TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

 

By booking a trip, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, which outline, among other things, our cancellation policy and certain limitations of liability. These Terms and Conditions affect your rights and designate the governing law and forum for the resolution of any and all disputes. Please read carefully when booking the tour.

 

Kind Reminder: By paying the deposit, you confirm that you've fully accepted our terms and conditions, which will apply to your booking and throughout the trip.

 

Content

 

Part 1 General Terms

Part 2 Travel documents  & Travel Permit

Part 3 Travel Insurance & Healthy Risk 

Part 4 Notification of Tour Safety

 Part 5 Local Activity Restrictions

Part 6 Pricing Policy and Organization Notice

Part 7 Payment and Bank Account Information

 

 

Part 1 GENERAL TERMS

 

1.1 Effectiveness of a booking

A booking becomes effective only from the date when the deposit payment is successful, the client agrees to the Tour Program Confirmation and these terms and conditions by signature or by email.

 

1.2 Acceptance of local

1, Differences in Infrastructure and Services

China is a vast country with significant regional variations in economic development, infrastructure (including hotels, transportation, security, hygiene, medical services, and communication facilities), and the natural environment. Tourist facilities and services in some destinations may differ from the standards you are accustomed to or from those in major first-tier cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai). We advise you to research your specific destination(s) in advance and prepare accordingly.

2, Respect for Local Culture and Customs

China possesses a long history and a rich diversity of cultures, religions, and traditional customs. We sincerely encourage you to respect the local cultural practices, religious beliefs, and social norms during your travels, comply with local laws and regulations, and embrace the unique cultural experiences of each destination with an open and inclusive mindset—adapting to local customs and norms.

3, Health and Safety Notes

Please plan your itinerary according to your personal health conditions, and familiarize yourself in advance with the medical, hygiene, and safety conditions of your destination(s). If you have specific requirements (e.g., dietary restrictions, medical needs), we recommend communicating them to us or the local service providers before your departure.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We wish you a pleasant and memorable journey in China.

 

1.3 WeChat app downloading

Wechat in China is similar to WhatsApp in western countries. You can choose to download the app prior to the trip for better communication during your trip. For join-in group travelers, we will set up a group chat on WeChat when the tour starts with the travel consultant, local operator, tour guide, customer service

and the group members. You can ask any question in the group talk.

 

1.4 Entry policy for visa-free countries

 

For tourists eligible for visa-free entry to China, please be advised that your stay in any destination within China is included within your total permitted visa-free duration. It is your responsibility to ensure that your entire period of stay in China, including entry and departure dates, complies with the visa-free conditions and does not exceed the permitted number of days. Failure to comply may result in penalties, fines, or immigration issues upon departure.

Certain regions within China, especially some border areas, military zones, or other designated restricted locations, are not accessible to foreign visitors. It is your responsibility to verify whether your intended destination or any planned activities are within publicly accessible areas and to obtain any special permits if legally required. We are not liable for any consequences arising from unauthorized entry into restricted zones.

Travelers are solely responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable Chinese immigration regulations, local laws, and travel advisories throughout their stay. We shall not be held liable for any costs, delays, or legal issues resulting from a breach of these requirements.

 

1.5 Cancellation

1.5.1 Cancellation by the Client

If clients have to cancel the booked trip, please write an email to The-Stars to inform us of the cancellation. Cancellation refunds will be calculated from the date we receive your written cancellation. The cancellation will occur cancellation charges from The-Stars and other third party service providers like cruise, airline, railway companies. And all cancellation fees will be itemized.

1) All cancellations made 30 days or more before departure: all refund

2) All cancellations made between 29 and 15 days prior to departure: 70% refund

3) All cancellations made between 14 and 8 days prior to departure: 50% refund

4) All cancellations made within 7 days of departure or No Show Up: no refund

Note 1: Group Bookings & Third-Party Fees: This policy does not apply to groups of 10+ travelers or penalties imposed by hotels, airlines, cruises, railways, or other service providers. Any such fees will be clearly itemized.

 

1.5.2 Cancellation because of the Client's failure to obtain a Visa

The Client will receive a full refund of the tour price if he fails to get a Chinese visa, except for the cancellation fees charged by airlines and railway stations if applicable, including:

*If the Client fails to get a Chinese Visa and makes the cancellation 30 days or more before departure

*If the Client's Travel Permit application is rejected by the Tibet local government

 

6. Changes

6.1 Changes made by The Stars

6.1.1 Itinerary Changes and Refund Policy for Tours Across China

Please note that due to weather, traffic control, temporary scenic area closures, public safety, government actions, or other unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances, the travel agency may need to make reasonable adjustments to the itinerary sequence, attractions, accommodation, transportation, or service content. The travel agency will make every effort to ensure the integrity of the itinerary, but we ask for your flexibility regarding the schedule.

