Beijing 'Awakened Lion' (Xingshi) Travel? More Like 'Awakened My Inner WTF!' – Steer Clear!
-
Excuse me everyone, I feel compelled to vent about my recent group tour experience in Beijing. Hopefully, this will serve as a warning for others!
-
Firstly, I met a travel planner named "Xiao Bei" through “Xiaohongshu“ (a similar app to Instagram in China where young people share their lives and introduce products).
- He assured us:
- All costs were covered in the tour fee: accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, reservations at tourist attractions.
- Most importantly: he said we wouldn’t face hidden costs, nor would there be enforced consumption!
- In addition, he mentioned transportation services from the airport.
- I was particularly keen on the arrangements and asked about activities that aren't of interest to me - whether we could individually explore the city if desired. Xiao Bei answered readily: “Just tell the tour guide, and there will be no problem!”
- He also mentioned we'd meet a representative from the travel company at our hotel after arriving on the first night. The intent was to sign contracts to protect both parties.
- He assured us:
-
However, upon our arrival, things were quite the “shock”:
- No airport pickup to greet us; just someone claiming to be "a friend" who escorted us to the hotel, leaving afterwards. We had to get our rooms by contacting the front desk ourselves.
- Signing those said contracts was delayed, with our issues revealed later:
- Warning Forced insurance!
- Contracts suddenly included a "personal accident insurance", around tens of dollars per person, which were never mentioned initially. Claimed to be necessary payments.
- Suggestion: It’d be wise to settle these small fees upfront without arguments; however, after the fact, one should discuss with the planner. The best strategy is to confirm details of any fees before departing.
- Warning "Voluntary" additional costs!
- Additional fees for optional sites were added - often quite expensive too, as mentioned earlier by Xiao Bei, but never disclosed before.
- Suggestion: Refuse to participate in uninteresting “voluntary” expenditures. If pressured, document it and file a complaint.
- Regarding my previous concern: our representative still responded with “discuss this with your tour guide.”
- Warning Forced insurance!
-
We paid an insurance we thought minimal instead of creating a bigger fuss since we were already there.
-
The following day more trouble unfolded:
- On the way to the sites, the tour guide promoted the four “voluntary” charges worth hundreds of dollars per person: "If you don’t pay, just stay by watching others play." Understandable as per the rules.
- We collectively decided against spending these unnecessary sums.
- After lunch, I approached the guide explaining that I wouldn't be spending any further funds on tours and would explore independently. We followed their process by sending a "waiver" stating any incidents would be under own liability, not the travel agency.
- The tour guide’s face then took a downturn (I'm guessing the profit cut was affecting his attitude); he ignored my inquiries until I sent the waiver online. He warned us against any future solo exploration, something we understood and agreed to.
- Note Sudden change in attitude from the guide:
- Following day, he used sarcastic, indirect language to vent frustration over our "disobedience".
- His foul mood seemed to worsen - not only during communication, but also affecting our tour’s arrangements communicated after that day. When questioning, his answer was perfunctory.
- Suggestion: First, remain calm and assert rights. Should the treatment persist abysmally, document evidence of interaction (including WeChat) and complain to the travel agency or relevant tourism boards afterwards.
-
To reiterate: Despite sending the waiver, we as adults have responsibility over our actions. Moreover, being paying costumers, we’re not there freehand grabbing at meals; what business do we deserve such mockery?
-
Everyone traveling seeks enjoyment; nobody desires additional discomfort.
Thus, my experience with this group tour through the app-generated Xiao Bei planner in Beijing is indeed questionable. Going forward, I urge all to remain alert and carefully review contract details when booking tours!
-
-
The very next day, over ten more people joined our tour. It was initially promised as a small group of 3-5 families, but suddenly there were 30-40 of us! Plus, during visits like the one to the Forbidden City, the guide only catered to those who paid extra, ignoring the rest of us. On the third day (our last), it was the typical end-of-tour shopping. We had two shopping stops, each lasting about two hours. At one jade shop, an 80-year-old lady was left standing for over an hour, and they wouldn't even give her a stool when we asked. This also squeezed our time for other attractions, so we ended up just rushing through them.
-
Thank goodness I saw this! I was just about to pay.
-
Don't go with this agency. I'd recommend you switch to a different one.
-
This 'Xiaobei' seems to be quite infamous lately; everyone's flaming them.
-
Oh, that's just fantastic. Their way of doing things is clear for everyone to see.
-
Oh my god! I just got scammed. I'd just arrived at the hotel and paid, and now I'm in the middle of a dispute trying to get my money back.
-
You're already at the hotel and arguing for a refund? What happened?
-
Can anyone recommend a good travel agency in Beijing? I was just about to pay the deposit, but thankfully I checked Xiaohongshu first to get some information.
-
I really wouldn't know. I can only speak for the one I've used; I haven't tried others, so I can't say.
-
I saw the contract today – it's from this same agency. I'm actually heading home today. In a few days, I plan to post my own warning about them, but let me quickly share a few points. First, when we initially talked, they said it was a small group of 12. But when I got on the bus, there were about 30 people. Second, after arriving at the hotel and signing the contract, they then informed us that everyone needed to pay a 60 yuan insurance fee. I asked if it was mandatory. They didn't use the word 'mandatory,' but they heavily implied it was. Third, on the bus, once we were moving, the guide started by talking about attractions, then gradually shifted to saying things like 'we need to respect the majority' and 'have team spirit,' and then asked for 400 yuan per person, claiming it was 'voluntary'.
-
When I said I wouldn't pay, his expression soured, and he lectured us about 'team spirit,' saying if we didn't pay, the others would do their thing, and we'd just be left aside, basically just following the bus. When I asked him what specific activities we would miss if we didn't opt-in, he just vaguely told us to 'stick with the group' and wouldn't specify, essentially playing dumb. It felt very coercive. (What really got me was that the itinerary given by the first person I contacted on WeChat was completely different. This guide basically added these unscheduled stops, causing me to waste time on things I hadn't planned for.) Fourth, the shopping stops. He took us to two: one was the place the original poster mentioned, and the second was some 'antique appraisal' place at Tianqiao Department Store.
-
I had already inquired about everything. Thank goodness I found this on Xiaohongshu!
-
Be sensible.
-
Next time, consider checking out our agency, OCT Travel Agency (Huaqiao Cheng Travel Agency). We sign a formal contract before departure, and we clearly explain the pricing and inclusions for all our tour packages. 'One family, one small group' is what we consider a private custom tour. For our private custom tours, if extra people are added mid-trip without agreement, we offer a full refund as compensation.
-
Sounds good! I'll look you up next time.
-
After I paid, they said I could get a refund anytime. Now, it turns out I can't go, but when I try to contact them on WeChat, there's no response.
-
So, it's all just their usual tricks.
-
I also paid a 100 yuan deposit. Now I've decided not to go and have requested a refund, but their customer service hasn't responded at all. Does anyone know how to resolve this?
-
It seems like you can't get it back. I also wanted to cancel before, and they refused to refund my deposit.