As an Independent Traveler, How to Avoid Scams in Zhangjiajie
First, do thorough research and consultation before coming to Zhangjiajie—ask relatives or friends who have visited, request materials from local travel agencies, and so on. Second, set your plan before departure and find a local Zhangjiajie travel agency, explaining your plan to them (it's advisable not to go through a tour operator in your own area, as this can save you a lot of money)...
This article is compiled from the original travel notes on the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com); it is a record of trips from earlier years. Time-sensitive information such as ticket prices, schedules, and accommodation prices is subject to the latest announcements from scenic areas and transportation authorities; the itinerary ideas and attraction introductions still have reference value.
First, before coming to Zhangjiajie, do sufficient research and consultation, such as consulting relatives and friends who have already been to Zhangjiajie, or asking a local travel agency for materials. Second, before departure, make a plan, find a local travel agency in Zhangjiajie, explain your plan to the travel agency (it is recommended not to go through the group-organizing agency in your own locality, as this can save you a lot of money), and book return tickets. Then, after arriving in Zhangjiajie, sign a tourism agreement with the Zhangjiajie travel agency you found, clarifying the itinerary, price, service standards, and so on. Finally, during the trip, listen to the reasonable suggestions of the travel agency and do not easily trust local vendors.
Generally speaking, Zhangjiajie's tourism market is still relatively well regulated. In particular, in recent years the Zhangjiajie municipal government has achieved certain results in purifying the tourism market and cracking down on illegal operations and price gouging and other undesirable phenomena. However, this does not mean that such undesirable phenomena do not occur. As tourists, it is very important to do a good job of protecting yourselves and avoid unpleasant incidents.
I. When traveling to Zhangjiajie, it is best to choose a legitimate travel agency. Before departure, both sides should agree on the price and reception matters, and after arrival formally sign a tourism contract (note that the latest standard contract issued by the National Tourism Administration should be used), and then simply enjoy the trip with peace of mind.
II. On the train coming to Zhangjiajie, and at Zhangjiajie Railway Station and Zhangjiajie Airport, there are often people dressed in uniforms (mostly impersonators), or hanging out a certain reception department sign, or using the name of a certain travel agency to solicit customers. They will ask you to join their travel agency, or ask to provide you with accommodation, tour guide, vehicle, and other such services. At this time you should remain cautious and not casually have dealings with them. For those who pester endlessly, you can report to the duty officer, or dial 110, or dial the tourism complaint telephone number to get it resolved.
III. If you are coming with your own car, before entering Zhangjiajie in places such as Gongan County, Shashi, Lixian, Shimen, and Cili, or at the exit of the Changzhang Expressway, there may be people of unknown identity who, when you stop for gas, when you pay at a road or bridge toll station, when you ask for directions at a fork in the road, or when you are inspected at a traffic police duty point, get into your car by offering a free ride and free guidance. What is even worse, there are even people pretending to be traffic police stopping cars on the road, and people who have bribed traffic police or toll station staff to make you stop and let them get in. Then in the car they do their utmost to publicize and boast about their tour package prices. They are familiar with many aspects of Zhangjiajie tourism and seem incredibly capable. If a deal can be made in the car (or an intention to deal), then their task is complete. If the guest is disgusted, they will have contacts, and after arriving at the scenic area their boss, who is "even more capable," will negotiate this business. If all these efforts still do not work in front of shrewd guests, and the guests may find a hotel on their own or look for a reputable local travel agency, then they may stare at you like flies and go to the hotel (or travel agency) where you are staying to demand a kickback, claiming that they brought the guest through great effort. If the hotel (or travel agency), as a business entity, considers giving a kickback to the "wild horse," it will inevitably have to raise accommodation prices. In this way, the one who suffers is still the guest, and more importantly, it disrupts the normal order of the tourism market. In such situations, you are fully justified in refusing them. If you meet people who pester endlessly, you can call the police (110), and it is best to call the Quality Inspection Brigade of the Zhangjiajie Municipal Tourism Bureau (0744-8380193) or the Quality Inspection Office of the Wulingyuan District Tourism Bureau (0744-5618331).
IV. If you need a tour guide, it is best to go through a travel agency (according to the State Council's Regulations on the Administration of Tour Guides, only travel agencies have the power to assign tour guides). Never casually hire those tour guides who solicit customers outside (most of them are wild horses). Although the price is cheap, they naturally have their own ways of gouging customers.
5. Shopping: compare prices at three stores, be good at bargaining, and be good at spotting fakes. Do not easily believe the so-called miraculous effects of those so-called yam and famous teas.
In short, during your travels you should be more vigilant and not believe that pies will fall from the sky. As a legitimate travel agency, we sincerely tell you: only those who seek to take advantage are likely to be deceived. If you want to have a pleasant journey in Zhangjiajie, choosing a legitimate travel agency will not be wrong. Even if a travel agency has shortcomings, there is still somewhere to reason things out. We believe that shrewd tourists will make a smart choice. We wish you a happy, fulfilling, relaxed holiday in Zhangjiajie with no mental burden.