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4 documented scams across 1 destinations

Tourist scams in China — and how to avoid them

These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across China, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.

The tea-house ceremony scam

Cum funcționează: Friendly English-speaking 'students' or 'tourists' invite you to a traditional tea ceremony nearby, then you are presented with an enormous bill for the tea and cannot easily leave.

Cum să o eviți: Politely decline invitations from strangers to a specific tea house, bar or gallery. Choose your own venues and never follow a new acquaintance to a place they insist on.

Rigged art-student gallery

Cum funcționează: People posing as art students befriend you near the sights and steer you to a 'student exhibition', pressuring you to buy overpriced paintings as a favour.

Cum să o eviți: Be wary of strangers who quickly guide you to a shop or gallery. There is no obligation to buy, so decline firmly and walk away if you feel pressured.

Unlicensed airport taxi

Cum funcționează: Touts at the airport or major stations offer an unofficial 'taxi' at a flat rate, then charge far above the metered fare or demand more on arrival.

Cum să o eviți: Use only the official taxi rank with the meter, the Airport Express, or a ride-hailing app. Never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal.

Fake or low-quality Great Wall tour

Cum funcționează: Cheap street or hostel-touted 'Great Wall tours' can include long detours to jade or medicine shops for commission, or drop you at a lesser section than promised.

Cum să o eviți: Book a reputable tour or go independently by public transport. Confirm exactly which wall section, what is included, and that there are no shopping stops before paying.

Know the fair prices tooThe other half of not getting ripped off in China: what things should actually cost.See fair prices in China