Day 1: Arrival in Shenzhen
Meals Included: No meal
Hotel: Shenzhen Muslim hotel or similar class
Arrive at Shenzhen airport, transfer to Shenzhen Muslim hotel, free at leisure after check in hotel ( you can enjoy the halal food in the Muslim hotel and pray at the hotel mosque)
Day 2: Shenzhen
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at local Halal restaurants
Hotel: Shenzhen Muslim hotel or similar class
Hotel breakfast, visit the Shenzhen civic hall & citizen center, the new Shenzhen museum (closed on Monday), the Lotus Hill and Mr DENG XIAO PING's statue & the SZX Special Economic Zone's 30th anniversary Park , visit the mineral museum, the herbal burning cream center & the bamboo charcoal daily supplies market, Enjoy your Shopping at DONGMEN street (Tour will dismiss at Dongmen night market Area after the Shenzhen city tour)
Optional tours as below:
Option A: visit the splendid China & China Folk culture Village with shows
Option B: visit the Window of the World
Day 3: Shenzhen
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel: Shenzhen Muslim hotel or similar class
After hotel breakfast, free at leisure, you can join our optional tours as below:
Option C: Hongkong shopping tour
Picked up from hotel and transfer Hong Kong by train (included train ticket)
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Halal lunch at local Muslim restaurant
The Islamic Center
The Jewelry Shop
The Ginseng Shop
The Lady street
Transfer back to Shenzhen by train and then back to hotel
Option D: Guangzhou shopping tour
Depart for Guangzhou
Visit and pray at Saad Abi Waqas Tomb and Xianxian mosque.
Visit the Yuexiu Park & Five Ram Statue (symbol of Guangzhou)
Halal lunch at local Muslim restaurant
Burning cream herbal medicine center
Jade handicraft shop
White Horse Clothing Market (the White Horse Clothing Market mainly caters for middle-grade and lower grade clothing. The main source of customers is composed of wholesale and retailers from domestic big and medium city.)
Enjoy shopping at Shang Xia Jiu road pedestrian shopping area
Transfer to Shenzhen
Day 4: Departure from Shenzhen
Meals Included: Breakfast at hotel
Hotel breakfast, free at leisure, depart for Shenzhen airport.
Reservation
For reservation, simply send an email to info@islamiChina.com. Please inform us: the tour code; the number of travelers; the date of arrival in China; your international flight number. For details of payment, please read our Terms & Conditions.
Tour Prices
Prices are based on per person with double/triple occupancy from Aug 01, 2016 to Mar 31, 2017
2-9 Adult Travelers: twin/triple sharing price is USD75pp, single occupancy price is USD115pp
Over 10 Adult Travelers: twin/triple sharing price is USD50pp, single occupancy price is USD95pp
Child (age 2-12) with bed: 100% adult price
Child (age 2-12) without bed: 70% adult price
Departures: Every Day in Shenzhen
Remarks
The above prices are not valid during following period:
Medical Fair from Oct 26 to Nov 01, 2016
China Hi-Tech Fair from Nov 14 to 21, 2016
Christmas from Dec from 23 to 28, 2016
Chinese New Year Festival from Jan 27 to Feb 03, 2017
Surcharge of USD50pp/night will be added if staying at Shenzhen Muslim Hotel during Medical Fair and China High-Tech Fair
Surcharge of USD10pp/night will be added if staying at Shenzhen Muslim Hotel during Christmas and Chinese New Year Festival
Prices will remain unchanged if staying at hotel far from downton Shenzhen during Medical Fair, China High-tech Fair, Christmas and Chinese New Year
Further Notifications
Cost for extra airport transfer in Shenzhen is USD70/way, without tour guide.
The rates are only valid for Shenzhen arrival as the very first destination from abroad.
Payment with tips is required to be done 12 days prior to the arrival date.
The welcome board is “Cuti-Cuti Muslim Shenzhen ”.
