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![]() FAQ - "WHY US?"
Q - Why Us?
A - Independent travel in China has been described as "hassle & frustration". Hassle and frustration can make independent travel fun or result in a good story, but it should not be the dominating theme. Dragon Bus staff have travelled China "Independently" and we've experienced the delays and frustration & hassles. We know how this can mean missing some of the great remote Cities and sites that you thought you would explore.
Q - What do you offer?
A - A fun, safe and hassle free independent travel network. China has a huge train and bus network, which can be cheap to use (if you can get the ticket). However they don't allow you to stop and enjoy many of the sites & Cities as you pass through them. Try to do what we give you and it would likely take around four (4) times longer. Why? Delays, lines for tickets, language problems, transfers to and from train / bus stations. Have you heard of people walking around in circles trying to find that "most do" Lonely Planet restaurant. China changes daily, so even with the lastest edition of the Lonely Planet it is easily outdated!
Q - What's the difference between Dragon Bus & a package tour?
A - Dragon Bus has been designed for Independent travel and getting more from China than an inflexible package, full of "shopping" commission stops or you being served a variety of westernised Chinese style dishes. We start and finish in the most desired major Cities, meaning you can extend your stay at the start or finishing City. Sector Travel allows you to break up your experience in the "Jump On & Off" style. Join optional tours and activities during your travel which are 100% supported by Western & Chinese Tour Leaders. Tour Leaders also assist booking additional trains, hostels, airfares and accommodation throughout all of China. This is just part of our motto, "It's your Choice."
Q- How Much?
A - All Dragon Bus Passes are LOWER than $1000 USD. Sectors are divided into prices reflective of length of travel and where they travel.
Q - So cheap? What's the catch?
A - No catch, just the best of China at an affordable cost. We use our own buses, unlike other "Adventure or Small Group" tours we don't nor will we ever use public buses. This is mainly for safety and control reasons. Yes, it would have (greatly) lowered our cost, but given we've been involved with China for more than 50 years we've used our strong networks & relationships to implement something different!
Q - Is there an age limit?
A - NO, "Independent" Travellers were long considered those between18-35 years of age, but thats all changing. Dragon Bus fills a very large void in travel options for China. The services, routes, hostels and hotels we have developed cater to all kinds. Independent travel is a way of travelling, and shouldn't be limited by age. Q - What does it mean 100% Carbon Offset? A - We've formed a partnership with Carbon Friendly© who have assessed our products and calculate the volume of Carbon emitted during their course of travel. Carbon Friendly levy a fee directly on Dragon Bus China & we pay this fee, which is INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET PRICE. That's right, no opt in, no opt out, just a better result for the environment! Q - How do you offset my Carbon Emissions? A - The assessment undertaken by Climate Friendly results in Dragon Bus paying a set fee for each kilo of CO2 emitted. The fee paid is directed into the development of renewable and sustainable energy developments in Northern China's Ningxia and Hebei regions. These developments are also responsible for the employing of locals in jobs they may otherwise not have had. For more information on Carbon Friendly and the Ningxia & Hebei Wind Farms see the following https://climatefriendly.com/projects and click on either of the two projects. Q - Do you cater to Groups or Charters? A - Yes, we're happy for charters and/or small groups. If you are thinking of travelling in a group larger then 8 please email us to discuss your options. If you have a group LARGER than 16 people in total, we can offer a private charter of one of our exact routes on your own Bus with your own Tour Leader. Groups can also travel on normal Dragon Bus Passes or sectors and the only thing we ask is that they have a sense of adventure, are comfortable in group situations, be willing to stay in (vetted) hostels, but most of all - are ready to have fun! Q: Is the price of accommodations included? A- Yes, for the duration of the Travel. Sector travel includes the night before and after that Sector. If you arrive early or wish to extend your stay at the end these nights are not included. However, we can pre book any extension at your starting or finishing City. We also offer an integrated Hostelworld © booking system that allows you to book any extra nights. Please note: Booking extra nights is very important as new groups start in the days following the conclusion of most Passes or Sector leaving beds and/or rooms at a premium.
Q What type of Accommodation is included?
A- Vetted accommodation ! All bookings include a DORM bed, that is genrally in a single sex dorm. You can choose to book twin share (2 beds) or double (1 bed) rooms with and without private facilities. The extra cost of these rooms is automatically calculated and added to overall price.
Q - Is there a single surcharge?
