My parents and myself booked a Beijing, Tianjin, Chengde tour for 8 days.
The initial price was very cheap @ AUD$83/person + $80 "optional" shows + "tips".
The way these tours make money, is by taking you to many shopping destinations to purchase the "Chinese Specialty Items" such as pearls, jades, silks, teas, chinese medicines, etc. The tour company would receive commission on sales. This fascinated me, because I wanted to know HOW they would get us to buy these items. What if you don't want to buy? Would they still make money? Are they subsidized by the Chinese government in any way?
A note on my parents, or more specifically my mum. She was the ultimate enforcer (!) of those rhymy signs in public places teaching people to use some civilization. For example, if someone smokes in a public place and she smells it, she would say strictly: "Zhe li shi gong gong chang suo, qing ni bu yao chou yan." (This is a public area please do not smoke.) Reaction, person disappears from sight. If someone pushes into the line when going onto the train, she would say strictly: "Zhong guo ren yao you xiu yang, wo men yao xue xi zen me pai dui." (Chinese people need manners, we need to learn how to line up.) Reaction, person stops moving and pretends nothing happened.
When the people get taken back to school like this, they are stunned and become speechless, because nobody tells nobody off for uncivilization ever.
Anyway, the tour provided 5-star accommodation, touring bus, tour guide, breakfast lunch and dinner. Sounds good, fun, exciting? YES. Or NO. Find out soon.
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