This was posted 3 months 8 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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10 Days China Tour from SYD/MEL $888 Per Person Twin Share ($500 Solo Surcharge) @ TripADeal

2000
10 Days China Tour from SYD/MEL $888 Per Person Twin Share ($500 Solo Surcharge) @ TripADeal
Go to Deal
fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:10 tripadeal.com.au (6661 clicks)
Last edited 13/09/2024 - 11:55 by 1 other user

I went on this exact trip in May, and it was genuinely amazing. The trip is heavily subsidised by the China govt, which explains how they get away with the tiny cost.
You will need about min $1000 extra for the optional activities, tipping, and food.

I personally spent $2000 extra in total, but I bought a lot of things back.
I used Alipay almost exclusively which meant it was super easy to summarise every expense in the country and know where I was at.
Happy to answer questions too if people are concerned.

Reminder that the 15 day free visa makes this trip even cheaper and easier:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/853959

Dates

2024
* 9th November

2025
* 28th February
* 4th March
* 6th March
* 8th March
* 10th March
* 14th March
* 15th May
* 19th May
* 21st May
* 22nd May
* 26th May
* 28th May + $50 P/P
* 2nd June + $50 P/P
* 4th June
* 10th June

Itinerary

Day 1
Australia (or New Zealand) – Beijing, China
Day 2
Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City (or Tiananmen Square & Temple of Heaven)
Day 3
Great Wall of China
Day 4
Beijing – Shanghai - Suzhou
Day 5
Suzhou – Wuxi
Day 6
Wuxi - Hangzhou
Day 7
Hangzhou - Shanghai
Day 8
Shanghai History Museum & Free Afternoon
Day 9
Shanghai, China – Australia (or New Zealand)
Day 10
Arrive Australia (or New Zealand)

Inclusions

"Explore Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi and Shanghai
Visit historic Tiananmen Square in Beijing
Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City or The Temple of Heaven (subject to availability)
Tick the Great Wall of China off your bucket list
Indulge in a delicious Peking Duck lunch experience
Enjoy a scenic boat ride on Hangzhou’s picturesque West Lake
Visit Lihu Park in Wuxi, a serene oasis nestled along the shores of Lake Lihu
Delve into the history of China at the Shanghai History Museum
Explore the Lingering Garden and a silk spinning factory in Suzhou
Visit a local Jade Museum and see incredible artisans at work
Learn about traditional Chinese medicine at ‘Tong Ren Tang’ in Beijing
Discover Longjing Tea at Meijiawu Tea Village with tastings"

Travel Airfare Asia China Instagrampost Tour

Related Stores

TripADeal
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closed Comments

  • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 08:14
    +27

    Tipping!? That sounds very un-chinese and un-aussie.

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:16
      +29

      The "Tipping" is exclusively the fee you pay per day to the bus drivers. it comes to ~$10aud per person. It's more reasonable to call it a "daily transport cost"
      This was one of the things that confused me when trying to read the itinerary, and made me carry extra cash for no reason.

      • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 08:18
        +4

        I didn't know that since I never experienced driver tipping in any tours. But I wasn't in a tour for a very long time.

        I've only done day 2 and day 3 and probably a little bit of day 7 myself. Maybe opportunity arises I should try a tour like this one again. (I'm a chinese BTW)

        • HeWhoKnows on 14/09/2024 - 14:22
          -8

          Why dont you withdraw your emabarrassing and totally unjustified comment then??????????

      • charmed_tiger6 on 13/09/2024 - 11:25

        Did you have to tip each day or was it on the last day? Asking because I’ll be doing one of their other China trips in November

        • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 00:51
          +2

          On the last day of each tour guide.
          One in Beijing and Shanghai

          • charmed_tiger6 on 24/09/2024 - 17:15

            @Richcor: Thanks :) Do you tip for the first and last day of the tour? My first day is flying there so there is only a transfer to my hotel at close to midnight and then the last day is once again just a transfer and flight home… it seems odd to tip or at least tip the same amount for those particular days if it's expected

            • Richcor on 24/09/2024 - 21:47

              @charmed_tiger6: Yeah we arrived at Midday on the first day so we had to pay the first day and the last i cant remember now haha sorry but probably also. Its a lil scam they got going.

