Discover China Trip #2 April 6-15, 2015

Transcription

1 Discover China Trip #2 April 6-15, 2015 China It s a Different World All-inclusive Trip to China for just $2,775 SECOND TRIP ADDED! NEW DATES NEW PRICE SAME GREAT TOURS! Tiger Hill, Suzhou The third-largest country in the world with 20% of the world s population, China is bounded to the north by the deserts of Mongolia, to the west by the Tibetan plateau and the Himalayas, and to the east by the East and South China Seas. China s 22 provinces and five autonomous regions are governed from Beijing, along with some 5,000 islands. China isn t just a country it s a different world. From frenzied metropolises to the epic grasslands of Mongolia, it s a land of cultural and geographical wonders. It is not that China has done away with its Maoist past it s more that the yin of revolutionary zeal is being balanced with the yang of economic pragmatism. New wave entrepreneurs are becoming the norm. You will be impressed by the high standard of hotels, by the friendliness of the people, and how safe it is to travel around in China. Get ready to explore a whole new world. Cost for Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Members $2,775*ǂ Based on double occupancy *NOTE: on Feb 3, 2015, Wells Gray Tours added an exchange Add $125 for non-chamber members surcharge for all travelers. Double: $65 per person Single travelers: $540 additional Single: $100 p/p. With Xi an: Double $145; Single $195 ǂ Any trip booked after February 6, 2015 will be price quoted at time of booking due to changes in the exchange rate. Please contact the Chamber for a price quote from Wells Gray Tours. Thank you. Price includes: Round-trip international flight via Air Canada Vancouver-Beijing Coach transportation Kelowna-Vancouver return Overnight accommodation & taxes at Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel outbound leg Current air taxes and fuel surcharges on three flights 20 Meals & All First Class Hotels All Tours, Gratuities in China, Tour Director Kelowna-Round trip, Luggage Handling, Transfers All booking fees and credit card fees on payments Chinese National Guide and English-speaking experienced Local Guides and at Airports Tour Fares are exempt from GST Optional: Optional Tours are available throughout (see Itinerary) for very modest fees at time of tour TIC Comprehensive Travel Insurance: $259 double; $310 single from Tour Operator/Agent Extension to Terracotta Warriors Xi an including hotels, tours, 2 flights: $1,055 (pages 5/6) See Registration Form to reserve your space soon; space is limited Call Caroline Miller at at the Chamber for more information 1 P a g e

2 Itinerary- Tours Hotels Trip #2 April 6-15, 2015 Discover China Day 1 Monday April 6 Kelowna-Vancouver Depart in the afternoon from convenient pick-up points around Kelowna and West Kelowna. Coach to Vancouver, and stay overnight at the luxurious Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel <aspencer@capri.ca>aaron Spencer <aspencer@capri.ca>el Day 2 Tuesday April 7 Vancouver-Beijing non-stop on Air Canada An extensive breakfast buffet is included at the Fairmont. We then walk downstairs to the international check-in area. Our flight on Air Canada leaves Vancouver at 11:50 a.m. and flies non-stop to Beijing and we cross the International Dateline. (You make up a day coming home.) Meals: Breakfast Buffet/Inflight meals. Day 3 Wednesday April 8 Welcome to China We arrive in Beijing about 2:00 p.m. Beijing is the capital of the People s Republic of China, and the political hub. Our National Guide meets us, and will be with us for the rest of our tour. Our hotel for the next three nights is the Wanda Realm. Enjoy the hotel s spa, health club, indoor pool, bars & restaurants at your leisure. Wanda Realm Hotel Wanda Realm Hotel Spencer <aspencer@capri.ca>aaro n Spencer <aspencer@capri.ca>el Address (for Visa application): 18 Shijingshan Rd, Shijingshan District; Beijing, China Phone: Day 4 Thursday April 9 Beijing: Great Wall The Water Cube Ming Tombs Olympic Site Today, we make photo stops at the Summer 2008 Beijing Olympic venues for a view of the National Stadium (the Bird s Nest) and the National Aquatic Center (The Water Cube). Continue the tour to the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built between the 7 th & 8 th centuries BC, it stretches more than 6,000 km. We explore the easy-to-traverse Badaling section. Enroute, visit a jade factory. The Great Wall, 4,000 miles long and 2,000 years old, is said to be the only man-made structure visible to the naked eye from the moon. Nearby, we also visit the Ming Tombs, the most extensive burial complex of any Chinese dynasty and one of the finest preserved pieces of 15 th century Chinese art & architecture: one of the 13 Ming Emperors tombs is fully excavated and open for exploration. Meals: B/L/D The Great Wall The Ming Tombs 2 P a g e

