S'porean host Quan Yi Fong claims tour guide in Xinjiang scolded tourists, forced them to shop & spend more

Singaporean host and actress Quan Yi Fong recently travelled to Xinjiang, China as part of a tour group, but was left stunned by the guide's alleged pressure tactics on tourists to spend more money.

The 52-year-old took to Instagram on Nov. 1 to recount her experience regarding her 10-day trip.

According to her, the tour guide allegedly mocked and scolded tour group members who refused to shop.

Local tour group

Quan shared that due to unpredictable weather conditions, she decided to visit southern Xinjiang instead of northern Xinjiang.

However, she said she would not recommend such a vacation.

As Xinjiang is a vast region that can be challenging to explore independently, Quan said she booked a local tour group upon arrival.

She had also signed a contract that promised no forced shopping and no hidden fees.

However, for two consecutive mornings, the group was allegedly taken out early to shop for Xinjiang long-staple cotton products and visit two Hetian jade shops.

She added that each item was sold for at least 2,000 yuan (S$380).

"If you didn't buy anything, the tour guide would mock you on the bus or even straight-up curse at you," she wrote.

Gave in

In a separate Facebook post on Nov. 1, Quan revealed that she eventually bought a piece of Hetian jade, cotton and camel wool blankets, as well as half a year's supply of camel milk.

She added that if she had encountered the same situation elsewhere in China, she would have left immediately or reported the matter to the authorities.

However, given how vast and remote Xinjiang is, she decided to put up with it.

In the same post, she also said the actual tour package differed from what was initially promised.

The group was offered a six-seater luxury minivan, but a 20-seater bus turned up instead.

She also attached screenshots of her conversations with the tour company.

Unforgettable in a different way

Quan further shared that southern Xinjiang consists of mainly high-altitude plains and deserts, and that its landscape lacks the charm of northern Xinjiang.

She also complained about the lack of toilet stops during the long drives.

As much of the journey involved travelling along expressways where stopping was not permitted, the group was often unable to stop for toilet breaks, she said.

She added that even at rest stops, tour group members sometimes had to wait a long time to use the toilets.

The conditions and smell were terrible, she added.

Some even resorted to using plastic bottles to relieve themselves.

As a result, Quan said she deliberately limited her water intake to avoid toilet use.

While she admitted to having some regrets about not visiting northern Xinjiang, Quan said her experience in southern Xinjiang had given her second thoughts about making the trip.