking up a local SIM or eSIM data plan for more reliable access throughout your trip — your guide can help if you need a hand.

China mainly uses type A, C, and I sockets at 220V/50Hz — likely different from what you're used to at home. Pack a universal travel adapter and you'll be covered everywhere from city hotels to countryside guesthouses.

You'll stay in a private balcony cabin aboard a small boutique vessel — not one of the large mass-market cruise ships. Expect en-suite bathrooms and river views, not five-star resort luxury; the focus is the gorges outside your window.