3 Day 5 Friday April 10 Beijing: Tian An Men Square The Forbidden City The Temple of Heaven Visit Tian An Men Square, the largest public square in the world. On the north side, on October 1, 1949 Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People s Republic of China. Then we enter the Forbidden City, home of 24 emperors and 9,999 rooms. We continue to the Temple of Heaven, built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. Visit The Temple of Heaven Note: Optional Tours are payable in Cdn. funds the pearl market. Continue to the Summer Palace, and the Long Corridor, the painted gallery, Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, Seventeen-Arch Bridge and Marble Boat. This is the day for the optional business conferences some travelers will have set up in advance. Meals: B/L/D Optional tours: Hutong Tour: $31 per person Kung Fu Show $28 per person Peking Opera: $28 per person Business Meeting for Travelers: This is the day that an optional breakfast meeting with BC Beijing Trade & Investment Office will be held in the hotel prior to day tours. Day 6 Saturday April 11 Beijing Shanghai Suzhou This morning, we fly to Shanghai and then board our private coach to Suzhou. In Suzhou, the city s canals, stone bridges, pagodas, and meticulously designed gardens have contributed to its status as one of the top tourist attractions in China. In the afternoon, we tour Tiger Hill, one of Suzhou s scenic attractions, featuring the Tiger Pagoda and Sword pool. We stay overnight at the Grand Metropark Hotel Suzhou/5star, 1355 Jinjihu Avenue, Suzhou Industrial Park Tel: ) Meals: B/L/D The Grand Canal, Suzhou Optional tour: Grand Canal Boat Ride: $24 per person The Grand Metropark Hotel, Suzhou Garden, Suzhou The Grand Canal, Suzhou 3 P a g e

4 Day 7 Sunday April 12 Suzhou Hangzhou The Lingering Garden Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hangzhou We enjoy a morning visit to the Suzhou silk factory, then continue the tour to the centuries-old Lingering Garden. In the afternoon we visit the National Embroidery Institute to see silk embroidery, an important local craft with a 1,000-year history. Travel by coach to Hangzhou after dinner. Meals: B/L/D Crowne Plaza Hotel Hangzhou Grand Canal/5star, 333 Shangtang Road - Tel: Day 8 Monday April 13 Hangzhou Shanghai Embark on a morning boat cruise on West Lake with relaxing stopover at jewel-like pagodas. We visit the Longjing Green Tea Plantation for the ultimate tea drinking experience. Visit the centuries old Lingyin Temple, with a 64.3 foot-high camphor-wood carved Buddha, in a Buddhist monastery steeped in peace and tranquility. In the late afternoon, we travel by coach to Shanghai and stay two nights at the Renaissance Putuo Shanghai. Meals: B/L/D Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel/5 star, No.50 Tongchuan Road, Putuo District. Tel: Renaissance Shanghai Putuo, Shanghai Day 9 Tuesday April 14 Shanghai Shanghai is situated on the estuary of the Yangtze River. It is the largest industrial city in China covering an area of 2,300 square miles with a population of 18.7 million, including two million people in floating homes. Today s Shanghai is a multicultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. On today s tour of Shanghai, we explore the Bund, a grand riverfront promenade that symbolizes Shanghai s modern history and outward-facing attitude, and walk the shopping mecca of Najing Road. In Old Shanghai, the old is juxtaposed with new as we pass Starbucks to visit the 400-year-old Yu Yuan Garden. It contains a maze of marvelous pavilions, ponds, rock works and overarching trees. We also visit the Shanghai Silk Rug Factory. Business visits to the Pudong economic development zone by request. Meals: B/L/D Yu Yuan Gardens Optional tours: ERA Acrobatic Show: $31 per person Maglev Magnetic Train: One-way trip: $25 per person; $37 Roundtrip per person The Bund, night-time & day-time 4 P a g e

5 Day 10 Wednesday April 15 Shanghai Vancouver Kelowna The morning is leisure time, for touring the street markets and packing, and then we must bid farewell to China. Our non-stop flight on Air Canada departs at 4:00 p.m. and arrives in Vancouver the same day at 12:00 p.m. noon, as we re-cross the International Dateline. We then board our Vancouver- Kelowna flight home. Meals: Breakfast; and inflight meals See Optional Extension to Xi an below. Optional Extension to Xi an and the Terracotta Warriors Add this spectacular trip fly into the heartland of China and see this 2200 year-old, remarkable display. Truly a trip that you will remember forever. The Terracotta Army or the "Terracotta Warriors and Horses" is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in BCE and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife. The figures, dating from approximately the late third century BCE were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Estimates from 2007 were that the three pits containing the Terracotta Army held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remained buried in the pits nearby Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. Other terracotta non-military figures were found in other pits, including officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. Day 10 Wednesday April 15 Shanghai Xi an When the rest of our group departs for Vancouver/Kelowna, we fly to Xi an, known as the eternal city. Our flight leaves in the morning. Thirteen dynasties such as Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang placed their capitals here over a period of 3,100 years. Xi an enjoys equal fame with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the four major ancient civilization capitals. After arrival, we drive to the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi which covers more than ten square kilometres and is a staggering 32 metres high. The museum holds a large display of expressive terracotta 5 P a g e

