Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Yushu, China

1. Tsedang Temple Taxi Scam

Avoid overpriced taxi rides to Tsedang Temple. Always agree on a price before starting the journey.

Knowledge of Local Prices: Research and know the standard prices for taxi services in Yushu.
Bargaining Skills: Practice bargaining to ensure you pay a fair price.
Trustworthy Taxi Services: Look for trustworthy taxi services or ask for recommendations from locals.

Be cautious when shopping in Jiegu Market. Inspect items thoroughly before purchasing.

Item Quality: Examine the quality of items before making a purchase.
Negotiation Skills: Bargain to ensure you get a fair price.
Trustworthy Shops: Look for trustworthy shops or ask for recommendations from locals.

Avoid unexpected large tips for tour guides. Agree on tip amounts before the end of the tour.

Service Quality: Evaluate the service quality of the tour guide before deciding on a tip.
Fair Tip Amount: Research the standard tip amounts for tour guides in Yushu.
Transparency: Discuss and agree on tip amounts with the guide before starting the tour.

Avoid overpriced boat rides at Lake Kokonor. Negotiate prices before starting the ride.

Knowledge of Local Prices: Research and know the standard prices for boat services in Yushu.
Bargaining Skills: Practice bargaining to ensure you pay a fair price.
Trustworthy Boat Services: Look for trustworthy boat services or ask for recommendations from locals.

Avoid overpriced rooms at hotels. Negotiate prices before booking a room.

Knowledge of Local Prices: Research and know the standard prices for hotels in Yushu.
Bargaining Skills: Practice bargaining to ensure you pay a fair price.
Trustworthy Hotels: Look for trustworthy hotels or ask for recommendations from locals.

Be cautious when eating street food. Choose clean and well-known food stalls.

Cleanliness of Food Stalls: Choose food stalls that appear clean and well-maintained.
Cooking Methods: Avoid food that is not cooked in front of you or appears suspicious.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on safe and good food stalls.

Avoid buying counterfeit goods. Look for original products or reputable stores.

Quality of Goods: Inspect the quality of items before making a purchase.
Reputation of Store: Look for reputable stores or ask for recommendations from locals.
Price of Goods: Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.

Be cautious when using ATMs. Only use machines located in banks or reputable locations.

Location of ATM: Use ATMs located in banks or reputable locations.
Covering the Keypad: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent keyloggers.
Suspicious Behavior: Be wary of anyone acting suspiciously around the ATM.

Avoid joining tours that seem too good to be true. Research tour companies thoroughly.

Tour Company Reputation: Research and choose reputable tour companies.
Tour Itinerary: Review the tour itinerary to ensure it meets your expectations.
Price of Tour: Compare prices with other tour companies and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

Avoid misunderstandings due to language barriers. Learn a few basic Tibetan phrases.

Basic Language Skills: Learn a few basic Tibetan phrases before your trip.
Translation Tools: Use translation tools or apps when necessary.
Patience and Gestures: Be patient, use gestures, and be clear with your intentions to avoid misunderstandings.

Avoid unlicensed guides. Only hire licensed tour guides through reputable agencies.

Licensed Tour Guides: Hire licensed tour guides through reputable agencies.
Guide's Qualifications: Ensure the guide has proper qualifications and experience.
Safety and Knowledge: A licensed guide can provide important safety information and ensure a more enjoyable travel experience.

Avoid unfair exchange rates at unofficial currency exchange places.

Official Currency Exchange Locations: Exchange money only at official banks or authorized exchange locations.
Fair Exchange Rates: Research and know the current exchange rates before exchanging currency.
Secure Transactions: Ensure transactions are secure, especially with large amounts of money.

Avoid rental scams by verifying the accommodation before arriving.

Verification of Accommodation: Verify the accommodation through online reviews, photographs, or communication with the owner.
Location of Accommodation: Choose accommodations in safe and convenient locations.
Communication with Owner: Communicate clearly with the accommodation owner to ensure a smooth stay.

Avoid buying fake or overpriced transportation tickets.

Official Transportation Locations: Buy tickets only from official transportation locations.
Price of Ticket: Research and know the standard prices for transportation in Yushu.
Security Measures: Ensure that the ticket has a valid seal or security features to prevent counterfeiting.

Be wary of overly friendly strangers offering help. Trust your instincts and be cautious.

Instinct and Common Sense: Trust your instincts and use common sense.
Local Recommendations: Seek recommendations from trustworthy locals or travel agencies.
Avoiding Isolation: Try to avoid isolating yourself from other travelers and stick to well-traveled paths.