Do I Need a Tour Guide in Zhangjiajie
Is it safe to explore Zhangjiajie by yourself? Is it easy to get lost in the mountains without a tour guide? Does the guide come with a private diver? This article will help you decide whether you need a tour guide to travel around Zhangjiajie.
A Tour Guide Is Necessary in Zhangjiajie
The simple answer is no. Exploring Zhangjiajie by yourself is fine if you have extra time, and enjoy getting lost for that extra adventurous feeling. You need to learn about China’s transportation very well, so you can get to different places/cities.
However, it is not easy to travel around Zhangjiajie alone, even for experienced travelers/expats who know their way around China. Your solo trip might not go the way you’re planning, due to the following 3 things:
1. Google Maps Might Not Work in the Mountainous Area
Zhangjiajie features karst landscapes, and all its attractions are surrounded by mountains and forests. The trails, especially in the National Forest Park, is very tricky to navigate, even with Google maps with a VPN. There’s a great opportunity to keep backtracking and never get to the best scenic spots.
2. Local Transportation is Confusing
It is easy to get confused with public buses, sightseeing shuttle buses, trams, the elevator, and cableways in Zhangjiajie. Losing your direction or boarding the wrong bus can happen without proper guidance. You have no idea how complicated and confusing the local transportation is until you get there.
3. Language Barriers Block Your Way to Cultural Insight
Zhangjiajie is a small city and relatively distant from major cities, which means there are very few people speaking English. However, Zhangjiajie features Tujia culture, a Chinese ethnic minority group. Even your proficient Chinese-speaking skills won’t work there because the local dialect is not standard Mandarin and is difficult to understand – even for many Chinese.
4. Dietary Restrictions and Weather Considerations Might Effect Your Travel.
Muslims, Hindus, Vegetarians, etc. will have a difficult time eating in Zhangjiajie without a local guide.
Besides, this is a monsoon area, and the weather can prevent some activities – a guide can help people find alternative activities in bad weather, and help them prepare for whatever the weather situation is.
What Makes Our Zhangjiajie Tour Guides Stand Out
Some people hate guided tours because some tour guides stick to tight and fixed itineraries and move very fast, ignoring customers’ needs. To make things worse, it can be a common occurrence that the guide charges at a pretty low price but ends up leading you to popular “tourist traps” – taking you to some unexpected places such as shops, hotels and restaurants which in fact cooperate with the guide for revenue sharing.
Chinatravel.com emphasizes the maximum travel experience and the best quality of the service you get. We select the strictly trained and tested local tour guides to serve you on a trip. They will show you how to deal perfectly with any problem you might have on your Zhangjiajie tour.
1. Know Every Corner of Zhangjiajie
All of our Zhangjiajie tour guides are real locals. They spend over 200 days each year walking and touring around Zhangjiajie, and know every corner of the place, so they certainly know their way around the entire area and can take you to wherever you want.
They can take you to the most authentic Zhangjiajie restaurants, show you the most interesting and least well-known locations, lead you to little-known places from off the beaten paths, free you from crowds and long waiting queues, and more…
2. Travel at Your Pace
Our mission is, and always will be, “Experience China Your Way,” that is, to help you create a flexible tour itinerary. Your Zhangjiajie tour will be customized to meet your needs and desires. Your tour guide will travel at your pace and adjust your itinerary if there’s any change in flight times, the weather, or your physical condition.
One of the added benefits is that some of our Zhangjiajie English-speaking guides are members of the Tujia ethnic group. So you’ll have the unique chance to learn insider knowledge of the local Tujia culture, something that is rarely available otherwise.
3. Pick You Up and Drive You Back
Our Zhangjiajie tour guides come with a private driver. They will pick you up at the train station, airport, or your hotel and take you to any attractions in your schedule, making your trip go smoothly and be time-efficient.
With our private transport service, you don’t need to worry about the navigation map not working and/or confusing public transportation in Zhangjiajie at all!
4. Guarantee Your Satisfaction
To ensure your travel experience goes well, our guides will strictly adhere to not lead you to any shops or destinations for any extra profit. We guarantee there is no forced shopping, hidden fees, dodgy detours, sneaky extras, or any other nasty surprises in your trip. Just in case you suspect they might, we have a full refund for the guide cost if they do!
Our Zhangjiajie tour guides can also be your translator and interpreter, Michelin Gourmet guide, mobile database, personal fixer, and treasure hunter! Don’t hesitate to contact us and arrange one!
Zhangjiajie Tours
We offer out-of-the-ordinary Zhangjiajie Tours. They are private: with no fixed itineraries, no big bus, no group. They are all-inclusive: including English-speaking tour guides, private drivers, flexible tours, local dining, hotels and tickets.
Please feel free to create your Zhangjiajie trip with us. Or have a look at our newly- designed sample tour packages in Zhangjiajie to get inspired: