Scam in ChinaFood and drink
Tea-tasting and teahouse invitations in China
How it works
A friendly stranger encourages you to visit a particular teahouse or tea tasting. The visit can lead to inflated charges or pressure to make expensive purchases. A high tea price alone does not prove a scam.
Warning signs
- A stranger starts a conversation in English and quickly suggests a particular venue.
- They seem unusually eager for you to join them.
- Prices are unclear before you order or taste anything.
How to avoid it
- Politely decline unexpected invitations and keep to your plans.
- Choose your own venue.
- Check the price of each drink or sample before accepting it.
- Walk away if you feel uncomfortable.
If it happens to you
Ask for an itemised bill and a fa piao, the official sales invoice. If you believe you are being scammed, call 110. Avoid a physical confrontation.
- Move somewhere safe. Avoid threats, physical arguments or chasing a thief.
- Stop further payments. Freeze stolen cards and secure affected payment or phone accounts.
- Save evidence: receipts, messages, payment records, vehicle details and the place and time. Collect evidence only when safe.
- Report the scam or theft to police on 110. For a suspicious phone call, use 96110 for scam enquiries.
- Ask your hotel for help explaining the problem. Contact your card issuer about disputed payments and your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen or you are detained.
- Ask for a police report or reference number. Keep copies for your bank, insurer and any follow-up complaint.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/Scams2023I got scammed in China (and I liked it!)The author recounts accepting a woman's teahouse invitation and later learning that the expensive visit was a coordinated tourist scam.Read on Reddit
- Government adviceSafety and security - China travel advice - GOV.UKThe UK warns that friendly strangers invite visitors for tea before establishments demand large payments, sometimes accompanied by threats, violence or card fraud.Read on Government advice
- Redditr/AskAChinese2025I went sightseeing in Shanghai some time ago and walked around Yu Garden. There, a tourist from Hong Kong invited me to a tea shop. Is this a scam?A visitor describes being invited to a supposedly famous tea shop after photographing and chatting with strangers near Shanghai's Yu Garden.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the tea-tasting and teahouse invitations scam in China?
A friendly stranger encourages you to visit a particular teahouse or tea tasting. The visit can lead to inflated charges or pressure to make expensive purchases. A high tea price alone does not prove a scam.
How can I spot it early?
A stranger starts a conversation in English and quickly suggests a particular venue. They seem unusually eager for you to join them. Prices are unclear before you order or taste anything.
How do I avoid tea-tasting and teahouse invitations in China?
Politely decline unexpected invitations and keep to your plans. Choose your own venue. Check the price of each drink or sample before accepting it. Walk away if you feel uncomfortable.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Ask for an itemised bill and a fa piao, the official sales invoice. If you believe you are being scammed, call 110. Avoid a physical confrontation.
Where in China does this happen?
Tourist areas, particularly in Beijing and Shanghai. Beijing warnings mention people posing as students or artists. It has been reported in Beijing, Shanghai.
How common is this scam in China?
Common. China is generally safe for visitors, and violent street crime is rare. Tourist scams and theft still happen, especially around busy sights, transport hubs and crowds. Watch for taxi overcharging, invitations that lead to expensive purchases, fake goods and pickpockets.
Who can I report it to?
Public security police: call 110 to report a scam or theft. Give your location, what happened and any evidence. Ask hotel staff for language help if needed. Scam enquiry service: call 96110 to enquire about suspicious phone calls. Police may also use this number with an area-code prefix to warn about possible scams. Consumer Protection: call 12315 about a consumer dispute, such as a misleading sale or disputed business charge. Keep the receipt and details of the business. Anti-corruption reporting service: call 12388 to report a bribe demand. Hotel doorman or front desk: ask for help if a taxi seriously overcharges you on the way to your hotel. Show the receipt, driver's ID or number plate details. Card issuer or payment provider: use its official app or verified contact number to freeze a stolen card, report an unauthorised payment or ask about disputing a charge. Your embassy or consulate: use its official contact details for help after passport theft or detention. If detained, politely request consular access and a translator.
What number do I call in an emergency in China?
Police; report scams and theft: 110, Ambulance / EMS: 120, Fire Department: 119, Traffic Police; merged with 110 in some cities: 122, Scam enquiry: 96110.
Reviewed by @snuck