        • Legend279 on 23/09/2024 - 15:13

          Yes, they tell you stories on how they need this to survive and come up to you individually to see how you would like to pay.
          We had a young group and tried to get out of it, but could clearly see they were upset and didn't want them to hate us for the remainder of the days and ended up paying.

          Be ready for the push to buy all their extras and if you don't, then they also get visually upset. Overall not bad experience, just factor the extra 80$ into the price as its confirmed.

      • jcft on 13/09/2024 - 11:54
        +4

        Tipping expense - $12aud per day per person x 10 days = $120 x 2 people = $240 -pls add this to your budget

      • davebern on 14/09/2024 - 18:05

        Tipping has gone up to $12

      • ugulgif on 15/09/2024 - 01:49

        Is it $10 per day or in total? If it's per day, that would be a lot (especially converted to CNY).

        • Mamajo on 20/09/2024 - 13:13

          It's per day per person. So if you are a family of 4, times that by 4, times that by number of days.

    • knobbs on 13/09/2024 - 08:20
      +2

      They are making back those subsidized costs

      • vinzchang on 13/09/2024 - 08:21
        +1

        illegally

      • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 08:24
        +8

        I think it's reasonable given forced shopping in tours in China are mostly forbidden by law now.

        A few days ago I watched a video on a tour between Tianjin and Beijing, return bus fare included with healthy combination of sightseeing and some meaningful shopping, which costs less than one way train ticket between the two cities LOL.

        But I do enjoy the flexibility of travel by myself, a lot.

        • knobbs on 13/09/2024 - 09:06
          -4

          So we should be subsidizing their lives because China made a law to rule out unfriendly tourist practices?

          • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 09:17
            +5

            @knobbs: No, it was because a long time ago some travel agencies in China are ripping tourists off by creating zero-yuan tours and forcing them to buy stuff. Anti-competitive practices, etc.

            I don't know about foreign-targeted tours. I'm talking about domestic ones facing Chinese nationals. These news were all over the place in early 2000s I recall.

            Laws are made pro-consumer. Subsidised tours are pretty common these days. Also tourist industry is a very efficient industry, the actual cost can be unimaginably low.

        • humperdoo on 13/09/2024 - 10:02

          ahhh I remember this game now. Saying, "I don't speak English" in English worked wonders. Works also on your side quests.

        • HeWhoKnows on 14/09/2024 - 14:28
          +3

          The following "inclusions" are actually forced shopping tours in disguise"

          Visit a local Jade Museum and see incredible artisans at work
          - they try to con you into buying jade and jewellery.
          You dont see any locals buying jewellery there..hohum

          Learn about traditional Chinese medicine at ‘Tong Ren Tang’ in Beijing -
          - they try to con you into buying chinese herbs and medicines.
          Technically you may not be allowed to bring these herbs back through customs.
          You dont see any locals buying medicines there..hohum

          Discover Longjing Tea at Meijiawu Tea Village with tastings" -
          - they try to con you into buying thier Chinese tea at exhorbitant prices.
          Technically you may not be allowed to bring these teas back through customs.
          You dont see any locals buying tea there..hohum

        • Hugh G Rection on 15/09/2024 - 21:31

          do they bring you to those places were you get cheap high quality fakes?

    • Frozensage on 13/09/2024 - 09:12
      +3

      it's the same here pre covid, the chinese tourist groups would tip the driver, which the money then gets split up if there's a guide on the bus as well. Calling it tip is more like a fee.

    • yanlianglee on 13/09/2024 - 10:44
      -4

      Chinese not the same as China :)

    • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 00:47

      Its part of the tripadeal catch. Our tour operator said they dont get a cent out of it. Not sure if fibs.

      • valour on 14/09/2024 - 16:28
        +1

        Our guide said it gets split up between the guide, the driver and the backroom staff. TAD says it is optional, but they insist on getting it.

