Tourists scolded by China tour guide for refusing to shop

The 52-year-old shared details of her 10-day trip in an Instagram post on Nov. 1, saying the guide had mocked and scolded members of the group for not making purchases.

Quan said she would not recommend the trip to others.

She had opted to join a local tour group because of Xinjiang's vast size and the difficulties of exploring the region independently, Mothership reported.

A group of tourists at the snow-capped Jiaozi Mountain in Yunnan, China. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

Members of the group had signed a contract guaranteeing no compulsory shopping stops or hidden charges.

Despite the agreement, the group was allegedly taken to stores selling long-staple cotton products and two jade outlets, AsiaOne reported.

Quan said the items were priced at 2,000 yuan (US$299) or more.

"Those who didn't buy anything were mocked by the tour guide on the bus or even directly cursed at."

In a separate post, Quan revealed that she eventually purchased a piece of Hetian jade, cotton and camel-wool blankets, along with a six-month supply of camel milk.

Chinese authorities last year launched a year-long campaign to tighten enforcement against forced shopping practices, in which tourists are pressured to buy goods at designated stores in exchange for commissions or rebates.

In 2024, a tour guide locked 37 Chinese tourists into a mattress store and forced them to buy products there if they want to leave, which triggered public outcry from netizens.