Terms & Conditions

1. About These Terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the China Expresses website and the booking of journeys we curate. By submitting an enquiry or booking form, you agree to these Terms. Please read them carefully.

China Expresses is a travel curator, not a railway operator. We design, price and manage your journey, partnering with China's licensed luxury train operators, hotels and ground-transport providers who deliver the underlying services. References to "we", "us" and "our" mean China Expresses. References to "you" mean the person making the enquiry or booking.

2. Enquiries and Proposals

Submitting an enquiry form or email does not create a binding contract. We will respond with a personalised journey proposal, including a detailed itinerary, suite category, inclusions and a reference price in USD. The proposal is an invitation to treat, not a confirmed booking.

Proposals are valid for 14 days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to availability and may change after this period.

3. Booking Confirmation

A booking is confirmed only when:

• You have accepted the proposal in writing (email is sufficient).
• We have confirmed suite availability with the relevant train operator.
• We have received your deposit as specified in the proposal (typically 25-30% of the total journey price).
• We have issued a written booking confirmation.

4. Pricing and Payment

• Currency: All prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise agreed.
• Reference rates: Prices shown on our website and in proposals are reference rates. The final confirmed price may vary based on suite availability, seasonal surcharges, permit fees and exchange-rate fluctuations. The confirmed price at the time of booking acceptance is binding.
• Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 25-30% of the total journey price is due at booking.
• Balance payment: The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure. For bookings made within 60 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
• Late payment: If the balance is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled and apply the cancellation terms below.
• Included in the price: Train suite accommodation, all meals and beverages (including premium drinks) on board, scheduled off-train excursions with English-speaking guides, airport and station transfers as specified in the itinerary, permits required for the journey, and domestic travel insurance within China (where applicable).
• Not included: International airfares, travel visas, personal travel insurance (mandatory), items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, spa services, premium Champagne beyond the complimentary selection), gratuities, and any optional excursions not specified in the confirmed itinerary.

5. Cancellation by You

If you need to cancel a confirmed booking, the following charges apply based on when we receive your written cancellation notice:

• More than 90 days before departure: Full refund less the non-refundable deposit.
• 60-90 days before departure: 50% of the total journey price is refundable.
• 30-59 days before departure: 25% of the total journey price is refundable.
• Fewer than 30 days before departure: No refund.

These terms exist because train operators, hotels and permit authorities impose their own cancellation penalties, many of which are non-recoverable. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation cover.

6. Changes by Us

We reserve the right to make minor changes to your itinerary without notice where these do not materially affect the journey (for example, substituting a restaurant or excursion of equivalent standard).

If a material change is necessary (for example, a significant route alteration or a change of train due to operational requirements), we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you the choice of:

• Accepting the amended itinerary at the original price (with a partial refund if the new itinerary is materially inferior).
• Transferring to an alternative journey of equivalent value at no extra cost.
• Cancelling with a full refund of all monies paid.

7. Travel Documents and Visas

It is your responsibility to ensure you hold a valid passport (with at least 6 months' validity beyond your return date) and any required visas for China. We provide guidance on visa requirements but do not process visa applications.

For journeys requiring a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), we will arrange the permit on your behalf provided you have supplied all necessary documentation at least 45 days before departure. We cannot guarantee permit issuance; the final decision rests with the relevant Chinese authorities. If a TTP is denied, we will refund all monies paid for the Tibet portion of your journey.

8. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all journeys. Your policy must cover:

• Medical expenses, including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
• Trip cancellation, curtailment and interruption.
• Personal liability.
• Loss or damage to baggage and personal effects.
• Cover for the altitudes you will travel at (particularly relevant for Tibet journeys, which reach elevations above 5,000 metres).

You must provide evidence of insurance before departure. If you travel without adequate insurance, you will be solely responsible for any costs incurred.

9. Health and Fitness

Some of our journeys involve travel at high altitude, long days and moderate physical activity (e.g., walking on uneven terrain, climbing steps at monasteries). By booking, you confirm that you and all members of your party are in sufficient health for the journey described.

You must inform us at the time of booking of any medical conditions, dietary restrictions or mobility requirements. We will do our best to accommodate these but cannot guarantee that every train or itinerary is suitable for every condition. We reserve the right to decline or cancel a booking if we reasonably believe the journey may pose a health risk.

10. Liability

China Expresses acts as a travel curator and booking agent. We accept responsibility for:

• The accuracy of information provided in our proposals and on our website.
• The professional delivery of our curation and journey-management services.
• Negligence on the part of our employees or agents.

We do not accept liability for:

• Acts or omissions of third-party suppliers (train operators, hotels, ground-transport providers) over whom we have no direct operational control, except where we have failed to exercise reasonable care in their selection.
• Events beyond our reasonable control ("force majeure"), including but not limited to: natural disasters, severe weather, war or threat of war, civil unrest, industrial action, epidemics or pandemics, government travel restrictions, closure of borders, or railway infrastructure failures.
• Personal injury, illness or death that occurs during a journey, except where caused directly by our negligence.

Our total liability in respect of any claim shall be limited to the total price paid by you for the journey concerned.

11. Complaints

If you have a complaint during your journey, please inform your journey director immediately so we can resolve it on the spot. If the matter cannot be resolved during the journey, please write to us at journeys@chinaexpresses.com within 28 days of your return. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and provide a substantive response within 28 days.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Hong Kong SAR, China. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong SAR.

13. Website Use

All content on this website — including text, images, route descriptions and pricing — is provided for general information and illustrative purposes. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, we do not warrant that the website is free of errors or omissions. Our Editorial Standards describe our commitment to accuracy and our correction process.