🚩 Local Scams · Luoyang
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
1 Scam Spotlight Table
Longmen "Express Ticket"
Yi-Shan parking lots, Longmen North Gate
How it works: Touts sell QR screenshots that won't scan at the turnstile; claim to bypass the queue.
🛡️ Avoid: Book the free real-name ticket only in the "龙门石窟预约" mini-program.
Peony "VIP Photo Pass"
Gates of National Peony Garden & Wangcheng Park
How it works: During festival, hawkers sell ¥80 "VIP lenses area" wristbands—area is actually public.
🛡️ Avoid: Official wristband is ¥60 & QR-coded; ignore anyone outside turnstile.
Water-Banquet Set-Menu Trap
Luoyi Old-Town snack alleys
How it works: Restaurant tout quotes "¥88 banquet," then adds "service tea," "performance fee," and duck upgrade—bill hits ¥300+.
🛡️ Avoid: Dine only at flagged Must-Eat venues; confirm quán jià (全价 all-in price).
Taxi "Longmen Detour"
Luoyang Longmen Railway Stn
How it works: Driver insists south bank road closed, loops via toll bridge, doubling fare.
🛡️ Avoid: Use DiDi; metered fare Luomen⇆Grottoes ≈ ¥22.
Tri-Colour "Antique"
Guanlin Temple market
How it works: Street vendor sells faux Tang sancai horse for ¥1 500—actually modern mould.
🛡️ Avoid: Buy only from museum store or certified kiln (look for QR anti-fake seal).
Donkey-Burger Switch
Night market around Luoyi South Gate
How it works: Stall wraps thin donkey slice, swaps for cheap pork when bagging.
🛡️ Avoid: Watch assembly; ask for 切开 (slice) to verify meat before paying.
Daoist "Blessing Talisman"
Lao-jun Summit pavilion
How it works: Man in robes offers Laojun Mountain talisman, then demands ¥200 "donation."
🛡️ Avoid: Official temples never solicit cash; take only free incense.
QR-Code Phishing
Metro Lines 1 & 2 station exits
How it works: Random "¥5 metro ride" QR stickers over turnstiles open fake WeChat Pay page.
🛡️ Avoid: Scan codes only printed on station LCDs; verify URL before pay.
2 Why It Matters
Seasonal opportunity – Luoyang's seasonal tourist influx, especially during Peony Festival, creates opportunities for scammers to target overwhelmed visitors.
QR dependency – Luoyang's QR-code payment system creates new phishing opportunities that tourists unfamiliar with Chinese apps may fall for.
Cultural confusion – Scammers exploit visitors' interest in Tang dynasty culture and Daoist traditions, offering fake antiques or spiritual services at inflated prices.
3 Pro Tips
1
Official mini-programs only – Longmen, Peony Fest, night shows and mountain tickets are all QR-issued by one of three verified accounts.
2
Know the meter – City taxis start at ¥6; no bridge surcharge inside Third Ring.
3
Ask quán jià (全价) – Before sitting, this locks the restaurant to an all-inclusive price.
4
Carry small bills – ¥10–¥20 notes limit over-charge risk if a vendor claims "QR offline."
5
Emergency lines – Police 110 • Henan tourist hotline 12301—save them in your phone.
✨ Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Stay sharp and keep Luoyang about ancient grottoes, peonies, and Tang dynasty culture—No Tourist Traps. No BS.