Common Scams in China: How to Protect Yourself as a Tourist (2026)

Common Scams in China: What Every Foreign Visitor Needs to Know

China is, on the whole, an exceptionally safe country for travelers. Violent crime against tourists is rare, and most Chinese people are genuinely warm and helpful toward foreign visitors. However, like any major tourist destination in the world, China has its share of scams that specifically target foreigners. The good news is that virtually all of these scams are avoidable once you know what to look for.

This guide covers the most common scams you may encounter in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guangzhou, and other popular tourist destinations. Read through them before your trip, and you will be well-prepared to handle any situation that arises.

1. The Tea House / Art Gallery Scam

How It Works

This is by far the most notorious scam targeting foreigners in China, and it has been running successfully for decades. Here is how it typically unfolds:

You are walking near a major tourist site — Tiananmen Square, the Bund in Shanghai, or Wangfujing Street in Beijing — when a friendly young person (or a pair of them) approaches you. They are usually well-dressed, polite, and speak decent English. They will tell you they are university students who want to "practice their English" with you. The conversation feels natural and pleasant. After chatting for a few minutes, they suggest going to a nearby tea house to "experience a traditional Chinese tea ceremony" or visiting a friend's art gallery to see "authentic Chinese paintings."

Everything seems innocent. You sit down, tea is served (or artwork is shown), and the atmosphere is relaxed. But when the bill arrives, it is astronomical — often between 500 and 2,000 RMB (roughly 70 to 280 USD) per person. The "students" will pretend to be shocked too, but they conveniently pay their share without argument. If you protest, the staff may become aggressive, and in some cases, large men will appear to "encourage" you to pay. The students, of course, are in on it and receive a commission from the establishment.

How to Avoid It

• Be skeptical of any stranger who approaches you near tourist sites wanting to "practice English." Real students who want language practice typically use apps or university programs — they do not hang around tourist attractions.
• Never follow a stranger to a tea house, bar, art gallery, or restaurant. If someone suggests going somewhere to eat or drink, choose the venue yourself or politely decline.
• If you do end up in a suspicious tea house, ask for a menu with prices before anything is served. If there is no menu or no prices listed, leave immediately.
• Trust your instincts. If the approach feels rehearsed or too friendly too quickly, it probably is a scam.

2. Fake Monks Asking for Donations

How It Works

You will encounter people dressed in Buddhist monk robes in tourist areas, train stations, or even on the street. They approach you with a serene expression, offer you a small trinket — a bracelet, a card with a blessing, or a small medallion — and then ask for a "donation." Some will hand you a clipboard showing previous "donations" from other tourists, often listing amounts between 100 and 500 RMB to set your expectations high.

These individuals are almost never real monks. Genuine Buddhist monks in China follow strict rules about soliciting money from strangers. They live in monasteries, follow regulated schedules, and do not wander tourist areas begging. The fake monks keep all the money they collect, and some operate in organized groups.

How to Avoid It

• Do not accept anything handed to you. Once you take the trinket, they will use social pressure to get you to "donate." Simply keep your hands at your sides and shake your head.
• A polite but firm "no thank you" is sufficient. You do not need to engage further. Walk away.
• If you want to donate to a Buddhist temple, do so at the temple itself through their official donation box.

3. Taxi Scams

How They Work

Taxi scams in China come in several varieties, and they are among the most common problems foreign visitors face:

The Broken Meter: The driver claims the meter is broken and offers a flat fare that is two to five times the actual cost. Alternatively, the driver starts driving without turning on the meter and names an inflated price at the end of the ride.

The Long Route: The driver takes an unnecessarily long and circuitous route to your destination, running up the meter. This is most effective against visitors who do not know the city layout and cannot follow along on a map.

Refusing the Meter: At busy tourist sites, train stations, or airports, drivers may refuse to use the meter entirely and demand a flat fee. This fee is invariably much higher than the metered fare would be.

