Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Yibin, Sichuan, China

1. Counterfeit Taxi Services

Unauthorized taxi services may charge inflated prices or take longer routes. Stay safe with official taxis.

Counterfeit tickets to popular attractions can lead to disappointment or entry denial. Purchase from authorized outlets only.

Disappointment: Inability to visit the attraction due to counterfeit ticket
Entry Denial: Being denied entry upon presentation of a fake ticket
Time Wasted: Wasting valuable travel time on purchasing and attempting to use fake tickets

Souvenir shops may charge exorbitant prices for ordinary items. Bargain and compare prices to get a fair deal.

Price Inflation: Overpricing of souvenirs compared to market standards
Lack of Bargaining Skills: Not being able to negotiate the price effectively
Time Constraint: Limited time for shopping and comparison of prices

Unfavorable exchange rates or additional fees at unofficial currency exchanges. Stick to banks or authorized exchange centers.

Favored Exchange Rates: Exchange rates more favorable to the provider rather than the customer
Additional Fees: Hidden fees for exchanging currency
Security Concerns: Risk of being scammed or losing money in unofficial exchange environments

Restaurants may serve low-quality food or charge for items not ordered. Choose reputable restaurants and inspect your bill carefully.

Low-Quality Food: Serving subpar food in place of advertised dishes
Unordered Charges: Charging for items not ordered or consumed
Reputation: Risk of choosing a less reputable restaurant with such practices

Unlicensed tour guides may charge inflated prices or provide poor service. Use only licensed and recommended tour guides.

Price Gouging: Inflated pricing for unsuspecting travelers
Poor Service: Guides providing poor service or insufficient knowledge
Safety Concerns: Risk of being in an unlicensed or unsafe environment with an unauthorized guide

Fraudulent accommodations may overbook, offer poor conditions, or charge additional fees. Book only through reputable sources.

Unlicensed local guides may lead tourists to overpriced shops or attractions. Use only licensed and recommended local guides.

Price Inflation: Overpricing of shops or attractions recommended by unlicensed guides
Lack of Knowledge: Inadequate knowledge of local attractions and hidden gems
Reputation: Risk of choosing a less reputable guide with such practices

Unhygienic street food vendors may serve contaminated or low-quality food. Only eat at clean and busy vendors.

Petty theft is common in crowded areas. Keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings.

Crowded Areas: Increased risk of pickpocketing or theft in busy tourist spots
Valuables Security: Securing valuable items to reduce the chance of theft
Awareness: Remaining aware and vigilant in crowded areas to prevent theft

Skimming devices on ATMs can steal card information. Use secure and well-lit ATMs, and cover your PIN when entering.

Skimming Devices: Devices installed to steal card information at the ATM
Secure Location: Choosing an ATM in a secure, well-lit location reduces the risk of skimming
Covering PIN: Covering your PIN while entering to prevent others from seeing

Unsecured internet cafes may install keyloggers or spyware. Use reputable and secure Internet providers.

Keyloggers: Devices installed to capture keystrokes, including login credentials
Spyware: Software that monitors and reports on computer activity
Reputation: Choosing a reputable internet provider to reduce the risk of such scams

Unlicensed bus drivers may charge inflated prices or take longer routes. Use only authorized and reputable transportation services.

Internet service providers may charge exorbitant prices for basic services. Research and compare internet service providers before traveling.

Price Inflation: Overpricing of internet services compared to market standards
Lack of Competition: Limited competition in some areas, leading to higher prices for internet services
Time Constraint: Limited time for researching and comparing prices before traveling

Unauthorized festivals may charge admission fees or provide a poor experience. Verify festival dates and locations before attending.

Admission Fees: Charging for admission to an unauthorized festival
Poor Experience: Providing a subpar or fraudulent experience at the unauthorized festival
Authenticity: Risk of attending an unauthentic representation of a local festival