6 figurines over 50,000 were buried here. After lunch, we visit the Xi an Ancient City Wall, completed in 1370; the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built in 652; and the Muslim Market, dating from the golden years when Xi an was the gateway to the Silk Road. After dinner, we watch the Tang Opera Show, considered one of the best in China. We stay overnight at the Titan Times Hotel. 360 W Ring Road (North Section), Lianhu, Xi'an, Shaanxi, ; Meals: B/L/D The Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show The Titan Times Hotel Day 11 Thursday April 16 Xi an - Shanghai Today we travel to one of the world s greatest archaeological finds, the Terracotta Warriors, discovered only 40 years ago by farmers digging a well. It is believed that thousands of warriors remain buried at the site. In the late afternoon, we fly back to Shanghai, and stay overnight at the Renaissance Putuo Hotel. Meals: B/L Day 12 Friday April 17 Shanghai Vancouver Kelowna This morning is leisure time in Shanghai. After some last minute shopping and strolling, we then pack and depart at 4:00 p.m. via Air Canada, flying non-stop to Vancouver. We reach Vancouver on the same day we depart, re-crossing the International Dateline, landing at 12:00 p.m. noon. After clearing customs, we return to Kelowna via motor coach. Meals: Breakfast; inflight meals. Costs of Xi an Extension & The Terracotta Warriors Fare is just $1,055 per person, double occupancy. Add $135 for single. Includes flights Shanghai/Xi an roundtrip; two nights accommodation [Xi an & Shanghai], all transfers from hotels to airports, transportation in Xi an, all tours in Xi an, motor coach Vancouver to Kelowna, and five meals. This is a remarkable opportunity to see what is truly the Eighth Wonder of the World you ll never be so close again! 6 P a g e

7 Shopping, Optional Tours & Dining Jade Factory BEIJING Jade articles produced in ancient China were used in sacrificial ceremonies, rituals and as adornments. With their solid and smooth quality, and lustrous colors, jade products have always been admired for their beauty and style. In ancient time, jade was only used for personal ornaments. After the middle and later Neolithic age, large jade articles replaced small ones. Large jade articles, usually symbolizing a certain prestige, began to reflect the ideas of a social class system and ancient religions. In the Book of Rites (one of the Five Classics constituting the core of the traditional Confucian canon), jade is described as mild, smooth and lustrous, like the virtue of a kind and decent man. It is cut with angles and corners, but will not hurt anyone, like the virtue of a righteous man. A jade ornament worn as a pendant is like a benign, modest man of good manners. When it is struck, it gives a clear, resonant and lingering sound which lasts till it comes to a sudden stop, just like the attitude of a man of virtue toward music. The beauty of a piece of jade co-exists with its flaws, which are not covered up, like the behaviour of a loyal and honest man. It is crystalline and transparent and shiny, like the quality of purity which springs from the bottom of a good man s heart. Thus, the art of jade carving and tradition is most representative of respect for Chinese culture. It is subtle in detail and deeply involved in craftsmanship and natural beauty, which shows a unique form of glorious Chinese civilization. The Pearl Market BEIJING As early as 4000 years ago, Chinese discovered the pearl when searching the ocean for food. Since then, countless items of pearl jewelry and artwork have been created by Chinese artisans. Pearls have become one of the important touchstones of Chinese culture. Pearl Market, Beijing - exterior Pearl Market, Beijing - interior The first written account of pearls dates four thousand years ago in China. People in China have been collecting, growing, and harvesting pearls for over two thousand years China has the oldest pearl production tradition anywhere in the world. China was also the first country to develop cultured pearls, around 1082 A.D. The huge country, with its diverse waterways, is home to many different environments for oysters, providing various kinds of freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls. 7 P a g e

8 DongLin Silk Factory SUZHOU The Jiangsu Provincial Department of Commerce silk factory is one of the largest tourist shopping centres in the country. The factory is a division of the Dongling Group, which has interests in manpower and natural resources. The centre has special attractions, including a silkworm farm, showing all the phases of silk production and harvesting. Processes are explained, and a special type of long life silk is demonstrated Lan Liyuan Embroidery Research Institute SUZHOU Lan Liyuan Embroidery Research Institute is a major embroidery research institute in China. Suzhou or "Su" embroidery is one of the oldest embroidery techniques in the world, with origins going back 2,000 years. Suzhou embroidery was one of the first needlework styles to be developed in China; happily, its detailed needlework and intricate images are still practiced today. The style is characterized by brightly colored silk, embroidered with wellproportioned and uncluttered representations of pastoral scenes, people, animals, and objects. Examples of Suzhou embroidery are so detailed and intricate that many people use the pieces as artwork. Shanghai Artistic Carpet Factory SHANGHAI Shanghai Artistic Carpet Factory was built in It has grown into a large government carpet weaving factory with six branches located throughout the suburbs of Shanghai. The factory has about 2000 employees and professional designers, making it one of the largest production and sales carpet factories in South China. Workers can design and produce carpets to customers specifications. The designers emphasize quality and style; high quality resulting in long wear, and have won national design awards year after year. Most of the carpets are exported to America and Europe. Mei Jiawu Tea Culture Village HANGZHOU Hangzhou s Mei Jiawu tea culture village is roughly 600 years old. It is located to the west of the famous West Lake scenic area, to the south of the Mei Lin tunnel and runs along both sides of Mei Lin road for ten miles. The village is nestled in a deep and secluded valley, entirely surrounded by verdant hills. With small streams running down through the valley and an abundance of wildlife, this fertile land is a true paradise on earth. The fragrant green tea aroma that fills the atmosphere is the famous West Lake Dragon Well green tea. 8 P a g e