A - NO, a Pass and/or Sector is booked per a seat on the bus and a bed in a Hostel. This means that we're not charging or discriminating against those who travel by themselves. Single surcharges can often add anywhere from $500 to $1000 to travel plans, so we're proud to offer a safe and fun alternative at NO extra cost to single travellers!
Q: Does my Pass or Sector come with meals?
A- No. China is described as the "eating culture." Independent travel allows you to make your own choice, which can be fun as well! The range of food you'll experience while travelling China can be a highlight in itself. However, your Tour Leader will always be on hand to assist, offer suggestions and also organise local restaurants for your meals. Hostels also generally offer meals and some even have cooking faciliites, so there is no lack of choice. Q: How much would an average day cost? A- Most of your money will be spent having fun, which means eating, drinking and entering sites and attractions. Eating - China is generally a cheap place to eat. Eating at one of the many "food streets" can be both cheap & fun, at around 40 RMB $5.50 USD a meal (meaning 2 to 4 dishes). Restaurants cater to all tastes and you'll receive ongoing daily suggestions from the Tour Leader. So eat where the locals eat at local prices! We obviously continually work with any restaurants we organise or send you to so that remain both safe and clean.
Drinking - Again, can be very cheap! Major Cities have "Bar Streets" which offer both pubs and clubs. Beer is readily available and quite cheap from local stores, your hostel and even the supermarket. The Tsingtao (Qingdao) brand of beer is the most famous in China and it's won recognition around the world as a great tasting beer. Beers from local convenience stores can be as little as 4 RMB (.65 US cents) or 10 RMB for a Heineken (1.30 USD). However, hit a Bar in Shanghai's Xintiandi and you'll pay western prices for beers, spirits and wine. However, some places can be worth it just for the view or experience.
Activities - Depends on what, where and how. We use our own buses, which allows us to see and do things along the way. We offer a number of additional day trips as well, however it remains "Your Choice." Entering attractions & sites you will pay the advertised ticket price or we'll organise the group to enter. We offer choices where you can do things by yourself, such as walking tours of cities. Activities such as learning Kungfu in Shaolin Master, a cooking course in Nanjing, Laoshan (Qingdao) or Yellow Mountain (Huangshan) are at your own cost. What about giving a speech to eager learners of English in Xuzhou as a highlight or making hand made dumplings?
Q: What are the buses like?
A - Dragon Buses are safe, comfortable coaches in different sizes from 12 to 45 seat buses. Drivers do not see the day as a F1 race, and safety is our number 1 priority. Dragon Bus drivers do not have to make up time for all extra pick ups and drop offs (that public buses make) so you won't find them overtaking on blind corners to make up this lost time! Safety and having fun along the way is what it's about.
Q: Is it okay if I travel alone?
A - Yes, of course and many of our passengers travel alone. We do NOT levy single surcharges on our clients and encourage singles to travel. Dragon Bus is your safe and friendly travel option. We're one of the only companies NOT charging a single surcharge. Again, we only ask that all our travellers be prepared to travel with couples, small groups and have a good sense of adventure and fun.
Q: Are you a "Jump On & Off" Network?
A - Dragon Bus is divided into 8 Passes. Passes have also been divided into shorter Sectors. Sector travel is a first for China and allows you to travel at your own pace and extend the time you travel from the start to the finish. Perhaps start & finish in Beijing, travel to Nanjing and join the sector from Nanjing to Shanghai. Initially, we're offering departures of once a fortnight and schedules are available from Travel agents and also via the booking engine on our web site. Dragon Bus have plans to introduce more flexible "Jump On & Off" services at our overnight stops. We also take the hassle out of purchasing tickets for travel to and from Sectors which Sector Travel a great way to really experience all of China. Q: How do I get more detailed information on the Dragon Bus China packages? A - Contact us directly for more details or to receive personally tailored information. STA Travel Agents carry our products as do a number of independent Agents. We do NOT print 1000's of large and glossy magazines which are often under utilised, so to get a complete picture of how it works, how much it is or when we depart head to www.DragonBusChina.com and download our full e brochure to help you plan the trip of a lifetime. Q - Why don't you print brochures? A - Corporate Policy outlines that we don't waste paper for advertising or printing where other options are available. We believe that an e brochure is a better way to promote our product as well as doing our little bit for the environment. For a full outline of our Green Policy see Green Dragon on our website
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