 

6.1.2 Material Changes

If a material change occurs (defined as the cancellation or substitution of core activities that directly affect one-fifth or more of the original itinerary's total duration, or consecutive itinerary adjustments that materially impact the overall travel experience), the travel agency will notify you as soon as possible and provide feasible alternative options. Material changes may be caused by force majeure events such as natural disasters, political factors, or public health incidents.

 

6.1.3 Your Rights

If you do not accept a material change and both parties cannot agree on an alternative, you have the right to cancel the booking.

After cancellation, the travel agency will refund all unused tour fees after deducting any actual, non-refundable third-party costs (such as air tickets, train tickets, prepaid hotel expenses, etc.).

Specifically, if any included scenic area tickets, show tickets, activity reservations, or similar items cannot be used due to force majeure or the travel agency's reasons, the fees for those items will be refunded in full.

 

6.1.4 Disclaimer

The travel agency shall not be liable for breach of contract for itinerary changes, delays, or losses directly caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, such as force majeure, government actions, or third-party service interruptions. However, the travel agency will assist you in minimizing losses or arranging alternative solutions.

 

6.2 Changes to Itinerary and Services Made by the Client

The clients have the right to change the tour itinerary and services before and during the trip, but it may cause the cancellation and rebooking as well as the price difference on seasonal changes, which may correspondingly increase or decrease the tour price, and The-Stars will re-quote the tour package.

 

6.3 Complete the trip before the designated time

As the quotation for a tour is based both on the length of tour days and the total mileage of the itinerary, the

The two situations will be considered that The-Stars has successfully fulfilled the tour service and obligation: a. tourists finished the planned itinerary ahead of time b. The tour days ended yet tourists

failed to complete the itinerary due to force majeure. If tourists extend the days beyond the designated tour length, or make other tours beyond the itinerary, The-Stars will accordingly charge an extra service fee.

 

 

 

Part 2 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & TRAVEL PERMIT

1.Passport

You must hold a genuine and valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the date of your planned entry into China. You are solely responsible for applying for and obtaining the correct Chinese visa and all necessary entry/exit documents required for your itinerary, and for complying with all Chinese immigration regulations.

If you renew or replace your passport at any time before or during the trip, you must immediately provide the new passport details to the travel agency to update the bookings and records. When traveling within China, if the new passport does not contain a valid Chinese visa or permit, you must carry both the new and old passports. Failure to do so may result in denied boarding, train travel, or hotel check-in, and you will bear any resulting losses.

2. Special Notice for Tibet & Designated Border Areas

Travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region or other regulated border tourism areas (such as certain border regions of Xinjiang, Yunnan, Guangxi, Jilin, etc.) may require additional permits besides a Chinese visa. These may include a Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Tourism Bureau Approval Letter) or a Border Pass, which typically must be applied for in advance by a local travel agency. If your itinerary includes such destinations, you must confirm the specific requirements and processing time with the travel agency well in advance. The travel agency can assist with the application but does not guarantee the issuance of such permits and shall not be held liable for any itinerary disruptions caused by incomplete documentation.

 

Part 3 Travel Insurance & Healthy Risk

1.1 Travel Insurance

The tour covers the premium of personal travel accident insurance provided by PICC (PICC reserves the right of interpretation) or other companies that have insurance qualifications in China. According to the insurance contract, when the agreed insurance accident occurs, PICC will compensate you for the corresponding losses; but the exact amount and proportion of compensation cannot be confirmed before the relevant staff of the insurance company reviews it. The Stars Tour is only responsible for assisting PICC in investigation, compensation, and supervision of whether the compensation is properly implemented, and does not bear any other responsibility or compensation. Any disputes can only be resolved in accordance with the Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China and relevant laws.

 

1.2 Insurance Coverage

The insurance only covers accidents within China. The-Stars Tour does not provide overseas insurance and does not compensate for any overseas accidents. The-Stars Tour strongly recommends that travelers purchase their own insurance to supplement the travel insurance provided by The-Stars.

The maximum compensation is RMB 300,000 under the personal travel accident insurance provided by PICC Property and Casualty Company Limited.

The accident insurance included in the tour package only covers travelers who are older than  185 days and younger than 80 years of age.

