A few days ago, @OldSeal posted on the Wind Forum, listing the6forms of outdoor travel among backpackers. In the replies, I mentioned, “Family self-guided tours are actually also a fairly common way to travel these days.” Later, we further discussed some of our views. Now, I’ve organized my thoughts simply and am publishing them.
The conventional tour groups mentioned in this article do not include high-end customized tours or a small number of in-depth travel experiences, but only refer to those crowded tour groups we often see when we visit attractions. Usually, their approach is to rush through the sights, take posed photos upon entering, and soon head off to the next attraction. This non-stop, careless, and often shopping-included style is an unavoidable choice for many and is not something most people enjoy. 
Joining a tour group,although it saves effort and many thingsare taken care of by others, and there’s the added benefit of guided commentary, has clear disadvantages. Take something as simple as meals — group meals are usually served as multi-person sit-down dinners, and I’ve never felt full, let alone satisfied...
(I saw a post from a former team member about a suburban tofu banquet or something, and from the photos, it looked like it might be filling enough~~)
I’ve joined relatively few tour groups. Examples include:
a regular customized group tour, which I joined;
a one-day tour of Xi’an (which should be categorized as a black-guide model), which I joined;
a one-day tour to places like the Stone Forest in Yunnan (also likely a black-guide model), which I joined;
10and many years ago, I also joined a one-day tour to Shihua Cave organized by the neighborhood committee along with a neighbor aunt (by chartered bus).
A few years back, I adopted a “private arrangement” method for traveling.10For small teams of fewer than6―8people (I prefer~~people, as it’s just the right number for two taxis), I acted as the organizer (not called the leader, but essentially did most of what a leader would do), responsible for proposing ideas, getting agreement, planning the route, adjusting the route, confirming the number of people, keeping accounts, collecting money, and refunding it (expensesAA).
In recent years, I haven’t arranged trips like this anymore. Aside from being pregnant and taking care of a baby, during which I barely left Beijing for5years, there were multiple other reasons:
1As we’ve gotten older, everyone has gotten busier, and it’s become difficult to coordinate a common time off together;
2As the organizer, it’s stressful and burdensome, carrying too much responsibility, which I don’t enjoy;
3Everyone has their own opinions on attraction choices and attitudes toward money. Although we seek common ground while reserving differences to maintain harmony in the group, there will inevitably be someone (the more conscientious or the minority) who makes sacrifices. Although balance can be achieved, I no longer wish to manage such relationships; (actually, during those few times in the past, we had a lot of fun.)
4Moreover, when I have the courage and the conditions allow, traveling on my own allows me to make decisions, set plans, and execute them swiftly. Even if there are disagreements, it’s easier to reach consensus.
Therefore, there’s even less reason to bring others along and create trouble for myself.----Here, I confess — this is driven by my petty-mindedness and selfishness...
I dislike joining tour groups, nor do I like traveling with a group. I prefer pure self-guided travel (not the self-guided options offered by travel agencies, because although agency-organized self-guided tours may be slightly cheaper, I worry that adding an extra layer could lead to more finger-pointing and complications when dissatisfaction or disputes arise).----This is purely a personal consideration and may not be correct).
This is a self-sufficient, do-it-yourself travel method — you go wherever you want, stay wherever you like, and stay as long as you please. Whether for vacation or just an outing, you have full freedom, no constraints, no shopping, no pushy sales pitches, less hassle, fewer frustrations, more joy, and more comfort. You take full responsibility for your own duties, obligations, and risks, carrying only your family along.
Because this approach requires quite a bit of thought and can drain your brain cells, I believe that the DIY family travel style should not be widely promoted. However, it is currently the most suitable and happiest way for me to travel...
Although it’s more effort-intensive, when weighing the gains and losses, the gains outweigh the losses.~~
Old Seal pointed out, "Only a fat wallet brings true freedom. For routes like Zhangjiajie or Wuyi Mountain, unless you're willing to spend over 1,000 RMB more than others (let's be practical here — we’re not talking about staying in 5-star hotels or flying first class), where does the freedom come from? Where is the spontaneity?"
