Tips on Beijing Warnings or Dangers – Stay Safe!

Beijing Warnings and Dangers

Beijing, the capital of China, has a rich and extensive history. Not only is Beijing well-known for its many ancient sites, but it is also famous for its modern structures and architectures. This immense capital is a popular destination among tourists throughout the world. If you’re planning on visiting Beijing, here are some tips on warnings and dangers to keep in mind.

Be Aware of Taxi Drivers

Chances are, you will take taxis to travel around Beijing. However, you may encounter taxi drivers who will attempt to rip you off. This is particularly true if it is obvious that you are an American or foreigner, as taxi drivers may assume that you’re rich and have money to spend. They will also assume that you don’t know your way around the city. Taxi drivers will attempt to take you the longest way possible to a destination.

Some hotels check the taxis leaving and coming. For example, the Shangri-La International Hotel provides guests with a slip that has the name and cab number of the driver on it. If the taxi drivers rips off a guest, the hotel will blacklist the taxi driver. Some hotels will provide guests with escorts. Also, keep in mind that tipping is not necessary even if the taxi driver requests a tip.

Beijing Tea House Invitation

A common scam in Beijing is the Tea House invitation scam. Young people posing as college students will approach you in hopes of practicing their English-speaking skills. They may also ask to show you around Beijing and invite you to have some traditional Chinese tea. Once you drink the tea, they will not allow you to leave until you pay an exorbitant price for the tea. If anyone approaches you and asks to show you around or speak to you to practice their English, you should be very wary.

Cross the Streets Carefully

Beijing boasts a large population of people. Therefore, you can expect the major streets of Beijing to be bustling at all times. When it’s your turn to cross the street, you will see that the pedestrian light will turn green. However, this in no way means that you can expect all vehicles to stop and wait for you to cross. Many buses and cars will refuse to stop for any pedestrian. For your safety, you should look both ways before you cross and only start walking when the street is relatively clear. Walk quickly until you’re on the other side.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Beijing.