On April 24, the Sichuan Province Consumer Rights Protection Committee, together with consumer rights protection organizations from ten other provinces and regions including Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Chongqing, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, and Ningxia, released consumer tips ahead of the May Day holiday. The tips aim to guide consumers toward rational, safe, and civilized spending, and to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

The tips note that travel during the May Day holiday involves dense crowds, so consumers should plan ahead, monitor real-time traffic, scenic spot, and weather information, travel during off-peak times, and avoid congested routes. They recommend prioritizing green and low-carbon transportation options such as buses, subways, shared bikes, and high-speed trains. For short trips, walking or cycling is encouraged to support environmental protection. When choosing a travel agency, consumers should select reputable and properly licensed agencies, sign formal written contracts specifying details like itineraries, costs, and cancellation policies, and be wary of traps such as “low-price tours” or “zero-fee tours.” Airline tickets, hotel rooms, and scenic spot tickets should be booked through official platforms, with order confirmations checked promptly and purchase receipts kept safely. Consumers should avoid unlicensed taxis and tour guides, and prioritize travel safety and civilized sightseeing.

Regarding the holiday sales frenzy, the tips remind consumers to stay rational, set a budget beforehand, and buy only what they need. They should not be swayed by phrases like “limited-time offer” or “final discount,” and should avoid hoarding or competitive spending. When shopping, consumers should carefully evaluate product quality, reject substandard, expired, or “three-no” products (no production date, no quality certificate, no manufacturer), and watch out for tricks like raising prices before offering discounts or fake promotions. For prepaid cards or stored-value purchases, consumers should be cautious, avoid large one-time deposits, prefer stable and reputable merchants, and always request official receipts to prevent issues like merchants closing down or coupons becoming unusable. For online shopping, consumers should inspect goods before signing for delivery, and promptly request returns or exchanges for damaged or incorrect items.

For dining, when eating out or having family meals, consumers should choose licensed, clean, and transparent restaurants over unlicensed vendors. For online food orders, they should select vendors with complete credentials to ensure food safety. When ordering, they should practice “order according to needs, small portions multiple times,” follow the “clean plate campaign,” and pack leftovers. Using serving chopsticks and spoons is encouraged to prevent cross-infection. Consumers should also check that menu prices are clearly marked, review bills carefully when paying, and reject unfair charges like forced consumption, minimum spending, or excessively priced dishes, ensuring transparent and civilized dining.

In line with the 2026 consumer rights year theme of “improving consumption quality,” the tips encourage consumers to focus on quality, preferring goods and services that are durable, eco-friendly, safe, and healthy, while avoiding low-quality, high-consumption, or unsafe products. They should choose service-oriented and honest merchants, and actively safeguard their rights to information and choice. Additionally, consumers are urged to follow public order, respect service staff, protect public facilities, and adopt a simple, moderate, and green consumption mindset, becoming responsible and rational consumers.

The tips emphasize that during holiday shopping, consumers should keep receipts, invoices, contracts, payment records, and chat screenshots as key evidence for rights protection. In case of disputes, they should stay calm, first communicate and negotiate with the merchant or platform, and make reasonable demands. If negotiation fails, they can call the 12315 hotline, log into the “National Consumer Council Smart 315” platform to file a complaint, or seek help from local market regulators or consumer rights organizations to protect their rights according to the law.

Sichuan Province

Sichuan Province, located in southwestern China, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the iconic Giant Panda sanctuaries. Historically, it was a vital region along the ancient Shu Road and served as a political and economic hub during the Three Kingdoms period. Today, it is famous for its spicy cuisine, the Dujiangyan irrigation system, and the scenic Jiuzhaigou Valley.

Xinjiang

Xinjiang is an autonomous region in northwest China known for its diverse cultures and stunning landscapes. Historically, it was a key hub on the ancient Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between East and West for centuries. Today, it is home to various ethnic groups, including the Uyghur people, and is recognized for its rich heritage and natural resources.

Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region in northern China known for its vast grasslands, nomadic culture, and the Gobi Desert. Historically, it was the homeland of various Mongol tribes and played a key role in the rise of Genghis Khan’s Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Today, it blends traditional herding lifestyles with modern industry, including mining and agriculture.

Guangxi

Guangxi is an autonomous region in southern China known for its stunning karst landscapes, ethnic diversity, and the famous Li River. Historically, it was part of the ancient Baiyue region and later became a key area for trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road. Today, it is celebrated for its natural beauty, especially around Guilin and Yangshuo, and is home to many Zhuang and other minority communities.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, known for its dramatic mountainous terrain and position at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Historically, it served as the provisional capital of the Republic of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and has since grown into a key industrial and economic hub. Today, it is famous for its spicy hotpot cuisine, unique urban landscape of towering skyscrapers, and as a gateway for Yangtze River cruises.

Guizhou

Guizhou is a mountainous province in southwestern China known for its stunning karst landscapes, diverse ethnic minority cultures, and rich biodiversity. Historically, it was a remote frontier region that became more integrated into Chinese civilization during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when military garrisons and Han Chinese settlers were established there. Today, it is famous for sites like the Huangguoshu Waterfall, the Miao and Dong ethnic villages, and its role as a hub for big data and technology industries.

Yunnan

Yunnan, a province in southwestern China, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, rich ethnic diversity, and ancient tea culture. Historically, it was a key region along the ancient Tea Horse Road, facilitating trade between China and Southeast Asia. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural hub, home to 25 ethnic minority groups and famous destinations like Lijiang Old Town and the Stone Forest.

Shaanxi

Shaanxi, located in central China, is a province rich in historical significance, serving as the heartland for several ancient Chinese dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. Its capital, Xi’an, was the starting point of the Silk Road and is home to the world-famous Terracotta Army, built to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. The province’s deep cultural heritage and numerous archaeological sites make it a key destination for understanding China’s imperial past.