Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Hohhot, China
1. Temple Street Market Scam
Avoid fake guides offering to take you to a 'silk factory' or 'local family home'. Pricing and quality may be inflated.
- Unsolicited Guides: Be wary of strangers offering help in the market.
- Inflated Prices: Double-check prices and compare with other shops before buying.
- Local Family Homes: Avoid visiting 'local family homes' unless you confirm they are legitimate.
2. Taxi Overcharging
Some taxis may use a meter that is not properly calibrated or refuse to use the meter. Ensure the taxi uses the meter and negotiate the fare before starting the journey.
- Calibrated Meters: Check if the taxi's meter is properly calibrated.
- Negotiating Fare: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey.
- Refusal to Use Meter: Avoid taxis that refuse to use the meter.
3. Counterfeit Currency
Be cautious when exchanging money or making large payments. Check for signs of counterfeiting such as poor printing quality or uneven edges.
- Poor Printing Quality: Look for poor quality in print, color, or texture.
- Uneven Edges: Feel the edges of bills to ensure they are even and smooth.
- Exchanging Money: Only exchange money at reputable locations such as banks or hotels.
4. ATM Card Skimming
Be careful when using ATMs in Hohhot. Cover the keypad with your free hand while entering your PIN to prevent keyloggers.
- Covering Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN.
- Reputable ATMs: Use ATMs in well-lit, busy areas and avoid ones that look tampered with or broken.
- Frequent Transactions: Limit the number of transactions and withdrawals to minimize potential fraud.
5. Street Food Poisoning
Avoid eating street food that looks undercooked or unhygienic. Stick to vendors with clean surroundings and high turnover.
- Undercooked Food: Avoid street food that does not look properly cooked.
- Unhygienic Conditions: Stay away from vendors with poor hygiene practices.
- Clean Surroundings: Choose vendors in clean, busy areas with high turnover.
6. Tourist Trap Restaurants
Avoid restaurants that only cater to tourists and have menus in multiple languages. Opt for local, authentic places instead.
- Menus in Multiple Languages: Be wary of restaurants with menus in multiple languages.
- Tourist-only Restaurants: Stay away from restaurants that cater only to tourists.
- Authentic Local Places: Find local, authentic places recommended by residents or online reviews.
7. Bicycle Rental Scams
Rent bicycles only from reputable shops. Be wary of bikes that look damaged or poorly maintained.
- Reputable Shops: Rent bicycles from well-known, reliable shops.
- Damaged Bikes: Avoid bicycles that appear damaged or poorly maintained.
- Returning Bicycles: Ensure you return the bicycle in good condition to avoid unnecessary charges.
8. Sim Card Scams
Avoid buying SIM cards from street vendors or unauthorized retailers. Buy them only from official outlets.
- Street Vendors: Do not buy SIM cards from street vendors.
- Unauthorized Retailers: Avoid buying SIM cards from unauthorized retailers.
- Official Outlets: Buy SIM cards only from authorized outlets such as telecom stores or airports.
9. Fake Ticket Sales
Buy tickets only from official sales points to avoid counterfeit or overpriced tickets. Check for signs of authenticity.
- Official Sales Points: Only buy tickets from authorized sales points.
- Counterfeit Tickets: Be aware of counterfeit or overpriced tickets.
- Signs of Authenticity: Look for signs that the ticket is authentic, such as holograms, serial numbers, and security features.
10. Unlicensed Massage Parlors
Avoid massage parlors that look unprofessional or seedy. Check for a valid business license and ask for a menu.
- Unprofessional Appearance: Stay away from massage parlors with an unprofessional appearance.
- Valid Business License: Ensure the massage parlor has a valid business license.
- Menu Availability: Ask for a menu before starting any services to avoid unexpected costs.
11. Tour Guide Bribery
Do not offer bribes or tip your guide in advance. Give tips only after the tour based on their service quality.
- Advance Bribes: Avoid offering bribes to guides before the tour starts.
- Quality-based Tips: Tip your guide after the tour based on their service quality.
- Local Customs: Be aware of local customs regarding tipping and respect them.
12. Overpriced Accommodation
Compare prices across various booking websites to avoid overpriced accommodations. Use reputable platforms and read reviews.
- Booking Websites: Use multiple booking websites for comparison.
- Reputable Platforms: Choose reputable platforms such as Booking.com, Agoda, or Expedia.
- Read Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests before booking your accommodation.
13. Overpriced Souvenirs
Bargain and compare prices at multiple shops to avoid overpriced souvenirs. Know the fair market price before shopping.
- Bargaining: Always bargain when purchasing souvenirs.
- Multiple Shops: Compare prices at multiple shops before making a purchase.
- Fair Market Price: Know the fair market price of souvenirs before shopping.
14. Telephone Scams
Hang up on unsolicited calls offering prizes or technical support. Do not provide personal information over the phone.
- Unsolicited Calls: Ignore unsolicited calls.
- Personal Information: Do not provide personal information over the phone.
- Prizes or Technical Support: Be wary of calls offering prizes or technical support.
15. Street Performers and Buskers
Appreciate the performances but avoid donating large amounts of money. Set a limit for your contributions.
- Large Donations: Avoid donating large amounts of money.
- Performance Appreciation: Enjoy the performances and show your appreciation.
- Set Contribution Limit: Set a limit for your donations to avoid overspending.