Minimum of 2 travelers are required at the time of booking
Optional Tour Prices
Option A: Splendid China & China Folk Culture Village with cultural shows, surcharge USD60/PAX NO FOC
Option B: Window of the World, surcharge USD60/PAX NO FOC
Option C: Hongkong day tour cost USD90/PAX NO FOC
Option D: Guangzhou day tour cost USD60/PAX NO FOC
Tour Inclusions
Hotel accommodations with daily buffet breakfast at hotel
Meals as specified (B for breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner at local Halal restaurants)
Air-conditioned coach for land transportation
Experienced English language speaking tour guide
All admission tickets to sightseeing places
All government taxes
Tour Exclusions
Optional tour & Insurance
International flights (AirAsia airfare to Shenzhen & departing from Shenzhen)
Gratuities to service staffs (USD3pp/day to guide & driver)
Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc
Reservation
For reservation, simply send an email to info@islamiChina.com. Please inform us: the tour code; the number of travelers; the date of arrival in China; your international flight number. For details of payment, please read our Terms & Conditions.
Performing Salat at Guangzhou Huaisheng Mosque
Guangzhou Huaisheng Mosque is the oldest mosque in China and one of the oldest mosques in the world. Huaisheng Mosque is also named Guangta Mosque. It is said to be built by one of the Prophet Mohammad's companions, Sa'd ibn Waqqas who met the Chinese Emperor Gaozong in Chang'an (present day Xian) in 651. He got permission from the Tang Dynasty emperor to practice Islam in China and back to Guangzhou, he built the Huaisheng Mosque. The meaning of Huaisheng in Chinese can be understood as "devoted to the Prophet", or else "devoted to the sage (Sa’d ibn Waqqas)". However, the name may have originally been a direct translation of the Arabic word for "Companions of the Prophet" (huai "to cherish" for the Arabic "sahabah").
Performing Salat at Hong Kong Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Center
The Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Center is located in Tsim Sha Tsui where there is a big population of Pakistanis, south Asians and Africans. It is Hong Kong's biggest Islamic Mosque, and it has a history dating back to the 1800s. The building was designed by architect I.M. Kadri. It can accommodate about 3,000 people at one time. The pavement and the facade are made of white marble that makes the temple look ethereal. The minarets are 11 meters tall and mark the corners of the building. In the building, there are prayer halls, a community hall, a medical clinic and a library. The main prayer hall can accommodate 1,000 people. The smaller women's prayer hall is on the second floor surrounded by a pink terrace. On top is a dome 5 meters in diameter and 9 meters in height.
Fine Dining at Local Restaurants with Halal Certificate
Breakfast will be both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast at hotel. Lunch & dinner will be at local Chinese Halal restaurants near sightseeing places. Please be assured that all lunch and dinner arranged by ICT will be at Halal restaurants. We don't arrange pork free meals. If you have special request for Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian or other cuisines, please advise us in advance and we will arrange accordingly. Please note that Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian restaurants are always more expensive than Chinese Halal meals. Halal restaurants arranged by ICT must have Halal certificate issued by related government offices.
Safe Transportations
ICT will provide private air-conditioned vehicle during tours with service of experienced drivers. For 2 travelers, we will arrange a private FAW Besturn B70 car; for 3-5 travelers we will arrange a private Refine MPV; for 6-9 travelers we will arrange Joylong 15 seater mini bus; for 10-15 travelers we will arrange Kinglong 21 seater bus or Toyota Coaster Bus; for 16-25 travelers we will arrange Kinglong 33 seater bus; for 26-35 travelers we will arrange Kinglong 45 seater bus.
Reservation
For reservation, simply send an email to info@islamiChina.com. Please inform us: the tour code; the series you choose (gold, silver or budget); the number of travelers; the date of arrival in China; your international flight number. For details of payment, please read our Terms & Conditions.
1: Do I need a visa to travel to China?
Yes, you do need a China Visa. Foreign visitors can obtain individual or group visas from Chinese embassies and consulates, usually within a day or two. For individual travelers, single-entry visas are valid for entry within three months. For business people and other regular visitors there are multiple-entry visas good for six months at a time. Each visa is valid for a stay of 30 or 60 days, and can be extended while in China. Visitors should be sure to carry their passports while in China as they are needed to check into hotels, make plane or train reservations, exchange money or establish the holder's identity.
