China Tourist Scams: 12 Common Tricks and How to Avoid Them

China is remarkably safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare, and most people you meet are genuinely helpful. But like any major tourist destination, scammers exist—and they've refined their techniques over decades of targeting visitors.

The good news: most scams are easily avoidable once you know what to look for. The patterns are predictable, the warning signs are clear, and a little skepticism goes a long way.

Here are the most common scams you'll encounter and exactly how to avoid them.

1. The Tea House Scam (Most Common)

How it works:

You're walking near a tourist site—the Forbidden City, the Bund, People's Square. Friendly young people approach, speaking good English. They claim to be students, artists, or tourists from another city. After friendly conversation, they suggest visiting a "traditional tea house" or "art gallery" together.

You go. You're served tea or shown art. The atmosphere is pleasant. Then the bill arrives: ¥500-2,000 per person for tea you thought was complimentary, or massive pressure to buy overpriced art.

The "friendly strangers" are scam accomplices. The tea house is part of the operation. If you refuse to pay, staff become aggressive.

Red flags:

• Strangers approach you in tourist areas
• They speak unusually good English
• They suggest going somewhere together after just meeting
• Any mention of "tea ceremony" or "art exhibition"

Prevention:

Simple rule: don't go anywhere with strangers who approach you in tourist areas. If you want tea, choose your own tea house. If someone seems friendly, chat where you are—but don't follow them.

If you find yourself in this situation, refuse to pay the inflated bill. Call police if threatened (show that you're dialing). Scammers usually back down when you don't capitulate.

2. Taxi Overcharging

How it works:

Various tactics:

• Refusing to use the meter and quoting inflated fixed prices
• Taking unnecessarily long routes
• Claiming the meter is "broken"
• Switching bills when you pay (you hand ¥100, they claim you gave ¥10)

Red flags:

• Driver refuses to turn on meter
• Meter seems to run unusually fast
• Route seems circuitous

Prevention:

• Always insist on the meter. "请打表" (qǐng dǎ biǎo) — Please use the meter.
• If they refuse, exit and find another taxi
• Use Didi instead of street taxis—prices are fixed in advance
• Screenshot your route on a map app to know approximately where you should be going
• Take photos of large bills before handing them over

3. Fake Monks Asking for Donations

How it works:

People dressed as Buddhist monks approach tourists, sometimes pressing beads or cards into your hands as "gifts." Once you've accepted, they demand donations—sometimes aggressively.

Real monks don't solicit donations from strangers on the street. These are scammers in costumes.

Red flags:

• "Monks" approach you outside temple grounds
• They press items into your hands unsolicited
• They speak English surprisingly well
• They carry mobile phones or modern items

Prevention:

Don't accept anything pressed into your hands. If something is placed in your hand, put it down and walk away. Say "不要" (bù yào — no) and keep moving.

If you've inadvertently accepted something, you're not obligated to pay. Return it and leave.

4. The Art Student Scam

How it works:

"Students" approach you, claiming they're art students with an exhibition nearby. Would you like to see their work? At the "gallery," high-pressure sales tactics push you to buy overpriced, mass-produced "art."

Red flags:

• Approached by "students" in tourist areas
• Claims of nearby art gallery or exhibition
• Any unsolicited invitation to view artwork

Prevention:

Same as tea house scam: don't go anywhere with strangers who approach you. If you want to buy art, research galleries independently.

5. Fake Antiques and Counterfeit Goods

How it works:

At markets, vendors sell items claimed to be antique jade, ancient coins, or genuine brand-name goods. Everything is fake.

This isn't exactly a scam—you're in a market full of knockoffs, and that's expected. The scam is when vendors insist items are genuine and price accordingly.

Red flags:

• Any claim of authenticity in market settings
• "Real" Rolex for ¥500
• "Ancient" artifacts that look factory-fresh

Prevention:

Assume everything in markets is reproduction or counterfeit. Shop accordingly. If you're buying actual antiques, visit licensed dealers with documentation.

For brand-name goods, assume they're counterfeit unless purchased from official stores.

6. The Dropping Scam

How it works:

Someone drops something breakable near you—a bottle, a phone, glasses. They claim you caused it and demand compensation.

