Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: June 8, 2026

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern all bookings made with LynxTravel, operated by Zhangjiajie Yixing International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. ("LynxTravel," "we," "us," or "our"), a legally registered travel agency in the People's Republic of China. By making a booking with us, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

Please read these Terms carefully before booking. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not proceed with a booking.

1. Definitions

"Booking" means any reservation for a tour, travel service, or travel product made with LynxTravel.

"Client," "Traveler," "you," or "your" means the person making the booking and all persons on whose behalf the booking is made.

"Tour" means any travel itinerary, package, day tour, or custom travel arrangement designed and operated by LynxTravel.

"Supplier" means any third-party provider of accommodations, transportation, activities, meals, guide services, or other travel components included in your Tour.

"Force Majeure Event" has the meaning given in Section 12.

"Working Day" means any day from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in the People's Republic of China.

2. About Us

LynxTravel is the trading name of Zhangjiajie Yixing International Travel Agency Co., Ltd., a licensed travel agency registered in the People's Republic of China.

  • Registered Address: Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China

  • Business License Number: Available upon request

  • Contact Email: Available on our website

LynxTravel specializes in private, custom-designed tours across China for international travelers. Since 2014, we have served over 70,000 travelers from Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia. We operate with our own fleet of vehicles and our own team of guides in Zhangjiajie, Beijing, Xi'an, Chongqing, Xinjiang, and Tibet — we do not outsource.

3. Booking and Contract Formation

3.1 How to Book

Bookings can be made through our website, by email, or through an authorized travel agent. When you submit a booking request, our team will work with you to design your custom itinerary. Once the itinerary is finalized, we will issue a Booking Confirmation with the full details of your Tour and the total price.

3.2 Contract Formation

A binding contract between you and LynxTravel is formed only when:

  • We receive your deposit payment (see Section 5); AND

  • We issue a written Booking Confirmation to you.

Until both conditions are met, no contract exists, and we reserve the right to modify or withdraw any proposed itinerary or pricing.

3.3 Accuracy of Information

You are responsible for providing accurate and complete information at the time of booking, including:

  • Full legal names as they appear on passports

  • Nationality

  • Date of birth

  • Contact information (email and phone number)

  • Any medical conditions, dietary requirements, or special needs

LynxTravel is not responsible for any consequences arising from incorrect or incomplete information provided by you. If an error in your booking details requires correction after the Booking Confirmation has been issued, an administrative fee may apply in addition to any third-party charges (such as airline reissue fees).

3.4 Booking on Behalf of Others

If you make a booking on behalf of other travelers, you:

  • Represent and warrant that you have obtained all necessary consents from each traveler

  • Accept responsibility for communicating these Terms to all travelers in your group

  • Accept liability for all payments, cancellations, and changes related to the booking

  • Are responsible for the accuracy of all information provided for each traveler

3.5 Minimum Age

The person making the booking must be at least 18 years of age. Travelers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times during the Tour.

4. Prices and Inclusions

4.1 What Is Included

Our Tour prices include all items specifically listed in your Booking Confirmation. Typically, our private Tours include:

  • Private English-speaking guide

  • Private vehicle with licensed driver

  • Accommodation as specified

  • Meals as specified

  • Entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary

  • Domestic transportation within China as specified (flights, trains, etc.)

4.2 What Is Not Included

Unless explicitly stated in your Booking Confirmation, the following are not included:

  • International airfare to and from China

  • Chinese visa fees

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, mini-bar, room service, etc.)

  • Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers

  • Optional activities or excursions not listed in the itinerary

  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary

  • Excess baggage charges

  • COVID-19 testing or related health documentation (if applicable)

4.3 Price Guarantee

Once your Booking Confirmation is issued and the deposit is paid, the Tour price is guaranteed and will not increase — except as provided in Section 4.4.

4.4 Price Adjustments

We reserve the right to adjust the price after the Booking Confirmation only in the following circumstances:

  • Government-imposed tax increases, tourist levies, or entry fees introduced after your booking date

  • Significant currency exchange rate fluctuations (exceeding 5% from the rate at time of booking)

  • Changes you request that add services or alter the itinerary

In the event of a price increase exceeding 10% of the total Tour price, you will have the right to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid, including your deposit.