Travelers under 185 days old or over 80 years old are not covered by the insurance. Any accidents or acute illnesses that occur in Tibet will be entirely at the traveler's own risk.

 

1.3 Health Risks

China is a vast country with diverse terrain and climate. Some destinations (such as high-altitude regions in Tibet, Qinghai, Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu, etc.) are located at high elevations and feature unique natural environments. Traveling to such areas may cause altitude sickness and related complications (e.g., headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties), which, in severe cases, may pose health risks.

You must inform us at or before booking of any physical, emotional, or psychological conditions that may affect your full participation in the tour; any conditions that may require professional medical care or special attention during the trip; or any need for special medical equipment. If you have serious heart disease, hypertension, respiratory conditions, or other chronic illnesses, traveling to high-altitude areas may involve safety risks and could lead to serious complications.

We strongly recommend that you consult a qualified doctor before traveling to high-altitude or other environmentally distinctive regions and take necessary health precautions (such as taking preventive medication in advance, allowing adequate acclimatization time, etc.).

 

1.4 Disclaimer​

You are fully responsible for assessing your health condition and travel suitability. We shall not be liable for any health issues or itinerary disruptions resulting from your failure to disclose health conditions, follow medical advice, or take appropriate precautions. Altitude sickness and other environmental-related risks are inherent to travel, and you participate voluntarily after carefully evaluating your own condition.

 

1.5 Rescue Cost and Medical Expenses

Occasionally, some clients might suffer from sudden diseases, mainly as a result of serious high-altitude sickness. They need to be transferred to the nearest clinic or hospital or even end the tour and leave Tibet. In these cases, The-Stars's team will do our best to rescue the clients, but this will cause extra costs, like medical costs, transportation, human resources, equipment, etc. These costs will be on the clients' bill.

 

1.6 Force Majeure and Responsibility for Additional Costs

In the event of travel delays, cancellations, or interruptions caused by force majeure factors such as natural disasters (e.g., flash floods, mudslides, earthquakes, etc.), epidemics, airline flight cancellations, or other events beyond the control of the travel agency, the travel agency will make every effort to assist the traveler in handling emergency situations. However, any additional costs incurred (such as extra rescue fees, flight change fees, accommodation costs, transportation fees, etc.) shall be borne by the traveler. The travel agency is only responsible for assisting the traveler in managing emergency events, including providing necessary advice, contacting relevant authorities, etc., but will not be responsible for any expenses or losses arising from such events.

In the event of such force majeure incidents, the traveler should promptly contact the travel agency and cooperate with the agency to handle emergency measures. The travel agency is not liable for any economic loss or damages directly or indirectly caused by force majeure events. Such costs shall be paid by the traveler according to the specific situation, and the travel agency will provide necessary assistance to minimize inconvenience.

In the event of force majeure, if a traveler requests rescue services or arrangements such as purchasing flight tickets/helicopters that are beyond the scope of the travel contract, the company will promptly inform the traveler of the related costs and assume that these costs will be borne by the traveler.

 

1.7 Insurance Coverage and Recommendations

The insurance provided by the travel agency for travelers covers only personal accident risks and does not include economic losses caused by natural disasters, third-party liabilities, or other unforeseen events. We strongly recommend that travelers purchase additional rescue and third-party liability insurance before embarking on their journey to mitigate potential financial losses.

 

Part 4: Notification of Tour Safety

China features diverse landscapes and climates across its vast territory. Travel experiences may vary significantly and involve unique challenges depending on the destination. It is our responsibility to inform you of important safety matters so you can be fully prepared for your tour. We advise you to thoroughly evaluate your health condition, consult a doctor if necessary, and understand the potential risks associated with your chosen itinerary.

 

1. Accommodation and Food

China is a vast country with regional differences in economic development, infrastructure, and service standards. In some tourist destinations, particularly in non-first-tier cities, rural areas, remote scenic locations, or regions with distinctive geography (such as highlands, mountainous areas, and border towns), accommodation and dining conditions may differ noticeably from the standards you are familiar with in major metropolitan areas.

Accommodation facilities in such areas (such as local inns, guesthouses, or budget hotels) are often operated by local proprietors and may offer basic amenities, service levels, and comfort. Local dining options may also be limited, typically featuring regional flavors (e.g., some local cuisines may be spicy, oily, or use distinctive local ingredients), and prices may be higher than in ordinary cities due to factors such as logistics costs.

  

2. High Altitude

Traveling at high altitude is a challenge to one's physical fitness. If you have the following illnesses or inconveniences, you are not suitable for travel on the plateau.

