Is Chongqing Safe in November 2026?

Unlicensed drivers wait outside the official taxi line at Jiangbei Airport and the railway stations, approaching arrivals with 'Taxi? Cheap!' and quoting a flat fare that runs roughly three times the metered rate. Some run rigged or covered meters that start at 40 RMB instead of zero. The UK government specifically warns against unmarked, unmetered taxis in China due to robbery and assault incidents.

How to avoid: Ignore anyone who approaches you and join the marked official taxi queue, or book a DiDi (fixed in-app price). In a street taxi insist on the meter by saying 'da biao'; if the driver refuses, get out.

Touts position themselves at the best viewpoints of the illuminated Hongyadong cliff complex and the Qiansimen Bridge, offering to take a 'free' photo of you against the skyline. After shooting, they print the image on the spot and demand 30-50 RMB, sometimes blocking your path until you pay. They occupy the prime railings so it is hard to get your own shot.

How to avoid: Take your own photos with your phone and politely refuse offers with 'bu yao' (don't want). Never hand your phone or agree to a photo before a price is confirmed in writing.

Some tourist-facing hotpot restaurants clustered around Hongya Cave and Jiefangbei advertise low headline prices but pad the final bill with per-person condiment/sauce bar charges, dipping-oil fees, unrequested side dishes, and inflated per-portion meat and seafood that is billed by weight without you seeing the scale. Chongqing's most touristy hotpot spots have a documented reputation for sky-high bills.

How to avoid: Eat at busy spots full of locals, away from the main Hongyadong tourist drag, and confirm the price of the broth, the sauce-bar fee, and any per-weight items before ordering. Photograph the menu and check the itemised bill against it.

A friendly 'fellow traveler' or attractive young local strikes up an English-practice chat in a tourist area and invites you to a teahouse, bar, or massage parlour nearby. Inside there are no visible prices; you are served tea, drinks, or snacks, then handed a bill that can run from several hundred to several thousand RMB while your new friend slips away. The UK government warns this can escalate to threats, violence, or forced credit-card charges, with staff blocking the door until you pay.

How to avoid: Decline invitations from strangers to drink tea, drink alcohol, or get a massage. If you do sit down anywhere, see a printed menu with prices first and pay item by item. If trapped, refuse to pay and let them call the police, who are familiar with the scam.

A driver or greeter steers arrivals to what looks like an official 'tourist information centre' near the airport that is actually a private agency; in one widely-shared account the driver faked stomach illness to get the passenger inside. Staff hard-sell Yangtze cruises and day tours at prices well above Klook/Trip.com, with no refunds once you pay. Multiple travelers reported the same operation on Xiaohongshu.

How to avoid: Book tours and Yangtze cruises in advance through reputable apps or your hotel, not from a counter you were driven to. Real government info desks do not pressure-sell or take cruise payments. Walk out and compare prices online before paying anything.