We will notify you of any price adjustment at least 30 days before your Tour start date. If you do not respond within 14 days, you will be deemed to have accepted the adjusted price.

5. Payment Terms

5.1 Deposit

A deposit of 20% of the total Tour price is required to confirm your booking. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit is received and a Booking Confirmation is issued.

5.2 Final Payment

The balance of the Tour price must be paid no later than 30 days before your Tour start date. If the full balance is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as canceled. In such cases, the cancellation terms in Section 7 will apply.

5.3 Bookings Made Within 30 Days

If you book within 30 days of the Tour start date, full payment is required at the time of booking.

5.4 Tibet Tours

Due to the complexity of Tibet Travel Permit applications and associated administrative costs, Tours that include Tibet require a higher deposit of 30%, with the balance due 45 days before the Tour start date.

5.5 Payment Methods

We accept the following payment methods:

  • Credit card (Visa, MasterCard) via our secure payment processor

  • Alipay

  • WeChat Pay

  • Bank transfer (wire transfer)

All payments are processed in Chinese Yuan (CNY) or US Dollars (USD) as agreed at the time of booking. Any currency conversion fees, bank charges, or processing fees imposed by your bank or payment provider are your responsibility.

6. Changes to Your Booking

6.1 Changes Requested by You Before Departure

If you wish to make changes to your confirmed booking, we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please notify us in writing as early as possible.

  • Changes requested more than 30 days before departure: No service charge from LynxTravel, but you will be responsible for any additional costs charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers, plus any difference in the Tour price resulting from the changes.

  • Changes requested 15 to 30 days before departure: An administrative fee of USD 50 per change, plus any third-party costs and price differences.

  • Changes requested within 14 days of departure: Changes may not be possible. If we can accommodate them, an administrative fee of USD 100 per change applies, plus all third-party costs and price differences.

Significant changes to the itinerary — such as changing travel dates, adding or removing travelers, or substantially altering the route — may be treated as a cancellation and rebooking. In such cases, cancellation charges under Section 7 will apply to the original booking.

6.2 Changes During the Tour

Any changes requested during the Tour are subject to availability and may incur additional costs. Unused portions of the original itinerary are not refundable.

6.3 Name Changes

Name changes or traveler substitutions are subject to approval by LynxTravel and by our suppliers (particularly airlines and train operators). Any fees imposed by suppliers for name changes will be passed on to you, plus an administrative fee of USD 30 per name change.

7. Cancellation by You

7.1 Cancellation Notice

All cancellations must be submitted to us in writing by email. Your cancellation takes effect on the date we receive your written notice (Beijing time). Cancellation charges will be calculated based on that date.

7.2 Cancellation Charges — Standard Private Tours

Cancellation charges for standard private Tours (excluding Tibet Tours) are as follows:

  • 30 or more days before departure: Deposit forfeited. Any amount paid beyond the deposit is fully refunded.

  • 15 to 29 days before departure: 30% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

  • 7 to 14 days before departure: 50% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

  • 3 to 6 days before departure: 75% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

  • 2 days or less before departure / No-show: 100% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

7.3 Cancellation Charges — Tibet Tours

For Tours that include Tibet:

  • 45 or more days before departure: Deposit (30%) forfeited. Any amount paid beyond the deposit is fully refunded.

  • 30 to 44 days before departure: 50% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

  • 15 to 29 days before departure: 75% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

  • 14 days or less before departure / No-show: 100% of the total Tour price is forfeited.

7.4 Deposit Credit

If you cancel 30 or more days before departure (or 45 or more days for Tibet Tours), your forfeited deposit may, at our sole discretion, be held as a credit ("Deposit Credit") toward a future LynxTravel booking. Deposit Credits:

  • Are valid for 24 months from the date of cancellation

  • Are non-transferable between individuals

  • Cannot be redeemed for cash

  • Can only be applied to a Tour of equal or greater value than the original booking

7.5 Partial Cancellations

If one or more members of your group cancel while the rest of the group continues with the Tour, the cancellation charges above apply to the canceling members' portion of the Tour price. If the cancellation of group members results in a higher per-person price for the remaining travelers (e.g., due to shared accommodation costs), you will be responsible for the price difference.

