Traveling to any foreign country can be daunting at first. Few travel places seem to be as overwhelming and exciting as China. The world’s most populous nation has much to offer: thriving economic sectors and growing tourist attractions draw millions of visitors each year.
A fair share of those visitors opting to use a taxi while getting around fall victim to the most common taxi scams in China. While the majority of taxi drivers in China won’t try to scam you in any way, there will always be a few unscrupulous characters looking to make an easy buck off unsuspecting foreigners. Learning about the scams ahead of time can help you prevent getting tricked into paying more than the actual fare during your visit to China.
Unlicensed and unofficial taxi drivers are common in most countries, and China is no different. Unlicensed taxis are referred to as “black taxis” not because of their color but rather the fact that they’re unregulated drivers. These taxis usually don’t have meters, and even if they do, they’re unlikely to be calibrated correctly, giving the driver free rein to charge whatever they want. With no commercial insurance and no official company behind them, you’ll have limited support if anything goes wrong.
How Will Drivers Try To Scam You?
Even among licensed taxis there are a few common scams you should be aware of:
Refusing to use the meter: One of the most common scams you’ll encounter is a taxi driver who refuses to turn on the meter and instead offers you a “special price.” This price is almost always much higher than what the metered fare would be. If the driver refuses to use the meter, it’s best to get out and find another taxi.
Taking a longer route: Some drivers might purposely take the long way around, especially if they think you are unfamiliar with the city. They’ll drive in circles or choose congested roads to increase the fare. If possible, check a basic route on a map app before you set off so you have a rough idea of how long the trip should take.
Installing fake meters: In some rare cases, drivers tamper with their meters so that they run faster than usual. This leads to the fare increasing at an abnormally high rate. If you notice the meter jumping unusually quickly, ask the driver to stop and get out once it’s safe to do so.
Swapping banknotes or using counterfeit money: Sometimes, a driver might swap your genuine bill with a counterfeit note and claim that you gave them a fake bill. Travelers unfamiliar with Chinese currency are easy targets. Always pay close attention to the notes you hand over, and whenever possible, pay with smaller denominations or mobile payments.
Driving off with your luggage: Although not common, there have been instances where a driver loads the passenger’s luggage into the trunk, then drives off before the passenger has fully entered the taxi. To avoid this, keep at least one smaller bag with your valuables on you at all times, and don’t let the driver close the trunk until you are seated inside the vehicle.
By keeping these scams in mind and staying alert, you’ll be better prepared to recognize warning signs quickly and avoid stressful situations during your stay in major cities like Beijing or Shanghai.
So How To Avoid Scams?
The easiest way to prevent this type of fraud is by pre-arranging a licensed taxi or a private car service to get you from the airport or the hotel to your next destination. An important thing to remember when using taxis in China is that all licensed taxi operators have license plates beginning with a specific character. All licensed Beijing taxis, for example, have “京 B” prefixed on their plates. Official taxis also use a red light of some description on top, or inside their vehicles, usually connected to an official meter.
You should also always ask for a receipt at the end of your trip. Each taxi should have the driver’s information as well as a unique taxi number displayed on the dashboard or the back of the front seat. In the unlikely event of a dispute, having a receipt with the plate and driver number makes it much easier to report the issue.
To make your arrival smoother, many travelers now book an airport transfer in advance instead of queuing for taxis at busy terminals. With a pre-arranged car, you’ll know your exact cost upfront, your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, and you avoid having to negotiate or discuss directions in a foreign language.
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