Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the AxisTrace website (axistrace.studio) and any services booked through AxisTrace, including private cultural walks, Beijing briefings, and related consultations (collectively, the “Services”).
These Terms should be read together with the AxisTrace Payment Policy and Privacy Policy, which form part of these Terms where applicable.
By submitting an inquiry, making a booking, or using the Services, you agree to these Terms.
Services
AxisTrace provides:
Private cultural walks in Beijing, currently including Cosmic Axis, Ceremonial Axis, and Human Axis, as described on the website.
Beijing briefings delivered online, currently including the Beijing Orientation Call and Custom Beijing Briefing.
Custom routes and consultations arranged by separate agreement.
Service descriptions, suggested durations, and route outlines on the website are provided for orientation. The exact content, pace, and structure of each Service may be adjusted based on guest interests, weather, site availability, and other reasonable circumstances.
AxisTrace does not provide all-inclusive tour packages, hotel bookings, flight bookings, visa services, or travel agency services. Tickets, transport, meals, and third-party arrangements are handled separately unless otherwise agreed in writing.
AxisTrace reserves the right to modify, replace, or discontinue any Service at any time. Bookings already confirmed will be honored under the terms agreed at the time of confirmation.
Booking and Payment
All bookings are subject to the AxisTrace Payment Policy, which forms part of these Terms.
A booking is confirmed only after the required payment has been received in accordance with the Payment Policy.
Verbal discussions, social media messages, or informal suggestions do not constitute a confirmed booking.
Guest Eligibility and Responsibilities
By booking a Service, you confirm that:
You are at least 18 years old, or you are booking on behalf of guests under 18 with full responsibility as their parent or legal guardian.
The information you provide in your inquiry and booking is accurate and complete.
You are physically able to participate in the Service you have booked, including walking for extended periods on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and being outdoors in varying weather conditions.
You will inform AxisTrace in advance of any medical conditions, mobility considerations, dietary needs, or accessibility requirements that may affect your participation.
Guests are responsible for their own personal safety, belongings, valuables, travel documents, and conduct during the Service.
Guests are expected to behave respectfully toward AxisTrace, other guests in the group, residents, site staff, and members of the public. AxisTrace reserves the right to end a Service early, without refund, if a guest’s behavior is abusive, unsafe, or substantially disruptive.
Children and Minors
Guests under 18 are welcome on private walks when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also booked on the same walk.
Parents and guardians are fully responsible for the safety, behavior, and supervision of minors throughout the Service.
AxisTrace does not provide childcare and is not responsible for unaccompanied minors at any point.
Health, Safety, and Walking Risks
Private walks involve walking on city streets, hutongs, palace grounds, public squares, and other outdoor environments. Conditions may include uneven pavement, stairs, large crowds, traffic, weather changes, air quality variations, and limited rest stops between sites.
By participating, you acknowledge these conditions and accept the inherent risks of urban walking and outdoor cultural touring.
You agree to:
Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the day’s weather and walking distance.
Carry sufficient water and any personal medication you may need.
Inform AxisTrace immediately if you feel unwell, fatigued, or unsafe at any point during the walk.
AxisTrace is not a medical provider. In the event of a medical emergency, AxisTrace will assist in contacting emergency services but cannot provide medical care.
You are strongly encouraged to carry your own travel insurance covering medical care, personal injury, and personal property while in China.
Third-Party Sites and Services
Many locations visited during a walk are operated by third parties, including museums, palaces, parks, religious sites, and government-managed cultural sites. AxisTrace does not control:
Site opening hours, ticket availability, or admission policies.
Security, screening, or entry procedures.
Site closures due to weather, maintenance, public events, government action, or other circumstances.
Conduct of staff, vendors, or other visitors at these sites.
If a planned site is unexpectedly unavailable on the day of the walk, AxisTrace will, where reasonably possible, suggest alternative content of comparable cultural value within the same walk, without additional charge.
If AxisTrace assists in arranging tickets, transportation, or other third-party services, those services are governed by the third party’s own terms. AxisTrace acts as a facilitator and is not responsible for matters outside its reasonable control, including the performance, quality, availability, pricing, or conduct of any third-party provider.
Cancellation, Rescheduling, and Force Majeure
Cancellation, rescheduling, and force majeure provisions are set out in the AxisTrace Payment Policy and form part of these Terms.
