Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Gulou, Fujian, China

1. Temple Street Market Scam

Beware of pushy vendors selling low-quality or overpriced goods at the Temple Street Night Market.

Price Negotiation: Always negotiate prices to avoid overpaying.
Authenticity: Avoid buying counterfeit goods that may lead to legal issues.
Local Knowledge: Seek advice from locals on fair prices and reputable shops.

Avoid taxis without meters and agree on the price before starting your journey.

Metered Taxis: Only take metered taxis to ensure fair pricing.
Pre-agreed Price: Agree on the price before starting your journey to avoid surprises.
Official Taxis: Choose official taxis with visible logos and license plates.

Some tea houses may charge exorbitant prices for drinks and food.

Menu Prices: Compare menu prices with other establishments to avoid overpaying.
Ask Locals: Seek advice from locals on affordable and reputable tea houses.
Bargain: Don't hesitate to negotiate prices for drinks and food.

Keep personal belongings secure while exploring the vibrant Gulou Quarter.

Secure Bags: Use bags with locks or wear a cross-body bag that's hard to steal.
Crowded Areas: Avoid carrying valuable items in crowded areas and markets.
Street Smart: Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts to avoid pickpocketing incidents.

Beware of counterfeit tickets for popular tourist attractions in Gulou.

Avoid unlicensed massage parlors that may offer services of ill repute.

Licensing: Check for visible licenses and legal documentation.
Reputation: Seek advice from locals on reputable massage parlors.
Ask About Services: Be clear about the services you want and ensure they match what is offered.

Avoid guides who offer unsolicited assistance or charge hidden fees.

Licensed Guides: Hire licensed and registered guides for a hassle-free experience.
Check Credentials: Ask guides to show their IDs, licenses, and certifications.
Research: Research tour companies online and read reviews before booking a guide.

Avoid street food stalls that look unhygienic or offer low-quality food.

Hygiene: Choose clean and hygienic stalls with visible health certifications.
Locals Eat There: Look for street food stalls frequented by locals to ensure quality.
Price: Compare prices with other nearby stalls before making a purchase.

Avoid unofficial currency exchange shops that may offer unfavorable rates or exchange fake money.

Official Exchanges: Exchange money at official banks, post offices, or airport exchange desks.
Compare Rates: Compare rates with other exchange shops before making an exchange.
Check Money Quality: Examine the quality and authenticity of exchanged money.

Avoid internet cafes with high prices for slow or unreliable connections.

Price Comparison: Compare prices and services with other internet cafes in the area.
Internet Speed: Check the internet speed before using an internet cafe.
Ask Locals: Seek advice from locals on affordable and reliable internet cafes.

Be wary of overly friendly strangers who may try to trick you into revealing personal information or lead you to a scam location.

Stay Alert: Stay alert and trust your instincts when interacting with strangers.
Personal Information Protection: Avoid sharing personal information with strangers.
Ask for Help: Seek help from trusted sources such as hotel staff or embassy officials if needed.

Avoid overpriced hotels that may offer poor quality accommodations.

Price Comparison: Compare prices with other hotels and booking platforms.
Location: Choose accommodations in safe and convenient areas near popular attractions.
Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests to ensure quality of the accommodation.

Avoid fake tourist attractions that may charge hidden fees or offer low-quality experiences.

Official Information: Gather information about tourist attractions from reliable sources such as official websites and travel guides.
Check Prices: Compare prices with other tourist attractions in the area before making a visit.
Ask Locals: Seek advice from locals on reputable tourist attractions.

Avoid restaurants near popular tourist attractions that may offer overpriced food or poor quality meals.

Price Comparison: Compare prices with other nearby restaurants.
Locals Eat There: Look for restaurants frequented by locals to ensure quality.
Menu Prices: Check the menu prices before making a reservation or entering the restaurant.

Avoid unofficial sim card vendors that may offer low-quality or overpriced sim cards.

Official Vendors: Purchase sim cards from official vendors such as mobile phone stores or airports.
Check Quality: Examine the quality of the sim card and its packaging before purchasing.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other sim card vendors before making a purchase.