According to information, this group of tourists came from Liaoning province and were participating in a tour in Yunnan organized by Liaoning Youde International Travel Service Company. Each tourist paid 3,979 yuan (about 551 USD) for the trip.
However, when taken to a mattress store owned by Taisi Dika Sleep Technology Company, the tourists were pressured by staff to buy products. When they refused, they were locked inside the store and not allowed to leave.
Chinese tourists visit and shop at a shopping mall in Paris, France. Photo: Ed Alcock/The New York Times.
The incident lasted for several hours until the authorities intervened. After investigating, the authorities decided to fine Taisi Dika and the tour guide of the group.
The incident has attracted public attention and angered many people. Many expressed concern about the situation of forcing tourists to shop, and called on local authorities to take strict measures to prevent such behavior.
Tourists sit and lie everywhere in the mattress store.
Next to them are staff standing guard, not allowing them to leave.
This is not the first time Chinese tourists have been pressured into shopping. In February 2024, a family of five was kicked off a tour bus for refusing to buy a 50,000 yuan (about $7,000) gold bracelet. In August 2023, a tour guide in southwest China was also investigated after allegedly intimidating tourists into shopping.
The issue of forced shopping by tourists is becoming a serious one in China. Authorities need to take strong measures to deal with this behavior and raise tourists’ awareness of their rights.
