🚩 Local Scams · Lijiang
Last verified 30 Jul 2025
1 Scam Spotlight Table
Old-Town "Dice-Wine" Bar Bill
Dayan Old-Town bar strip (Xinhua St.) 20:00-01:00
How it works: Hostess invites you to roll dice; each loss buys a mystery shot. Final tab shows "import wine" at ¥699 / glass.
🛡️ Avoid: Enter only bars listing drink prices in the menu; pay as you go.
Mandatory "Oxygen Kit" at Jade-Dragon Snow Mountain
YuLong Scenic-Area bus lots
How it works: Guides claim you'll be barred from ropeway without renting a portable O₂ can (¥300). Gate staff never check.
🛡️ Avoid: Buy canisters at pharmacy for ¥30 if you're concerned; gate accepts none.
Fake "Tibetan Silver" Jewelry
Sifang St. market & Shuhe lanes
How it works: Stalls sell 92.5 %-stamped rings that are nickel-plated brass; allergy rash appears in days.
🛡️ Avoid: Look for 国家质检 (quality) QR sticker; pay by weight at licensed shops.
Horse-Trek Detour & Photo Fee
Shuhe Ancient-Town hill trail
How it works: ¥150 valley ride morphs into three "viewing platforms," each demands ¥50 photo fee or you walk back.
🛡️ Avoid: Book horse treks via hotel desk; fixed 2-hour loop price ¥200 all-in.
Black "Guest-house Taxi"
Lijiang Railway Station exits
How it works: Driver outside high-speed-rail station quotes ¥15 to Old-Town, switches meter to "night charter" → ¥120.
🛡️ Avoid: Follow green-vest queue; legal plates start "云P-T". Ask for e-receipt.
Naxi Costume "Cleaning Damage"
Shuhe & Dayan photo studios
How it works: Rental shop claims oil stain on robe; demands ¥400 "dry-clean" charge.
🛡️ Avoid: Photograph costume front & back when you pick it up; insist on printed slip.
Yak-Meat "Market Price" Hot-Pot
Xiangshan night-food lane
How it works: Menu lists "时价 MP"; after meal, 500 g yak quoted at ¥480 (double market).
🛡️ Avoid: Confirm weight & price per jin (½ kg) before ordering.
Impression Lijiang Ticket Resale
YuLong Scenic car-park
How it works: Street agent sells "VIP" show ticket (¥480) that scans as standard ¥190 seat or is void.
🛡️ Avoid: Buy only on official mini-program "印象丽江"; passport real-name QR.
2 Why It Matters
UNESCO old-town licence – Lijiang's UNESCO old-town licence and high-altitude day-trippers attract quick-profit schemes that bank on language gaps and altitude anxiety.
Undisclosed add-ons – Most ruses hinge on undisclosed add-ons or forged tickets—easy to dodge with the right playbook.
Altitude anxiety – Scammers exploit tourists' concerns about high-altitude effects and unfamiliarity with local customs to push unnecessary services.
3 Pro Tips
1
Menu photos = price lock – snap drink or food menu before ordering; shows agreed rate.
2
Official minis – Jade-Dragon ropeway, Impression show, and Shuhe park all have verified WeChat apps—street QR = red flag.
3
Meter rule – legal taxis start ¥8 flag-drop; any "flat fare" above ¥80 to Old-Town is gouge.
4
Test silver – magnet sticks = fake; sterling doesn't.
5
Emergency lines – Police 110 • Yunnan tourism hotline 12301 — save before climbing.
✨ Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Stay sharp and keep Lijiang about snow peaks, lantern canals and Naxi rhythms—No Tourist Traps. No BS.