7.6 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed within 20 Working Days of receiving your written cancellation notice. Refunds will be made to the original payment method where possible. Any currency conversion losses between the time of payment and the time of refund are your responsibility.

8. Cancellation or Changes by LynxTravel

8.1 Right to Cancel

While we make every effort to operate all confirmed Tours as planned, we reserve the right to cancel a Tour in the following circumstances:

  • The minimum number of travelers required for the Tour is not reached (applicable to small group Tours only; private custom Tours have no minimum)

  • Circumstances beyond our reasonable control make it impossible or unsafe to operate the Tour (see Force Majeure, Section 12)

  • You fail to pay the balance by the due date

  • You fail to provide required information or documentation

8.2 What Happens If We Cancel

If we cancel your Tour for any reason other than Force Majeure or your breach of these Terms, you will have the choice of:

  • Accepting an alternative Tour of equivalent or higher value (you pay the difference for higher value; we refund the difference for lower value)

  • Receiving a full refund of all monies paid to LynxTravel

If we cancel due to Force Majeure, Section 12 applies.

8.3 Significant Changes

If we need to make a significant change to your itinerary — defined as a change that materially affects the character or quality of the Tour — we will notify you as soon as possible. You may then choose to:

  • Accept the changed itinerary

  • Accept an alternative Tour offered by us

  • Cancel and receive a full refund of all monies paid to LynxTravel

You must notify us of your choice within 7 days of receiving our notice of the change.

8.4 Liability for Cancellation

LynxTravel shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential losses arising from a Tour cancellation, including but not limited to: non-refundable international airfares, visa fees, vacation days, or other expenses you may have incurred in preparation for the Tour. This is one reason we strongly recommend travel insurance (see Section 10).

9. Travel Documents

9.1 Passports

You are solely responsible for ensuring that you hold a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity. For travel to China, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of entry into China and must have at least two blank visa pages.

9.2 Visas

You are responsible for obtaining the appropriate visa for entry into China before your departure. LynxTravel can provide an invitation letter to support your visa application upon request, but we do not guarantee visa approval. Visa requirements vary by nationality. We strongly recommend checking with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate in your country of residence well in advance of your travel date.

9.3 Tibet Travel Permit

For Tours that include Tibet, a Tibet Travel Permit (also known as TTB Permit) is required in addition to your Chinese visa. LynxTravel will apply for this permit on your behalf. To process the application, you must provide:

  • A clear scanned copy of your passport information page

  • A clear scanned copy of your Chinese visa

These documents must be received by us at least 20 Working Days before your scheduled entry into Tibet. Failure to provide these documents on time may result in the Tibet portion of your Tour being canceled, with the cancellation terms in Section 7.3 applying.

9.4 Other Documents

Depending on your nationality and the specific regions visited, additional permits or documentation may be required. We will inform you of any such requirements at the time of booking, but it remains your responsibility to comply with all entry and travel requirements.

10. Travel Insurance

10.1 Strong Recommendation

We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking. Your insurance should cover, at minimum:

  • Trip cancellation and interruption

  • Emergency medical expenses and evacuation

  • Baggage loss, damage, or delay

  • Personal liability

  • Adventure activities (if your Tour includes hiking, cycling, or similar activities)

10.2 Insurance Is Your Responsibility

Travel insurance is not included in the Tour price. You are responsible for:

  • Purchasing adequate coverage

  • Understanding what your policy covers and excludes

  • Ensuring your policy covers the specific destinations and activities in your itinerary

  • Carrying proof of insurance during your Tour

10.3 No Insurance = No Liability for Us

LynxTravel is not responsible for any losses, costs, or damages that could have been covered by travel insurance. If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full financial responsibility for any cancellation, medical, evacuation, or other costs incurred.

11. Health, Fitness, and Special Requirements

11.1 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for assessing whether the Tour is suitable for your health and fitness level. Our Tours involve varying levels of physical activity — some include walking on uneven terrain, climbing stairs, or extended periods of travel. It is your responsibility to review the itinerary and discuss any concerns with us before booking.

