China is a magnificent travel destination with rich history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. The vast majority of people you will meet are incredibly hospitable and honest. However, like many popular tourist destinations around the world, there are a handful of individuals looking to take advantage of unsuspecting visitors. Being aware of these common scams is your first and best line of defense.
Taxi Scam
One of the first challenges visitors face is transportation from the airport or train station. Some unscrupulous drivers see tourists as easy targets, resulting in a fare many times higher than it should be.
The best defense is technology. Download the ride-hailing app Didi (China's Uber-like app) before your trip. It supports an English interface and translation feature, allowing foreign users to communicate with the drivers easily.
Group Tour Scam
Near major tourist attractions, you might be approached by friendly, English-speaking individuals offering incredibly cheap guided tours. The low price is just the hook to get you on their bus. The real tour will involve being whisked away to a series of forced shopping stops at commissioned stores (e.g., jade, silk, or tea).
Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, think first before you decide to join the group.
Tea House Scam
This scam often feels the most personal, as it begins with a friendly encounter. You might be approached by some English-speaking people first. After a pleasant conversation, they will suggest experiencing an authentic Chinese tea ceremony at a nearby tea house. The problem reveals itself at the end of the ceremony when you receive a bill for hundreds of RMB for a few small pots of tea.
To avoid this, be very cautious about accepting invitations to a secondary location from people you have just met. If you'd like to chat, suggest a well-known coffee shop you choose yourself.
Street Food Caution
While most vendors are honest, some in heavily touristed areas set traps for visitors. Some of the "local specialties" are overpriced or unhealthy. For example, the Haerguo in Chongqing or the Qiegao in Xinjiang are some of the common street food scams. Haerguo, the colorful "fruits" are actually dyed, candied mini-peaches with lots of sugar. The Qiegao vendors might quote a price that sounds reasonable, but the unit of measurement is ambiguous. What you thought was the price for a piece is actually the price per gram, leading to a shocking total for a small slice.
Always observe how locals are purchasing an item first. Before agreeing to anything, ask for the total price clearly.
(Editor: Ella Qu)
Related News:
Chinapedia | Yu Lan Cultural Festival 2025 celebrates tradition with innovation
Comment