On this issue, I believe everyone has a different attitude toward money. Take the salaried class, who make up the majority — hoping for financial freedom is unrealistic. But can you occasionally achieve a little travel freedom? That depends on your life philosophy and choices.
Surely some will say, “I never have enough money!” Scallop says, “Me neither~~~”
So when earning less, it’s important to save where you can.
For example, I used to always buy train tickets at agency counters, paying an extra 5 RMB agency fee per ticket. But the last time I saved: in May, when going to Yangzhou, I bought the tickets online and picked them up at the station’s self-service kiosk. That saved each person 10 RMB round trip...
10Don’t dismiss those few RMB — small savings add up. I won’t belabor the obvious~~
Scallop is the type who saves regularly but can splurge when the moment comes.
If you’re the type easily influenced, persuaded, or prone to overspending,let me offer a piece of advice,apart from supermarkets, try to avoid malls and online stores~~
Even though Scallop is relatively rational, I only go to malls when I have specific shopping needs~~
Cosmetics and clothing can definitely be bought less or not at all; the price difference between new arrivals and items after a while is huge (just take a random women’s outfit originally priced over a thousand RMB — buying it at 50% off saves you half, at 30% off saves you 70%). The differences among high-, mid-, and low-end cosmetics are absolutely not worth their price gaps. As for food, just eat until you’re satisfied and well-fed. Eating at home compared to dining out is more hygienic, tastier, quieter, cozier, and cheaper — why not do it? ... These habits, if kept up long-term, can cut down a lot of expenses.
The money saved isn’t just for watching the numbers grow, but to be pooled together to realize joyful dreams. (That sentence was a bit exaggerated, hehe...)
Scallop chooses travel.
Therefore, how you play and what you play are not determined by how fat your wallet is, but by your attitude toward life.
For example, signing up for a tour group in Beijing to go somewhere 1,500 km away, taking an overnight train there and back, the average cost per person is 2,500 RMB (just an example, not based on actual research).
Scallop would choose to plan the itinerary, schedule, and hotel bookings himself. Here’s how I think about it, shared with everyone:
1. For transportation, after considering cost-performance, high-speed rail is the top choice (for example, Hangzhou, 6.5 hours), and if no high-speed rail is available, then consider flights;
Scallop’s motto: usually, choosing high-speed rail or air travel will save travelers a lot of time!
Also, Scallop is sensitive to noise and can't sleep on transport...
2As for hotels, prioritize 3-star, then 4-star. The location should be good, close to key attractions, convenient for getting around, and moderately priced...
In the end, for the same trip to that place, the total spending might be 3,500 RMB per person, about 1,000 RMB more per person, but it’s 100% worth it!
3For itinerary planning, make your own choices, don’t simply copy the travel agency’s arrangements. Theirs is just for reference.
For example: Sanya’s Luhuitou Park — some tour groups list it, but whether to go or not on a DIY family trip is entirely up to you.
It always comes back to my consistent view: know what you’re going out to do. Are you going to look at sculptures, read slogans, or enjoy natural scenery, listen to the sea, or experience local culture and cuisine?
So, if I were planning it, I wouldn’t choose that attraction, and I’d save the time to go eat a local specialty hotpot (also called fish platter), which is seafood caught by the fishermen themselves and served on their boats. The hygiene may not be great, but it’s unique and authentic. Don’t worry, having it once in a while won’t do much harm~~
4Flexibility in planning is also an essential element (I won’t list other more important ones here—those who travel often already know them well).
For example, if your trip coincides with the rainy season and the itinerary spans three days on-site—with one day in the distant mountains and two days on nearby flat land—then go to the mountains on the first day as long as the weather is good. Otherwise, consider rearranging the itinerary or postponing the mountain plan based on the situation and weather forecast.
5You gain some and you lose some; it’s all about maintaining a balance between the two.
