May Day Travel: 5 Truths. Spoiler: The Last One Hurts...
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Hello everyone! During the recently concluded "May Day Holiday" (Wǔyī Golden Week, a significant public holiday in China), domestic tourist attractions were packed with people, as if they had disturbed a wasp's nest. However, hidden behind this bustling scene are five somewhat sobering truths that I'd like to share with you. There were those who spent all their money on vacation and almost couldn't make it back home...
1. The so-called “budget-friendly tourism,” is actually a trap for burning money!
According to news reports, Beijing tourists spend an average of 1,149 RMB during their stay. Do you actually believe that? Some scenic spots charge as much as RMB 25 for a regular bottle of water, which could mean that 1,149 RMB might not even be enough to buy a few bottles there—just for water!
Beijing received total tourism revenue of 4.47 billion RMB. That sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? But some friends complained, “Even a popsicle from Gùgōng (the Forbidden City) costs RMB 40! Every bite tastes like money!”
Attention folks: Many hotspots feature very high prices, and the so-called “budget-friendly tours” can sometimes end up costing you more. Make sure to check prices before buying anything, or you can just purchase your supplies outside of the attraction and bring them inside.
2. No booking? Even the imitation versions of famous attractions are overcrowded!
Some people stayed up all night to secure tickets only to find that the system crashed. Others finally arrived at Xi’an (Xi’an, the historical capital city of China) and discovered that some exhibitions need a two-hour wait.
Another family happily flew to Huángshān (Yellow Mountain), but found all the tickets sold out; they eventually had to spend 2,000 RMB with scalpers (huángniú) just to enter the scenic spot.
Important reminder: To visit China, particularly during holidays, it’s essential to book popular spots well in advance from official channels! Otherwise, you might not be able to get inside the gates or might have to waste money buying tickets from scalpers while you've traveled all the way.
3. Over-the-top “thrilling” tourism is threatening people's safety!
News reports stated that a cruise ship capsized in Guizhou province, and a helicopter crashed in Suzhou city. One sad story was about a father taking photos of his child; the next second, he was crushed... It was tragic!
Many scenic spots attempt to earn money by vigorously promoting various claimed “exciting projects,” but who knows if these activities are safe? Moreover, some might not have undergone adequate inspections.
Caution: Prior to participating in any risky leisure project, observe everything carefully. If something doesn't feel right or if safety measures appear lax, avoid blindly joining these events just to post on social media for likes. Remember, life comes first!
4. Social media-induced envy over vacations leads honest individuals astray!
A colleague posted images of their vacation in Sānyà (a renowned beach destination) in their Circle of Friends (Péngyouquān), which resembled Facebook Walls. Then, our boss questioned why I didn’t “get away to relax.” But, could I possibly inform him that my account balance only reads three digits after a spending spree?
Some guesthouses claim to be almost fully booked (95%), but many come back penniless (chītǔ), slang referring to being broke due to overspending.
Friendly advice: Don't let glittery illusions of social media fool you. Traveling is primarily about personal pleasure rather than competing with others. Do what you can afford, and avoid borrowing money just for vanity displays.
5. Savvy travelers have seen through it all...
These clever “alternate tourism” advocates prefer less popular off-season destinations or cities with little fame; staying in a villa might cost just RMB 300 per person, without the crowd!
Quite frankly, standing amongst crowds and merely looking at scenery is definitely spending money unnecessarily — knowing how to travel well and comfortably is truly the key!
These five truths — did you happen to encounter any? Share comments below!