Scams in China to Avoid: Street Cons & Ticket Tricks Exposed

I've been guiding tours in China for years. I've seen it all—the good, the bad, and the downright sneaky. Let me save you the trouble. Here are the scams you must dodge.

1. Taxi Overcharge & Fake Meter Scam

You hop into a taxi at Beijing Capital Airport. The driver says "fixed price"—300 RMB for a ride that should cost 100. Classic. Or worse, he pushes a button on a hidden remote to make the meter run faster.

How to avoid: Always use ride-hailing apps like DiDi (Alipay or WeChat Pay, English interface available). Never take unlicensed taxis. If you must take a taxi, insist on using the meter. Check if the meter starts from the correct base fare (10 RMB in Beijing).

2. The Tea Ceremony Trap

A friendly local invites you to a traditional tea ceremony near popular spots like the Lama Temple in Beijing. You sip some tea, then get hit with a bill for thousands of RMB. The high-pressure sales start.

How to avoid: Politely decline any unsolicited invitation to tea shops or ceremonies. Real tea ceremonies are arranged in advance, not by random strangers on the street.

3. Fake Ticket Sellers at Attractions

At the Great Wall, a tout offers you a "special pass" to skip the line. It's a fake. You end up being turned away at the gate. I've seen it happen to my clients.

How to avoid: Buy tickets only from official sources: official website, Trip.com, or the official WeChat mini-program. Ask your hotel to help. Never buy from scalpers. Scanners at the gate can tell real from fake instantly.

4. Money Change & Fake Bills

A taxi driver claims he has no change for your 100 RMB bill and hands you back a bunch of smaller bills—only half the value. Or you get a counterfeit 100 RMB note when you pay with a larger bill.

How to avoid: Use mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) as much as possible—no change issues. If you need cash, get it from bank ATMs inside major banks, not from street exchange booths. Check each bill: real notes have a watermark and tactile texture.

5. 'Student' Art Scam

A "student" approaches you near the Bund in Shanghai, asking for support for their art project. They show you photos, then demand a "donation" of 200+ RMB. This is a scripted con.

How to avoid: Simply say "no" and keep walking. Do not engage. The more you talk, the harder it is to escape.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.