🚩 Local Scams · Chengdu
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
1 Scam Spotlight Table
"Panda-Photo" Rip-off
Roads outside Panda Base, souvenir lots
How it works: Handler offers selfie with a sedated panda cub for ¥300+; "donation" is fake.
🛡️ Avoid: Panda Base bans touching—ignore any street offers.
Hot-Pot "Weight" Cheat
Yulin Chuanchuan Street, late-night stalls
How it works: Skewers weighed on rigged scale; final bill 2× the expected price.
🛡️ Avoid: Weigh skewers yourself before cooking; ask to see scale reading.
Ear-Cleaning Upsell
People's Park
How it works: Teahouse cleaner adds extra tools, oils, then demands ¥200+.
🛡️ Avoid: Agree on full price (quán chéng jiàgé) before they start.
Tea-House Invite
Kuanzhai Alleys
How it works: Friendly "student" invites you to drink tea; tiny pot → ¥900 bill.
🛡️ Avoid: Decline unsolicited invites; enter only well-reviewed houses.
Foot-Massage Switch
Chunxi Road
How it works: ¥88 signboard lures you in, staff upsell "herb soak" & "bone set" to ¥600+.
🛡️ Avoid: Request price list & pay after basic service only.
"Silk & Jade" Antique
Jinli market
How it works: Shopkeeper claims Tang-era silk or jade; all mass-produced replicas.
🛡️ Avoid: Treat every street "antique" as a replica—haggle < 30 % asking.
Taxi "Panda Tour"
Tianfu Airport
How it works: Driver offers flat-fee panda-+-irrigation combo, detours to commission shops.
🛡️ Avoid: Use DiDi/official taxi queue; refuse "package" tours.
QR-Code Phishing
Night food markets
How it works: Random QR on pop-up stall opens fake WeChat pay page, drains wallet.
🛡️ Avoid: Scan codes printed on menus; verify URL matches official account.
2 Why It Matters
Slow-life friendliness – Scammers bank on Chengdu's "slow-life" friendliness—visitors drop their guard over tea, hot-pot or panda hype.
Polite but firm – A polite but firm "bù yòng, xièxiè" ("no thanks") is your safest shield.
Double-check prices – Double-checking prices avoids sticker shock and keeps your yuan for authentic experiences.
3 Pro Tips
1
Book tickets online first – Panda Base, Dujiangyan and shows all have official mini-programs; no street "help" needed.
2
Carry small bills – ¥10-¥20 notes cap losses if a vendor claims "QR machine down."
3
Verify cabs – Legal plates start "川A·T"; meter must read ¥9.00 start fare.
4
Haggle politely – Start at 30 % of asking price for markets; smile-walk away if they won't budge.
5
Emergency numbers – Police 110; Sichuan tourist hotline 12301; save your embassy contact.
✨ Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Stay alert and Chengdu will charm you with pandas, peppercorn and teahouse chatter—No Tourist Traps. No BS.