The Switch: A rare but particularly bold scam where the driver quickly swaps a large bill you hand them for a smaller one and claims you underpaid. For example, you hand over a 100 RMB note, and the driver holds up a 10 RMB note claiming that is what you gave them.

How to Avoid Them

• Always insist that the meter is running. The Chinese phrase is "da biao" (打表). If the driver refuses, get out and find another taxi.
• Use ride-hailing apps like Didi. Didi is China's equivalent of Uber and calculates the fare in advance. The route is tracked by GPS, and the fare is charged to your account automatically. This eliminates almost all taxi scams.
• Follow along on your phone's GPS. Open a map app so you can see if the driver is taking an unreasonable route. Even if you do not say anything, many drivers will stick to the direct route if they see you watching.
• Pay with exact change or small bills to prevent the bill-switching trick. If you must use a large note, clearly state the denomination as you hand it over.
• Take official taxis from designated taxi stands at airports and train stations rather than accepting rides from people who approach you in the arrivals hall.

4. Black Car Drivers at Airports and Stations

How It Works

When you arrive at a major airport or train station in China, you will almost certainly be approached by people offering you a ride. These are "black car" (hei che, 黑车) drivers — unlicensed, unregulated operators who charge significantly more than official taxis or ride-hailing services. They may approach you inside the terminal, in the arrivals hall, or in the parking area.

The prices they quote are typically three to ten times the official taxi fare. Because you have just arrived and may be tired, disoriented, and unfamiliar with local prices, you are an easy target. In some cases, the cars are in poor condition, the drivers are uninsured, and there have been occasional reports of drivers taking passengers to the wrong location or demanding additional money mid-ride.

How to Avoid It

• Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a ride. Simply say "bu yao" (不要, meaning "don't want") and keep walking.
• Follow signs to the official taxi queue. Every major Chinese airport and train station has a clearly marked, supervised taxi line. The wait may be longer, but the fare will be metered and legitimate.
• Use Didi or the airport shuttle bus. Most airports also have express train or metro connections to the city center that are fast and very cheap.
• Research approximate taxi fares in advance so you know what a reasonable price should be. For example, a taxi from Beijing Capital Airport to the city center should cost roughly 100-150 RMB on the meter, not 400-500 RMB.

5. Fake Market Overcharging

How It Works

China's famous bargaining markets — the Silk Market and Yashow Market in Beijing, the fake market near Nanjing Road in Shanghai, and similar venues across the country — are notorious for wildly inflated prices aimed at foreign shoppers. The initial asking price for an item is typically five to twenty times what the vendor will actually accept. Some travelers, unfamiliar with the bargaining culture, pay the first price they are quoted and end up spending far more than necessary.

Additionally, some vendors engage in bait-and-switch tactics. They show you a high-quality sample but pack a lower-quality version when you are not looking. Others will agree to a price, then "accidentally" pack extras into your bag and charge you for them. Some become aggressive or guilt-trip you during the bargaining process, making you feel obligated to buy.

How to Avoid It

• Start your counter-offer at about 10-15% of the asking price and negotiate from there. The final agreed price should typically be around 25-30% of the initial ask.
• Be willing to walk away. This is the most powerful bargaining tool. If you start walking toward the exit, the vendor will often chase you with a lower price.
• Check your items before paying. Open the bag, inspect the goods, and make sure what you are buying matches what was shown to you.
• Set a budget for yourself before entering the market and stick to it. The atmosphere in these markets is designed to encourage impulse buying.
• Remember that most items in these markets are counterfeit. Do not pay premium prices for what are essentially knockoff goods.

6. Restaurant Bait and Switch (Menu Without Prices)

How It Works

This scam is common in tourist-heavy restaurant districts. You are handed a menu — sometimes a beautiful, elaborate menu — that does not list any prices. Or you are seated and food starts arriving that you did not specifically order, presented as "house specialties" or "complimentary appetizers." When the bill comes, you discover that the "complimentary" dishes were charged at premium prices and the dishes you did order cost far more than you expected.

