🚩 Local Scams · Xi'an
Last verified 30 Jun 2025
1 Scam Spotlight Table
"Terracotta Ticket" Touts
Car park & bus exit outside Warriors Museum
How it works: Men in uniform-style jackets hawk "VIP entry" or "student" tickets—counterfeits won't scan at the gate.
🛡️ Avoid: Buy only through official museum mini-program or on-site ticket office.
Unofficial "Guides"
City Wall South Gate, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
How it works: Aggressive guides promise shortcuts but drag you to souvenir shops; real site commentary is minimal.
🛡️ Avoid: Book audio-guide in app or hire licensed guides with photo ID badge.
Jade & Tang Trinket Rip-offs
Muslim Quarter craft stalls
How it works: "Museum-quality" jade, bronze or replica warriors priced 10× market value.
🛡️ Avoid: Compare prices at three shops; assume all street "antiques" are replicas.
Tea-House Invite
Beilin back-alleys
How it works: Friendly student offers "cultural tea"; bill lands at ¥800+ for basic brews.
🛡️ Avoid: Politely refuse unsolicited invites; choose well-reviewed teahouses only.
Taxi Meter Jump
Xi'an North Railway Station
How it works: Driver runs "tour" route, meter jumps or "broken" excuse then demands fixed fare.
🛡️ Avoid: Use DiDi or airport taxi queue; photograph licence & meter start fare.
Fake Calligraphy / Scroll Switch
Shuyuanmen Culture Street
How it works: Shopkeeper swaps high-grade silk scroll you inspected for low-quality copy during wrapping.
🛡️ Avoid: Watch packing process; insist on re-checking item before paying.
Huashan "Express" Bus
Xi'an Railway Station forecourt
How it works: Tout sells private minibus to Huashan; you're dropped at remote shop for 2-hour sales pitch en route.
🛡️ Avoid: Use official "Huashan Tourist" green coaches (Gate 5) or high-speed rail.
QR-Code Phishing
Night markets, snack stalls
How it works: Random QR on street ad links to fake payment page draining your e-wallet.
🛡️ Avoid: Scan only codes printed on official menus or app screens; verify URL.
2 Why It Matters
Historic veneer, modern tricks – scammers trade on Xi'an's reputation for ancient art and silk-road craft.
Social pressure – politeness norms make it awkward to refuse; prepare a firm but friendly "bù yào, xièxiè" ("no thanks").
Payment convenience – cashless society means a bad scan can empty your wallet in seconds.
3 Pro Tips
1
Official mini-programs only – Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, taxis all have verified apps; any street QR is a red flag.
2
Meter basics – legit Xi'an taxis start at ¥9 + ¥1.8/km; anything higher or no meter = bail out.
3
Ask duōshao qián? (多少钱) – get a clear price for any service before agreeing.
4
Carry small notes – ¥10-¥20 bills limit loss if "QR offline" stories pop up at Muslim Quarter stalls.
5
Hotlines – Police 110 · Xi'an tourist line 12301—store both numbers before heading out.
✨ Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Stay sharp and keep Xi'an about warriors, city walls, and dumpling feasts—No Tourist Traps. No BS.