In China, cheap deals always mean a series of risks and strings attached. How much you pay for something means you should be prepared to accept the relevant services. Many travelers have joined cheap tours in China, such as 1-day tours in Beijing for 100 yuan. However, most of these cheap tours earned a notorious reputation due to the scams encountered. Avoid cheap shopping tours in China and explore your destination in a better way.
Forced Shopping Tours
You will encounter forced shopping experiences many times during a cheap tour, even though China National Tourism Administration has banned all undisclosed shopping stops. On the one hand, your guide may clarify that he/she will respect his/her customers’ opinions.
On the other hand, your guide may try to convince you that the souvenirs you see are valuable and you should buy them as keepsakes. They can be very hypocritical. The guides have to do this, however, because their bonuses depend on how much travelers purchase during each tour.
Terrible Travel Experience
Cheap tours always mean a lower standard of service, from the vehicle to the guide and from the driving time to the length of time spent at different locations. It’s common to waste a long time driving to each destination.
If your tour contains two attractions and three shopping sites, there’s barely enough time to spend in each place. This is especially disappointing when you are excited about something and the guide tells you that you have to go on to the next place. Wasting too much time on waiting, driving, or shopping is a pity. Being hurried for a whole day will make you feel tired and unhappy.
It’s Not Real Travel
Travel is about discovering different cultures, histories, landscapes, and lifestyles. You should immerse yourself into the authentic local lifestyle and experience as many new things and special circumstances as you can. Going on a cheap tour means you will only have a limited amount of time to do these things. It’s not real travel, it’s just casting a passing glance over your surroundings.
It’s Not as Cheap as You Believe
Can you refuse everything you see at a shopping site? Do you feel embarrassed when other travelers make purchases in a shop but you don’t? What should you do if the guide forces you to go shopping?
Most of the goods available at the shopping sites are really not worth putting up with all this hassle for. Finally, if you do end up purchasing goods during the trip, it will cost you a lot of money and you will have had a terrible day.