Destinations › China › Xi'an › Scams
Xi'an, China
10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in Xi'an, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.
Replica warrior figures and jade sold with claims of official provenance and certificates that mean nothing.
Unofficial shuttle buses to the warriors site diverting to jade and pottery 'factories' with lengthy compulsory sales presentations.
Touts near the terracotta warriors site selling counterfeit or duplicate tickets, and 'combined' passes that include sites not covered.
Teahouse and calligraphy-gallery invitations from friendly strangers near the city wall, ending in a large bill.
Food-street stalls quoting per-portion prices and charging by weight at rates never disclosed.
Pickpocketing in the dense crowds of the Muslim Quarter food street during evening peak.
Counterfeit notes given as change in the Muslim Quarter market and by street vendors after dark.
Unlicensed cars at the railway station and airport quoting fixed fares far above the metered rate.
Unlicensed guides at the site attaching themselves to visitors and demanding a large fee at the end.
Bicycle hire on the city wall charging undisclosed deposits and damage fees on return.