Some restaurants near tourist sites maintain two menus: one with reasonable prices for locals and another with inflated prices for foreigners. Others simply make up the prices at the end of the meal based on how much they think they can extract from you.

How to Avoid It

• Never eat at a restaurant that does not show prices on the menu. Ask for a menu with prices before sitting down. If they cannot produce one, leave.
• Confirm the price of each dish when ordering. If the menu is only in Chinese, use a translation app to read it or ask the waiter to write down the price of each item.
• Refuse any dishes you did not order. If something arrives at your table that you did not ask for, send it back immediately and clearly state you did not order it.
• Eat where the locals eat. If a restaurant near a tourist site is full of Chinese diners, it is almost certainly legitimate. If it is full of tourists and has aggressive touts outside, be cautious.
• Check the bill carefully before paying. Use your phone calculator if needed. Question any charges you do not recognize.

7. Money Exchange Scams

How It Works

Unofficial money changers may approach you on the street or in tourist areas offering to exchange foreign currency for Chinese yuan at rates that seem better than the bank rate. The catch can come in several forms: they may use sleight of hand to short-change you, give you counterfeit bills, or simply grab your money and disappear into a crowd.

Counterfeit 100 RMB notes do circulate in China, and they occasionally end up in the hands of tourists through street exchanges. Even some legitimate-looking small exchange booths may offer poor rates after applying hidden fees and commissions.

How to Avoid It

• Only exchange money at banks, official exchange counters at airports, or your hotel. The rates at banks are regulated and fair. Major banks like Bank of China, ICBC, and China Construction Bank all offer currency exchange services.
• Never exchange money with anyone on the street. This is not only risky but also technically illegal.
• Use ATMs to withdraw cash directly in RMB. ATMs at major banks accept international cards and offer competitive exchange rates. Look for machines displaying the Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay logos.
• Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay if possible. Many services in China now accept mobile payments, reducing your need to carry large amounts of cash.

8. Fake Tickets and Tour Operators

How It Works

Near popular tourist attractions, you may encounter people selling "discounted" tickets or offering "special tours" that include skip-the-line access. These tickets are often counterfeit, expired, or simply do not exist. You pay the money, walk to the entrance, and discover your ticket is not valid. By then, the seller has vanished.

Similarly, unofficial tour operators may offer suspiciously cheap tour packages that include visits to the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, or other major sites. These tours often turn out to be shopping excursions with minimal time at the actual attraction. You spend most of the day being driven to jade factories, tea shops, and silk stores where the guide earns commissions on your purchases. The "discounted" tour price is subsidized by the kickbacks from these shops.

How to Avoid It

• Buy tickets only from official sources: the attraction's own ticket office, their official website, or reputable Chinese booking platforms like Ctrip (Trip.com), Meituan, or Klook.
• Never buy tickets from scalpers or random people outside an attraction. Even if they show you what looks like a real ticket, it may be fake or already used.
• Book tours through your hotel, a reputable travel agency, or well-reviewed operators on platforms like TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide. Read recent reviews carefully.
• Be wary of any tour that seems too cheap. If a full-day Great Wall tour costs only 50-100 RMB including transport, you can be certain it will involve mandatory shopping stops.
• Many major attractions in China now require advance booking with passport details. This means tickets cannot easily be resold or faked. Always check the official booking requirements before your visit.

9. The "Student" Photo Scam at Tourist Sites

How It Works

At popular tourist sites — particularly Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Bund — you will be approached by young people who say they are students working on a photography project, a school assignment, or simply want a photo with a foreigner "as a souvenir." This is sometimes entirely innocent; many Chinese people, particularly from smaller cities, genuinely find foreigners novel and want a photo.

However, there is a scam version. After taking photos with you, the "students" become very friendly, chat with you extensively, and then guide the conversation toward visiting a tea house, a calligraphy exhibition, or a nearby art show — which circles back to the tea house scam described above. In other variations, they may ask you to buy their "student artwork" at inflated prices, or lead you into a shop where they earn commission.