11.2 Medical Conditions

You must inform us at the time of booking of any medical conditions, physical limitations, or special needs that may affect your ability to participate in the Tour. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Heart conditions

  • Respiratory conditions (particularly relevant for high-altitude destinations such as Tibet)

  • Mobility limitations

  • Severe allergies

  • Pregnancy (particularly if you will be more than 24 weeks pregnant during the Tour)

11.3 Right to Decline or Remove

We reserve the right to decline a booking or remove a traveler from a Tour if, in our reasonable opinion, the traveler's physical or mental condition:

  • Makes them unfit to participate safely

  • Poses a risk to themselves or others

  • Would significantly disrupt the experience of other travelers

In such cases, no refund will be provided for the unused portion of the Tour, and any costs incurred (including return transportation) will be your responsibility.

11.4 Dietary Requirements

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements that you notify us of at the time of booking. However, we cannot guarantee that all dietary needs will be met at every meal, particularly in remote areas where food options are limited.

12. Liability

12.1 Our Role

LynxTravel acts as a tour operator, organizing and coordinating travel services that include guide services, ground transportation, accommodation, meals, and attraction visits. We arrange these services with our own staff and vehicles, and with third-party suppliers for certain components.

12.2 Third-Party Suppliers

Some components of your Tour — such as airline flights, train services, cruise services, and certain accommodations — are provided by independent third-party suppliers. While we select our suppliers with reasonable care:

  • These suppliers are independent contractors, not employees or agents of LynxTravel

  • Each supplier operates under its own terms and conditions

  • LynxTravel is not liable for the acts, omissions, or defaults of third-party suppliers

12.3 Limitations of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, LynxTravel's liability to you is limited as follows:

  • For death, personal injury, or illness arising from our own negligence: Our liability is limited to the total amount paid by you for the Tour.

  • For loss of or damage to luggage and personal possessions: Our liability is limited to USD 500 per traveler. We are not liable for loss of or damage to valuables (including but not limited to jewelry, electronics, cash, and travel documents) that are not kept in your personal possession.

  • For any other loss or damage: Our liability is limited to the Tour price paid by you.

12.4 Exclusions

LynxTravel shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, illness, death, delay, or expense arising from:

  • Your own acts or omissions

  • Acts or omissions of third parties not under our direct control

  • Your failure to follow reasonable instructions from our guides or staff

  • Your failure to obtain proper travel documents

  • Events of Force Majeure (see Section 13)

  • Any pre-existing medical condition not disclosed to us at the time of booking

  • Travel to areas against government travel advisories

12.5 Activities Outside the Itinerary

LynxTravel is not responsible for any activities, excursions, or services that you arrange independently outside of your confirmed itinerary, even if recommended or facilitated by our guides or staff as a courtesy.

13. Force Majeure

13.1 Definition

"Force Majeure Event" means any event or circumstance beyond our reasonable control that prevents or materially hinders the performance of our obligations under these Terms, including but not limited to:

  • Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, typhoons, landslides, wildfires)

  • Epidemic or pandemic disease outbreaks

  • War, threat of war, civil unrest, insurrection, or terrorism

  • Government actions, including the closure of borders, imposition of travel bans, or declaration of states of emergency

  • Industrial disputes, strikes, or labor disruptions

  • Fire or structural damage to accommodation or transport

  • Airport or port closures

  • Extreme weather conditions making travel unsafe

  • Any other event that could not reasonably have been foreseen or avoided

13.2 Effect on Your Booking

If a Force Majeure Event occurs and affects your Tour, LynxTravel will:

  • Notify you as soon as reasonably possible

  • Assess whether the Tour can proceed, be rescheduled, or must be canceled

If your Tour is canceled before departure due to a Force Majeure Event, you will have the choice of:

  • Accepting a travel credit equal to 100% of all monies paid, valid for 24 months from the date of cancellation. The credit may be applied to any LynxTravel Tour and is transferable within your immediate family.

  • Receiving a refund of all monies paid, less any non-recoverable costs we have already incurred (such as non-refundable deposits to hotels, prepaid domestic flights or train tickets, and permit fees). We will provide a detailed breakdown of these non-recoverable costs.

