Privacy Policy
AxisTrace respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information may be collected, why it is collected, how it is used, how it may be shared, and what choices are available to you.
This Privacy Policy applies when you visit the AxisTrace website, submit an inquiry, make a booking, communicate with AxisTrace, or use any AxisTrace service.
This Privacy Policy should be read together with the AxisTrace Payment Policy and Terms and Conditions.
About AxisTrace
AxisTrace is an independent cultural guiding practice based in Beijing, China.
AxisTrace offers private cultural walks, Beijing briefings, and related cultural consultations for English-speaking travelers and selected cultural or institutional programs.
Information Collected
AxisTrace collects only the information reasonably needed to respond to inquiries, prepare quotes, deliver services, manage bookings, and operate the website.
Information You Provide Directly
When you submit an inquiry, make a booking, or contact AxisTrace, you may provide information such as:
Name
Email address
Travel dates
Group size
Main interests, preferences, and travel notes
Information shared through the inquiry form
Any additional details sent by email or other written communication
Payment-related information connected with a booking, handled through third-party payment platforms as described below
Please do not provide sensitive personal information unless it is necessary for the service, such as accessibility needs, mobility considerations, or dietary requirements relevant to your visit.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically by the website hosting platform or related tools, such as:
Browser type
Device type
IP address
Referring page
Pages viewed
Basic usage and performance data
Necessary cookies or similar technologies used to operate, protect, and maintain the website
The AxisTrace website is hosted on Squarespace. Squarespace may process certain technical data according to its own privacy and security practices.
AxisTrace does not currently use advertising pixels, behavioral advertising tools, or marketing cookies on this website.
Children and Minors
AxisTrace does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 18.
Bookings involving guests under 18 must be made by a parent or legal guardian.
How Information Is Used
Personal information may be used to:
Respond to inquiries
Prepare written quotes or booking proposals
Confirm and deliver booked services
Send booking confirmations, payment reminders, follow-up notes, and practical visit information
Understand guest interests, pace, and service needs
Coordinate tickets, transport, special access, or other third-party arrangements when requested and only as needed
Improve the website, services, routes, and guest experience
Maintain business records
Comply with legal, accounting, tax, and regulatory obligations
Protect the safety, rights, and legitimate interests of guests, AxisTrace, and others
Marketing emails, newsletters, or promotional communications are not sent unless they have been specifically requested or consented to.
You may opt out of marketing communications at any time.
Legal Basis for Processing
Depending on your location and the applicable law, AxisTrace may process personal information on one or more of the following bases:
Pre-contractual or contractual necessity — to respond to inquiries, prepare quotes, confirm bookings, and deliver booked services.
Consent — where specific agreement has been given, such as for marketing communications or clearly identifiable photography intended for publication.
Legal obligation — where processing is required for tax, accounting, legal, or regulatory purposes.
Legitimate interests or reasonable business needs — to operate, maintain, protect, and improve the website and services, provided such interests do not override applicable rights and interests.
Safety or legal protection — where necessary to protect guests, AxisTrace, or others, or to respond to lawful requests.
Where applicable law requires a specific form of consent, AxisTrace will seek such consent before carrying out the relevant processing.
Sharing Information
AxisTrace does not sell personal information.
AxisTrace does not share personal information with third parties for advertising purposes.
Personal information may be shared only in limited circumstances, including the following:
Payment Processors
Payments may be handled by third-party platforms such as Alipay, WeChat Pay, banks, or PayPal.
These platforms collect and process payment information under their own privacy policies and security standards.
AxisTrace does not store full payment card numbers, bank account details, or PayPal account credentials.
Service Partners and Third-Party Providers
If you request assistance with tickets, transportation, special venue access, or other third-party arrangements, AxisTrace may share the minimum information reasonably required for that purpose, such as name, date, group size, or booking details.
Such sharing is limited to the purpose of arranging or coordinating the requested service.
