Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Xicheng, Yunnan, China

1. Golden Temple Scam

Scammers pose as monks offering 'blessings' for a fee. Avoid donating to unsolicited offers.

Monk Impersonation: Legitimate monks do not ask for personal belongings or money.
Unsolicited Offers: Be wary of unsolicited offers at religious sites.
Avoiding Harassment: Politely decline and walk away from harassing scammers.

Taxis sometimes overcharge tourists. Always agree on a fare before starting the journey.

Pre-Negotiated Fare: Always negotiate and agree on the price before getting into the taxi.
Taxi Meter Use: Insist the taxi meter is used unless you have a pre-negotiated fare.
Reputable Taxis: Choose reputable taxis with visible meters and company logos.

Vendors sell counterfeit goods at tourist spots. Buy only from reputable shops or markets.

Reputable Shops: Look for shops with good reviews, quality products and fair prices.
Brand Authenticity: Be cautious of goods that seem too cheap or appear fake.
Local Insights: Ask locals for recommendations on where to shop.

Some street food vendors add unwanted items or use lower quality ingredients. Stick to popular, busy stalls.

Popular and Busy Stalls: Choose stalls that are busy with local customers.
Quality Ingredients: Fresh ingredients should be visible, and the food should look appetizing.
Health Risks: Avoid street food that does not look hygienic or is left out in the open.

Friendly locals may offer help and then ask for money. Be cautious of unsolicited assistance.

Unsolicited Assistance: Be wary of unsolicited offers of help, especially near tourist spots.
Requested Payment: If asked for payment, decline politely and find assistance elsewhere.
Trust Your Instincts: Trust your instincts and don't hesitate to walk away if something feels suspicious.

Scammers pose as temple representatives asking for excessive donations. Research the cost of donations beforehand.

Research Temple Costs: Research standard donation amounts and expectations before visiting.
Official Representatives: Legitimate temple representatives will not pressure you for excessive donations.
Genuine Devotion: Donate with genuine devotion, but be cautious of those who seem overly eager to collect money.

Unlicensed tour guides offer cheap services and then ask for excessive tips. Use registered, reputable tour agencies.

Registered Tour Agencies: Choose registered, reputable tour agencies with good reviews.
Licensed Guides: Ask for a guide's license and verify its authenticity before hiring.
Excessive Tips: Be wary of guides who ask for excessive tips or pushy souvenir purchases.

Criminals use skimmers to steal your card info at unsecured ATMs. Only use ATMs in banks or reputable locations.

Secure Locations: Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, busy areas.
Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent keylogging.
Monitor Transactions: Regularly monitor your account transactions and report any suspicious activity.

Some cybercafes install keyloggers to steal your information. Use reputable, secure cybercafes.

Reputable Cybercafes: Choose cybercafes with good reviews and a busy clientele.
Secure Connections: Only use secure connections (HTTPS) when accessing sensitive sites.
Avoiding Keyloggers: Use antivirus software to help protect your device from keyloggers.

Scammers give counterfeit money during exchange. Only exchange money at reputable places.

Reputable Money Changers: Choose licensed, reputable money changers with good reviews.
Check Bills Carefully: Inspect bills carefully for any discrepancies before accepting them.
Count Your Change: Always count your change to make sure it's correct.

Vendors may overcharge tourists. Bargain fair prices for goods and services.

Fair Bargaining: Bargain fairly, but be aware of the market price.
Market Price Awareness: Research local prices for goods and services before bargaining.
Polite Negotiation: Negotiate politely and show respect to vendors while bargaining.

Some buskers ask for money but do not perform. Watch performances before offering payment.

Watch Performances: Observe the performance before offering payment.
Voluntary Contributions: Contribute only to performances you find impressive and voluntary.
Avoid Harassment: Politely decline if the performer is persistent or aggressive.

Scammers sell SIM cards with hidden charges. Buy only from reputable phone stores.

Reputable Phone Stores: Choose licensed, reputable phone stores with good reviews.
Check Terms and Conditions: Read the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing a SIM card.
Monitor Usage: Monitor your phone usage and bill for any suspicious charges.

Some accommodations overcharge tourists or provide subpar service. Research accommodations thoroughly.

Research Accommodations: Read reviews and compare prices before booking an accommodation.
Check Location: Choose accommodations in safe, convenient locations.
Avoid Overcharging: Negotiate prices or book through reputable travel agencies to avoid overcharges.

Some restaurants overcharge tourists. Ask locals for recommendations or find popular, busy restaurants.

Local Recommendations: Ask locals for restaurant recommendations in the area.
Popular and Busy Restaurants: Choose restaurants that are busy with local customers.
Fair Pricing: Be cautious of menus with prices in multiple currencies, as this may indicate higher pricing for tourists.