Responsibility on the part of a tour guide

Tour guides are responsible for conducting tours and expeditions organized by tour operators for which they work. They lead the tours of historical places, famous buildings, natural landscape, temples and theme parks. During the course of the tours, tour and travel guides describe points of interest, answer questions and offer background information on interesting attractions. Tour guides are usually employed by tour operators.

How to become a licensed tour guide in China?

In China, to be a licensed tour guide, you must take the annual national tour guide certificate examination sponsored by our China National Tourism Administration. If you pass the examination, you will get the tour guide certificate from the associated tourism authorities. In addition, to be a legal tour guide, you have to register at a travel agency or local tour guide management company. Most of the tour guide management companies have some official background. After your registration, you will get a tour guide IC card (or tour guide official permit) from the local tourism administration. Tour guides are required to hang their IC card around their necks when they escort tourists.

How to recognize a licensed and legal tour guide?

A licensed and legal tour guide should have two things: an IC card and formal reception plan from the travel agency for which she or he works.

A formal reception plan is actually a travel plan or tour confirmation between a travel agency and tourists.

How to recognize a freelance tour guide?

A freelance tour guide is a tour guide who doesn't only work for one registered travel agency. They jump from one travel agency to another. They are not tied to only one travel agency, something like a guerrilla! A freelance tour guide is a licensed and legal tour guide. So they also have two things: a tour guide IC card and travel plan from a travel agency.

How to recognize a self-employed tour guide?

If a licensed tour guide directly organizes a tour and also conducts the tour, she or he is a self-employed tour guide. A self-employed guide is also a licensed and registered tour guide. But they don't work for their registered tour operators or tour guide management companies. They work for themselves covertly and contact the potential clients by using some low-cost sales channels like web forums, phone calls, and direct encounter at some scenic areas. Some self-employed tour guides even make a simple travel website and contact the internet travelers directly! We kindly suggest you avoid using a self-employed tour guide. It is not safe to put yourself in the hand of a single self-employed tour and travel guide. It is against China's law.

How to recognize an illegal tour guide?

It is quite easy to tell an illegal tour guide. An illegal tour guide has neither IC card nor travel plan from a travel agency. They, just like self-employed tour guides, reach out to tourists directly by using some low-cost sales channels like web forums, phone calls, direct encounter at some scenic areas. Some trendy illegal tour guides also make a simple travel website and contact the internet travelers directly! You are kindly advised not to use their services even though their service charges are possibly much lower. To put yourself in the hand of an illegal tour guide is dangerous!

So avoid using self-employed tour guides, and keep from illegal tour guides. Pay a little more for safety by locating a legitimate tour operator for licensed and legal tour guides.