For instance: you originally planned to visit three attractions in one day, but on the afternoon of the second stop, you’re so captivated by the scenery that you can’t bear to leave. Then follow your heart, sit down, relax, and fully immerse yourself in that tranquility and awe (Scallop prefers serene and gentle landscapes, so let’s take tranquility as an example here). As for the third spot, save it for the next day or your next visit~~~
Scallop’s words: Traveling is like home renovation—nothing is ever perfect, and there will inevitably be some regrets.
Moreover, in recent years, I’ve come to feel that a touch of imperfection is what makes beauty truly beautiful~~
6Those who follow the path of virtue find support; those who don’t find little.
Favorable timing is not as vital as favorable location, and favorable location is not as vital as harmony among people. Harmony comes first, location second, and timing last.
When you’re out and about, purify your body and mind, be kind to others, care for birds and beasts, and stay tolerant and peaceful. There are ultimately more good people in this world. When you run into trouble, ask for help sincerely, and someone will surely lend a hand~~~
Compared to joining a tour group, the experience and freedom of traveling independently are completely different, and the accommodation conditions vary enormously (especially when it comes to food). Scallop believes that when you’re traveling, enjoying the experience is the top priority, followed by good food—and without a doubt, independent family travel offers more freedom and better dining options.
Let me share another of Scallop’s little tips, which is only useful for those who pay close attention to the details of life:
After booking a hotel online, I call the front desk 3–5 days before check-in. I tell them I’m a returning customer and would like to reserve a room similar to my previous stay—in the best available location within the same room category (I usually figure this out before making the reservation). I tend to choose rooms on higher floors with no obstructions in front. Then, I call again one day before check-in to confirm.【After testing it out in person, the room was indeed reserved.】
If you’re staying at a seaside resort hotel that has its own outdoor pool, it’s best not to choose a first- or second-floor room facing the pool—the humidity can be quite uncomfortable. In that case, try to pick a higher floor with a view of the pool. If it’s also a sea-view room, the cost might be higher. Weigh the pros and cons—if it’s not worth it, just go for the cheapest shaded garden-view room. Usually, you’ll be out early and back late, spending little time in the room anyway, so you won’t lose out~~ (When I went to Hangzhou in April, I chose the hotel’s cheapest standard room, though I did ask the front desk in advance to reserve a non-corner room on the top floor for me.)
These kinds of preferences are hard to accommodate when traveling with a tour group or team.
Of course, independent family travel also has its limitations:
1Scallop recommends this travel style only for well-developed scenic areas and low-altitude cities. For ethnic minority regions or Tibet, it’s advisable to go with a reputable travel agency, a trusted local guide, or accompanied by local friends or relatives.
2If you’re not renting a car or driving yourselves, covering long distances between scenic spots can be a challenge for independent family travelers. Since Scallop’s family is small and we prefer to avoid exhausting travel, we usually opt for cities or resort areas where attractions are concentrated. If there are nearby cities that appeal to us but are farther away, we’ll just plan a separate trip for them next time.~~
Some may ask: I want to spend less, but can I still have the freedom to enjoy myself as much as possible?
Of course you can—just choose the budget travel approach.
Stay in youth hostels and sample local snacks, and you’ll save a lot of money. We’ve done that before. (On long trips, unless you’re driving, I don’t recommend bringing a tent...)
It’s just that now we have a baby, and we prefer to keep her comfortable and reduce the chances of her getting sick~~
[Note:
The content of this post is entirely independent—it’s just what’s on Scallop’s mind, without even a single Baidu search—so if there’s anything off, that’s only natural~~
Also, I just realized how much I can write~~~ I’m going to be a writer~~~
Plus, I have a feeling this article will become my next featured post. Moderator, please don’t highlight it in red—choose the magenta color used in this sentence instead, thank you~~~ (Perfectionists are just so particular~~~)]
Here, I must recommend the travel guide I wrote in April. The main post’s Floors 1–7 document our trip to Hangzhou in extraordinary detail, and on Floor 7, I wrote a “Tips for Traveling with a Baby,” which I found very practical. Let me share it again:
Grand Launch of Scallop’s Successful Travel Guide—Traveling to Hangzhou with a Baby~~ (April 3 – April 7)
http://bbs.lvye.cn/thread-778495-1-1.html