Cardiovascular diseases like heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disease; mental disorder; severe anemia; contagious diseases, etc.

Patients still in the process of recovery after major surgery; the disabled; the pregnant; etc.

If you help others to sign up for the trip, please make sure they do not have the health issues above or consult with a doctor.

 

3. Tour Itinerary

Clients shall check the itinerary carefully. Areas of attractions not open to tourists (like parts of Yading, Daocheng County) are not included in our service. Please travel safely and do not venture into unknown trails or linger over dangerous spots.

 

4. First-aid Kit

A first-aid kit is prepared for any emergency. Since all the staff of the travel agency are not professional medical staff, the medicines prepared are OTC drugs. Clients can prepare the needed medication themselves before departure. Throughout the tour, please take great care of your valuable items and protect your skin from sunburn. Wish you a pleasant journey!

 

Part 5 Local Activity Restrictions

Local policy requests that foreign tourists travel under the arrangement of the travel agency and with a tour guide. If you have some personal arrangements in the local area, please follow our advice.

 

1. Personal Activities During the Tour 

If our clients prefer to visit attractions or public places or places for personal affairs alone during their stay in China, you need to inform us in advance. Our company will try our best to help you arrange the visit and may need to send a tour guide to accompany you if necessary, with a reasonable service charge.

 

2. Extended Your Stay Beyond Scheduled Tour Plan.

If  tourists have rest time after or before a scheduled travel plan, and are willing to tour somewhere else, please inform our company in a timely manner. Never venture out alone or use another company's tour service, because the policy does not allow tourists to use other companies' or personal private service if you do not get a China travel permit from them, otherwise it will cause both the tourists and our company serious trouble.

 

3. Respect Local Folk Customs

Tourists are not allowed to wear hats, slippers, shorts, short skirts or revealing tops when entering temples. Please prepare long sleeves and long pants when traveling to Tibet in summer.

 

4. ID and bank card

Passport and visa

RMB 100 per day in cash for the travel area

Credit card

 

 

Part 6 Pricing Policy and Organization Notice

 

1. About Price: Due to market factors such as Early Bird Discounts, Flash Sales, Agent Promotions, and  Last-minute Deals, booking different hotels, tour prices within the same group may vary. We guarantee that any price differences are based on legal and transparent promotional practices, in full compliance with China's Tourism Law (Article 41: Clear Pricing; Article 6: Fair Business Conduct). There is no price discrimination or fraud. For the best deals, we recommend booking early through our official channels. The Stars recommend that travelers book their tours during the early-bird promotion period to take advantage of  more favorable prices.

 

2. About the tour organization:

Due to the high demand for tour guides and vehicles during the peaktravel season,as well as the need to arrange longer itineraries in segments to ensure operational efficiency,you may be served by different tour guides,vehicles,and service teams at different stages of your journey.

Please rest assured that all staffmembers have undergone standardized training and will strictly adhere to the itinerary requirements to ensure smooth transitions between each segment of your trip.

 

Part 7  Payment Method and Bank Account information

 

1. Methods of Payment

Nihaohuaxia provides 4 methods of payment:

 

 

2. Deposit

It is required to pay 20%-50% of the tour price as a deposit to confirm your reservation.

To confirm a reservation on a trip within 30 days before the tour begins, a full payment is required at the time of booking, and in this case, payment by wire transfer is not recommended.

 

3. Local Payment

Final payment for all trips is due 30 days prior to departure, unless it is clearly stated in the contract that the client is accepted to make the final payment upon arrival in the tour departure place. The local payment shall be made within two days upon your arrival; it can be paid directly to our local office in cash or by PayPal or by credit card.

 

4. Bank Account and Payment Details

Option 1: Wire Transfer

If you are booking your tour 30 days before your departure date, you may choose to make the payment by wire transfer. If you make payment from outside of China, please choose our US$ bank accounts. If you make payment from a bank within mainland China, please choose our RMB bank account.

 

Option 2: PayPal

You may choose to pay by PayPal for deposit payment by paying to our PayPal account. 

Note: Please inform us by email when the payment is done (reservations@nihaohuaxia.com)

Note: 5% transaction fee is at the payer's side.

 

Option 3: Alipay or WeChat

This method still works with credit cards, but you need to download and link WeChat or Alipay beforehand.
 

Option 4: Cash

You can pay the balance in cash (the deposit must be paid online in advance), but only RMB is accepted. Please exchange enough RMB beforehand.

Note: Each person may bring no more than 20,000 RMB into China at a time. Amounts exceeding this must be declared to customs.