The May Day holiday is approaching, and consumer demand for travel, shopping, dining, and entertainment will be concentrated. To protect consumer rights, the Chongqing Consumer Council, together with consumer protection organizations from Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, and Ningxia, has issued a joint consumer alert based on holiday consumption patterns.

Travel during May Day is heavy, so consumers should plan ahead, monitor real-time traffic, scenic spot, and weather information, and avoid peak travel times and congested routes. When choosing a travel agency, select a reputable one with proper qualifications and a good reputation. Sign a standard written contract that clearly outlines the itinerary, costs, and change or cancellation policies. Be wary of traps like “low-price tours” or “zero-fee tours.”

For booking flights, hotels, and scenic spot tickets, use official platforms. Confirm order details promptly and keep purchase receipts safe. Avoid unlicensed taxis and guides. Prioritize safety throughout your trip, travel responsibly, and protect the public environment.

Consume rationally and avoid impulsive buying. During the holiday, many merchants launch promotions. Faced with discounts, flash sales, and pre-sale offers, consumers should set a budget and buy only what is needed. Do not be misled by phrases like “limited-time offer” or “final clearance price.” Avoid hoarding goods or competitive spending.

When shopping, carefully check product quality. Be cautious of tactics where prices are raised before being lowered for fake promotions. Be wary of prepaid cards and stored-value purchases; do not recharge large amounts at once. Choose stable, reputable businesses and request proper receipts to avoid issues like store closures or unusable vouchers. When receiving online purchases, inspect items before signing for delivery. If damaged or incorrect, promptly request a return or exchange.

When dining out, choose restaurants with proper licenses, good hygiene, and open kitchens. For online food orders, select vendors with complete qualification information. Order according to your needs, in small portions, and practice the “clean plate” campaign to avoid food waste. During meals, check menu prices and choose items with clear pricing. When paying, review the bill carefully and reject any forced charges, minimum spending, or excessively priced dishes. Dine civilly and understand your expenses.

This year’s consumer rights theme focuses on “improving consumption quality.” During the May Day holiday, consumers should prioritize high-quality, eco-friendly, safe, and healthy goods and services. Actively protect your right to know and choose. At the same time, follow public order, respect service staff, care for public facilities, and adopt a simple, moderate, green, and healthy consumption mindset. Be a responsible, rational consumer, making quality consumption a new holiday trend.

Protect your rights legally and resolve disputes calmly. During the holiday, keep all consumption receipts, including shopping receipts, invoices, contracts, payment records, chat screenshots, and promotional materials. These are key evidence for protecting your rights. If a dispute arises, stay calm and communicate politely with the merchant or platform to seek a reasonable solution. If negotiation fails, call the 12345 hotline or log in to the “National Consumer Association Smart 315” platform to file a complaint. You can also seek help from local market regulators or consumer protection organizations to protect your legal rights.

Xinjiang

Xinjiang is a vast autonomous region in northwest China, known for its diverse cultures and stunning landscapes like the Taklamakan Desert and Tianshan Mountains. 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 and Han peoples, and remains an area of significant economic and geopolitical importance.

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 Mongol tribes and played a key role in the rise of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Today, it blends traditional herding lifestyles with modern industry, particularly in mining and agriculture.

Guangxi

Guangxi is an autonomous region in southern China known for its stunning karst landscapes, terraced rice fields, and rich ethnic diversity, particularly of the Zhuang people. Historically, it was part of the ancient Baiyue tribes and later became a key area during the Qin Dynasty’s expansion, with Guilin serving as a cultural and administrative center. Today, Guangxi is celebrated for its natural beauty, such as the Li River, and its vibrant minority cultures.

Sichuan

Sichuan is a province in southwestern China renowned for its rich cultural heritage and spicy cuisine, particularly the famous Sichuan peppercorns. Historically, it was the center of the ancient Shu Kingdom and later became a key region for trade along the Southern Silk Road. Today, it is home to iconic sites like the Leshan Giant Buddha and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Guizhou

Guizhou is a mountainous province in southwestern China known for its rich ethnic diversity and stunning natural landscapes, including karst formations and waterfalls. Historically, it was a remote frontier region that became more integrated into China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and it played a significant role in the Long March of the Chinese Communist Party. Today, it is famous for its vibrant Miao and Dong minority cultures, as well as modern achievements like the world’s largest radio telescope, FAST.

Yunnan

Yunnan, a province in southwestern China, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and rich ethnic diversity, home to over 25 minority groups. Historically, it was a key region on the ancient Tea Horse Road, facilitating trade between China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, and later became a frontier for Chinese expansion during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is celebrated for its vibrant cultures, such as those of the Dai and Naxi people, and iconic sites like the Stone Forest and the ancient town of Lijiang.

Shaanxi

Shaanxi is a province in north-central China, historically significant as the heartland of ancient Chinese civilization. It was home to the capitals of 13 dynasties, including the Qin, Han, and Tang, and is best known for the Terracotta Army in Xi’an, built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb. Today, Shaanxi preserves numerous cultural relics and is a key destination for understanding China’s imperial past.

Gansu

Gansu is a province in northwest China, historically significant as a key corridor of the ancient Silk Road, connecting Chinese civilization with Central Asia and beyond. It is home to the renowned Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of Buddhist murals and manuscripts dating back over a millennium. The region also includes the Jiayuguan Pass, the western terminus of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, reflecting its long-standing role as a strategic frontier.