7 Common Tourist Scams in China and How to Avoid Them

Visiting China offers a remarkable journey through a country of unparalleled historical depth, cultural richness and breathtaking natural beauty. 

From the iconic Great Wall and the ancient Terracotta Army to the futuristic skyline of Shanghai, China seamlessly blends its rich past with a dynamic present. Through all this pomp and show, one can get lost in the beauty of the country and forget that petty crimes and scams can be lurking around the corner.

While China is generally a safe place to visit, it is important to be aware of the common scams to protect yourself from potential fraud. 

Read on to know about the most common tourist scams in China.

Here are some common travel scams in China and the places where they are often encountered:

1. Teahouse Scam

Teahouse/Tea Ceremony scams usually happen to solo travellers or travellers taking a night stroll, or during shopping. In this scam, you will be approached by friendly locals who need some help. They will try to chat with you and suggest going somewhere for a cup of tea at a local place.

They then take you to a teahouse where the menu is not in English and doesn't have the prices mentioned either. A tea ceremony will be recommended to you to taste several different kinds of teas. 

When the bill arrives, it will be in hundreds or thousands of dollars and you will have to pay the amount. Some scammers pretend to share the bill, but they are actually employed by the tea house.

Common around: Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Guangzhou, Chongqing.

2. Counterfeit Money Scam

While exchanging your money, there are chances you may receive counterfeit notes instead. In some scenarios, you pay a taxi driver, but the driver will switch your notes for a fake note and claim that your money is counterfeit making you shell out more money.

In another scenario, at local snack, souvenir streets or markets, you give the vendor some change, but the vendor will refund you with a fake note instead. Lastly, some local markets set up fake ATMs with fake money.

The best way to avoid this scam is to thoroughly check the notes you received for counterfeit money. Only get cash from legal and reputable sources, such as banks, bank ATMs, etc. Try to break notes of 100 into smaller notes, such as 20, 10 and 5 and always keep an eye on your money after giving it to the vendor, the driver or other people, to avoid them switching your real money.

Common around: Across China.

3. Taxi Overcharging Scam

Taxi is frequently used during travelling in a different country, similarly as in China. There are a few taxi drivers who take advantage of tourists’ unfamiliarity with the destination, and charge very high taxi fees instead of going by meter.

Another taxi scam in China is the Black Taxi Scam. It has nothing to do with the color of the car, rather, running a taxi business privately is termed a "Black Taxi." These Black Taxis are usually active outside the airports, train stations and tourist attractions. Black Taxi drivers will approach you without any invitation and charge double prices. 

The license plates of Beijing’s legitimate taxi are started with “京B”. If a car without “京B” plate approaches you, you should be aware it’s not a legal taxi.

Common around: Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Xian, etc.

4. Fake Beggars Scam

In China, you will find fake beggars or locals dressed as monks asking for donations. These people are mostly found around tourist destinations. They approach tourists with some fake sob story, pretending to be disabled, etc., and sometimes even get physical with people who refuse to donate some money.

Beggars in China now have QR codes that you can scan and donate to. If you are in a situation where you feel that the person is only posing to be a beggar/monk, you can refuse and walk away. If you don’t know whether the beggar is real or not, you can observe the surrounding Chinese people. If they are giving alms, you can donate as well.

Common around: Shanghai, Beijing, etc.

5. Fake Tours Scam

Fake tour scams are very commonly practiced in China. When you enter your hotel, you will likely see a sign board with a warning of locals posing to be tour guides offering great deals to tourists.

For example, around touristic sites, especially Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, there are travel agencies that claim to offer very cheap tours to the Great Wall and around the city. They also might take you to different shops and factories and trick you into buying souvenirs.

To avoid falling for this scam, it is better to choose travel agencies with good recommendations and always cross-check that your tour guide is reputed and official.

Common around: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, Hangzhou, etc.

6. Fake Goods Scam

There are a lot of phony and outrageously priced souvenirs available all-around China. Locals frequently congregate around Nanjing Road in Shanghai and Silk Alley in Beijing to extort tourists for poor goods and services. 

Most frequently, tour guides will pressure you to buy these high-priced goods, because they frequently receive commissions from the sale.

To avoid receiving something different from what you paid for, constantly monitor all transactions and thoroughly examine every item you purchase. The best course of action is to stick to larger shopping centers and conventional retail stores for more expensive things and to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods on the streets.

Common around: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, etc.

7. Chinese Traditional Medicine Scam

In this scam, a traditional Chinese medicinal clinic will offer you a “diagnosis” along with expensive herbs. They will quote stories of how these herbs have helped, and the types of illnesses they have cured, etc., just enticing you to buy.

As a rule, it is best to avoid any of these clinics that are part of any tour group (they pay to get a steady supply of tourists) or recommended by someone. Be wary of any types of medicinal practices that seem to cater only to foreigners. Do your homework online or ask reliable locals for recommendations.

Common around: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, Lijiang, etc.

While China is generally a safe and welcoming travel destination, like any other place, it's important for tourists to be aware of potential scams. To protect yourself from these scams:

• First, you must get yourself Travel Insurance to China to completely secure your trip. Now that you know that petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen in China, if you lose your passport or other official documents, our cover can help secure your finances. Not just this, you can read more about our coverages here.
• Next, use reputable tour operators and accommodation - preferably ones with positive reviews.
• Keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings. 
• Be cautious if someone approaches you with unsolicited offers or invitations. Scammers often use friendliness to gain your trust.
• Use licensed taxis with meters and avoid unmarked or private vehicles. Public transportation like buses and subways is usually safe.
• Count your change carefully when making purchases to ensure you receive the correct amount and always check your notes for counterfeit money.

To reach out to officials in case of any emergency in China, you can use the following contacts:

• Police: 110 (for calls) 12110 (for text messages)
• First-aid Ambulance: 120
• In case of traffic accidents: 122
• In case of Fire, dial: 119
• Travel Information: 12580/118114 
• Indian Embassy, Consulate & High Commission in China: 86-10-8531 2500/2501/2502/2503, (+86 21) 6275 8882, 8885, 8886

To avoid falling victim to these scams, it's essential to stay vigilant, do your research, and be cautious when dealing with strangers. Regardless, you can always enjoy a beautiful stay in the country without getting too paranoid about being scammed. With these tips and useful information, you can rest assured about your trip to China.