If you need Visa Invitation Letter from us, please inform us at least one month ahead of your arrival date in China. Usually, it will take us about one week to process the Visa Invitation Letter. If you need hotel confirmation to get China Visa, please also advise us in advance.
2: How strenuous is this trip?
This trip is moderate. The trip includes full days of activities, which start early in the morning and end in the evening. You may discuss the starting time with GCT tour guide who will be happy to listen to your advice.
3. What about meals? Are they Halal?
Meals will be served as the itinerary specified. Breakfast will be both Western and Chinese buffet breakfast at hotel. Lunch & dinner will be at local Chinese Halal restaurants near sightseeing places. Please be assured that all lunch and dinner arranged by ICT will be at Halal restaurants. We don't arrange pork free meals. If you have special request for Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian or other cuisines, please advise us in advance and we will arrange accordingly. Please note that Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Turkish, Arabian restaurants are always more expensive than Chinese Halal meals. Halal restaurants arranged by ICT must have Halal certificate issued by related government offices. If you are eating at star rated hotels, food will be cooked with regular oils such as soil bean oil, peanut oil or canola oil. However, a lot of Chinese cooking at local restaurant is done in lard, so you have to be careful even when eating vegetarian meals if it is not in a Halal restaurant or a star rated hotel. Halal in Chinese language is Qing Zhen; Halal Restaurant is Qing Zhen Can Ting in Chinese; Halal Food in Chinese is Qing Zhen Shi Pin.
For guests with allergies, please bring all necessary medicines with you. Guests are highly encouraged to inform ICT ahead of time of specific allergies, such as to peanuts, fish, etc., so that our guides can ensure these items, including peanut oil, are not used in restaurant meals.
4. Where do we perform solat? Is it at Masjid?
There are a total of over 40,000 mosques in China, ICT will arrange your solat at local mosques where you can pray together with Chinese Muslim brothers and sisters. ICT is very proud that China offers many of the historical mosques in the world with unique Chinese characteristics, such as the Niujie Mosque in Beijing which was built in 996, the Great Mosque in Xian which was built in 842, the Huaisheng Mosque built by Waqqas, Prophet Mohammed's uncle, around 650's.
5. What types of vehicles are used? What are the roads like during our trips?
Throughout the whole trip, GCT provides a private vehicle that is safe, comfortable and spacious and driven by experienced local drivers. In Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, all roads are well-paved and of good quality.
For 2 passengers, we use a private sedan car; for 3 to 6 passengers, we use a private MPV such as Hyundai Refine; for 7 to 10 passengers, we use a private Toyota Hiace; for 11 to 17 passengers, we use 21 seated King Long Bus; for more than 18 passengers, we use buses with 33 seats, 45 seats and 51 seats respectively based on the group size.
6. I heard that a deposit is needed when check in at hotels in China, is this true?
Yes, it is true. When you check in hotels in China, you are required to pay a deposit at the front desk though GCT has paid hotel for your accommodations. Deposit can be cash or you may pay the deposit with your credit card. This deposit is for your personal expenses at the hotel, such as mini bar, international phone calls, laundry and etc. Of course, the deposit will be refunded when you check out.
7. What about baggage regulations?
Allowance for carry-on luggage and checked luggage will vary with the class of your airline ticket, the dimensions of the bag, and individual airline policies. Usually, for domestic China flights, you are allowed to check one piece of luggage. The limitation is 20 Kilograms (44 pounds) total. A fee may be imposed for excess weight. Passengers traveling together can have their luggage allowances calculated together on a per-person basis. There is no free luggage allowance for holders of infant tickets. Passengers may apply for insurance coverage above the minimum value for checked luggage. On domestic trains there are no luggage restrictions, but few porters are available to help with luggage.
