Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Zhenjiang, China

1. Temple of Anken Tianwang, Scam Alert

Popular tourist spot prone to pickpocketing; beware of distractions and crowded areas.

Crowded Areas: Avoid carrying valuables in visible pockets during peak hours.
Distractions: Stay alert and aware of your surroundings to avoid distractions leading to theft.
Trusted Companions: Travel with trusted companions and stay in groups during visits.

Taxi drivers may overcharge at the scenic area; use taxi meters or negotiate prices beforehand.

Metered Taxis: Insist on using metered taxis to avoid overcharging.
Negotiation: Negotiate prices before starting the journey, especially for rideshare services.
Local Knowledge: Learn about local taxi rates to avoid getting ripped off.

Vendors around the bridge selling fake goods; be cautious when shopping.

Knowledge of Brands: Familiarize yourself with popular brands to spot counterfeit products.
Certified Shops: Shop at certified stores or markets for authentic goods.
Price Discrepancies: Be wary of extremely low prices as they may indicate counterfeit items.

Unhygienic food vendors risk food poisoning; only eat from trustworthy stalls.

Cleanliness: Look for clean and well-organized food stalls to minimize the risk.
Recommendations: Ask locals for recommendations on reputable food vendors.
Cooking Practices: Observe the cooking practices to ensure proper handling of food.

Romantic interests may turn out to be scammers; verify identities before sharing personal information.

Online Profiles: Inspect social media profiles for inconsistencies or fake accounts.
Meet in Public Places: Always meet new acquaintances in public places and inform someone of your plans.
Background Checks: Perform basic background checks to verify their identity and intentions.

ATMs may have skimming devices; use well-lit and secure ATMs or banks.

Secure Locations: Choose well-lit, secure locations for using ATMs to minimize the risk.
Cover Screen: Always cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent keylogging.
Monitor Accounts: Regularly monitor your account for suspicious activity.

Unlicensed guides may overcharge or lead to scams; ensure they are licensed and registered.

Licenses and Permits: Check if the guide has a valid license from the local tourism bureau.
Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from hotels, hostels or travel agencies.
Pricing Transparency: Negotiate prices beforehand and avoid guides asking for additional fees.

Sellers may offer fake or overpriced tickets; buy from authorized ticket booths.

Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets only at authorized sales booths to avoid scams.
Ticket Prices: Ask about the standard ticket prices to avoid overpaying.
Museum Hours: Check museum hours to avoid purchasing tickets for closed periods.

Unauthorized exchange booths may offer low exchange rates; use banks or authorized bureaus.

Authorized Exchangers: Exchange money at banks, hotels, or authorized currency exchange bureaus.
Comparison Shopping: Compare exchange rates before making a transaction.
Secure Locations: Exchange money in secure locations to avoid distractions and potential scams.

Pickpockets often target tourists at crowded attractions; keep personal belongings secure.

Drinks may be spiked with drugs; only accept drinks from trusted sources.

Trusted Sources: Avoid accepting drinks from strangers or untrustworthy sources.
Accompanying Drinks: Only consume drinks when someone is present and watching.
Symptoms Awareness: Be aware of potential symptoms, such as dizziness or confusion, and seek help immediately.

Drugs may be slipped into drinks or offered; decline unknown substances and stay cautious.

Caution: Avoid accepting drugs from strangers or untrustworthy sources.
Knowledge of Local Laws: Understand local drug laws and penalties to avoid unintentional violations.
Trusted Companions: Stay with trusted companions and watch each other's drinks.

Counterfeit goods are common in shopping centers; be cautious and verify items.

Knowledge of Brands: Familiarize yourself with popular brands to spot counterfeit products.
Certified Shops: Shop at certified stores or market stalls for authentic goods.
Price Discrepancies: Be wary of extremely low prices as they may indicate counterfeit items.

Vendors may overcharge tourists for goods; negotiate prices before purchasing.

Negotiation: Negotiate prices before making a purchase to get a fair deal.
Local Knowledge: Learn about local market prices for items of interest.
Comparison Shopping: Compare prices at different stalls before making a purchase.

Transport workers may sell fake or overpriced tickets; buy from authorized vendors.

Authorized Vendors: Buy tickets only at authorized sales booths to avoid scams.
Ticket Prices: Ask about the standard ticket prices to avoid overpaying.
Secure Locations: Purchase tickets in secure locations and avoid distractions.