For this, we consulted several seasoned outdoor enthusiasts in Jinhua. Over their travels, they’ve encountered plenty of tricky situations. Here, we’ve listed the four most common ones. Follow our advice during this holiday, and you’ll definitely save yourself a lot of trouble.
[Situation 1]Getting ripped off by “guides”
During your trip, at remote or unfamiliar tourist spots, highway exits, or toll booths, you might see people holding signs offering “cheap guided tours,” “tour guide introductions,” or “accommodation.” They often ride motorcycles and try to persuade you while chasing your car. If you engage with them, you’re halfway aboard a thief’s boat.
First, the hotels and attractions they recommend are often subpar—you end up paying but not getting good service or experiences, and can easily get ripped off. The most dangerous are those motorcyclists who offer to guide you for money. Seeing that you’re unfamiliar with the area, they might take you to a desolate place to scam or rob you, leaving you with nowhere to turn for help.
Solution: A GPS is essential for long road trips. If your destination is extremely remote, prepare the contact numbers of your hotel or attractions in advance. When lost, it’s better to ask the hotel or attraction staff than to trust those roadside “guides.”
[Situation 2]Getting stranded while camping
Mr. Yu is a seasoned hiker from Jinhua. Once, he went camping and fishing on an island with friends. That night, a sudden storm with strong winds, heavy rain, and thunder struck, leaving them stranded.
The island was in the middle of a large lake, and their tent was pitched at the highest point on the island. Fearing lightning strikes, the experienced Mr. Yu and his friends had to turn off all their phones and remove the batteries, cutting off all contact with the outside world.
Their family and friends, unable to reach them, grew very worried and feared something had happened, so they called the police.
Solution: Nowadays, more and more adventurers are engaging in exploratory outdoor activities. Whether traveling in a small group or solo, it’s essential to learn about your destination beforehand. If there’s no phone signal and the area is prone to stranding, call your family or friends before entering and let them know when you expect to be back, just in case. Even if you only realize there’s no signal after arriving, head back to an area with signal and update your plans with your loved ones. If you don’t return by the agreed time, they can alert the police and provide assistance.
[Situation 3]That “random passerby” is actually a thief
Last month, Mr. Jian was driving to a tourist spot. While waiting at a red light, a pedestrian suddenly asked for directions through his left window. Kindly, Jian pulled up his GPS and patiently answered the question. But when he turned back, he found his camera and briefcase on the passenger and back seats had vanished.
It turned out that Jian had left his windows open while parked. The “passerby” asking for directions was just a distraction so his accomplice could steal his belongings.
Solution: It’s breezy and pleasant in autumn, and many drivers like to keep their windows open. But when making temporary stops, beware of sudden “unexpected guests.” In crowded areas, always remember to close the windows and lock the car.
[Situation 4]Beware of thieves while washing your car
Mr. Zheng, an avid traveler, enjoys road trips. Once, while traveling with family, they stopped at a rural guesthouse for a meal. Next to the restaurant was a car detailing shop that offered free parking, car washing, and interior cleaning for guests.
After days of travel, Zheng’s car was filthy, so he was happy to take advantage of the free wash.
But when he came out after the meal, he couldn’t find his car—and neither could the car washer who had served him. The restaurant owner said they had no connection to the car wash; the car wash owner claimed there was no such employee.
Solution: In unfamiliar places, never hand over your car keys casually. If you must wash your car, stick to just the exterior. Also, when dining in suburban areas, make sure your vehicle is locked and valuables are kept with you. Never leave a bag in the car—even an empty one can attract thieves.
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Dangerous hours for driving
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Drivers who haven’t eaten breakfast will likely feel hungry and weak, increasing the risk of accidents. Drivers who’ve just eaten lunch and hit the road in a hurry may experience brief drowsiness and distraction, also leading to accidents.
Dusk: Statistics show that about a quarter of traffic accidents happen between 5 and 7 p.m. After a day of travel fatigue, drivers are prone to visual impairments, wrong judgments, improper actions, and symptoms like dry eyes, dizziness, and yawning—all of which raise accident risks.
1 a.m. to 3 a.m.: During these hours, people have slow brain reactions, low blood pressure, stiff and numb hands and feet—driving is highly accident-prone. This period is also when car theft and robbery crimes peak.
Three essentials for road trips
Veteran traveler “Hongdian” always prepares the following for road trips. Take a look and see if you’ve missed anything:
Packing essentials: Before every trip, check that you’ve got all necessary items: ID, driver’s license, vehicle registration, maps, notebook, etc. For trips in this season, bring warm clothing, and consider hats, rain gear, sleeping bags, insulated bottles, toiletries, etc., based on conditions. Also, soft-soled shoes are best for driving—and don’t forget to pack a pair.
Ensure vehicle condition: Before setting off, if time allows, take your car to a 4S shop for a “check-up” to ensure it has sufficient engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and automatic transmission fluid. Check that the vehicle’s lights and windshield wipers are in good working order. Inspect the tires and spare tire; if possible, have a wheel balance and four-wheel alignment performed.
Repair tools and medications: For long-distance road trips, it’s generally advisable to carry a set of repair tools in the car, including a jack, wrenches, an emergency light, hazard warning signs, a fire extinguisher, a tow rope, and a spare fuel canister. If possible, bring some auxiliary tools such as a multi-function watch, compass, multi-tool knife, and entrenching tool — these can come in handy for camping or getting lost in the wild. Of course, a large bucket of purified water is also essential, usable for drinking or topping up the radiator. In addition, essential medications such as bandages, adhesive plasters, and mosquito repellent are must-haves for any trip.