8. What is the tipping practice in China?
It is a common practice for visitors to tip the tour guide and driver in recognition of their good service. Our local guides and drivers do their utmost to make your trip smooth and pleasant. Gratuities are a way of showing your appreciation and also constitute a large part of their monthly income. We suggest $5 USD per person per day to both local guide and driver (you may tip them before you leave each city). Hotel Bellboys and luggage person will expect your tip for the delivery of your luggage, it is suggested that CNY5 for each delivery. It is not customary to leave tips at hotels or local restaurants as the bill usually includes a 10-15% service charge.
9. Is tap water drinkable in China?
Tap water at most hotels are not drinkable. Drink only bottled or boiled water. Bottled water is available everywhere and it is quite affordable. Almost all hotels provide drinking water in their rooms. Hot tea and hot water are provided with most meals.
10. What about electricity in China?
Electricity supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles throughout China. Plugs at hotel are normally two-pin flat (5 amp). Adaptors can be obtained from hotel housekeeping for free.
11. Can I use credit cards in China?
At present the Bank of China accepts Master, American Express, Visa, JCB, and Diners Club cards. Travelers may use these cards to draw cash over the exchange counters in China's banks, make purchases or pay bills at large department stores, restaurants and hotels in more than 100 major cities in China. A surcharge of 2% is always charged for card transactions.
12. What about the Chinese Currency?
RMB (Renminbi) is the sole legitimate currency of the People's Republic of China. The basic unit of RMB is yuan, (pronounced in local dialect as kuai), which is divided into 10 jiao (pronounced as mao), which is again divided into 10 fen. RMB paper notes include 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 yuan, and the smaller 1, 2 and 5 mao. There are also 1, 2, 5 yuan, 1, 2, 5 mao and 1, 2, 5fen coins.
You may change money at most four and five star hotels and at Bank of China. The exchange rate all over China is the same fixed by Bank of China. You should keep the form you fill in when changing money, because you will need to show it when you change RMB back into foreign currency.
13. What about counterfeit money?
Counterfeit money may be found in China and you may likely get counterfeit money as exchange from street vendors when you do shopping out on the street. Therefore, don't give big note money to street vendors. It is very common that shop and restaurant staff will carefully check your note when you pay. You may get counterfeit money outside the Summer Palace, outside the Forbidden City and in the street market outside the Great Mosque in Xian.
14. Is China a safe place to travel?
China has a low crime rate, comparing with a lot of other countries. Foreigners have seldom been victims of violent crime. It is still wise to be cautious with your personal possession in public place. There are pickpockets active in crowded areas such as train stations, markets, shopping areas, etc. Do not show off your money in public. Use your safe in the hotel room and don't bring too much cash with you when you don't need it.
15. Can you give me some examples of tourist traps or scams when traveling in China?
Art Student or Students Practicing English
Be careful when you encounter a student in China who wants to practice English with you. Sometimes they are real students who want to improve their oral English. However, in most cases, they pretend to be a student who makes a living by taking you to art galleries, bars or coffee shop where you will likely be ripped off. Here is a short scam story: "When walking down the Wangfujing area, a girl, dressed in student suit, asked me if I wanted to go for a cup of coffee so that she could practice her English. Certainly, I had no excuse to refuse, and then she brought me into a café. The menu is incredibly expensive, a small beer for 100RMB. The bill finally was 1200RMB. That's extremely terrible." You may easily encounter a student on Downtown Beijing's Wangfujing Street, the Bell & Drum Tower Square in Xian and the Bund & Nanjing Road in Shanghai.
Tea House, Coffee Shop or Nightclub Scam
At many tourist areas, you may be approached by elegant female or gentleman who will give you a free Hutong tour or something else for free. He or she will tell you something interesting about their city, even the history and culture of the city. After a while chat, he or she will invite you to go for a rest at the nearby tea house, coffee shop or a Karaoke Bar. There is the scam, and you will be asked to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Picture-taking scam
Dressing up in traditional clothes for pictures at local tourist spots can be fun and memorable. It can also be expensive if you don’t clearly negotiate the price and know the price inclusions. Often they will tell you after you and a friend have posted that the price negotiated was per person. Or they will tell you the price is for only the smallest size print.