Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Xingyi, China

1. Sim Card Scam at Xingyi Railway Station

Unscrupulous vendors offer 'cheap' SIM cards with high roaming charges. Always buy from authorized retailers.

Authorized Retailers: Look for official retailers with permits and uniformed staff.
Price Check: Check prices online or ask locals for a fair price estimate.
Roaming Charges: Avoid SIM cards with exorbitant roaming charges or hidden fees.

Some taxis may overcharge tourists. Use licensed taxi services or ride-hailing apps.

Licensed Taxis: Look for legally registered taxis with a meter.
Ride-Hailing Apps: Download popular ride-hailing apps like Didi Chuxing to ensure fair pricing.
Negotiated Price: Always agree on the price before starting your journey.

Some souvenir shops sell fake goods. Buy from reputable stores or the official market.

Reputable Stores: Look for well-established stores with good reviews.
Official Market: Visit the official market where authentic goods are sold.
Branding and Quality: Check for branding details, packaging, and product quality.

Some money exchangers may give less than the agreed amount. Use reputable money exchangers.

Reputable Money Exchangers: Look for authorized and well-established money exchange offices.
Check Exchange Rates: Compare exchange rates with other reputable services or online resources.
Count Money Carefully: Count the money exchanged carefully and verify it matches what you agreed upon.

Tour guides without licenses may provide inaccurate information or overcharge. Use licensed tour guides.

Licensed Tour Guides: Look for tour guides with official licenses and proper identification.
Tour Company Reputation: Research the reputation of the tour company before booking.
Price Transparency: Avoid guides who don't disclose all costs upfront or request excessive tips.

Some accommodation listings may be fake or overpriced. Use trusted online booking platforms.

Trusted Online Platforms: Book through popular and well-established online platforms.
Location and Amenities: Check the location, amenities, and reviews of the accommodation.
Payment Security: Ensure that your payment details are securely processed through the platform.

Some restaurants may serve low-quality or counterfeit food. Choose well-known eateries.

Well-Known Eateries: Look for popular and well-established restaurants.
Menu Translation: Check if the menu has translations to avoid misunderstandings about your order.
Food Quality and Presentation: Assess food quality by its appearance, taste, and presentation.

Some massage parlors may offer services that are not what they seem. Choose reputable establishments.

Reputable Establishments: Look for licensed and well-established massage parlors.
Clear Signage: Check for clear signage indicating the services offered.
Personal Comfort: Trust your instincts and choose a place that feels comfortable and welcoming.

Some ATMs may skim card information. Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit, secure areas.

ATMs Inside Banks: Use ATMs located within banks for added security.
Secure and Well-Lit Locations: Choose ATMs in well-lit, secure locations to minimize risks.
Monitor Your Account Regularly: Regularly monitor your account for any suspicious transactions.

Fake Wi-Fi networks may steal data. Use password-protected and trusted networks.

Password-Protected Networks: Use networks that require a password for access.
Trusted Network Providers: Connect to networks from well-known providers or your mobile hotspot.
Secure Connections: Ensure that the connection is secure by using HTTPS for websites.

Some 'charity collectors' may be scammers. Donate to legitimate charities.

Legitimate Charities: Donate to well-known and reputable charities.
Official Documentation: Ask for official documentation or search online for the charity's details.
Direct Donations: Make donations directly to the charity rather than through intermediaries.

Some vendors may overprice or sell counterfeit goods. Practice fair bargaining.

Knowledge of Fair Prices: Research the fair price of items before negotiating.
Negotiate with Confidence: Be confident in your negotiation and walk away if the price is too high.
Check Quality Before Bargaining: Assess quality before bargaining to avoid wasting time on poor-quality items.

Some ticket sellers may offer fake tickets. Buy from official ticket booths.

Official Ticket Booths: Purchase tickets directly from the attraction's official ticket booth.
Online Ticket Purchases: Consider buying tickets online, if available, to avoid scams.
Check Ticket Authenticity: Verify the ticket's authenticity before entering the attraction.

Some pharmacies may sell counterfeit or low-quality medicine. Purchase from reputable pharmacies.

Reputable Pharmacies: Look for well-established and licensed pharmacies.
Brand Name Medicine: Buy brand name or generic medicines from reputable manufacturers.
Ask for Prescriptions: Ask for prescriptions when purchasing medicine to ensure it's suitable.

Some street performers may overcharge or demand unnecessary tips. Enjoy performances responsibly.

Reasonable Tips: Offer reasonable tips based on the performance's quality and length.
Avoid High-Pressure Tactics: Do not feel obligated to tip if pressured or the performance was unsatisfactory.
Check Local Customs: Research local customs for tipping street performers beforehand.