Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Wuzhou, China

1. Counterfeit Taxi Drivers

Avoid unlicensed taxis that do not display a city-issued license plate. These drivers may overcharge or take you to unwanted destinations.

City-Issued License Plate: Legitimate taxis in Wuzhou have a city-issued license plate.
Fare Estimates: Ask for fare estimates before starting the journey to avoid overcharging.
Trusted Locations: Use taxis from trusted locations such as hotels or airports.

Be wary of street food vendors who use unhygienic practices. Stick to reputable, busy stalls.

Busy Stalls: Popular stalls usually indicate quality and safety.
Hygiene Standards: Look for clean food preparation areas and ingredients.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on safe and delicious street food spots.

Only use licensed tour guides with proper identification. Unlicensed guides may lead you to overpriced attractions or shops.

Licensed Guide: Legitimate guides in Wuzhou carry a license and can provide proof upon request.
Official Tour Agency: Book tours through official tour agencies to ensure authenticity.
Reputable Recommendations: Use recommendations from trusted sources or do research before booking a tour guide.

Avoid shady hotels that promise unreasonably low prices. Check online reviews and compare prices with other reputable accommodations.

Online Reviews: Check online reviews for insights into the quality of the accommodation.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other hotels in the same area to avoid overpaying.
Reputable Booking Sites: Book through reputable online booking sites for added protection.

Avoid street currency exchange booths and stick to banks or authorized exchange centers. Be aware of the exchange rate beforehand.

Authorized Centers: Banks and authorized exchange centers are more reliable for exchanging currency.
Awareness of Exchange Rate: Research the current exchange rate before traveling to avoid being taken advantage of.
Official Receipts: Always request an official receipt for your currency exchange transactions.

Avoid shops that pressure you to buy. Research popular shopping destinations in advance.

Popular Shopping Destinations: Research popular and trusted shopping destinations before your trip.
Pressure-Free Shops: Avoid shops that pressure you to make a purchase.
Negotiating Prices: Be prepared to negotiate prices, especially at markets and street vendors.

Use ATMs located in banks or secure areas. Be cautious of ATMs that appear damaged or tampered with.

Bank or Secure Area: ATMs located inside banks or secure areas are generally safer.
Damage and Tampering: Avoid ATMs that appear damaged, tampered with, or look suspicious in any way.
Monitor Your Account: Monitor your account transactions regularly to detect any fraudulent activity.

Research admission prices for attractions beforehand. Avoid ticket sellers outside the entrance.

Pre-researched Prices: Research admission prices for attractions before your trip to avoid overpaying.
Official Entrance Ticket Sellers: Buy tickets from the official entrance ticket sellers to ensure authenticity.
Local Knowledge: Ask locals for recommendations on attractions and ticket prices.

Buy SIM cards from authorized retailers or official service providers. Be wary of street vendors selling SIM cards.

Authorized Retailers: Purchase SIM cards from authorized retailers or official service providers.
Official Service Providers: Look for the official service provider's store to buy your SIM card.
Avoid Street Vendors: Street vendors may sell counterfeit or malfunctioning SIM cards.

Buy local products from reputable stores and markets. Compare prices with other vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Reputable Stores: Purchase local products from well-established, reputable stores.
Comparison Prices: Compare prices with other vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Product Authenticity: Look for signs of authenticity, such as seals or certifications, when purchasing local products.

Research internet cafe prices beforehand. Avoid cafes with no visible pricing.

Pre-researched Prices: Research the average prices of internet cafes in Wuzhou.
Visible Pricing: Avoid internet cafes without visible pricing as they may overcharge.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on affordable and reliable internet cafes.

Donate to recognized charities or organizations. Be wary of street collections that appear suspicious.

Recognized Charities: Donate to well-known and recognized charities or organizations.
Suspicious Collections: Be wary of street collections that appear suspicious or request large donations.
Research Charity Organizations: Research charity organizations before donating to ensure they are legitimate.

Avoid massage parlors that do not display a city-issued license. Look for a legitimate business address.

City-Issued License: Legitimate massage parlors in Wuzhou should display a city-issued license.
Business Address: Look for a legitimate business address to ensure the establishment is not operating illegally.
Reputable Recommendations: Ask locals or research online for recommendations on reputable massage parlors.

Rent accommodations from reputable sources such as hotels or online booking sites. Avoid private rentals with no paperwork.

Reputable Sources: Book accommodations through reputable sources like hotels or online booking sites.
No Paperwork: Avoid private rentals with no paperwork as they may be illegal or unsafe.
Online Reviews: Check online reviews for insights into the quality and safety of the accommodation.

Purchase traditional medicine from reputable pharmacies or herbal shops. Compare prices with other vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Reputable Pharmacies: Buy traditional medicine from well-established, reputable pharmacies or herbal shops.
Comparison Prices: Compare prices with other vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Product Authenticity: Look for signs of authenticity, such as seals or certifications, when purchasing traditional medicine.