🚩 Local Scams · Kunming
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
1 Scam Spotlight Table
"Stone-Forest Express Ticket"
Bus-parking lots outside Shilin Scenic Area
How it works: Tout sells screenshot or paper QR that won't scan at the main gate; claims to include shuttle & guide.
🛡️ Avoid: Buy only in the "石林风景区" mini-program or official desk inside the visitor center.
Green-Lake "Jade Bargain"
Promenade stalls around Cuihu Park
How it works: Hawker presents a "family mine" jade bangle for ¥1 200, offers on-the-spot "lighter test" to prove quality—stone is dyed quartz.
🛡️ Avoid: Genuine Yunnan jade is sold by gram in sealed bags—skip lake-side tables.
Tea-House Invite
Wenlin Street cafés
How it works: Friendly "students" practice English, lure you to "Pu-er tasting"; four thimbles cost ¥600 + locked door.
🛡️ Avoid: Decline unsolicited invites; choose well-reviewed tea-houses only.
Taxi "Meter Broken"
Changshui Airport arrivals
How it works: Driver covers meter, quotes flat ¥200 airport fare (legal price ≈ ¥90).
🛡️ Avoid: Use official queue; insist on meter + printed receipt.
Cable-Car Switch-Sell
Dragon Gate lower station
How it works: Clerk at Western Hills kiosk upsells "VIP no-wait gondola" for ¥180—same line as ¥70 ticket.
🛡️ Avoid: Buy at official window 1–4 only; queues move fast weekday mornings.
Ethnic-Village Show "Upgrade"
Dianchi Lakeside tour-bus stops
How it works: Tour agent tacks compulsory "minority dance package" ¥260 onto already-paid park entry.
🛡️ Avoid: Entry is ¥190 max; skip street agents, book combo in "云南民族村" app.
"Free Flower Photo"
Dounan Flower Night-Market
How it works: Vendor hands you bouquet for selfie at Dounan Night-Market; demands ¥50 after shutter click.
🛡️ Avoid: Keep hands in pockets; photos with vendors are never free.
QR-Code Phishing
Haigeng Park pier
How it works: Sticker on Dian-Chi ferry rail advertises "¥1 cruise coupon"; opens fake WeChat Pay page.
🛡️ Avoid: Scan codes printed on official boards only; verify domain prefix before pay.
2 Why It Matters
Kunming's mix of foreign backpackers, domestic tour groups and cash-free payments makes screenshot tickets, QR fraud and "cultural-experience" upsells the quickest wins for hustlers—especially near headline attractions where English is scarce.
3 Pro Tips
1
Official mini-programs only —Stone Forest, Western Hills cable car and Ethnic Village all issue real-name QRs via verified apps.
2
Know the meter —legal airport → city center taxi ≈ ¥90 (20 km); flag drop ¥10 + ¥1.8/km.
3
Ask quán jià ma? (全价吗) before tea-tasting or flower photo—locks price in writing.
4
Carry small bills —many markets are "cash-preferred" when QR signal drops after rain; ¥10–¥20 notes curb losses.
5
Hotlines —Police 110 • Yunnan tourist line 12301—save both numbers in your phone.
✨ Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Stay alert and keep Kunming about emerald lakes, eternal spring and Pu-er fragrance—No Tourist Traps. No BS.