Beijing Tour Group Scams: My Undercover Takedown of Shengji International Travel Agency!
-
I just got back from a tour with Wanke, and it was a total rip-off! The only saving grace was the hotel; even though it was far out in Fengtai District, it was clean, modern with smart features, and quite decent. But the tour itself was awful and exhausting. We were rushed through every attraction, with barely any time to see anything. On the last day, they forced us into two shopping stops and wouldn't let us leave until their set time was up. For instance, we only got into the Forbidden City at 3 PM and had to be out by 4:30 PM! On top of that, upon arrival, we were charged 60 yuan per person for insurance, and then another 390 yuan on the bus for a 'package' deal that included the sightseeing bus, a guide, and an acrobatics show.
-
The guide made a killing, pocketing 200 yuan from the 280 yuan show. The exact same performance at Guangzhou Sunac Grand Circus is only 60 yuan!
-
All these cheap tours pull the same stunt; even the Beijing tourism authorities have called them out on it.
-
The main tactic is to lure people in with low prices. Once you arrive, it turns into a shopping tour. Most people, thinking 'well, I'm already here,' reluctantly sign up, only to end up frustrated and angry throughout the trip.
-
Same thing happened to me. It was advertised as a high-quality tour, but it turned into a shopping tour a__s soon as we landed.
-
Exactly! I only paid the deposit because their itinerary specifically said 'no shopping stops'.
-
The exact same scam! I've already complained and got a refund for the insurance fee. The travel agency complaint is still ongoing! I can't believe travel agencies in Beijing, the capital of China, are this shady!
-
For our family of four on a self-guided trip to Beijing, it cost just over 5,000 yuan for 5 days and 4 nights. The main reason it was so affordable was that the senior in our group got free admission, our child under 1.2 meters got free tickets and free high-speed rail, and our 12-year-old also got into some attractions for free. So, I was basically the only one paying for things!
-
That's a great deal!
-
The exact same trickery. They promised a 'business hotel' for the first day, but when we got there, it was an economy hotel. We also paid for insurance and bought tickets for an acrobatics show. I wanted to switch hotels at the time, but they said we could only change to something on the fifth or sixth ring road, with nowhere else available. They say one thing and do another!
-
Nobody on our bus bought a single piece of jade. When we got back on, they wouldn't even turn on the AC! We almost got into a fight. The bus drove for over ten minutes, and they only turned on the air conditioning after we threatened to call the police. And there was an elderly lady in her 80s or 90s on the bus!
-
Just this evening, my husband told me his buddy is arriving in Beijing the day after tomorrow with his family of three on a group tour for under 5,000 yuan. I was thinking, 'Hmm, that sounds... suspicious. Probably involves shopping stops.' (I'm actually in Beijing on a self-guided trip with my daughter right now).
-
A low-price tour for three people under 5,000 yuan is going to be a miserable experience.
-
If only I had seen this earlier! We're even staying at the same hotel.
-
Feeling a bit disheartened? Once you're there, just try to relax and enjoy your trip. The roast duck restaurant near the entrance has a great group deal on Dianping/Meituan, and it's just a short taxi ride (around ten yuan) to Wukesong, where there are lots of food options.
-
I'm wondering, what's a reasonable per-person budget for a trip to Beijing?
-
Six of us, including seniors, went at the end of September for 6 days and 5 nights. It cost 27,000 yuan in total.
-
How is the Beijing Changyou International Travel Co., Ltd. tour group?
-
Anyone signed up for it?