        • Richcor on 14/09/2024 - 17:03

          Yeah its not optional cos one couple had a fight with him and he said if didnt get the tip TAD wouldnt give the bullet train ticket to them lol

    • HeWhoKnows on 14/09/2024 - 14:21
      -7

      How would you know and your up-voters know?

      Ever been to China…NO!

      Ever done one of these tours…NO!

      You dont tip when you get good service here in australia? - what a very poor attitude you all have!

      The only thing un-aussie is your post and those that up-voted you.

      This is a terrible reflection on OBers in general.

      How embarrssing to be associated with you and your up-voters

      SHAME SHAME SHAME!

  • whichwhatwho on 13/09/2024 - 08:20
    +11

    Cheaper than a two night stay at a Motel in Moe.

  • dave888au on 13/09/2024 - 08:20

    Is the trip suitable for a limited mobility traveller. Eg wheelchair or elderly?

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:23
      +2

      There were plenty of of elderly, but unfortunately it did require a bit of walking from place to place for the activities - normal walking pace.
      I probably wouldn't recommend it if you need a wheelchair, but I also wouldn't say impossible. Might be one to reach out to their support and see if they have any specific accommodations.

      • HeWhoKnows on 14/09/2024 - 14:31
        +1

        Thier tour coaches dont accomodate wheeelchair access or seating from memory

    • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 08:29
      +1

      Greatwall alone is relatively wheelchair unfriendly. It's significantly more accessible now compared to two decades ago and I do see people in wheelchair on the wall, but I doubt a tour would be able to accommodate that.

      Maybe there are speciality tours optimised for people with disabilities?

      • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:56
        +1

        you didn't need to climb the wall, they bring you to a flat area where they have coffee shops and souvenirs. Then again, you'd need someone confident in helping them up short flights of stairs where present - else probably doable

    • abs898 on 13/09/2024 - 09:16

      I went to China earlier this year, it's not even stroller friendly at train stations, had to help a few struggling mums trying to carry their baby. It was interesting to see no one offered help at all.

      They will need to be able to walk some distance to enjoy the country

      • May4th on 13/09/2024 - 10:32
        +3

        it depends on the city and what part of city.
        shanghai for example, I had no problems with any metro stations or around town. so shanghai/beijing/hang zhou/guangzhou in urban areas should be ok
        if you are in a tier 2 city, or "old town" part of the city that wasn't master planned in the last 1-2 decades, its quite difficult to get around and I would use a carrier instead

        • abs898 on 13/09/2024 - 10:33

          This was in Beijing.

      • oldrocker on 13/09/2024 - 13:02
        -3

        Not surprised that no one offered to help!

        • abs898 on 13/09/2024 - 14:02
          +2

          Honestly, I don't know why I was so surprised.

    • valour on 14/09/2024 - 16:31

      We had an elderly lady in a wheelchair last November. Her daughter pushed her around and of course others helped over steps etc. She was able to walk onto the bus with assistance.

  • dontask on 13/09/2024 - 08:25
    +5

    Will they force your tour group to buy overpriced items from their duty free shop? Also, I've heard they don't let you leave until your group has hit a certain quota.

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:47
      +82

      They take you to 4 very clearly associated shops during the trip, they do not have a quota, but you are there for like an hour or two.
      It was actually super interesting how they did their sales pitch though, each one was unique, and it was more fun watching the people in your group who bought into it.

      Opal Store
      - They bring you into what is basically a big jewellery shop for Opals, all are cut into different things and many are priced in the thousands. They start with a little explainer on Opals, how they are cut, and how to tell real from fake (lol) - then they let you loose to just look around the place. I personally spent nothing but took heaps of photos of the display items because they were extremely pretty and impressive. Overall 1.5hrs of my life, and was easily distracted. The place was big and had free coffee.

      Eastern Medicine
      - This one was weird, they sit you in a little room and a guy gave a presentation on eastern medicine and its benefits, as well as its apparently improving popularity in western countries (lol) - they have people give you a foot massage during the presentation, but that too was optional. It cost $10 for the foot massage. Then you can optionally have an Eastern medicine doctor come and diagnose you with something and try to sell you random pills for too much money. They gave you the option to have a doctor assess you to begin with, I opted not to. This one was fun to watch others in the group buy into it all. 1hr of my life, you are engaged the entire time, so not exactly 'boring' - there are shops nearby you can go to afterward.

