Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Xigazê, Tibet, China

Xigazê, China, Xigazê, Local Insights & Practical Info, Common Scams & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Xigazê, Tibet, China

1. Tsedang Monastery Taxi Scam

Avoid overpriced taxi rides to Tsedang Monastery. Always agree on the price before starting the journey.
  • Price Negotiation: Always negotiate a fair price for taxi rides.
  • Official Taxis: Opt for official taxis or vehicles with clearly visible licenses.
  • Local Guidance: Seek advice from local travel agencies or trusted sources.

2. Market Counterfeit Goods

Beware of counterfeit goods in local markets. Buy from reputable stores to ensure authenticity.
  • Authentic Retailers: Purchase items from trusted retailers and shops.
  • Knowledgeable Vendors: Identify vendors with good knowledge of the products they sell.
  • Product Quality: Inspect items for quality and check for any obvious flaws.

3. Tour Guide Fee Scam

Avoid overcharging by unlicensed tour guides. Make sure your guide is registered and reputable.
  • Registered Guides: Hire tour guides with proper registration and permits.
  • Reputable Agencies: Book tours through reliable travel agencies or tourist offices.
  • Fixed Fees: Discuss and agree on fees before starting the tour.

4. Bazaar Street Food Poisoning

Enjoy street food safely by choosing vendors with good hygiene practices.
  • Hygienic Vendors: Opt for street food stalls that maintain cleanliness and food safety.
  • Local Recommendations: Seek recommendations from locals or reliable sources about safe food options.
  • Cooking Techniques: Avoid raw or undercooked food and opt for dishes that are well-prepared.

5. Pemako Scamming

Prevent overpricing and fraud in Pemako monastery. Research the cost of the visit beforehand.
  • Cost Research: Gather information about the costs associated with visiting Pemako.
  • Official Entrance Fees: Pay the official entrance fee and avoid any additional charges.
  • Registered Guides: Hire registered guides for tours within Pemako monastery.

6. Accommodation Overpricing

Prevent overcharging at accommodations by comparing prices and researching beforehand.
  • Price Comparison: Compare prices across various accommodation options.
  • Online Reviews: Read online reviews to ensure the quality of accommodations.
  • Local Recommendations: Seek local recommendations for reliable and affordable accommodations.

7. Currency Exchange Rip-offs

Avoid unfavorable exchange rates by using reputable currency exchange providers.
  • Reputable Providers: Exchange money at banks or authorized exchange offices.
  • Knowledge of Exchange Rates: Familiarize yourself with the current exchange rates and market trends.
  • Negotiate Fees: Always negotiate fees for currency exchange services.

8. Tibetan Handicraft Counterfeits

Avoid purchasing counterfeit Tibetan handicrafts by buying from reputable vendors.
  • Authentic Retailers: Purchase items from trusted retailers and shops.
  • Knowledge of Craftsmanship: Identify vendors with good knowledge of the crafts they sell.
  • Product Quality: Inspect items for quality and check for any obvious flaws.

9. Bazaar Bar Scamming

Avoid overpricing at bars by researching the cost of drinks beforehand.
  • Cost Research: Gather information about the costs associated with drinks.
  • Happy Hours and Promotions: Take advantage of happy hours and promotional offers when available.
  • Local Recommendations: Seek recommendations from locals or reliable sources about affordable bars.

10. Unauthorized Trekking Guides

Avoid unlicensed trekking guides by booking through reputable agencies.
  • Registered Guides: Hire tour guides with proper registration and permits.
  • Reputable Agencies: Book trekking tours through reliable travel agencies or tourist offices.
  • Safety Measures: Ensure that the guide has safety equipment and emergency response plans in place.

11. Pony Rental Fraud

Prevent overpricing and scams when renting ponies for treks by negotiating fees beforehand.
  • Fees Negotiation: Discuss and agree on fees for pony rental services.
  • Reputable Providers: Rent ponies from trusted providers with good reputation.
  • Safety Measures: Ensure that the pony rental service provider follows safety guidelines and regulations.

12. Lake Namtso Transportation Rip-offs

Prevent overcharging for transportation to Lake Namtso by negotiating prices beforehand.
  • Fees Negotiation: Discuss and agree on fees for transportation services.
  • Reputable Providers: Hire reliable transportation providers with good reputation.
  • Safety Measures: Ensure that the transportation provider follows safety guidelines and regulations.

13. Cultural Performance Overpricing

Prevent overcharging for cultural performances by negotiating prices beforehand.
  • Fees Negotiation: Discuss and agree on fees for cultural performance services.
  • Reputable Providers: Attend performances organized by reputable providers with good reputation.
  • Safety Measures: Ensure that the cultural performance provider follows safety guidelines and regulations.

14. Souvenir Shopping Traps

Avoid overpricing in souvenir shops by negotiating prices beforehand.
  • Fees Negotiation: Discuss and agree on fees for souvenir items.
  • Reputable Providers: Purchase souvenirs from trusted providers with good reputation.
  • Product Quality: Inspect souvenir items for quality and check for any obvious flaws.

15. Festivals Entrance Fee Scams

Prevent overcharging at festivals by researching the cost of entrance fees beforehand.
  • Cost Research: Gather information about the costs associated with festival entry.
  • Official Entrance Fees: Pay the official entrance fee and avoid any additional charges.
  • Local Recommendations: Seek local recommendations for reliable and affordable festivals.