Dali Warnings Or Dangers

When I was in Dali, I saw many Bai ladies who tried to ask me to buy the handcrafts that they were selling. They held a few in their hands. If I didn't want what they were holding, they asked me to follow them to their shops. Once I started talking to them, they followed me wherever I went eventhough I told them I didn't want anything. I was followed for a few streets. I was extremely annoyed but them.

At the end, I tried to ignore them. I don't like to ignore people usually because I think it is rude. But in this case, the only solution is to pretend that the sellers don't exist. Just ignore them and move on to where you want to go.

In the Taoist Temple we were approached by an English speaking taoist (monk? Priest?) He showed us around and invited us to some rituals. Based on our horoscopes we were a good match - no news after 25 years of marriage. Our daughter would succeed in her studies and our son would become wealthy. We expected to pay, but he insisted at 300 yuan, showing a book with how much others had paid. We were clearly pressurized and resisted. In the end he threw in some free good luck wishes.

It is a nice guy, but stick to what you think it is worth.

This is the most annoying experience for travellers who are used to fixed pricing.

You only pay the full-priced ticket if you are already at the entrance of whatever it is.

For example, the return ticket for the ski-lift ride up Cang Shan may be RMB 80 but if you talk to the local guides (who pester you incessantly when you are having your meal), you may get them to sell you the ticket at RMB 35 including the taxi ride up to the ski-lift station.

How do they do it ? My guess is they are agents who get bulk discounts. So your "ticket" may not be the nicely printed coloured card, but a piece of invoice-like paper specifying how many people are in this "tour group".