      Silk Factory
      - They go through what feels like a museum and explain how silk products are made. They have actual silk you can feel, and it was actually kind of cool to learn about. Then they sit you in a little room, explain the difference between real and fake (also cool to learn) and then offer you a deal, its a bed set and a suitcase for $800ish from memory, and surprisingly most people bought this deal. This is where a lot of people learned that tripadeal lets you take 2x 20kg bags back home from china, and the silk factory is where they capitalise on that. Still, optional, and you arent pressured at all. 2 hours and pretty fun. lots to look at outside of the presentation etc.

      Tea Shop
      - They take you to a farm where they pretty much exclusively plant green tea. This place was awesome, beautiful, and they let you walk among the fields close to the little shopfront to get some pics. They seat you down in a room where someone gives a presentation on the benefits of green tea - and everyone is poured fresh green tea as part of the explainer. The tea was nice and it was the one thing they sold me on. I spent like $120 on the green tea pills and heaps of green tea. it was fine to bring through customs. Nobody was pressured to buy, many didn't. 2-3hrs, and was a highlight location in its own right.

      • mc85 on 13/09/2024 - 09:46
        +5

        My wife and I are going next week (slightly different 10-day itinerary, though, but mostly the same destinations - terracotta warriors the main difference).

        Really appreciate the rundown on your experience. Really glad you had a great time. I think a chunk of it is mindset and just being happy to go with the flow. Some stuff will be good, some bad.

        A couple of quick questions though.

        • Did you have decent hotels/breakfasts?
        • Any tips for dinners? Hotel restaurants the best option? If so, how much do meals set you back?
        • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 10:00
          +20

          The breakfast was pretty much the same the whole trip, buffet style hotel breakfast. The only difference is that they cooked noodles at most places and it was amazing. I went to a hotel in melbourne a couple weeks ago and everything bar the noodles was the same lol.

          Dinners are easy to come by, and are usually in like a food court options - or optional activities that include the meal.
          Dinners occurred during the daily activities so there wasnt options for restaurants - and where there were the guides gave some recommendations.

          Mindset is a big thing, all the ozb comments from previous deals by people who never went to begin with - did their best to scare me into thinking the trip was a mistake. It was far from it.

          • mc85 on 13/09/2024 - 10:16

            @fratzhaus: Cheers! I take it there are supermarkets around the place to pick up snacks to nibble on during the day?

            I imagine it was all pretty cheap otherwise (in true OzBargain style).

            Enjoy your next trip!

            • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 10:19
              +3

              @mc85: plenty of supermarkets! plenty to eat.

              There's also a Walmart in Suzhou, you gotta find it for the photo op lol

        • humperdoo on 13/09/2024 - 10:10
          +1

          Get a recommendation for hotpot. It's a good laugh and even better food when in a large group.

          • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 10:18
            +1

            @humperdoo: My one biggest regret was not doing hot pot.
            I had a million opportunities but either ate too much earlier on, or told myself I'd do it later.

            • May4th on 13/09/2024 - 11:28

              @fratzhaus: you can have it in sydney/melbourne anyway there are chains that have opened up here. it's good fun and actually a fairly "safe" eat out if you are worried about bad food/gastro as everything is boiled

            • Manny Calavera on 13/09/2024 - 12:07
              +3

              @fratzhaus: Just go to Haidilao.

            • sal78 on 25/09/2024 - 06:15
              +1

              @fratzhaus: I left it until the last day of tour. When in Chongqing, you must eat Chongqing hotpot!

              So freakin amazing and only $33 inc drinks. We found a famous hotpot place.

              I knew it was risky but was willing to suffer on last day.

      • Eeples on 13/09/2024 - 13:40

        Thanks so much for sharing the extent of the shopping.

        I’m sure that is what puts some ppl off.

        (I remember in South Korea being taken to the DMZ as part of a tour stopping at a ginger factory. I really enjoyed the sales pitch too. Apparently ginger shaped like a phallus is good for ED).

        • Izumi on 13/09/2024 - 15:51

          Damn now I need to plan my trip to Korea.

        • strangeloops66 on 13/09/2024 - 23:16

          Sure it wasn't insam (ginseng)? Ginseng can resurrect the dead, according to my Korean wife. If it can unstiffen the stiff, I guess it can do the reverse.

          "Why do men need ginseng?
          Ginseng: Health benefits, facts, and research
          Both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, L.) and Asian ginseng (P. Ginseng) may boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and manage sexual dysfunction in men."

      • wackedupwacko on 13/09/2024 - 13:59

        Was that tea place in Hangzhou? (Longjing)

        I remember going on such a Tour a decade ago and honestly had one of the best teas I've ever had.

      • Mr Bargain on 13/09/2024 - 14:46

        @fratzhaus, You mention one was an Opal Store or do you mean a Jade Store?

        • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 09:13
          +1

          Yeah I meant a Jade store. Tried editing but couldn't after replies came.

          A rock is a rock.

      • Vampy on 13/09/2024 - 19:58

        Lol why would they take a bunch of Aussies to an opal shop in China when we're from Australia

      • DannyBoy on 14/09/2024 - 00:20

        Ah the old Opal stitch up. They pulled the same thing with my wife and I in Hong Kong 10yrs ago. Funny to think about it now because we were so green.

      • valour on 14/09/2024 - 16:32

        I believe you meant a Jade store rather than Opals.

  • mitch01 on 13/09/2024 - 08:32
    +1

    I did this a few months ago and it was good! The section of the great wall was pretty much a replica though, seemed to be something rebuilt for tourists in the past decade or two which left me feeling like I still haven't really seen it.

    • couger on 13/09/2024 - 08:39
      +1

      The original ones were damaged during the wars years ago, they rebuilt on the same site, like many city walls in china. You can still find damaged wall remaining not far away.

    • CuriousKate on 14/09/2024 - 11:53

      Hey, we are doing this trip early November. Just wondering about the Great Wall. Is it a hard walk? Like steep? Also, when did you go? I am wondering about the weather

      • May4th on 14/09/2024 - 12:07

        there's various walks/portions of GW depending on time/fitness. there are tram style trains to take you most of the way and it's a fairly easy walk, or you can hike the whole day if that's what you want to do.

        early Nov is fine, would try to avoid GW/Beijing in Winter.. subzero with windchill isn't fun

      • mitch01 on 22/09/2024 - 09:46

        Hey, the section we visited was called "Juyong Pass" which interestingly looking back at it now, the brochure describes as "more original". It was pretty tiring to go more say 25% of the way up the section available. Beyond what you could reach, you could not see because your view was (I suspect intentionally) blocked. I saw people 60+ getting to around halfway.

  • davidl820 on 13/09/2024 - 08:42
    +1

    The itinerary suggests a lot of your time is spending on transportation, and change to new accommodation/hotel each day (probably late check in early check out)?

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 08:52
      +7

      yes and no, it felt like a very long 10 days, and I do wish I had more time to explore.
      We skipped an optional activity in Hangzhou and explored the entire day - we used the train system too to get around, super easy.
      For $888 you can't be mad about changing location every few days, and it wasn't a big hassle.
      You were on the bus each morning at 9am to do activities as part of the itinerary, it was a very engaging trip.

      • CuriousKate on 14/09/2024 - 11:54

        Can you skip an organised activity - like say the silk one? Also, I read somewhere that the tour person takes your passports - is this true?

        • fratzhaus on 15/09/2024 - 09:37

          The 4 associated stores are not skippable, but they truly are not as bad as you'd think.

  • Sigmund Freud on 13/09/2024 - 08:54
    +9

    I'm from Hong Kong, and been to mainland multiple times , such travel package is good value, but they will take you to overpriced shops and expect you to spend money. Just be mindful of that, avoid buy things from associated store.

