The Ultimate Field Guide to China’s Teahouse & Black Cab Scams: Hotspots, Real Stories, and Survival Protocols

China is generally very safe for visitors, but tourist-targeted overcharging and pressure scams can still happen. The two patterns visitors most often report are an unsolicited teahouse invitation and an unofficial “black cab” ride. They are not a reason to avoid a city; they are a reason to use simple boundaries.

1. The teahouse scam

The premise

Friendly strangers approach people near major landmarks. They may say they are students who want to practise English, ask for a photo, or suggest a tea ceremony, coffee or bar after a short conversation.

How it usually works

1. They steer you toward a particular, often hidden venue.
2. Tea, snacks or wine arrive before prices are made clear.
3. The bill is far higher than expected; reports range from thousands of yuan upward.
4. Staff may pressure you to pay. Leave if you can do so safely and call for help if you are being prevented from leaving.

Places to be extra alert

• Shanghai: Nanjing Road, People’s Square, the Bund and Yu Garden.
• Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing, Forbidden City exits and Qianmen.
• Xi’an and Chengdu: Bell Tower and Chunxi Road areas.

Visitor reports describe a repeated pattern: a friendly photo request, a quiet alley or upstairs tea shop, an unclear menu, then a demand for an inflated bill. Details vary by case, so treat any unsolicited change of venue as a warning sign.

2. Unofficial taxi (“black cab”) traps

Unregistered drivers commonly target visitors who look lost at airport arrivals, railway exits and tourist sites late at night. A driver may approach inside the terminal, wave a badge, call the service “official”, or claim the taxi queue will take hours.

• Tampered meters: the fare rises implausibly quickly.
• Flat-rate switch: a low verbal quote later becomes a much larger demand.
• Cash confusion: avoid relying on unfamiliar change or unverified exchange rates.

Be cautious at PEK, PVG, CAN, Shanghai Hongqiao, Beijing South and large attractions after public transport closes.

3. Simple avoidance protocol

For teahouse invitations

• If a stranger at a major tourist site wants to move you to a second location, politely decline.
• If you genuinely want a drink, choose the venue yourself: a visible chain or place you found independently.
• Check an itemised menu before ordering and leave if prices are unclear.

For taxis

• Ignore unsolicited “Taxi! Car service!” offers inside terminals.
• Follow physical signs to the official taxi queue.
• Use DiDi through Alipay or WeChat where possible: the trip is tracked and the price is shown digitally.

4. If you feel trapped

1. Prioritise safety. Do not start a physical confrontation.
2. Ask for an itemised invoice (发票, fāpiào). A legitimate business should be able to identify what it is charging for.
3. Call 110. State that you are a foreign visitor, give your location and explain that you are being pressured or prevented from leaving. If possible, keep a map pin, receipt and payment record.

Trust your instincts. A normal tea shop, restaurant or taxi ride will not pressure you to hide prices, surrender your phone, or stop you from leaving.

Last Updated: August 2026