Unlicensed drivers, part-time tour guides, and bar hostesses inducing excessive consumption: "Wholesale goods" become a Lijiang feature. Alcohol prices quadruple as Lijiang hospitality turns less "gentle."
Following the exposure of exploitative practices in Sanya, many netizens began recounting similar incidents during their Spring Festival travels across various destinations. In no time, "reject overcharging" became the hottest micro-topic. Through searches, it was found that apart from Sanya, names like Yunnan and Lijiang frequently appeared on the "overcharging list." A traveler surnamed Wang who had just returned to Beijing from Lijiang shared her personal experiences with reporters, reflecting the chaos in the local tourism market, whether it be encountering unlicensed taxis, black-market guides, or being gouged by attractive hostesses in ancient town bars.
Tourist Exposure:
- Chaotic group travel prices; fish missing from a barbecue restaurant's set meal.
- Netizens listed several overcharging spots in Lijiang to warn other tourists.
Despite appearances of relative calm compared to Sanya’s exorbitant charges, is this all there is to Lijiang's tourism market? Yesterday, a tourist surnamed Wang who had just returned to Beijing from Lijiang recounted her experiences, revealing traps in Lijiang tourism and giving three reasons why one might avoid visiting Lijiang.
Reason One:
- Unlicensed drivers delay travel plans.
Ms. Wang traveled from Lijiang to Lugu Lake. After two days in Lijiang, she joined a small-group tour named "Lugu Lake Two-Day Tour," for which the fee was 450 yuan per person. However, when the vehicle reached Ninglang County, it was stopped for inspection due to the driver not having a valid license for operating a tourist vehicle. The group had to wait for another licensed vehicle, causing delays in the itinerary.
Reason Two:
- Bars exploit customers with fourfold price hikes under the guise of “romantic encounters.”
In addition to common "black guides," dining can easily lead to being overcharged in Yunnan. Bars in famous ancient towns like Dayan and Shuhe in Lijiang are notorious places for such exploitation.
Ms. Wang described an incident involving a fellow traveler who ordered a cocktail at a bar in Dayan Ancient Town, only to find it priced four times higher than in Beijing (80 yuan vs. 20 yuan). The traveler also unknowingly agreed to song requests without realizing they were chargeable. Moreover, he fell victim to a bar hostess posing as a single woman seeking romance, leading him to spend nearly 500 yuan on drinks without any romantic outcome.
Reason Three:
- "Wholesale goods" sold at double the price in Lijiang.
With the growing commercialization of the tourism market, the cultural charm of Lijiang's ancient towns has turned them into lucrative spots for merchants, making tourists frequent victims of overcharging. Products labeled as local specialties, such as embroidered skirts and ethnic-style clothing, are often indistinguishable from those sold near Beijing's zoo. Prices in Lijiang, however, are more than twice as high.
Travel Agencies:
- Long distances between scenic spots foster illegal operations.
Visitors to Yunnan know that whether it's major destinations like Lijiang, Kunming, or Tengchong, or smaller ones like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or Shangri-La, the distance between attractions is vast and transportation inconvenient. This situation forces independent travelers to rely on hired cars or local one-day tours, fostering illegal activities like unlicensed vehicles and guides.
Ethnic Styles Become Features:
- Genuine and counterfeit goods mix freely.
Yunnan's unique appeal lies in its rich ethnic minority culture. Yet, recent years have seen exaggerated pricing and mixed authenticity among ethnic-themed souvenirs. As demand increases, merchants seek profit through fake goods and inflated prices.
Tourism Bureau:
- Yunnan to take strong measures to rectify tourism market.
According to announcements on Yunnan Tourism Bureau's official website, during the 2012 Spring Festival Golden Week, Yunnan received 7.443 million visitors, an increase of 18.9%. Complaints about Yunnan's tourism ranked highest in January 2012.
The Yunnan Tourism Bureau has taken these issues seriously, addressing complaints about guide fraudulence and investigating restaurants and inns. New regulatory methods will be introduced, including electronic management systems for tracking tour groups and real-time monitoring of team movements.
This edition written by reporter Wang Sisi and Wang Lingling, illustrations by Li Ming. Share to: Welcome comments and reviews. Recommended on Weibo | Today's Weibo Hot Topics