Alternatively, someone spills something on you, then an accomplice offers to help clean it while pickpocketing you.

Red flags:

• Items "accidentally" broken in your vicinity
• Someone bumps into you or spills something
• Multiple people involved in the "accident"

Prevention:

If something breaks, don't automatically accept blame. Real accidents happen, but staged ones are designed to extract money. Say you didn't cause it and walk away. If they persist, threaten to call police.

If someone spills on you, step away and handle it yourself. Don't let strangers "help" by touching your clothing or bags.

7. Fake Wi-Fi and QR Code Scams

How it works:

Scammers place fake Wi-Fi hotspots or QR codes in public areas. Connecting to rogue Wi-Fi exposes your data. Scanning malicious QR codes can lead to phishing sites or malware.

Red flags:

• Wi-Fi networks with generic names like "Free Airport WiFi"
• QR codes placed haphazardly on surfaces (not official signage)

Prevention:

Use VPN on public Wi-Fi (you should be doing this anyway in China). Only scan QR codes from official, clearly posted sources—restaurant menus, payment terminals, official signs.

8. The Overnight Train Theft

How it works:

On overnight trains, especially hard sleeper class, opportunistic theft occurs. Bags stored in overhead compartments or under bunks disappear during the night.

This isn't organized scamming—just opportunistic crime in cramped, dark conditions.

Red flags:

• Not a scam with red flags, just a crime of opportunity

Prevention:

Keep valuables (passport, money, phone) in a body-worn pouch while sleeping. Lock bags to bed frames with a small cable lock. Use soft sleeper class for more privacy and fewer strangers.

9. Currency Exchange Scams

How it works:

Unofficial "money changers" offer better rates than banks, then short-change you or pass counterfeit bills.

Red flags:

• Anyone offering exchange outside official channels
• Rates that seem too good
• Exchange in informal settings

Prevention:

Only exchange at banks, official exchange counters, or ATMs. The slight rate disadvantage isn't worth the risk.

If you receive cash in any transaction, check for counterfeit bills. Real RMB has security features: watermarks, color-shifting ink, embossed textures.

10. The Helpful Stranger at ATMs

How it works:

Someone "helpfully" assists you at an ATM, watching your PIN or distracting you while an accomplice extracts your card.

Red flags:

• Strangers offering unsolicited help at ATMs
• Anyone standing too close during your transaction

Prevention:

Shield your PIN entry with your hand. Use ATMs inside banks during business hours when staff are present. Decline all unsolicited help.

11. Fake Ticket Scalpers

How it works:

Outside popular attractions, "scalpers" sell tickets—claiming the official line is too long or tickets are sold out. The tickets are fake, or real tickets are sold at massive markup.

Red flags:

• Anyone selling tickets outside official booths
• Claims that tickets are "sold out" but they have access
• Significant markup over posted prices

Prevention:

Buy tickets only from official sources: the attraction's ticket office, official website, or authorized platforms like Trip.com. Lines might be long, but fake tickets mean no entry at all.

12. The Massage Parlor Bait-and-Switch

How it works:

Flyers advertise cheap massages. You arrive and receive basic service. Then the bill includes charges for services you didn't request—special oils, "premium techniques," extended time. Refusing to pay triggers aggressive collection.

Red flags:

• Prices that seem too cheap
• No clear pricing displayed inside
• Services being added without your explicit request

Prevention:

Use reputable massage chains or hotel spas. Confirm total price before any service. If unexpected charges appear, dispute them firmly and offer to call police if staff become aggressive.

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General Anti-Scam Principles

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. A slightly awkward moment of refusal is better than being scammed.

Be skeptical of approaches. Scams require contact. If strangers approach you with invitations, requests, or offers, default to polite refusal.

Control your own choices. Choose your own tea houses, restaurants, and shops. Don't let others guide you to "special" places.

Know real prices. Research costs before transactions. Know what taxis, attractions, and common items should cost.

Don't flash wealth. Expensive watches, visible cash, and premium phones mark you as a target. Blend in.

Learn to say no. "不要" (bù yào) and walking away end most scam attempts. You don't owe strangers explanations or politeness.

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Want more safety tips? The China Survival Kit includes emergency contacts, safety guides, and local resources for travelers.