How to avoid tourist scams (e.g., overpriced souvenirs, fake attractions)?

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PM 23:05 2025/04/22

Choose Legitimate Shopping Venues
Avoid buying expensive souvenirs (such as jade, tea, or handicrafts) at the entrance of tourist attractions, roadside stalls, or from mobile vendors. Instead, prioritize large shopping malls, brand specialty stores, or government-certified tourist shops (such as those marked with "Tax-Free").
The prices of souvenirs in popular scenic areas like Wangfujing in Beijing, Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai, and Huimin Street in Xi'an are generally high. It’s recommended to compare prices before purchasing.
Learn Bargaining Skills
In non-priced stores or markets (such as Yiwu Small Commodities Market or Yangshuo West Street in Guilin), you can try bargaining, usually starting from 30%-50% of the listed price.
Note: Large shopping malls and chain supermarkets generally do not accept bargaining.
Beware of “Free Gift” Traps
Some merchants may lure tourists into their stores with "free lottery" or "gift giving," followed by forced consumption. If you encounter such situations, please refuse directly.

Verify Attraction Information in Advance
Use authoritative travel platforms (such as the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TripAdvisor, Mafengwo) to confirm the authenticity of attractions, avoiding being misled by counterfeit attractions (for example: the "fake Terracotta Warriors" incident in Xi'an).
Be cautious about attractions with similar names (such as "Hangzhou Songcheng" vs. "Songcheng Legend Scenic Area").
Be Cautious with Low-Cost One-Day Tours
Flyers on the street or tours offered by non-licensed travel agencies (such as "Great Wall one-day tour for 50 yuan") often include mandatory shopping or fake attractions. It’s recommended to book tours with user reviews through platforms like Ctrip or Fliggy.
Official Certification Marks
China's 5A/4A level attractions all have official certifications, which can be verified via the WeChat Mini Program "Ministry of Culture and Tourism Scenic Spot Query."

Taxi/Ride-hailing Precautions
Black car drivers at airports or train stations may falsely claim that their meters are broken and demand exorbitant fares. It’s suggested to use Didi Chuxing (linked to Alipay/WeChat Pay) or ensure that taxis operate on meters.
Beware of drivers recommending "partner hotels/restaurants," as these venues may charge high kickbacks.
High-Speed Rail/Airplane Ticket Purchases
Only purchase tickets through official channels like the 12306 website, Ctrip, or Fliggy. Do not trust "internal tickets" or "low-price transfer tickets."

Clarify Prices Before Consuming
For high-priced dishes like seafood or wild mushrooms, confirm pricing units (per "pound" or "ounce") in advance and request the server to weigh them in front of you.
Avoid dining in restaurants without menus or clear pricing.
Beware of "Sky-High Tea/Wine" Traps
Some teahouses may force customers to pay exorbitant fees under the guise of "local specialty tea," charging hundreds of dollars per pot. It’s recommended to choose chain brands (such as Heytea, Starbucks) or highly-rated shops on Dianping.

Use Electronic Payment
Activate WeChat Pay or Alipay to reduce risks associated with cash transactions (avoiding counterfeit money or change scams).
Preserve Evidence for Legal Protection
In case of fraud, keep receipts, recordings, photos, etc., and call the tourism complaint hotline 12301 or report to the police (110).
Language Communication Assistance
Download translation apps (such as Google Translate, Tencent Translation) or prepare common Chinese phrase cards (e.g., "Please use the meter," "How much does this cost?").

Tourism Complaint Hotline: 12301 (24-hour service, English supported)
Police Emergency Number: 110
Global Consular Protection Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +86-10-12308

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