
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.