Trust & Transparency
Booking with us, with confidence.
We're a new service launched in 2026 โ which means we're transparent about how we work, how we handle your money, and what happens if anything goes wrong. Read this page before you book. We want you fully informed.
01 ยท Our Business Model
How we operate, transparently
Curated China is a travel design service, not a tour operator. Here's exactly what that means:
What we do
- โDesign your custom itinerary based on your interests, dates, and budget
- โVet and select the licensed Chinese inbound operator who will execute your trip
- โHandle communication in English (or your preferred language)
- โProvide WhatsApp support throughout your trip
- โMediate any issues between you and ground operators
What our partners do
- โProvide licensed English-speaking guides
- โProvide private vehicles and drivers
- โBook hotels and transportation
- โHandle Tibet permits and other regional requirements
- โExecute every detail of your itinerary on the ground
We're transparent about this structure because some "China travel agencies" advertised online are marketing layers that quietly add 30-50% margin. Our model lets you see exactly what you're paying for: thoughtful design + reliable execution, at honest market rates.
02 ยท Payment Protection
Your money, safely handled
We use traceable, internationally-recognized payment methods. We do not accept cash, Western Union, cryptocurrency, or any payment method that lacks dispute protection.
Most Popular ยท Available Now
PayPal Business
Pay via PayPal account, credit/debit card, or Venmo (US). Full PayPal Buyer Protection โ if a service is not delivered as promised, you can dispute through PayPal's resolution center.
Most familiar for US, EU, and UK travelers
Available Now
Wise
International transfer via Wise (formerly TransferWise). Lower fees than traditional bank wires. Fully traceable, regulated in 13+ countries including US, UK, EU, Australia.
Best rates for international transfers
Available Now
Bank Wire Transfer
Direct international wire transfer (USD, EUR, GBP, AED). Fully documented with bank records on both sides.
Best for high-value bookings ($10,000+)
Direct credit card processing โ coming soon
We are establishing our infrastructure to offer direct Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay processing via Stripe. Expected availability: Q2 2026. Until then, you can use any of these cards through PayPal โ same protection, same convenience.
Payment Schedule
30% deposit upon itinerary confirmation
40% payment at 30 days before departure
30% final at 7 days before departure
Bespoke tier and flight-inclusive packages may have different schedules โ always specified in your specific proposal. For Cultural Collection items, typical schedule is 50% deposit + 50% on delivery.
03 ยท Cancellation Policy
Clear, predictable refund terms
More than 60 days before departure
90% refund
10% retention covers itinerary design and partner coordination work already completed.
31โ60 days before departure
60% refund
Hotels and transportation may have already been confirmed by partners.
15โ30 days before departure
30% refund
Most ground arrangements locked in by partner.
Less than 15 days before departure
No refund
All ground services committed and paid by partner.
Force majeure provision
If your travel becomes impossible due to circumstances beyond reasonable control (visa rejection, public health emergencies, extreme weather, government travel restrictions), we work with our partners to maximize your refund or postpone your trip โ even if technically past cancellation deadlines. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for additional protection.
04 ยท What If Something Goes Wrong
Issue resolution, plainly stated
We are honest about this: occasional issues happen on any trip โ flight delays, hotel overbookings, weather closures, dietary mistakes at restaurants. What matters is how they're handled.
Our commitment
- โWhatsApp response within 1 hour during your trip โ we operate across Asia/Pacific timezones
- โSame-day mediation with ground partner if any service issue arises
- โDocumented compensation for any service failure that's our or our partner's fault
- โPartial refunds for substantial deviations from agreed itinerary
- โPayPal Buyer Protection covers eligible disputes โ additional layer of protection beyond our own commitment
We do not promise everything will be perfect. We promise that when issues arise, we'll communicate openly, take responsibility for what's ours, and resolve fairly.
05 ยท Our Honest Limitations
What we are โ and aren't
We are new. Curated China launched in 2026. We don't have decades of testimonials yet. We're earning trust one journey at a time.
We are small. We're a small team partnering with established operators. This is our advantage โ direct, personal communication โ and our limitation โ we don't have hundreds of staff.
We are honest about pricing. Our prices reflect real market rates. We don't claim to be the cheapest. We don't claim impossible luxury at impossibly low prices. The price you're quoted is what you pay.
We are transparent about our infrastructure. We currently process payments through PayPal Business, Wise, and bank wire. Direct credit card processing via Stripe is coming Q2 2026 as our company infrastructure expands. We'd rather tell you the truth than overpromise.
We are not for everyone. If you want a fixed-departure group tour at the lowest possible price, we're not your service. If you want personal attention and bespoke design, we are.
Questions Answered?
Still have concerns? Ask us directly.
We're happy to answer any questions about how we operate, how payments work, or what protections you have. No pressure, no obligation.