Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Zhangjiajie, China

1. Ticket Scalping Scams

Beware of ticket scalpers outside popular attractions like the Tianmen Mountain. They sell overpriced tickets or fake ones.

Price Difference: Scalped tickets are often significantly more expensive than official ticket prices.
Location: Ticket scalpers usually gather around the entrances of popular attractions.
Legitimacy Check: Official tickets have a hologram and come with a receipt. Check for these before purchasing.

Unlicensed tour guides may offer their services at lower prices but could lead you to scamming stores or attractions.

License Verification: Ask for a guide's license before hiring them. Legitimate guides will have one.
Price Comparison: Compare the prices offered by your guide with official prices to avoid overcharging.
Local Knowledge: Legitimate guides should be knowledgeable about Zhangjiajie's attractions and customs.

Avoid buying souvenirs from street vendors in the tourist areas. They might sell counterfeit or low-quality products.

Price Quality Ratio: Cheap prices for popular items often indicate counterfeits.
Store Location: Official souvenir shops are typically located near attractions or in shopping malls.
Quality Inspection: Inspect your items carefully for signs of poor quality or discrepancies.

Restaurants near popular attractions may overprice their food and drinks. Look for more affordable options in local neighborhoods.

Location: Food prices can be significantly higher in tourist areas.
Menu Comparison: Compare prices with other restaurants to ensure fair pricing.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on affordable places to eat.

Be wary of accommodation that requires full payment upfront or has very low prices. Check reviews and book through reputable channels.

Payment Method: Legitimate accommodations usually require a deposit, not full payment upfront.
Booking Channel: Book through reputable channels such as booking.com or agoda.com to avoid scams.
Reviews Check: Check reviews for the accommodation before booking to ensure its legitimacy.

Taxis in Zhangjiajie might overcharge tourists. Use apps like Didi Taxi or negotiate the fare before starting your journey.

App Usage: Use taxi-hailing apps to get a fair price and avoid overcharging.
Negotiation: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey to ensure you're not being overcharged.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other passengers or locals to verify the fairness of the price.

Some tour guides may take you to the wrong location for the Golden Whip Brook. Double-check with your guide or use a map.

Double Check Guide: Ask your guide to confirm the destination and compare it with a map.
Location Identification: Look for distinct landmarks such as the Golden Whip Bridge to verify your location.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for directions if you're unsure about your location.

Some tour guides may take you to a fake Yuanjia Jie. Verify the location with your guide or use a map.

Double Check Guide: Ask your guide to confirm the destination and compare it with a map.
Location Identification: Look for distinct landmarks such as the Yuanjia Jie archway to verify your location.
Local Recommendations: Ask locals for directions if you're unsure about your location.

Some tour guides may try to sell you fake or overpriced cable car tickets. Only purchase from official ticket booths.

Official Ticket Booth: Only buy tickets from official ticket booths located at the base of the mountain.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other passengers or locals to verify fairness.
Legitimacy Check: Official tickets have a hologram and come with a receipt. Check for these before purchasing.

Unauthorized money changers may offer lower rates but give you less money than agreed. Only use authorized money exchange centers.

Authorized Centers: Use authorized money exchange centers, such as banks or airport exchange counters.
Rate Comparison: Compare exchange rates with other services to ensure fairness.
Verification: Check the exchange rate on reliable websites before changing money.

Tourists are approached to play basketball and then overcharged for the game. Stick to pre-arranged activities.

Pre-Arranged Activities: Stick to pre-planned itineraries to avoid unexpected expenses.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other passengers or locals to verify fairness.
Local Knowledge: Legitimate activities should be well-known among tourists and locals.

Friendly locals may offer help but lead you to scamming stores or attractions. Be cautious of unsolicited help.

Suspicion Level: Be wary of overly friendly locals who seem overly eager to help.
Location Verification: Verify the location of attractions and stores before following any suggestions from strangers.
Local Recommendations: Ask multiple locals for directions or recommendations to get an accurate picture.

Some rickshaw drivers may take you on a longer route and overcharge. Negotiate the fare before starting your journey.

Negotiation: Always negotiate the fare before starting your journey to ensure you're not being overcharged.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other passengers or locals to verify fairness.
Route Verification: Ask the driver for an estimated route before starting your journey.

Some tour guides may take you to a fake part of the park or overcharge for entry. Verify with your guide or use a map.

Double Check Guide: Ask your guide to confirm the destination and compare it with a map.
Location Identification: Look for distinct landmarks such as the Golden Whip Bridge or Yuanjia Jie archway to verify your location.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other passengers or locals to verify fairness.

Some tour guides may take you to a fake Mahua Village or overcharge for entry. Verify with your guide or use a map.

Double Check Guide: Ask your guide to confirm the destination and compare it with a map.
Location Identification: Look for distinct landmarks such as the Tianzi Mountain or Avatar Mountains to verify your location.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with other passengers or locals to verify fairness.