In any force majeure event, AxisTrace’s obligation is limited to offering a rescheduled date or a refund of the guide fee paid to AxisTrace, less any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred.
AxisTrace is not responsible for guests’ separate travel costs, accommodation, flights, visa fees, or other third-party expenses.
Photography, Image Use, and Content
Photography by AxisTrace
During Services, AxisTrace may take photographs or short videos of routes, sites, atmosphere, and moments from the walk for the purposes of:
Improving and developing future Services.
Recording route preparation and logistics.
Marketing and editorial content for AxisTrace, including the website, social media, brochures, and printed materials.
Where guests appear in such photographs or videos, AxisTrace will:
Avoid identifying guests by name unless specifically agreed.
Where reasonably possible, prefer images that do not show guests’ faces clearly, or are taken from behind or at a distance.
Stop photographing on request at any point during the Service.
If you do not wish to be photographed at all, please inform AxisTrace before the Service begins. AxisTrace will respect this request.
For any close-up portraits or images where a guest is clearly identifiable and intended for marketing use, AxisTrace will ask for the guest’s specific consent before publishing.
Any personal information contained in photographs or videos will be handled in accordance with the AxisTrace Privacy Policy.
Photography by Guests
Guests are welcome to take personal photographs and videos during the walk for non-commercial use. Site-specific photography rules, for example inside museums or religious halls, must be respected.
Guests may not record AxisTrace’s spoken commentary in full or in significant length, or republish AxisTrace’s interpretive content as standalone material, without prior written permission.
Intellectual Property
All content on the AxisTrace website, including but not limited to text, photography, route designs, walk concepts, briefing structures, slide decks, written follow-ups, branding, and visual identity, is the intellectual property of AxisTrace.
You may not copy, reproduce, republish, distribute, or commercially use any AxisTrace content without prior written permission.
The AxisTrace name, the AxisTrace logo, and the names of individual walks, including Cosmic Axis, Ceremonial Axis, and Human Axis, are protected as part of AxisTrace’s brand identity.
Personal use of the website, including reading, sharing the link with friends, or referencing AxisTrace in personal travel notes, is welcome.
Inquiry and Communication
When you submit an inquiry through the website, send an email, or otherwise contact AxisTrace, you agree that AxisTrace may reply by email or other written channel using the contact details you provide.
AxisTrace aims to respond to inquiries within 1–2 business days. Response times may be longer during weekends, public holidays, periods of fieldwork, or extended travel.
For privacy-related questions and how your information is handled, please refer to the AxisTrace Privacy Policy.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:
AxisTrace’s total liability to any guest under these Terms, in connection with any Service or any related communication, shall not exceed the total fees paid by that guest to AxisTrace for the Service in question.
AxisTrace is not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of data, loss of opportunity, missed flights or connections, accommodation costs, visa-related costs, or emotional distress.
AxisTrace is not liable for any loss, damage, theft, or injury caused by the act, omission, or conduct of any third party, including but not limited to other guests, site staff, transportation providers, vendors, or members of the public.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits AxisTrace’s liability for personal injury caused by AxisTrace’s intentional misconduct or gross negligence, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.
Indemnification
To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to indemnify and hold AxisTrace harmless from any claims, demands, losses, costs, or expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising from:
Your breach of these Terms.
Your violation of any law, regulation, or third-party right during the Service.
Any act or omission by you that causes harm to AxisTrace, other guests, or any third party.
Privacy
Your privacy is important. AxisTrace collects and uses personal information only as described in the AxisTrace Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.
Modifications to These Terms
AxisTrace may update these Terms from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent version.
The version of the Terms in effect at the time of your booking applies to that booking.
Continued use of the Services or the website after an update indicates your acceptance of the revised Terms.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China.
In the event of any dispute arising from or related to these Terms or the Services, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith communication and written negotiation.
If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, it shall be submitted to the competent People’s Court in Beijing, China, for resolution.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the AxisTrace Payment Policy and Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and AxisTrace regarding the Services.
They supersede any prior verbal or written communications, proposals, or representations.
Contact
For any questions about these Terms, please contact:
AxisTrace
Email: hello@axistrace.studio
Website: axistrace.studio
Last updated: May 2026