Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Hangzhou, China
1. Taxi Scam at Hangzhou Airport
Some taxi drivers may overcharge or take longer routes. Avoid by using official taxi queues or pre-booking through a reliable service.
- Official Queue: Helps ensure you take an authorized taxi
- Pre-Booking: Ensures a fixed price and helps avoid overcharging
- Reliable Service: Offers peace of mind with guaranteed pricing and service quality
2. Temple Scam in West Lake
Some temple guides may overstate entrance fees or push unnecessary purchases. Research entry costs beforehand and politely decline unwanted offers.
- Research Costs: Helps you know the standard prices for attractions
- Decline Unwanted Offers: Avoids unnecessary spending and potential pressure sales
- Politeness: Maintains good relations while asserting your intentions
3. Food Stall Scam in Qiantang Street
Some street food vendors may use expired ingredients or overprice items. Choose established stalls with good reviews and ask for ingredient details.
- Established Stalls: Offers assurance of quality and safety
- Good Reviews: Indicates positive customer experiences
- Ask for Ingredients: Helps ensure freshness and avoids allergens
4. Bargaining Scam in Hefang Street
Vendors may offer inflated prices during initial bargain attempts. Research fair prices and be persistent but reasonable in your negotiations.
- Research Fair Prices: Helps you know the market value of items
- Be Persistent but Reasonable: Ensures a fair price without offending the vendor
- Know When to Walk Away: Prevents you from overpaying and helps maintain goodwill
5. Fraudulent Ticket Scam at Hangzhou Grand Theatre
Counterfeit tickets may be sold for popular shows. Buy tickets only from authorized outlets or the theatre's official website.
- Authorized Outlets: Ensures authenticity of tickets
- Official Website: Provides guaranteed tickets and helps avoid middlemen fees
- Check Ticket Authenticity: Verifies the ticket's authenticity before entry
6. Accommodation Scam at Xixi National Wetland Park
Some accommodations may misrepresent their facilities or services. Read reviews and book through reliable travel platforms.
- Read Reviews: Offers insight into the quality of service and accommodation
- Reliable Travel Platforms: Ensures a secure booking process and offers customer support
- Avoid Direct Bookings with Unknown Properties: Helps protect your personal and financial information
7. Counterfeit Product Scam at Hangzhou Silk Market
Some vendors may sell counterfeit silk products. Look for the China National Silk Association logo and ask for a certificate of authenticity.
- China National Silk Association Logo: Assures the product's quality and authenticity
- Ask for a Certificate of Authenticity: Helps verify the product's origin and authenticity
- Research the Market before Purchasing: Ensures you are familiar with fair prices and common scams
8. Currency Exchange Scam at Wulin Square
Some currency exchange booths may offer unfair rates or charge hidden fees. Use licensed booths and compare rates before exchanging.
- Licensed Booths: Ensures compliance with regulations and fair pricing
- Compare Rates: Helps you find the best exchange rate
- Ask for Transparent Fees: Prevents unexpected charges and helps maintain trust
9. Lottery Ticket Scam in Public Areas
Unsolicited lottery ticket sellers may ask for personal information or offer a share of winnings. Politely decline and avoid interactions with strangers.
- Politeness: Maintains goodwill while expressing your intentions
- Avoid Unsolicited Interactions: Prevents potential identity theft and scams
- Stay Alert in Public Areas: Helps you recognize and avoid suspicious activities
10. SIM Card Scam at Hangzhou Train Station
Some SIM card vendors may provide subpar service or charge hidden fees. Purchase only from authorized retailers or official operator stores.
- Authorized Retailers: Ensures quality service and fair pricing
- Official Operator Stores: Provides secure purchase process and customer support
- Compare Plans Before Purchasing: Helps you find the best value for your needs
11. Street Performance Scam at Hangzhou West Railway Station
Some street performers may ask for donations aggressively or use distracting tactics. Appreciate performances but be cautious when donating.
- Appreciate Performances: Shows respect for local culture
- Be Cautious When Donating: Prevents potential scams and supports genuine artists
- Avoid Distracting Tactics: Helps you avoid potential pickpocketing or other scams
12. Fake Guide Scam at Hangzhou Xixi Wetland
Some unauthorized guides may overcharge or lead you to scams. Only hire guides from reliable tour operators or the park's official website.
- Reliable Tour Operators: Offers a secure booking process, quality service, and customer support
- Park's Official Website: Ensures authorized guides and helps avoid middlemen fees
- Check Guide Credentials: Verifies the guide's qualifications and experience
13. Overpriced Public Transport Scam in Hangzhou
Some bus drivers may ask for excessive fares or try to overcharge tourists. Use pre-paid transportation cards or exact change to avoid misunderstandings.
- Pre-Paid Transportation Cards: Offers convenience and helps avoid overcharging
- Exact Change: Prevents potential disputes and helps maintain trust
- Check Fare Prices Before Boarding: Ensures you are aware of the correct fare for your journey
14. Overpriced Bike Rental Scam in Hangzhou
Some bike rental shops may charge excessive prices or require a deposit. Choose established rental companies and inspect the bikes before renting.
- Established Rental Companies: Offers assurance of quality and service
- Inspect Bikes Before Renting: Ensures the bike's condition and helps avoid hidden damage charges
- Negotiate Deposit Amounts: Prevents excessive deposit fees and helps maintain goodwill
15. Counterfeit Tea Scam at Longjing Tea Plantation
Some vendors may sell counterfeit Longjing tea or overprice genuine tea. Research the correct price range and verify the origin of the tea.
- Research Correct Price Range: Helps you identify fair prices for Longjing tea
- Verify Tea Origin: Ensures the authenticity of Longjing tea and its quality
- Avoid Vendors with Suspicious Prices or Aggressive Sales Tactics: Helps you avoid potential scams and poor-quality products