9 Optional tours 1. Hutong Tour $31 per person Hutongs are a type of narrow street or alley, most commonly associated with Beijing. In Beijing, hutongs are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. Many neighbourhoods were formed by joining one siheyuan to another to form a hutong, and then joining one hutong to another. The word hutong is also used to refer to such neighbourhoods. Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings. More recently, some hutongs have been designated as protected areas in an attempt to preserve this aspect of Chinese cultural history. Hutongs are a traditional living area for Beijing residents, dating back 1,000 years. Hundreds of thousands of houses of traditional architecture style are densely flanked on both sides of narrow, zigzag streets where people have been living a traditional life for generations. Tourists will first get onto a traditional two-person rickshaw for a Hutong tour, riding through narrow streets, becoming part of a long-established way of life. Afterwards, tourists visit local families and exchange information about their lives, and help cook Chinese dumplings with the family. During lunch, tourists taste Chinese domestic dishes as well as the dumplings they helped make. The tour lasts about two hours. 2. Peking Opera $28 per person Peking Opera is the pinnacle of China's traditional culture and art and was born in Beijing about 300 years ago. The Opera on this optional tour lasts about 90 minutes, encompassing several different plays. Some feature fighting; some, traditional singing and dancing. The show is beautiful, and noted for its colourful costumes, impressive facial designs and staging style of true Oriental culture. 3. The Legend of Kung Fu $28 per person The Legend of Kung Fu is a production which combines the elements of kung fu, story-telling, acrobatics, modern dance, and original music, brought together to celebrate the philosophy and skill of martial arts. The show tells the story of a young boy, Chun Yi (the pure one), who pursues spiritual and physical harmony while apprenticed as a monk to learn kung fu. Along the way he overcomes obstacles, is distracted and tempted, but ultimately achieves the designation of master who will enlighten the younger generations. The Legend of Kung Fu toured North America in winning outstanding audience admiration. 9 P a g e

10 4.Grand Canal Boat Ride in Suzhou $24 per person The Canal Cruise lasts over an hour, and is reviewed by travelers as a fascinating experience. Part of the cruise is on the ancient Grand Canal, dug over 1,300 years ago. With a total length of 1,100 miles, it is the longest manmade canal in the world, outstripping the Suez and the Panama. Part of the cruise is on the smaller side canals in the older part of the city. This is one of the most interesting sections of the cruise. You will see country views with old arched bridges, and old houses alongside the canal, while getting a firsthand view of what canal life is like. Halfway through the cruise, you make a stop in the old part of the city to go exploring in the local market. This delightful experience has the charm of the Venice of the East. 5.ERA SHOW $31 per person With an investment of nearly $10 million US, this is the first show of its kind in China. ERA is a multimedia odyssey whose inspiration is a direct result of the combination of traditional Chinese acrobatic arts and modern technology. ERA evolves out of a collision between the past and future. ERA is a love story, a contemplation, a fascination with that other dimension man has yet to conquer: time. Not only will the audience be amazed by the acrobats' control and precision, they will be enchanted by the world that is created through multimedia, technology, lighting and sound effects, elaborate costumes and original live music. The 90 minute show tells a fascinating story of a journey of past, present and future. 6.The Shanghai Maglev Train $25 one way; $37 round-trip: per person The Shanghai Maglev Train is a magnetic levitation train (maglev) line in Shanghai. It is the first commercial high-speed maglev line in the world on a test run in 2003, a Maglev vehicle achieved a Chinese speed record of 501 km/h (311 mph) (non-commercial top speed). The journey was designed to connect Shanghai Pudong International Airport quickly to Shanghai where passengers could change for their final destinations in the city centre. Construction of the line began in 2001 with service in The train s commercial speed is 431 km/h (268 mph), the world's fastest in regular service, faster than the TGV in France or any production automobile. 10 P a g e

11 Three Meals a Day... All hotels offer a sumptuous breakfast buffet, featuring western and Asian specialties, fresh fruit, and all your morning favourites. Lunch and dinner feature Asian cuisine in a wide range of restaurants in the major districts, and sometimes while enroute to your next destination. All hotels provide bar service, and most restaurants offer beer and wine for an additional charge to accompany your meals. Your taste buds will be entertained and ignited by a range of new and exotic flavours and visual displays. Part of Breakfast Buffet, Wanda Realm Hotel 11 P a g e