How to Avoid It

• It is generally fine to take a quick photo with someone. Most requests are genuine and harmless. Smile, take the photo, and say goodbye.
• Be cautious if the photo request turns into a longer conversation and an invitation to go somewhere. That is when it shifts from innocent interaction to potential scam setup.
• Politely decline any invitations to visit shops, galleries, tea houses, or restaurants suggested by people you just met at tourist sites.
• If you want to buy artwork from students, negotiate firmly and do not feel pressured. Real student art, if it exists, should not cost hundreds of RMB.

10. Rickshaw Overcharging

How It Works

In historic areas like Beijing's hutongs (traditional alleyways), you will see bicycle rickshaws (also called pedicabs or sanlunche) offering rides and tours. Rickshaw drivers will call out to tourists, offering rides for what sounds like a reasonable price — say "30 kuai" (30 RMB). You hop on, enjoy a pleasant ride through the narrow lanes, and when you arrive at your destination, the driver demands 300 RMB, claiming the quoted price was "per person" or "per minute" rather than for the whole ride.

Some drivers will also take you on an extremely long route, stopping at shops or restaurants where they earn commissions. Others will claim you agreed to a "tour" rather than a simple ride and demand payment for the extended service.

How to Avoid It

• Agree on the total price before getting on. Write it down on your phone and show it to the driver to confirm. Make sure both parties understand whether the price is per person, per ride, or per hour.
• Agree on the route or destination in advance. Show the driver the destination on your phone map.
• Take a photo of the driver's license plate or ID number (usually displayed on the rickshaw) before getting on. This discourages dishonest behavior.
• If a dispute arises, stay calm and offer what you originally agreed to. Threaten to call the police (dial 110) if the driver becomes aggressive. The police generally side with tourists in these disputes, and most scam drivers will back down at the mention of police involvement.
• Consider simply walking through the hutongs instead. They are best explored on foot anyway, and you can stop wherever you like without time pressure.

General Safety Rules for Avoiding Scams in China

While the scams above may sound intimidating, the vast majority of interactions you have in China will be positive and genuine. Keep these general rules in mind, and you will have a safe and enjoyable trip:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited friendliness from strangers at tourist sites. Chinese people are generally hospitable, but if someone approaches you out of nowhere with perfect English and an invitation to go somewhere, your guard should go up.
• If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Unbelievably cheap tours, amazing discounts, and generous strangers who just happen to know a "secret" tea house are all red flags.
• Always agree on prices before committing to anything — rides, meals, tours, services. Get it in writing or typed on a phone screen if possible.
• Learn a few key Chinese phrases. "Duo shao qian?" (多少钱? — How much?) and "Tai gui le" (太贵了 — Too expensive) are invaluable. Showing that you are not a completely clueless tourist makes you a less attractive target.
• Use technology to your advantage. Translation apps like Google Translate (download the Chinese language pack for offline use), Didi for taxis, and Ctrip/Trip.com for booking attractions can prevent most scams before they start.
• Keep your valuables secure. Pickpocketing is relatively uncommon in China compared to Europe, but it does happen in crowded areas. Use a money belt or a zipped inner pocket for your passport and large amounts of cash.
• Save the local emergency number in your phone. Police: 110. Ambulance: 120. General emergency: 112. Tourist complaint hotline: 12301. In major cities, some 110 operators speak basic English.
• Have your hotel's address written in Chinese on a card or on your phone. If you get into a dispute or get lost, you can always show a taxi driver your hotel address and get back to safety.
• Stay calm during any confrontation. Scammers rely on confusion, pressure, and embarrassment. If you remain composed and firm, most situations will resolve in your favor. Making a scene or becoming visibly angry can escalate things unnecessarily.
• Report scams to the police if you feel safe doing so. China has been actively cracking down on tourist scams in major cities, and your report can help future travelers.

Remember: the overwhelming majority of Chinese people you meet will be kind, curious, and genuinely helpful. Do not let awareness of these scams make you paranoid or hostile toward friendly locals. Simply stay informed, trust your instincts, and enjoy everything that this incredible country has to offer.