13.3 No Additional Compensation

In the event of a Force Majeure cancellation, our obligation is limited to providing the credit or refund described above. We are not liable for any additional costs or losses you may incur, including but not limited to international airfares, visa costs, or alternative travel arrangements.

14. Conduct During the Tour

14.1 Compliance with Laws

You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China throughout your Tour. This includes laws relating to:

  • Photography (some military areas, government buildings, and certain religious sites prohibit photography)

  • Drug possession (drug offenses carry severe penalties in China, including life imprisonment or the death penalty)

  • Behavior at cultural and religious sites

  • Drone operation (a permit is required to fly drones in China)

14.2 Authority of the Guide

Our guides are responsible for the safe and smooth operation of the Tour. You must follow all reasonable instructions from your guide, particularly regarding:

  • Safety procedures

  • Meeting times and locations

  • Appropriate dress and behavior at cultural sites

  • Timely departures for flights, trains, and scheduled activities

14.3 Right to Remove

If your behavior is, in our reasonable opinion:

  • Causing or likely to cause danger, distress, or annoyance to other travelers, our staff, or the public

  • Disrupting the operation of the Tour

  • In violation of applicable laws

We reserve the right to terminate your participation in the Tour immediately, without refund and at your own expense. You will be responsible for all costs of your return transportation and any other expenses arising from your removal.

14.4 Damage Caused by You

You are responsible for any damage you cause to hotel rooms, vehicles, attractions, or any other property during the Tour. You will reimburse LynxTravel or the property owner for the full cost of repair or replacement.

15. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

15.1 During the Tour

If you encounter any problem or are dissatisfied with any aspect of your Tour, you must inform your guide or contact our office immediately so that we have the opportunity to resolve the issue on the spot. Most issues can be resolved quickly if brought to our attention at the time.

15.2 After the Tour

If an issue cannot be resolved during the Tour, you must submit a written complaint to us by email within 30 days of your Tour end date. Complaints received after this period may not be considered.

Your written complaint should include:

  • Your name and booking reference

  • A detailed description of the issue

  • Names of any LynxTravel staff or suppliers involved

  • Any supporting evidence (photos, receipts, correspondence)

We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 Working Days and provide a substantive response within 20 Working Days.

15.3 Governing Law

These Terms and any contract between you and LynxTravel are governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China.

15.4 Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising from or in connection with these Terms shall first be resolved through friendly negotiation between the parties. If negotiation fails, the dispute shall be submitted to the competent court in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.

16. Privacy and Data Protection

Your personal information is collected, used, and protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of these Terms. By making a booking, you consent to the collection and use of your personal data as described in our Privacy Policy.

We use FareHarbor (a service of Booking Holdings B.V.) as our booking platform and Stripe as our payment processor. Your personal and payment data may be processed by these third parties in accordance with their respective privacy policies.

17. Intellectual Property and Marketing

17.1 Our Content

All content on the LynxTravel website, including text, images, itineraries, logos, and branding, is the intellectual property of LynxTravel and may not be reproduced without our prior written consent.

17.2 Photos and Video

During your Tour, our guides or staff may take photographs or video recordings that include you. By participating in the Tour, you grant LynxTravel a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use such images and recordings for marketing and promotional purposes, including on our website and social media channels. If you do not wish to appear in such materials, please notify us in writing before the Tour begins.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with your Booking Confirmation and our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and LynxTravel and supersede all prior communications, representations, and agreements.

18.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely reflects the original intent.

18.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms at any time shall not be construed as a waiver of that provision or of our right to enforce it at a later time.

18.4 Amendments

We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking will apply to that booking. The current version will always be available on our website. For bookings made more than 12 months in advance, the version in effect 30 days before your departure date will apply.

18.5 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to any successor entity.

18.6 Language

These Terms are written in English. In the event of any inconsistency between the English version and any translation, the English version shall prevail.

18.7 Third-Party Rights

A person who is not a party to the contract between you and LynxTravel has no right to enforce any provision of these Terms.

19. Contact

For questions about these Terms, please contact us through the contact information provided on our website.

LynxTravel Zhangjiajie Yixing International Travel Agency Co., Ltd. Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China

These Terms & Conditions were last updated on June 8, 2026.