12 Travel to four cities with us, plus an option of a fifth (Xi an) The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce introduced its Travel and Learn Program in The program is aimed at Chamber members and non-members in the Okanagan community. In partnership with its member travel agencies & tour operators, and our member educational institutions, the Chamber is able to provide an enriched travel and educational experience. Great pricing, top-value tours the world really has no limits for our programs. And with a world-class university and one of the province s great business and trades colleges on our doorstep, there is a huge resource of experience, plus well-traveled and enthusiastic instructors keen to share their insights with our travelers both before they travel, and in some cases, on return. In October 2014 the Chamber traveled to Italy, including northern Tuscany and Rome. Members and non-members attended a fabulous pre-trip lecture session at Okanagan Villa Estates to hear about the classical & contemporary art of Italy, and the rural sustainability movement in Italy. This trip to China will prove educational, enlightening, and fun. It s a wonderful way to expand your own travel world, while traveling with a group of Okanagan residents who have an interest in the world s most populous country. Lectures will be announced over the winter of prior to the trip s departure in April. Let us know if you d like to attend. cmiller@kelownachamber.org Cross the international dateline twice! Program Partners: 12 P a g e

13 Discover China April 6-15, 2015 Trip #2 Testimonials from Travelers In 2013, our Chamber took 180 travelers to China. Here s what they & Chamber travelers in other cities said.... Hotels, Meals, Overall The hotels were excellent! Top-notch; incredible staff! Wow! Excellent very authentic. Great organization; everybody happy; great trip. Excellent adventure! Thank you! Life-changing trip Amazing trip of a lifetime Luxury, stress-free, wow! Lingyin Temple, Suzhou Discover China Great experiences & adventure. Loved every minute of it! Had a great time where is the next Chamber trip? Looking forward to another trip with the Chamber! Our trip to China in April was a resounding success. The feedback from travelers was consistent that it exceeded everyone s expectations. Nowhere could you find such value, to experience China, four amazing cities, full of outstanding tours, history, culture, beauty and activity, staying in luxurious accommodations and travelling in comfort with the best tour guides one could imagine. For anyone with an interest in China - a tremendous way to experience the country from various perspectives at an extremely reasonable cost. Everywhere you look there is a fascinating blend of the old and the new, the yin and the yang! I should also mention the networking value of traveling with a group of 60 people, many of whom I hadn t met before. Our trip to China was absolutely amazing! The hotels were the best we ve ever seen. Our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and shared life stories with us. It was incredible that we could see so much in only nine days. The experience and the new friends we met made this one of our favourite vacations. The tours offered a wide range of topics, providing something for everyone. The trip is very well-organized; the guides have excellent English and an amazing depth of knowledge of the history. The accommodations were first-class, the food was great... you won t go hungry. Amazing sightseeing all so old! The temples, palaces, tombs: all done on a very grand scale. The modern Shanghai skyline is such a contrast to the Hutong tour in the old city of Beijing. An incredible experience. The tour guides, hotels (especially), drivers, and sights are fantastic, and all have had excellent reviews. We could not have been more pleased. Our trip to China was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. China is a huge country, full of history and culture and our guides helped us experience it at its best. Thank you. I took my 12 year-old granddaughter and it was the best educational experience she ll have all year. This was a very safe experience and one that we will always treasure. 13 P a g e

14 About our Travel & Learn Partner Vision Wells Gray Tours is a well-established reputable tour company with 40 years in business and five locations to personally serve our clients. Our staff is dedicated to presenting travel experiences that are unique, stress-free, fascinating and active in an affordable, reliable and flexible manner. We want you to explore, experience and enjoy the world worry-free and on your own terms. Points of Difference We want to make travel easy. We offer the convenience of local departures, personalized service and fully inclusive travel and tour packages. We want to make travel affordable. Our travel product differentiates itself by being of superior quality for a reasonable price. We work hard to maintain excellent relationships with travel suppliers in order to secure valuable group discounts. We want to make travel life enriching. Group travel and guided tours offer unique opportunities to go behind the scenes, to experience people and places that individual travelers do not, and to learn from specialists about a destination, a skill or an art form. Our travel planners search and find those valuable opportunities. Message from the President and Owner When I started Wells Gray Tours in 1972, little did I know that it would grow to what it is today. I spent my teenage years exploring Wells Gray Park, a large wilderness area north of Kamloops. To help pay for my university education, I devoted my summers to arranging bus tours of the Park. After graduation, I expanded this service into a year-round business which I called Wells Gray Tours because the park was still our main destination. Since then, the company has grown to become one of British Columbia's largest tour operators. Tours depart year round and, though we still offer tours to Wells Gray Park, we also take our clients around the world. British Columbia, North America and international destinations are featured, with exciting itineraries that range from one to 30 days. Each tour is escorted by a knowledgeable, friendly and experienced tour director and always includes an excellent variety of accommodations, attractions and meals. We travel by motor coach, cruise ship, air and train; and sometimes, on a Mystery Tour, customers don't even know where they are going. Tours are geared toward offering a pleasing mix of free and scheduled time you can relax and we'll make sure you don't miss out on the sights worth seeing. I am proud of our office staff and tour directors, many of whom have been with the company for 15 to 30 years. Whether you choose a short or long tour, local or international, I can assure you that our dedicated staff will professionally and happily handle your travelling desires. We look forward to welcoming you on board this exciting Wells Gray tour conducted in partnership with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Roland Neave, President & CEO; Founder 14 P a g e

