China Travel Forum

[tom]

I went on a business trip a few days ago to Guangzhou. It's a pretty ugly city but great foreign restaurants and seafood restaurants. Anyway, the warning I want to give here about Guangzhou is that despite the modernness of the city, there are a lot of unqualified taxidrivers there. We took six taxi trips around Guangzhou, and three of them failed to find our destinations. The worst one was the last taxi we took: the former taxi driver failed to find the club we wanted to go, so we decided to get a different taxi and go back to the hotel which wasn't far from where we were. Then the last taxi took us to a place which wasn't the front of the hotel and said to us that the hotel was right over there and asked us to get out. We did, but the hotel wasn't anywhere near. After 20 minutes walking according to our own sense of direction, we managed to get back. The funny part is when they couldn't find the destination, they wouldn't reveal their ignorance of it and just drive you around, and they wouldn't seek for outside assistance either because according to them the call center doesn't exist in such a supposed modern city.
The incapable taxi drivers in Guangzhou is not the worst you could meet. A year and half ago, I went to Lijiang, Yunnan, with my friends during the Spring Festival. Besides the crowds, there were bunch of Naxi minority who were far less than trust worthy. Due to the busy season, we failed to get a ticket to the cable cars for the Yulong Snow-Capped Mountain, but we really wanted to go, so someone suggested us to go for a horse ridding which would also take us to the snow spot. They asked for 200 RMB for the round trip on the horse. We were pretty happy with it if it would be like what they promised. Then, we discovered that the one-way trip up to the mountain took 30 minutes on the horse to a spot with a bit snow there and the horse guide said to us "Here you go, there is snow. You can play here for a while then we can go back to the village where we met you." As a matter of fact, the snow-capped the mountain was still high up there far out of our reach. Then, we met someone else who also took this horse trip with different guides about their price, they told us ranging from 80 RMB to 120 RMB for the round trip. Then we got really pissed off for getting ripped off without reaching the destination. It was a beautiful day but was dampened by their dishonesty. So, if you are in Lijiang, remember to book the tickets for the cable cars in the new town in advance. If you fail to do so, just look up at the mountain from the old town, because it's really a gorgeous view without all the distress which might be caused by the greedy locals.
Thanks for your attention and hope this will help you to have a nice trip.

[somthan]

I hate to say it, but I also have been in Guangzhou several times on business and never had any problem. I always carry a business card of the hotel from the front desk so I can get back to the right place - the hotel is always written in both Eng & Chinese. I have the desk write down in Chinese where I am going as well. But some drivers are illiterate so I have to get a reading from the driver whether he knows where he is going. I only had trouble with that in Borneo. The driver asked colleagues how to get where I was headed (25 mi out of town), but would not admit he was unable to read - and then I noticed highway directional signs zipping by and he had no idea what they meant - I had to take command of directions.

[klara]

They asked for 200 RMB for the round trip on the horse. We were pretty happy with it ...... someone else who also took this horse trip with different guides about their price, they told us ranging from 80 RMB to 120 RMB for the round trip.

Why be upset over this. You were happy with the price you managed to get...so be it. Just shows that you are probably poor at bartering rather than being ripped off. Do you complain to everyone if you pay $2.00 for a bag of spuds at a greengrocer in you home town, only to find out that it was $1.50 at the neighbouring supermarket? - would be surprised if you did.

Taxi drivers.......you don't have to be in China to have experience like this. Even at home in Australia I have taxi drivers who quiet often can't find restaurants, hotels etc.

[Michael]

I have no idea how experienced you are in China but the problems you mentioned with taxi drivers is not confined to GZ. But the real issue is perhaps your lack of knowledge. A taxi driver will never tell you he does not know the way. He will lose face. To ensure that you do not have the type of experience you mention just make sure you have the destination written in Chinese. If you dont know the way have someone on the end of a phone who can speak Chinese to give him directions.

I also agree with the person who says that you should not complain about the 200rmb. You did not bargain. You said he was "Naxi Minority",in a rather unpleasant way. I have always found them to be helpful, happy and very very friendly!!