Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Luoyang, Henan, China

All Topics about Luoyang All Cities in China

1. Longmen Grottoes Scam

Unscrupulous guides may lead you to overpriced souvenir shops or fake relics. Always agree on prices beforehand.

Know the Price: Always agree on prices with guides and shopkeepers before visiting attractions.
Beware of Fake Relics: Be cautious when buying souvenirs, especially at unlicensed shops.
Stick with Reputable Guides: Use reputable tour operators or local guides recommended by trusted sources.

Some temple monks may request excessive donations. Donate only to official collection boxes.

Official Collection Boxes: Look for official collection boxes marked with the temple's name.
Avoid Personal Donations: Avoid donating to individuals claiming to be temple monks.
Respect Temple Customs: Respect local customs and traditions when visiting temples.

Tour guides may mislead you to an imitation Lvzu Temple for a fee. Verify the location with a reliable source.

Verify Location: Confirm the exact location of the Lvzu Temple before setting out.
Be Aware of Imitation Temples: Be cautious of tour guides offering to show an imitation Lvzu Temple.
Use Reputable Sources: Refer to reliable travel resources or ask locals for directions.

Unscrupulous guides may lead you to overpriced food at nearby restaurants. Research restaurant prices beforehand.

Research Restaurant Prices: Research the average price of meals in the area to avoid overpriced restaurants.
Avoid Unlicensed Vendors: Be cautious when buying food from unlicensed vendors.
Stick with Reputable Restaurants: Choose reputable restaurants recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some museum tour guides may lie about artifacts or charge extra fees. Check the official museum website for information.

Check Official Information: Always check the official museum website for accurate information.
Avoid Extra Fees: Be wary of guides asking for extra fees for unofficial tours or exhibits.
Stick with Official Guides: Use official museum guides or self-guided tours provided by the museum.

Fraudulent tour guides may show you a reconstruction of the wall and charge for entry. Verify the location with a reliable source.

Verify Location: Confirm the exact location of the Luoyang Wall before setting out.
Avoid Reconstruction Sites: Be cautious when tour guides offer to show reconstructions of the Luoyang Wall.
Use Reputable Sources: Refer to reliable travel resources or ask locals for directions.

Unscrupulous bus drivers may overcharge tourists or refuse to refund change. Always agree on prices before boarding.

Agree on Prices Beforehand: Always agree on prices with the driver before boarding the bus.
Avoid Overcharges: Be cautious of bus drivers who attempt to overcharge tourists.
Stick with Reputable Companies: Use reputable bus companies recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some vendors may sell counterfeit goods. Buy only from licensed shops and check the quality.

Buy from Licensed Shops: Always buy from licensed shops to avoid counterfeit goods.
Check Quality: Inspect the quality of items before making a purchase.
Avoid Unlicensed Vendors: Be cautious when buying from unlicensed vendors.

Some taxi drivers may refuse to use the meter or overcharge. Always agree on prices before starting the ride.

Agree on Prices Beforehand: Always agree on prices with the driver before starting the ride.
Use Metered Taxis: Use metered taxis whenever possible.
Stick with Reputable Companies: Use reputable taxi companies recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some street food vendors may use substandard ingredients or overprice their dishes. Research popular street foods and their prices.

Research Popular Street Foods: Research the most popular street foods in Luoyang and their average prices.
Avoid Unlicensed Vendors: Be cautious when buying food from unlicensed vendors.
Stick with Reputable Vendors: Choose reputable street food vendors recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some hotels may overcharge tourists or provide subpar service. Research hotels and compare prices before booking.

Research Hotels: Research hotels in Luoyang, compare prices, and read reviews.
Avoid Overcharges: Be cautious of hotels that attempt to overcharge tourists.
Stick with Reputable Hotels: Choose reputable hotels recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some sightseeing bus drivers may overcharge tourists or refuse to refund change. Always agree on prices before boarding.

Agree on Prices Beforehand: Always agree on prices with the driver before boarding the bus.
Avoid Overcharges: Be cautious of sightseeing bus drivers who attempt to overcharge tourists.
Stick with Reputable Companies: Use reputable sightseeing bus companies recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some vendors may sell counterfeit goods or overprice their items. Research popular night market items and their prices.

Research Popular Night Market Items: Research the most popular night market items in Luoyang and their average prices.
Avoid Unlicensed Vendors: Be cautious when buying from unlicensed vendors.
Stick with Reputable Vendors: Choose reputable night market vendors recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some rickshaw drivers may overcharge tourists or refuse to refund change. Always agree on prices before starting the ride.

Agree on Prices Beforehand: Always agree on prices with the driver before starting the ride.
Avoid Overcharges: Be cautious of rickshaw drivers who attempt to overcharge tourists.
Stick with Reputable Companies: Use reputable rickshaw companies recommended by locals or travel guides.

Some performers may demand excessive tips or use distraction techniques for pickpocketing. Be cautious and don't exceed reasonable tip amounts.

Be Cautious of Performers: Be cautious when interacting with street performers, as some may use distraction techniques for pickpocketing.
Avoid Excessive Tips: Don't exceed reasonable tip amounts when watching street performances.
Stick with Reputable Performers: Choose reputable performers recommended by locals or travel guides.