One of the most common questions we hear is a fair one: what am I actually paying for? At China Fantasy Travel, every private tour is fully tailor-made and fully transparent, so there are no surprises after you arrive. Here is exactly what a private China tour includes, what it does not, and why we never hide fees or commissions.
What is included in every private tour
When you book with us, the price you are quoted covers the core of your trip from the moment you land. Because we are a Zhangjiajie-based local operator with our own team of guides, drivers and trip designers, you deal with the people running your tour directly, not a chain of middlemen.
- A private English-speaking guide who is with your group only, never shared with strangers. Our guides are local, licensed with the Chinese tourism authority, and know the mountains, the queues and the best photo moments first-hand.
- A private driver and private vehicle dedicated to your party for the duration of the tour, sized to your group. You travel on your own schedule, not a coach timetable.
- All entrance tickets listed in your itinerary, including the major park admissions and the in-park shuttle buses they cover. Tickets such as the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park pass are valid for several consecutive days, which we build into your route so you are never paying twice.
- Airport and hotel transfers, so you are met on arrival and moved between your hotel, the parks and the train station or airport without arranging taxis yourself.
- Hotels at your chosen comfort level, from well-located comfortable hotels up to luxury and boutique stays, pre-booked and confirmed before you travel.
- A complimentary 2-hour Hanfu photo session worth $299 on our most popular Zhangjiajie packages, one of our signature traditional travel-photography experiences against the real Avatar mountains.
What is typically not included
To keep our quotes honest, we are equally clear about what sits outside a standard private tour. These items are excluded because their cost depends entirely on you, not because we are hiding them.
- International flights to and from China, and any major domestic flights unless your itinerary specifically states they are included.
- Your China visa or entry permit. Requirements differ by nationality and change often. UK and Australian passport holders currently enjoy 30-day visa-free entry through the end of 2026, while most US travellers on a return trip still need a Chinese tourist (L) visa — the 240-hour visa-free transit only applies if you are continuing onward to a third country rather than flying home. We will point you in the right direction, but the application is yours to make. See our China visa guide for 2026 for the latest rules.
- Personal spending such as meals not listed in the itinerary, souvenirs, drinks and optional activities.
- Tips for your guide and driver. Tipping is never mandatory in China, but for excellent service on a private tour it is customary and always appreciated. The amount is entirely your choice.
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend you arrange before departure.
Full transparency, no hidden fees
Our promise is simple: the price we quote is the price you pay. We are a 100% private, tailor-made operator with no group tours, no forced shopping stops and no hidden commissions. You will never be steered into a jade factory or silk showroom to pad someone’s margin. Every inclusion and exclusion is written into your itinerary in plain English before you commit, and you can see how the cost breaks down on our Zhangjiajie private tour cost page and full packages and prices.
Flexible payment and fair cancellation
You can pay securely by PayPal, Stripe or major cards, or by Wise. Our cancellation policy is straightforward too: a full refund 14 or more days before departure, a 50% refund 7 to 13 days before, and no refund within 7 days except in cases of force majeure. Backing all of this is 24/7 emergency support throughout your trip.
Ready to see your own all-inclusive quote?
Tell us your dates, group size and the comfort level you want, and we will send a clear, itemised private itinerary and quote within 2 hours, with every inclusion spelled out. Start by visiting our plan my trip page or contact us directly, or message us on WhatsApp at +86 189 7441 2915 or by email at info@chinafantasytravel.com. Browse our Zhangjiajie tours to see what is included on each route.