Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Kashgar, China

All Topics about Kashgar All Cities in China

1. Silk Road Bazaar Scam

Watch out for overpriced goods or fake merchandise at the bustling Silk Road Bazaar. Bargain hard and be wary of pushy vendors.

Bargaining Skills: Knowing how to negotiate prices is crucial in avoiding overpaying.
Awareness of Common Scams: Being informed about common scam tactics can help prevent being taken advantage of.
Local Guidance: Seeking advice from a trustworthy local or tour guide can help navigate the bazaar safely.

Some taxis in Kashgar might use meter tampering or charge excessive fares. Always agree on the price before starting your journey.

Price Negotiation: Knowing the average taxi fare helps in negotiating a fair price.
Avoid Peak Hours: Travel during off-peak hours to avoid surge pricing and traffic congestion.
Use Trusted Taxis: Choose reputable taxi companies or use apps for safer travel.

Be vigilant when receiving change; some merchants might give you fake currency. Check bills carefully for authenticity.

Currency Knowledge: Understanding the appearance and feel of genuine Chinese currency helps in identifying counterfeits.
Check Change Carefully: Always check your change for any discrepancies.
Use ATMs: Withdraw money from trusted ATMs to avoid receiving counterfeit bills.

Some tea houses might add unexpected charges to your bill. Read menus carefully and clarify prices before ordering.

Menu Understanding: Understand the menu items and their prices to avoid any misunderstandings.
Price Clarification: Ask about hidden charges or service fees before ordering.
Choose Reputable Tea Houses: Opt for popular and well-reviewed tea houses to minimize the risk of being scammed.

Unscrupulous guides might lead you to overpriced shops or ask for unnecessary tips. Research guides and agencies beforehand.

Guide Research: Check reviews and recommendations from trusted sources before hiring a guide.
Avoid Unsolicited Guides: Don't accept offers from unknown guides on the street, as they might be part of a scam.
Agree on Fees Beforehand: Clearly agree on fees and services provided by your guide before starting the tour.

Some accommodations might overcharge or provide subpar service. Research hotels thoroughly and check reviews.

Hotel Research: Check for accurate pricing, facilities, and services offered by the hotel.
Reviews Analysis: Analyze reviews from other travelers to gauge the quality of service provided by the accommodation.
Book Through Trusted Channels: Book through reputable travel platforms or websites for added security and peace of mind.

Some restaurants might serve poor-quality food or overcharge. Research restaurants and choose popular ones.

Restaurant Research: Check for authentic local dishes, pricing, and customer reviews.
Avoid Alleyway Eateries: Stick to well-lit and popular restaurants to minimize the risk of being scammed.
Menu Translation: Use a translation app or guide to understand menu items and prices.

Some shops might sell fake goods or overcharge. Research shops and compare prices with other stores.

Shop Research: Check for authenticity, pricing, and customer reviews of the shop.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other shops to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Avoid Street Vendors: Opt for established, indoor shops over street vendors for better quality goods.

Some transportation services might charge excessive fees or offer subpar service. Research transport options beforehand.

Transportation Research: Check for pricing, routes, and safety measures of the transportation method.
Avoid Unlicensed Operators: Choose licensed transport operators to ensure safety and reliability.
Negotiate Prices: Negotiate prices beforehand to avoid any unexpected charges.

Some ATMs might skim your card or charge hidden fees. Use well-lit, indoor ATMs and monitor your account closely.

ATM Selection: Choose well-lit, indoor ATMs for added security.
Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your account to ensure there are no unauthorized transactions.
Use Credit Cards Sparingly: Minimize the use of credit cards to reduce the risk of fraudulent activity.

Some sim card vendors might sell expired or faulty sim cards. Research vendors and compare prices.

Vendor Research: Check for reputation, pricing, and customer reviews.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other vendors to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Check for Expiration Dates: Ensure the sim card has a valid expiration date and is compatible with your device.

Some street performers might pressure you for money or demand more than agreed. Set a price beforehand and be firm.

Price Negotiation: Negotiate prices beforehand to avoid any unexpected charges.
Avoid Overly Pushy Performers: Avoid performers who seem overly aggressive or pushy.
Gratuity Guidelines: Understand the customary gratuity for the performance in Kashgar to avoid overpaying.

Some parking attendants might charge excessive fees or damage your vehicle. Park in well-lit and secure areas.

Parking Selection: Choose well-lit, secure parking areas for added safety.
Avoid Unattended Parking Spots: Opt for attended parking spots to minimize the risk of damage or theft.
Negotiate Prices: Negotiate prices before leaving your vehicle to avoid any unexpected charges.

Some tour guides might demand excessive tips or pressure you to visit specific shops. Research guides and agencies beforehand.

Guide Research: Check reviews and recommendations from trusted sources before hiring a guide.
Avoid Unsolicited Guides: Don't accept offers from unknown guides on the street, as they might be part of a scam.
Agree on Tips Beforehand: Clearly agree on tips before starting the tour to avoid any misunderstandings.

Some currency exchange spots might offer poor exchange rates or charge hidden fees. Research exchange points and compare rates.

Exchange Point Research: Check for reputation, pricing, and customer reviews.
Price Comparison: Compare exchange rates with other spots to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
Avoid Street Exchange Spots: Opt for bank or authorized exchange points over street vendors for better exchange rates and security.