chinese language tours

[rezaf]

I study in Shanghai. Last week I spoke to some travel agencies near the Shanghai train station. They told me that except for 1 day tours to cities like Hangzhou, other tours are just for the Chinese due to staying at hotels. Is there a way for a foreigner to go with Chinese language tours?

[shanghaikai]

Judging by the information you gave us (which isn't much), it sounds entirely possible that they're saying they can't serve you because the craptastic hotels they use cannot register you with the local PSB when you stay there. As you should already know, hotels in China need to be "licensed" to accomodate foreigners and most of them are not. You should certainly be able to find Chinese language tours but you'll probably need to ask around more and try the bigger in-bound tour operators. Just be sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Cheers.

[Lu]

I thought that rule changed about 5 years ago, and now foreigners can stay in any hotel, just like Chinese. Maybe the travel agency didn't know that, or maybe they are afraid of even the possibility of the mafan of having to accomodate you.

[889]

In some places the rules have changed to permit foreigners to stay in any licensed hotel, but in other places they haven't.

Of course, China being China, foreigners can still be refused rooms at places they're officially permitted to stay, and given rooms at places they're not.

[imron]

In any case, you're best off avoiding the Chinese tours. They'll just take you from factory outlet to factory outlet which are run by the brother/uncle/cousin of the owner of the tour company, and try to get you to buy stuff.

[simonlaing]

I have been on a couple of Chinese tours.

If you with a good group it can be a good time. Playing cards and Mafia at night while seeing temples and other sites in the day.

I think it was just the company you talked with Foreigners are allowed.

I would advise going with someone you know as it can be difficult if you end on a tour with retirees who you don't have anything in common with.

There are some student and young people travel companies that can be good at getting other young people. One I used was called Red hope tourism. (I think they had some connection to the Hope scholarship foundation).

Look around at more agencies. Make sure you understand what kind of sleeping arrangements. THere was a tour to yellow mountain where half the group slept in a hostel was kept from sleep by an elderly snoring Taiwan couple.

have fun,

Simon:)