Warning! Came for a good time sightseeing... LOL, NO. 😢
-
Didn't that 'long-time Hangzhou resident' you know warn you about joining tour groups?...
-
She's usually busy with work. I actually just had a sudden two-day break and decided to visit Hangzhou since it was nearby. I didn't do much planning or give her a heads-up. Being quite introverted, I didn't want to trouble her to go out of her way to show me around. Later on, I really enjoyed exploring by myself, just taking the bus route around the lake.
-
Next time you want to 'really enjoy your trip,' you don't necessarily need a tour group. You can be your own group! Just find a private guide to take only you (and your family). —From a guide who often leads private tours for families and individuals.
-
Why even bother with a tour group in Hangzhou? Just spend a few minutes on Xiaohongshu to check out some guides. They clearly list what to avoid and what's recommended.
-
Tours from Meituan or Ctrip? They're absolutely terrible.
-
Lingyin Temple tickets are personalized and non-refundable. You can just visit the temple and then take a bus back down the mountain. Smart travelers never join tour groups; they go wherever they please. With a smartphone, how could you possibly get lost?
-
I've been to Hangzhou countless times, always on my own. There's really no need to join a tour group for any destination.
-
Was this by any chance near the boat dock? The kind where they approach you right as you get out of a taxi, claiming their tour is cheap? I said I'd go in and check it out first, but he kept insisting there were no attractions inside. I almost fell for it. Luckily, I didn't go with them.
-
These days, with Gaode Maps for navigation, Xiaohongshu for travel guides, and Ctrip for booking flights and hotels, there's absolutely no need to join a tour group. The only time you might need one is for a guided explanation.