15 Discover China April 6-15, 2015 Trip #2 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs Tiger Hill, Suzhou Who can travel on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce trip? What is the registration deadline? January 5, 2015 What is the cost? The total cost is $2,775, which includes all airfare, hotels, ground transportation, meals, gratuities in China and fees. A $300 deposit must be paid at time of registration. The balance is owing by January 5, Non-Chamber members pay $125 more per person. There are additional fees for single travelers, and the Xi an Extension to see the Terracotta Warriors. What if I cancel? You will need to cancel in writing, to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, prior to February 5, 2015, after which there is no refund. $50 Cancellation fee up to Nov 7; Nov 8-Jan 5, $300 fee; Jan 6-Feb 5, 50% fee; no refund after Feb.5. What travel documents do I need? You need to complete the Registration Form with your $300 deposit. You will need a valid passport and China Visa. About one to two months prior to the end of your trip (April 14, 2015) you need to complete the China Visa Application and send it to the China Consulate, Visa Service 200A-1595 West Broadway,Vancouver, BC, Canada V6J 1W6 Monday to Friday, 9:00-13:00 (except weekends/holidays) Tel: (604) You should make an appointment if you plan to go in person with your passport. You may apply online. All necessary information is included on the China Visa Application form. The visa is good only for 90 days past the date of issue. Alternatively you can use a Visa service such as CIBT: or Do I have to send my passport to get a China visa? Is it safe to send a passport? Yes. You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The China visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa requests cannot be processed without your original passport. It is strongly suggested that you send your application in a secure way, using a traceable courier such as FedEx or Registered Mail or Express Post. You will be asked to provide the same type of traceable service for the return of the passport, so be prepared to purchase this extra envelope for return of documents. It takes about a week, but allow at least two weeks. You will be required to send one passport quality photo per traveler. May I register in a separate room? Registration is based on double occupancy. However, if you require a separate room, you may upgrade for an additional $540. Members and non-members are welcome, as are young people and retired travelers. We will try to match up single travelers to save them the $540 single supplement. Travelers may sometimes book 3 to a room; check with WGT if you have this request. What does the trip to China include? Your package includes round trip international airfare from Vancouver, coach Kelowna-Vancouveer- 15 P a g e

16 return, in-country flights, Vancouver hotel outbound, all China hotel accommodations, deluxe coach transportation in China, a knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide in each city, three full meals every day, fees for all tour attractions and all gratuities. Optional tours and the Xi an extension must be purchased separately. Do I need travel insurance? Optional comprehensive Travel Insurance can be purchased through our local travel partner, Wells Gray Tours for $259 double; $310 single. Additional packages are available from WGT Some travelers may already have coverage through credit card packages, home insurance riders, BCAA packages or other insurance vehicles. Ask WGT to be sure: (Kelowna). Do I need vaccinations? While immunizations are not required for entry into China at this time, you may wish to check with your health care provider or a travel health clinic to go over your vaccination needs and travel health advice. You can also check the Canadian government website at Will my cell phone and/or tablet work in China? Your communication devices might work in China but check with your provider. Your provider can also give you the service package options available to you to add onto your cell phone. Your GPS may be disabled depending on where you travel, including on your camera. You may want to purchase an international calling card as well. For more information on travel requirements to China please visit The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: WiFi Most hotels have WiFi, and many travelers take their tablets, such as ipads. This is optional. How much luggage can I bring? You are allowed one carry-on and one checked bag. The checked bag should not weigh more than 50 lbs. Valuables, breakable items, travel documents and medications should be in your carry-on luggage. How much money should I bring and can I use credit cards and ATMs? Bringing $400 to $500 CDN in cash is appropriate if you like to shop - small and fairly new Cdn bills ($5, $10, $20). Small bills come in handy because street vendors do not typically give you change. Currency exchange is available at all hotels, banks and airports, but these places exchange only a small amount ($75-$100) into the Chinese Yuan. You may also purchase Chinese Yuan before you depart but you may have to pre-order at your bank or financial institution. ATMs will dispense yuan. Factory stores typically take credit cards. Optional tours are paid for in Canadian cash. What will the weather be like? The temperature will range from 5C to 15C. What type of clothing should I pack for my trip? Most days you will be wearing comfortable sight-seeing clothes. Dress in layers as you will not be returning to the hotel during the day. You will be required to walk a fair amount, so bring comfortable shoes. What voltage is used in China? China uses 220V. You will need a voltage adapter and converter. You can purchase these ahead of time at electronics stores or luggage stores or you may rent from the hotel. What personal items should I bring? The air quality can be poor in some locations, so if you have any breathing issues, bring all medications you will need. Bring hand sanitizer and hand wipes. Bring all the contact lens supplies you will need for the whole trip. Bring over the counter medications you prefer, such as Tums or Advil, allergy or anti-diarrhea medications as they are hard to find in China. What airline are we flying on? We are flying on Air Canada internationally. In-country Airline information will be finalized before departure. A reliable carrier will be chosen based on availability at the time of booking. 16 P a g e