    Best way to do it Is to get a Chinese friend imao, or a guide, but it's tricky to find , and some of them may also take you to associate store.

    And China don't have good disability infrastructure, so be mindful of that.

    • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 09:23
      +1

      Or a local guide who knows their business if no Chinese friend to guide you.

      In one of the Sammy and Tommy episode they mentioned a special tour organiser that take them to experience local street food: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EfW1OCK8lU

      Man I can vouch that aussie knows Beijing very well! Probably better than many native Beijingers.

  • kiitos on 13/09/2024 - 09:09
    +2

    Great explanations of what you did on the tour. Was the tour conducted in English?

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 09:16
      +3

      thanks :)

      Entirely English.

  • TheDukeOfNukem on 13/09/2024 - 09:09
    +3

    How do these things work anyway? Lets say

    A: I don't want to buy anything
    B: I maybe don't want to do their activities

    Can I buy nothing, and can I bugger off for the day and come back to the hotel when I please ooooooor?

    • Frozensage on 13/09/2024 - 09:15
      +3

      you ever been on a school excursion? you need to hang with your peers during the designated hours and activities but outside of that you free to roam

      • TightAl on 13/09/2024 - 09:21
        +11

        Safe to assume he hasn't been to school

    • Save 50 Cent on 13/09/2024 - 09:20
      +1

      You don’t really have to buy anything although some tour guides will not like it. Just a polite and firm no thanks is enough.

      Same with optional activities. Obviously the guide makes a big cut on those but in our case, there was enough people (about 80%) doing each activity and buying crap that the guides were happy enough.

      Technically, you are supposed to be with the tour at all times.. but we asked nicely to skip a day in Shanghai and went to disneyland instead. Tour guide didn’t mind. But be prepared to be told no because legally, you have to stick with the tour except for the optional ones where you can go and do whatever but that is less than half days.

      • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 09:25
        +4

        Ah yeah someone on our tour did this too! they went to Disneyland instead of the ancient city and the tour guide was awesome and organised transport and the tickets for them.

        Our tour guide gave us recommendations of what to do in Hangzhou and made it a better experience overall

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 09:22
      +12

      A little further above is my breakdown on the 4 associated stores, you are required to go as they are on the way to the next destinations, but you are not required to buy anything.

      You do need to join them each day on the bus, and the optional activities are clearly communicated and are in every right - optional.
      You are also there for the included activities, it'll typically be: we go to a place and do an inclusive activity, then we arrive on time for the optional.

      I personally skipped the 'ancient town' activity and explored Hangzhou and the train system. We went to West Lake on our own and found a night market. so cool.
      Others skipped some of the shows (golden monkey / circus) - and walked around the shopping centers/city instead.

      I did all optional activities, and I recommend them all except the circus - that was a bit of wasted time imo. Golden Monkey was interesting and a good one time experience.

      Ultimately if you dont want to participate in any of it, buy a return ticket instead and organise it yourself. You're there for the tour and the flights, not just the flights.

      • Squeezy on 13/09/2024 - 15:09

        Was one of your optional tours the Shaolin Kung Fu Experience & Lunch . Its one of the more expensive optional tours and Ive read mixed reviews

        edit : probably not as that is an optional extra at Zhengzhou which is on the 12 day ( 10 day in china ) trip

    • slackme on 13/09/2024 - 09:23
      -1

      They will pretty much force you get into the shops. The tour price definitely doesn't cover the true cost, so where is the money coming from? If you have a lot of time and doesn't mind wasting time on those shops, it is fine. They will not force you to buy anything but they will keep telling you that your tour price does not cover the true cost, which is true.

    • CyberMurning on 13/09/2024 - 10:29

      you are not thedukeofchina so
      A: I don't want to buy anything - can but just buy small thing wont harm your wallet
      B: I maybe don't want to do their activities - cannot

    • TheDukeOfNukem on 13/09/2024 - 10:46

      Appreciate the responses, everyone. Too many to reply to right now, hands are full, but very good to know, thank you all.

      To be honest, I would want to do the activities if we went. Moreso I was just wondering if it's a completely hand held guided 10 days, you know? Like if there was ever any "bugger off and do your own thing" kind of time.

