Destinations › China › Chengdu › Scams
Chengdu, China
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Chengdu, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Panda-base day tours sold by street agents where entry tickets are not included, group sizes are far larger than described, or the visit is cut short.
Teahouse and 'cultural performance' invitations from English-speaking strangers in the central squares, ending with a bill of several thousand yuan.
Touts selling attraction and opera-performance tickets that are invalid or heavily marked up.
Hotpot restaurants in tourist areas adding uncounted side dishes and undisclosed charges to the bill.
Pickpocketing in crowded pedestrian shopping streets and at the panda base during peak morning hours.
Imitation tea, silk and 'antique' curios sold as genuine in the tourist shopping streets.
Unlicensed guides at temples and heritage streets charging fees for access that is free.
Counterfeit 100-yuan notes given as change by street vendors and in night markets.
Unlicensed cars touting at the airport and rail stations, and licensed drivers taking extended routes with visitors.
Teahouse ear-cleaning and street-performance services quoted at one price and charged at several times that afterwards.