17 Can I get Aeroplan miles? Yes, on your international flights. Just advise Wells Gray Tours when you book of your details. How long is the flight and what will happen during the flight? The flight is roughly 10 hours outbound, and 11 hours returning, depending on the winds. Flight attendants will also distribute yellow arrival certification cards that should be filled out during the flight and presented at immigration before going to the baggage claim to get your luggage. You will cross the International Dateline, and be met by your local tour guide and transported to your hotel. What is the typical daily schedule? The program is fast-paced and includes walking and travelling, typically: 6:00 a.m. wake up; 7:00 a.m. breakfast; 8:00 a.m. bus departure; return to hotel by 8:00 p.m. after dinner. Different schedules on different days. What will the coach travel be like? You will be assigned to one bus, but will change seats daily, to give everyone a chance to see the views from a different perspective. Your Tour Director will manage this aspect of your trip. Will language be a problem? Your tour guides speak excellent English. Your Kelowna Tour Director will be with you all the way to China and home. English is also spoken at the hotels. Others will probably speak limited English but often will want to engage you in conversation in order to practice. What about tipping? You may tip your Wells Gray Travel Tour Director, discreetly, at the end of the trip if you wish. All in-country gratuities are included in your tour cost. Will I have the opportunity to travel outside of the tour group? No. You may not leave the tour to travel or sightsee on your own except during designated free time during portions of certain days. You will be advised when those times are scheduled. What can I expect as far as hotels? All hotels are 4- to 5-star and have Western-style facilities including Internet service, western-style food and bar service. The hotels have adapters, but it is recommended that you bring your own adapter. Four- and five-star hotels in Asia are luxurious. More information is in the Itinerary. What are the exact hotels that we will be staying at? The hotels are listed on the itinerary. You will be delighted at the luxury and high quality in Asia. What type of food will I be served and what happens if I have food allergies or special dietary needs? Breakfast will be a Western and Asian-style buffet at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are family-style at local Chinese restaurants. Rice is served at every meal. Fresh fruit is typically the only dessert. As for beverages, soft drinks and beer are served. There are many vegetables in Chinese meals. Can I drink the tap water in China? No. It is recommended that travelers not drink Chinese tap water or use ice. Bottled water is available at your hotel or can be purchased on the bus or from local vendors. Travelers may drink hot tea, and bottled water may be purchased for about $1 for two bottles. What are the bathrooms like in China? Western-style bathrooms are provided at each hotel but if you need to use a restroom outside your hotel, most are a hole in the floor, without toilet paper provided. Make sure to take tissues with you. Baby wipes also come in handy. Are there any foods that I should avoid in China? Use your good judgement, especially if buying from street vendors. How is the shopping in China? We will be visiting a range of stores and factories, but don't feel obligated to buy. Some stores are able to ship purchases home for you. It is culturally expected that shoppers will negotiate prices with vendors and that the actual purchase price of most items will be several times below the original 17 P a g e

18 asking price. Most vendors accept US and Cdn dollars. For cash transactions, please be aware that most vendors do not make change and it is always best to carry small bills whenever shopping in China. Many larger factories do take credit cards, but be prepared with cash. Tour Notes, Policies, Terms & Conditions ACCOMMODATIONS The hotels named in the tour descriptions are confirmed at the time the material is published and posted on the Chamber website. It is very unusual for changes to occur, but clients will be notified of changes prior to departure and/or whenever possible. Hotel Lists: Your ticket package will contain a hotel list, which gives the hotel name, address and phone number. You can leave this list with family/friends so you can be contacted while on your tour. Special rooming requests: If you have special requests, please make this request at the time you book your tour. We make every effort to satisfy your request but it cannot be guaranteed in advance. Special requests cannot be accepted within 2 weeks of departure. Many hotels are non-smoking or have limited smoking rooms. Class of Room: Our choice of accommodation for the Discover China trip is in the deluxe to first class range. ROOM PARTNERS The WGT reservation system tracks partner requests, and you can add your name to our partner request list or we can provide you with the name and phone number of a possible partner. Together you can decide if you are compatible and would like to book together at the double rate. SINGLES Some hotels limit the number of single rooms assigned to each group, so people travelling alone should make reservations early. Singles are requested to sit with other singles on the coach. DEPARTURE TIMES We suggest that you arrive at your Kelowna departure point no later than 15 minutes prior to the time shown on your ticket. The first day of a tour usually has many stops for client pick up. 5 minutes in China before tour departure is sufficient. SEAT ROTATION This is mandatory on all tours, and your tour director will describe the pattern and the frequency of the moves. For fairness to other clients, exceptions will not be made. SMOKING POLICY All motor coaches are non-smoking, but rest stops are frequent. Please be considerate of those clients who may have allergies to smoke. DIETARY NEEDS On tours with included meals, please advise us of your special needs at time of booking so that we can notify our suppliers. We can advise scheduled times for meals about one month before departure. ITINERARY NOTES There are optional tours with individual optional tour costs listed on the itinerary. You will receive more information from your Tour Director, and can sign up and pay on the day of the Optional Tours in Canadian funds. Plan to take enough cash with you, or visit an ATM in-country. SPECIAL NEEDS If you require ongoing assistance in any way, you must be accompanied by a travelling companion who will be fully responsible for your needs while on tour. Your tour director cannot provide ongoing assistance. 18 P a g e

