Summer vacation is here, and many of you are probably planning to take this opportunity to travel abroad with your kids and parents. Aside from Japan, which is a favorite destination among Taiwanese travelers, Mainland China actually ranks high as a top choice for older generations. That’s why many people consider taking their parents to China. But here comes the tricky part: should you join a group tour or go on a free independent travel (FIT)?
After all, you’ve gone through the trouble of bringing your parents abroad—you definitely don’t want to end up on a terrible tour and regret it. But if you’re not too familiar with China yourself, and your parents mostly want to visit scenic small towns, honestly, traveling independently isn’t really more convenient or cost-effective...
Don’t worry—HowToTrip has compiled the three must-knows about group tours in China to help you choose your tour with ease, without having to stress over wasting money or having a miserable trip.
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?You’ve planned your holiday happily, but can’t fly out?
Group travel, as the name implies, means traveling as a group. So it’s definitely not guaranteed that just because you signed up, the tour will actually depart. However, those who haven’t joined a group tour before often assume it’s as simple as booking a train ticket—once you reserve and pay a deposit, you can just sit back and relax, waiting for departure.
But in reality, unless the tour you booked is explicitly labeled as “guaranteed to depart,” the travel agency can notify you up to 7 days before the departure date that the tour might not happen. First-time group travelers, please pay extra attention to this. While agencies will try their best to rebook you, if your vacation schedule is very rigid and you can only travel on specific dates, it’s better to choose a tour that is confirmed to depart from the start.
?A “no shopping stops” tour might secretly turn into a self-paid activities tour!
Many people know that when visiting Mainland China, you should choose a tour with no shopping stops. But here comes the plot twist (lightning strike~~~)—as long as the tour isn’t guaranteed to have zero self-pay activities, the tour guide has the right to recommend any optional paid activities!
During the itinerary introduction, they might mention some relaxing optional options (like massages), but once you’re actually on-site, you’ll wish you’d read the itinerary more carefully. Although you do visit the major attractions, the schedule tends to be quite empty—if you don’t join the optional paid activities, you might find yourself with nothing much to do very quickly...
?Bus ride time matters more than how many stars your hotel has!
When it comes to accommodation on group tours, there’s really no need to worry too much about safety or hygiene. Plus, China has hotels rated above five stars—even six or seven stars—so finding a five-star place isn’t hard at all.
However, what you should actually look at is the daily travel time by bus. China is huge, so the travel time between attractions can be quite long. Don’t sacrifice too much of your trip just to stay at a five-star hotel. Also, compared to the hotel star rating, it’s more important to consider whether the area nearby is lively, or if there are small neighborhoods where you can stroll around in the evenings.
When choosing a group tour in China, aside from thinking carefully about the three issues above, here are a few more tips to help you pick the right tour. Master these tricks, and you’re sure to have an amazing group tour experience in China.
?Tip 1 – Always check out guaranteed departure tours and special new offers first
If you’re a hard-working employee who finds it tough to get leave, then you absolutely must book a guaranteed departure tour. This way, you’re 99% likely to fly off and have fun (that 1%? Well, that’s just fate—like encountering a super typhoon that forces a postponement).
Also, it’s highly recommended that before booking any tour, you check out the “special new offers” section. If you want to snag a good deal on a group tour, this is the place to find one. But don’t misunderstand—these tours aren’t problematic. They’re just part of promotional campaigns by travel agencies, or sometimes the departure date is coming up soon and the group is just a few people short. To ensure the tour departs, the agency may offer a discount just to get more sign-ups quickly.
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?Tip 2 – Even when choosing a “no shopping stops” tour, study the itinerary carefully
A no shopping stops tour ensures you won’t waste precious travel time at places you have no interest in. That’s why many people now look for such tours. But if a no shopping tour doesn’t cost significantly more, you might want to double-check the itinerary?!
It’s common knowledge that low-cost tours often use commissions from shopping stops to subsidize the price. Without shopping stops, the travel agency has to arrange additional attractions, which could raise the tour cost. So if the price hasn’t gone up, there’s a chance the agency has hidden some self-pay activities. But how can you tell if they’re hiding optional costs until you arrive?
The trick is to examine whether the itinerary is well-packed. Are the shows and attractions you want to see all clearly listed in the itinerary?~
?Tip 3 – China is so vast—where should you go for a dream-like trip?
Of course, good food and accommodation matter on any trip, but the real factor that turns your journey into a heavenly experience is going to the right place with the right people. China is enormous, and different regions offer vastly different sights and experiences. Here are some destination tips to help you decide.
?First-time visitors must see the Great Wall >>> Top Beijing Tours
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?For visiting parents, go to a fairytale wonderland >>> A must-visit: Jiuzhaigou Valley, and stunning Guilin landscapes
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?Family trips shouldn’t miss the Chinese-speaking Disney >>> What to do in Shanghai
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?Romantic couples should head to the “Oriental Hawaii” >>> Vacation ideas in Sanya
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Want to see more stunning travel destinations in China? Recommended great tour groups in China
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?Popular travel destinations for family trips: Must-read tips before choosing a Japan group tour – 5 things you must know before buying a Japanese group package trip!! Stunning travel destinations in Japan?? Recommended great tour groups in Japan
?Wondering where to go on a summer vacation with your kids? Family trips = exhausting for parents? Discover 5 top family-friendly travel destinations that are fun for both adults and children!!
Still not sure where to go? Why not check out Travel Café? Recommended great tour groups in China
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