Beijing Mistakes & Scams Guide
Honest advice to help you dodge the common traps and travel safely.
Why This Page Matters
China is very safe for visitors — violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare. What to watch for is overcharging, tourist traps, and unnecessary hassle. Knowing these scams can help you save money, time, and stress.
Tea scam
High RiskHow the Scam Works
A stranger strikes up a conversation and invites you to a “traditional tea ceremony”; when it’s time to pay, the bill ranges from 500 to 3,000 yuan.
How to Avoid
Politely decline all invitations from strangers. No exceptions.
Real Advice
By 2026, Chinese people will no longer casually invite strangers to have tea on the street.
The “fake art student” scam
High RiskHow the Scam Works
“Art students” invite you to an “art exhibition,” but it’s actually a scheme to forcefully sell low-quality paintings at inflated prices.
How to Avoid
Decline all invitations to street “art exhibitions.”
Real Advice
Genuine works of art are not sold on the street.
Taxi meter scams
Medium RiskHow the Scam Works
Unlicensed or unregulated taxis may have tampered meters.
How to Avoid
Use the Didi app to hail a ride—the fare is displayed in advance.
Real Advice
Didi has eliminated all taxi scams—with transparent pricing and route tracking.
Fake Great Wall day tours
High RiskHow the Scam Works
“Cheap Great Wall tours” are hawked around Tiananmen Square, but tourists are taken to the “Wild Great Wall” or shopping spots.
How to Avoid
Take only official direct buses such as the Dada Bus or Mu Bus.
Real Advice
Hiring a private car to Mutianyu costs 600–800 yuan round-trip; splitting the cost among a few friends is cheaper than a “group tour” and gives you more freedom.
Receiving counterfeit bills as change
Low RiskHow the Scam Works
Some street vendors and taxi drivers slip counterfeit bills into your change.
How to Avoid
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay—zero risk of counterfeit bills.
Real Advice
Mobile payments = zero risk of counterfeit bills. Cash = potential counterfeit issues.
China Is Very Safe
Despite the warnings above, remember: China has some of the lowest violent-crime rates in the world, and crime against foreigners is extremely rare. What's listed is mostly about overcharging and inconvenience — not danger. Use basic common sense, trust your instincts, and you'll have a wonderful, safe trip.