19 TRAVEL INSURANCE Insurance is not included in tour fares, but it is available for purchase. Wells Gray Tours (WGT) strongly recommend purchasing insurance to protect the non-refundable portion of your fare and to provide coverage for unexpected events. The policy must be purchased at time of final tour payment. $259 double; $310 single. May be purchased directly from WGT; additional insurance available. LUGGAGE The limit per person is one large suitcase and a small carry-on bag. Luggage tags will be included in your ticket package. The Wells Gray tag is essential for the efficient handling of bags at hotels. Please attach the completed tag to your suitcase before arriving at your departure point. Airlines restrict luggage weight and may have charges for extra bags. GRATUITIES Gratuities in China are included and are mandatory for groups in China. Gratuities to the Wells Gray tour director and motor coach driver to Vancouver are at your discretion. The following are guidelines: Tour director and coach driver: $3-5 per person per day to each tour director and driver. DEPOSITS A deposit of $300 per person is due at the time of Registration/Booking. The balance is due to Wells Gray Tours by January 5, CANCELLATIONS $50 until November 7; Nov 8-Jan 5, $300; January 6 to February 5, 2015, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour fare. After February 5, there is no refund. Changes to air fares, currency exchange and surcharges from tour suppliers can occur at any time and are beyond the control of Wells Gray Tours and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up until the time of the departure. INSURANCE In addition to Plan 3-Comprehensive, plans are available for Trip Cancellation & Interruption only and Extended Medical Coverage only. Policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. CONSUMER PROTECTION In British Columbia, Consumer Protection BC requires that any business or organization that collects advance deposits from people for future travel must be registered with the government and must hold those deposits in trust. Wells Gray Tours Ltd. is a member in good standing of the National Tour Association, with $1 million in professional liability, errors and omission insurance. CPBC Licenses: Kelowna 588; Kamloops 178; Vernon 655; Penticton 924; Victoria RESPONSIBILITY Neither Wells Gray Tours Ltd., nor the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, nor any of its agents or representatives shall be held liable or responsible directly or indirectly for any delay, injury, loss or damage to any person or property, occasioned by the neglect or default of any person or company providing transportation, accommodation or any other services in connection with this tour, or damages resulting directly or indirectly from act of God, sickness, strike, quarantine, weather, government restraints, machinery breakdown, or any other cause beyond our control. Wells Gray Tours Ltd. acts as an agent for its suppliers, including but not limited to companies providing transportation, accommodation, and other services rendered. The right is reserved to withdraw all or part of any tour should conditions warrant and make such alterations in the itinerary as may be found necessary for the convenience and proper operation of any tour, without penalty. PRIVACY Information collected by Wells Gray Tours for purposes of the tour or marketing or to assist attending personnel in the event of an emergency is confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties. 19 P a g e

20 Discover China April 6 April 15, 2015 Trip #2 Registration Form REGISTRATION FORM Name Address City Province Postal Code Phone Be sure your first, middle & last name appear EXACTLY as they do on your passport. Print clearly. Passport expiry date must be valid six months after your return date of April 14, 2015 (April 16 Xi an extension). I have a visa for China I have a valid passport Yes No Renewing/Applying Yes No Aeroplan No: Passport Number Country of Issue PAYMENT All-Inclusive trip Cost (based on double occupancy): $2,775 Non-Chamber Members: add $125 Single travelers: add $540 All-Inclusive trip 3-day extension to Terracotta Warriors: $1,055; Single travelers: add $135 Full Payment deadline: January 5, $300 deposit required with Registration Method of Payment: Expiration Date Birthdate Please print out month to avoid confusion VISA MasterCard Cheque Debit Other Card Number Expiry Date Security Code Signature Name on Card Cancellations must be made in writing and received by The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce or Wells Gray Tours before February 5, See Terms & Conditions. No monies will be refunded after this date. Travelers are responsible for any travel insurance. All payments will be processed by our travel provider, Wells Gray Tours. Please make any cheques payable to Wells Gray Tours. To reserve your space (space is limited) please return this completed form to Caroline Miller at cmiller@kelownachamber.org; or fax to ; or mail to 544 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6C9. for more information Price includes: Round-trip international airfare via Air Canada from Vancouver plus coach to/from Kelowna-Vancouver Overnight Fairmont YVR Airport Hotel preflight Accommodation in four- and five-star hotels Three meals per day All in-country transportation Experienced in-country Tour Guides Kelowna Tour Director throughout tour All gratuities in China Aeroplan Miles on international flights 20 P a g e