Su & Hang Tourist Trap Confessional: Spill Your Worst!

[Franklin Weimann IV]

Okay, folks! It looks like summer is coming to an end, so let's chat a bit! Are there any of my brothers and sisters out there who feel the same way as me – that after visiting Suzhou and Hangzhou, my wallet was lighter, but I still felt somewhat dissatisfied? It felt a bit like being duped!

What about the so-called "small specialty tour groups"?

• Is it possible they advertised these tours as small groups, but ended up being way more crowded than expected?

What about the so-called "high-quality independent travel" packages?

• Isn't it possible they told us this kind of travel would be free, but the itinerary ended up being fully arranged for us, with practically no room for personal decision-making?

What about the promised "pure sightseeing with no shopping"?

• Isn't it possible that despite assurances of no shopping, we were still taken to different stores for "visiting and learning," and refusing to purchase could lead to less pleasant reactions from the staff?

And then there are those marketing gimmicks disguised under "government support for local tea farmers" (found everywhere in Hangzhou due to the famous Longjing tea) or "government subsidies for local residents"...

It's almost as if our money was indirectly siphoned from our wallets into these schemes. Just thinking about it makes one so angry!

Come and share your experiences of being misled or fooled during your trip to Suzhou and Hangzhou this summer. Let's warn other visitors to avoid such mishaps.

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️ Important Travel Tips (Beware if you do not want to be duped):

• Be wary of overly attractive travel products:

  • Packages that are outrageously cheap and claim to provide "elite" experiences, "pure pleasure", or "no shopping opportunities" are often flawed. Remember, no one will just give away benefits, always value what you pay for - especially when it comes to tourism.
  • Avoid: Seek out reputable travel agencies, read all contract details strictly, and avoid being tempted solely by low prices.

• Watch out for claims of government subsidies or charity projects:

  • In areas like the Longjing tea region of Hangzhou, if someone tries to pitch you on purchasing tea or other agricultural products under the guise of "subsidies for locals" or "supporting local farmers," be extremely cautious.
  • Avoid: True aid should be voluntary and not result because of misleading or forcing tourists into spending.

• Be vigilant against unannounced shopping spots:

  • If your trip schedule has suddenly added unexpected shopping locations or the guide/driver enthusiastically pushes you to buy jade, silk, tea, or pearls, beware, especially if they hint that refusing to shop might affect the remaining itinerary.
  • Avoid: Firmly say no, clearly state that you have no shopping needs. If forced to, retain evidence (recordings, photos) and report afterwards.

#SuzhouHangzhouTourism #PitfallGuideline #TravelComplaint

[Felix Glover]

The itinerary this 'Yanzi' (Swallow) person is talking about is identical to the 'Old Dreams of Jiangnan' tour that someone I added as a contact shared.

D1 Breathtaking Taihu Lake:
Highlights: Depart at 2 PM for 【Fisherman's Wharf】 to experience the marvel of 'sunset glow and solitary wild goose fly together, autumn waters and the vast sky merge into one color'. Visit 【Dragon Dream Taihu Ancient Town】. In the evening, watch the performance 'The Intoxicating Beauty of Taihu Show'.
Accommodation: Huzhou Dragon Dream Yashe Hotel.

D2: Waterside Nanxun & Wuzhen
Morning departure to 【Nanxun】, the 'Capital of Chinese Ink Brushes,' to discover its beauty. Afternoon departure to 【Wuzhen Xizha (West Gate)】, to experience the picturesque water town scenery of 'small bridges, flowing water, and households'.
Accommodation: Wuzhen.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

D3 Iconic West Lake:
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Highlights: Tour the 【5A West Lake Scenic Area】, see the Ten Scenes of West Lake, stroll along Su Causeway, and experience the timeless and beautiful love story of Lady White Snake.

[Kathryn Hermiston]

This kind of tour screams 'shopping tour'. You should be wary of any that require a 50-100 RMB deposit upfront and then make you sign a contract upon arrival in Hangzhou.

[Sadie Ortiz-Waelchi]

It's 620 RMB per person, and it includes two shopping stops. The first is either a silk shop or a jade store, and the second shopping opportunity is on the West Lake cruise boat.

[Pamela Miller]

What do they even sell on the West Lake cruise boat?

[Guadalupe Barton]

Any recommendations for tours that are purely for sightseeing, without mandatory shopping stops?

[Ken Fahey]

Yes, I have one. Contact this number on WeChat: 19511241300.

[Rosemarie Sawayn PhD]

I fell into this trap too and ended up losing 2,000 RMB.