Booking a private China tour with us is refreshingly simple. As a Zhangjiajie-based operator with our own 80-person local team of guides, photographers and trip designers, we handle the planning so you can focus on the experience. Here is exactly how it works, from your first message to your last day on the road.
The five-step booking process
1. Tell us what you want
Start by sending an enquiry through our plan my trip form or by messaging us on WhatsApp at +86 189 7441 2915. There is no obligation and no pressure. Share the basics: rough dates, how many people are travelling, which cities or experiences interest you (the Avatar mountains, Tianmen Mountain, a Hanfu or Miao photo shoot, Fenghuang, or a multi-city China route), and any must-haves. The more you tell us, the sharper your first draft will be.
2. Receive a custom PDF itinerary within 2 hours
One of our trip designers builds you a tailor-made day-by-day plan and sends it as a PDF, typically within 2 hours during working hours. This is not a copy-paste template. It reflects your travel style and includes a clear value breakdown so you can see exactly what is included: private English-speaking guide, private driver and vehicle, hotels, all park tickets, and airport and hotel transfers. Every tour we run is 100% private and tailor-made, never a group tour with strangers.
3. Refine it together
Your first itinerary is a starting point, not a take-it-or-leave-it offer. We will adjust the pace, swap hotels, add or remove activities, build in a photography or cultural experience, and fine-tune the budget until it feels right. There are no forced shopping stops and no hidden commissions, so the plan you approve is the plan you travel. Want to compare options first? Our packages and prices page gives you a sense of typical ranges.
4. Confirm with a deposit
Once you are happy, a deposit secures your dates, guide and vehicle. We accept PayPal, major credit and debit cards via Stripe, and Wise transfers, so you can pay in your own currency from the US, UK, Australia, Singapore or Malaysia. You will receive a written confirmation and a finalised itinerary. We are licensed with the Chinese tourism authority, so you are booking with a registered, accountable operator.
5. Travel with full support
From the moment you land, your private guide and driver take care of the logistics. We meet you at the airport or station, handle transfers, tickets and timing, and stay reachable around the clock with 24/7 emergency support throughout your trip. If plans shift on the ground, your guide adapts on the spot.
Cancellation policy
We keep our terms clear and fair:
- 14 or more days before departure: full refund.
- 7 to 13 days before departure: 50% refund.
- Within 7 days of departure: no refund, except in cases of force majeure (such as natural disasters or major travel disruption).
We will always explain how this applies to your specific booking before you pay a deposit, so there are no surprises.
How far ahead should you book?
For most trips, we recommend enquiring 2 to 4 weeks before you travel. This gives us comfortable time to secure your preferred hotels and lock in a guide and vehicle for your exact dates. During peak periods, allow 4 to 6 weeks: think the autumn colour season, Chinese public holidays, and the busy summer months, when the best hotels in Zhangjiajie fill quickly. If your dates are tight, message us anyway. We often arrange last-minute private trips, and we will tell you honestly what is still available.
A note on visas
Entry requirements have eased significantly. Through the end of 2026, ordinary passport holders from the UK, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism. US travellers still need a tourist (L) visa, though the long-validity multiple-entry option and visa-free transit make things easier than many expect. We are not a visa agency, but we are happy to point you in the right direction; see our China visa guide for 2026 for current details, and always confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Ready to start?
Booking a private, photographer-friendly China adventure takes one message. Send your dates and ideas through our contact page or plan my trip form, or reach us directly on WhatsApp at +86 189 7441 2915 or by email at info@chinafantasytravel.com. You will have a custom PDF itinerary in your inbox within 2 hours, and a real local team ready to bring your trip to life.