We had a fantastic trip to China. Everything went very smoothly. We were always met at airports or railroad stations by English speaking guides and drivers. The guides are very excellent. They spoke so well and knew everything. We really enjoyed spending time with them. I also found the apartment in Guilin to be very convenient. My daughter, Janey, who was born in China, really enjoyed the trip. The high point for all of us was our visit to the orphanage in Nanjing where Janey spent the first 7 months of her life. Our guide did a great job of translating for us there.
China Orphanage Visits
Due to the skyrocketing demands for China Homeland Heritage tours, the China Civil Affairs Bureau (CCAB) has announced new orphanage visitation policies on April 10th, 2006 to ensure successful and memorable birth country visits. Lotus Travel is working closely with local orphanages, the Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau (CAB) and CCAB to arrange meaningful visits under the recent changes.
Currently, each province adhers to a different set of regulations based on CCAB’s new policies. In order to visit an orphanage, adoptive families need to submit a set of required documents and a fee ranging from $150 to $275 (depending on the province) to seek visitation approval. An orphanage visit often serves as one of the most important components of the homeland heritage tour; planning and arranging such visitations can get emotional and stressful at times. With the assistance of Lotus Travel’s professional and diligent staff, adoptive families are ensured a smooth and successful visit.
Prior to your orphanage visit application submission, please make sure you have the following documents ready:
- A copy of the adoption certificate or the notarized adoption documents
- A copy of each visitor's American passport
- An orphanage visit application letter
- The name list of all visitors; make sure the relationship between each visitor and the adopted child is also listed.
All orphanage visits are conducted during weekdays; be sure to avoid weekends and Chinese public holidays visitations.
*Since visitations can be emotional, stressful and overwhelming, it is very critical that parents prepare their children both psychologically and physically before the day of visit. Also please be prepared that Families may also be expected to meet older children and or children with disabilities which can be emotionally disturbing.
Words from a recent orphanage visitor: Patricia Lyman.
Sample documents
Adoption Certificate one (pdf format)
Adoption Certificate two (pdf format)
Gifts to orphanage directors, caregivers, foster families and children
Lotus Travel highly recommends families to prepare red envelopes/packets to the orphanage directors, caregivers and foster families as gifts of appreciation and gratitude for their hard efforts; the recommended minimum is $100 RMB (approximately $15 USD) per packet .
Children at the orphanages are most in need of clothes, shoes and winter clothing. If you wish to purchase these necessities for them, Lotus Travel highly recommends purchasing locally in China to avoid occupying limited luggage space.