Introduction
Most of us know when we travel we don't always expect a level playing field and the rules of the game are different
to back home.
We are on our guard for this.
Where many of our clients come unstuck is out on the street where they are more at ease, not expecting to be cheated
or set up.
This is a problem the world over, China is not much different really, a case of buyer [or tourist ]beware.
We tend expect hard sell at places like Great Wall and markets but it is the seemingly innocent and sweet looking
young women around Wangfujing Street and Oriental plaza in Beijing with their very seductive "soft sell" who cause
the biggest headache.
This is also a problem in some parts of Shanghai and maybe Guangzhou.
Brief
This page lists 4 of the common tricks and scams starting from arrival at the airport and on the "Golden Street".
It is neither inclusive or exhaustive as new ones come up or the theme varies.
For instance, a while back the Olympic Games and "Volunteers" provided a golden opportunity for many of Beijing's
sub culture.
Get away from the tourist traps, you will enjoy Beijing more, same for other parts of China.
We have included a couple of external links that give more info, mostly on taxis... poor taxi drivers, on the whole
an honest bunch!!
Some are a little dated in so far as the picture shows the old red cabs, but give good advice and tips.
Try this or
this or
this!
Don't forget to use your browser's BACK button to return here... please!
Carry your bags?
Enter the public area at Beijing Airport and you will be accosted by a variety of touts.
One offer is to take your luggage to a taxi, but it comes at a price, often not mentioned.
They also work hand in hand with taxi touts....see below...can be quite forceful and take hold of your trolley or
luggage, just walk past.
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Taxi! Taxi?
Chinese don't totally trust them and call them "Illegal Taxis" and avoid them where ever possible, as a visitor so
should you.
They hang around inside the terminal and prey on unsuspecting visitors, often a women is their front person, and you will
usually hear the English word "Taxi" but they are NOT taxis.
Beijing taxis are REALLY obvious, [see links] so take a taxi from the rank OUTSIDE
They are metered, provide ID, receipts and are honest, if not always courteous.
The touts drive private cars, charge up to 8 times the normal fare and are not
to be trusted, esp if you are female or it is late at night.
You may end up robbed or worse, dropped off at a "friends" hotel at inflated rates or
abandoned in some remote place.
Beggars
China is an amazing place, to visit, but like everywhere there is good and bad in everyone.
Be wary of beggars, I know, it feels good to give and the sight of a poor, dirty wretched looking child is hard to resist,
but most are professionals, children are "Hired" to tug at your heart strings and purses and they enjoy a rather
good lifestyle
And that nice Cannon camera you just bought at rock bottom price may turn out to be
the one your fellow traveller was using a few hours earlier!
So, to make life easier for those of us who live here, remember the signs in Hyde Park; Please, Do NOT feed
the pigeons! [AKA give to beggars].
Art Students
A couple, usually female but not always, will make the above claim and ask you back
to see "their art" on the pretext of a free exhibition.
The scam is to pressure you into buying worthless rubbish at a high price.
The location is usually out of the way and you
will be pressured, stories of a
starving family, wicked lovers, fathers etc, tears and threats about making complaints
of sexual violation to the police if you don't buy.
Some of the older hands will also offer sexual favours.
Alone in a quiet part of Beijing with 2 young, sobbing girls making claims against you is
dangerous territory, same advice, ignore, walk past.
Hello, I'm a student............
............of Art, English, what's your name?
Where do you come from?
What ever their claim if you are approached by a young couple or a pretty girl on the streets of
Beijing, their method of operation is always similar.
Penny gets you 10 quid they are not students, but scammers or prostitutes.
If you are female you are less likely to be targeted, but it can happen.
Operators are usually young and reasonably attractive women often in pairs or a young male and female.
It is a honey trap guys, they want one thing.... your wallet.
Pretend you don't understand and walk past
Another scam, from students as well as touts is the Great Wall bus trick, often they will suggest or lead you to a small bus
while giving the impression there is no public transport. There is, it is cheap, comfortable and safe.
Ask at your hotel, don't trust the street sellers.
English Students
Similar MO as Art Students [right>-->] but will lead you to a tea shop on the pretext of
being a convenient place to "chat."
They will order several teas on your behalf [as you are a stranger] and then some time later
either excuse themselves to use th toilet or terminate the talk.
Which ever, you are going to be stiffed for an extremely expensive cup of tea, prices run into hundreds of dollars.
Note; DOLLARS NOT local currency.
These girls are hired to set you up.
If you do have an interest in Chinese culture, art or tea, contact us, we will provide a safe, reliable and knowledgeable
guide who will make sure you are not cheated.
Helooo!
"HELLO" here isn't a greeting, mostly it is the only word they know and used to get your
attention with an aim to sell you something, again, ignore it, irritating I know but ignore.
Learn the Chinese word for no "BU," coupled with "YAOW"= don't want. Has minimal effect, but
they may think you are one of the hundreds of students here learning Chinese and be a bit
less persistent... maybe! Take it as a joke and enjoy the experience.
This shouldn't be taken to assume everyone here is out to
cheat or scam you. They are not.
Chinese probably treat visitors better than they do their own but, like people everywhere,
there are those who see you as a walking bank.
Come with an open mind but use your common sense and discretion.
Common Sense
Watch your belongings in crowds, never carry wallets etc in back pocket, keep it close
to your groin, we are all pretty sensitive to stray fingers in that area.
Invest in a couple of those fat, gristly grey elastic bands before you come and slip them
over your wallet or purse, it makes them more difficult for light fingers to remove
from your pocket.
If you need a
shopping guide , assistant or translator let
us know and we will arrange one, male or female.
Updated July 2009 by BTi Wordperfect
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We mean business
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