Website and Communication Providers
The AxisTrace website is hosted on Squarespace.
Email communication may be operated through Google Workspace.
These providers may process certain technical, hosting, and communication data under their own privacy and security standards.
Legal, Safety, and Compliance Reasons
Personal information may be shared if required by law, court order, government authority, or other competent authority.
Information may also be shared where reasonably necessary to protect the safety, rights, or legitimate interests of guests, AxisTrace, or other parties.
International Data Transfers
Some service providers used by AxisTrace, such as Squarespace, Google Workspace, or PayPal, may be based in or process data in other countries.
As a result, personal information may be transferred to, stored in, or processed in countries or regions outside your own location.
Where required by applicable law, AxisTrace will rely on appropriate safeguards, contractual protections, service providers’ compliance frameworks, security measures, or consent where necessary.
By submitting an inquiry, making a booking, or communicating with AxisTrace, you understand that your information may be processed by service providers in different jurisdictions as described in this Privacy Policy.
How Long Information Is Kept
Personal information is kept only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.
Typical retention periods may include:
Inquiry-only contacts with no booking: usually up to 12 months, then deleted or anonymized unless further communication continues.
Confirmed bookings and clients: for the duration of the service relationship, plus a reasonable period afterward for service records, legal, tax, accounting, dispute resolution, or business record purposes.
Payment and transaction records: retained as required for accounting, tax, and legal compliance.
Basic website technical data: retained according to the settings and practices of the website hosting provider.
Earlier deletion may be requested at any time, subject to legal, accounting, tax, safety, or legitimate record-keeping obligations.
Your Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including:
Access — request a copy of the personal information held about you.
Correction — request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion — request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and record-keeping obligations.
Restriction — request limits on how your information is used in certain circumstances.
Objection — object to certain types of processing.
Withdraw consent — withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Portability — where applicable, request your information in a portable format.
Explanation — request further information about how your personal information is handled.
To exercise any of these rights, please email:
Requests will be reviewed and answered within a reasonable time and in accordance with applicable law.
AxisTrace may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.
Data Security
AxisTrace takes reasonable measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss, or destruction.
These measures may include:
Use of reputable website hosting, email, and payment providers
Password-protected accounts
Limited access to guest information
Avoiding unnecessary collection of sensitive information
Keeping service-related records only as long as reasonably needed
No website, email system, or online service can be guaranteed completely secure.
Visitors and guests are encouraged to use secure communication channels, protect their own devices and accounts, and avoid sending unnecessary sensitive information by email or online form.
Photography and Image Use
Photography, image use, and guest content are addressed in the AxisTrace Terms and Conditions.
In general, AxisTrace may take photographs or short videos of routes, sites, atmosphere, and moments from a walk for service development, documentation, and marketing or editorial purposes.
If guests appear in such materials, AxisTrace will avoid identifying guests by name unless specifically agreed, and will ask for specific consent before publishing close-up portraits or images where a guest is clearly identifiable and intended for marketing use.
Guests who do not wish to be photographed may inform AxisTrace before the service begins or at any point during the service.
Any personal information contained in photographs or videos will be handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Third-Party Links
The AxisTrace website may include links to third-party websites, such as museums, official booking pages, articles, maps, payment platforms, or partner sites.
AxisTrace is not responsible for the privacy practices, security standards, or content of third-party websites.
Please review the privacy policies of third-party websites before providing personal information to them.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
AxisTrace may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.
The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent version.
Material changes will be reflected on this page.
Where required by applicable law, AxisTrace may provide additional notice or request consent for certain changes.
The version of this Privacy Policy in effect at the time of your inquiry or booking generally applies to the handling of information connected with that inquiry or booking, unless a later update is required by law or accepted by you.
Contact
For any questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how personal information is handled, please contact:
AxisTrace
Email: hello@axistrace.studio
Website: axistrace.studio
Last updated: May 2026