Tour packages growing up

When the United States first allowed tour groups from China's mainland in 2008, cautious travel agents limited their packages to important sites on the East and West coasts and Hawaii - all in about two weeks.

Breathless, see-everything-famous trips were well suited for Chinese who might visit the US only once, especially in an immature market. Now, agencies are offering wider selections of travel options in light of planned improvements to the US visa application process in China and the expected leap in Chinese visitors to the US.

China International Travel Service, one of the largest agencies in Beijing, has begun selling more focused tours. They include shopping trips to both luxury stores in Beverly Hills and large outlets on the East Coast, and themed tours, such as one to national memorials and parks including Mount Rushmore.