      As for buying stuff though, yeah, I don't know, I probably wouldn't tbh, touristy stuff is always so tacky.

    • mt2000 on 13/09/2024 - 12:32

      The problem is you will be wasting so many hours doing nothing and boring as hell if you are not interested in these buying activities. As you cannot go any where and must stay there during these lecture.

      For the first timer is ok after that it became a lecture class. I hope you like lecture class LOL.

    • Jhonka on 13/09/2024 - 13:04

      You are not forced to buy anything but the medicine doctors will squeeze a pressure point on your hand and when you yelp they will say you can be cured with $300 pills…so it's a little scammy.

      You could probably do your own thing but you would have to make alternative travel arrangements to get to the hotel as the tour follows a strict program.

      When I went they did give you a few hours in areas to walk around and explore but then back to the bus to move on to the next thing.

      I did a 9 day tour with some other random company a few years ago. Here is the info from the brouchure.

      https://imgur.com/a/8B4VTxQ

    • Eeples on 13/09/2024 - 13:45

      The activity will be meshed with the shopping. Are you really going to organise your own tour to the Wall because you don’t want to do a shopping tour?

      Will you be allowed? I guess.

  • Enrivio on 13/09/2024 - 09:19

    How did you connect to Alipay? Was it difficult without having a Chinese bank account? I heard it's not easy connecting to those services without one.

    • Save 50 Cent on 13/09/2024 - 09:21
      +4

      It works fine with an australian card. I used Macquarie with no international fees.

    • TightAl on 13/09/2024 - 09:21

      Easy, you can do it now from australia with whatever card you want..

      • whyisave on 13/09/2024 - 10:55

        Yes, but you only get the QR code in AliPay, but you cannot use the App to scan other QR codes, because that needs a working Chinese SIM card.

        • Save 50 Cent on 13/09/2024 - 13:41
          +1

          You just need internet connection. So cheap data esim will do or roaming aussie number which is kind of necessary anyway to have access to the outside world since even VPN doesn’t work any more so can’t access google/facebook/youtube on wifi.

          • F11HLL on 13/09/2024 - 14:40

            @Save 50 Cent: VPN's do work in China - you just need to download and configure them before you travel.

            • whyisave on 13/09/2024 - 14:42

              @F11HLL: Really?
              What to configure before travel ?

              I had Wireguard setup with Surfshark servers from different parts of the globe, and it did not work in China, in 2 different cities, a couple of months ago.

              The only WiFi which had 'full access' was the immigration/health office WiFi inside the airport (airside), haha

          • whyisave on 13/09/2024 - 14:41

            @Save 50 Cent: AliPay worked me, 2 months ago, in Beijing, but only for the seller to scan my QR code.

            Since, I did not have a SIM card, nor could you get Internet access at any small shop on the street or a shopping centre, I could not pay by scanning the shop's QR code.

            I don't have an eSIM phone nor have any roaming AU telephone number (ie. I don't take local numbers overseas), so the payment options are limited, if the shop did not accept cash.

            Plus, the SurfShark VPN did not work there either.

          • DustyAfternoon on 13/09/2024 - 14:54

            @Save 50 Cent: Some vpns don’t work and some do. Let’sVPN is one I used.

            • Save 50 Cent on 13/09/2024 - 17:11

              @DustyAfternoon: They keep blocking them. What works today might not work tomorrow. I wouldn’t rely on VPN in China if full access to outside world is important.

            • crisso on 16/09/2024 - 18:58
              +1

              @DustyAfternoon: Let’s VPN worked for me as well in February, I live streamed at Tiananmen square.

          • xmagic on 13/09/2024 - 21:06

            @Save 50 Cent: I agree - international eSIM are cheap and much safer (in terms of VPN got blocked, and whether you're going to trust VPN providers in the first place) to use. No need to set up, just buy, activate and use.

    • fratzhaus on 13/09/2024 - 09:23

      as others said, works with aussie card.
      You do need to do a KYC through the app if you want to spend more than the small $ account limit though.

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