Question 1

What is the "Fake Thangka Paintings at Barkhor Bazaar" scam in Lhasa?

Accepted Answer

Thangka scroll paintings are a significant Tibetan Buddhist art form and one of the most sought-after souvenirs in Lhasa. The stalls lining Barkhor Street around Barkhor Square sell thousands of thangkas ranging from authentic hand-painted works (CNY 500–5,000+) to mass-produced machine prints sold as "handmade" at inflated prices of CNY 800–2,000. Sellers routinely display one genuine piece for inspection, then package a print for purchase, or claim cheap mineral pigment works contain gold and turquoise that they do not. Purchase thangkas only from established shops with visible artist workshops, where you can watch painting in progress. Ask specifically whether the work is hand-painted or printed — reputable sellers will answer directly. Cross-check prices: a genuinely hand-painted medium thangka with fine detail takes weeks and costs no less than CNY 800 from a legitimate artist.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Buddhist Artifact and Antique Sellers" scam in Lhasa?

Accepted Answer

Vendors around Jokhang Temple on Barkhor Square and along the Barkhor Street circuit sell "antique" Buddhist artifacts — prayer wheels, singing bowls, dorjes, and religious statues — as genuine centuries-old items at prices of CNY 1,000–8,000. The vast majority are modern factory reproductions artificially aged with acid or paint. Exporting genuine antiques from China requires special permits, which these sellers never provide, meaning even an authentic purchase creates legal risk at customs. Treat all antique claims with skepticism — the probability of a genuine antique being sold casually on Barkhor Street is extremely low. Buy religious objects as decorative souvenirs at their actual market value, not as authenticated antiques. Do not attempt to export items a seller claims are antique without export documentation.

Question 3

What is the "Altitude Sickness Medication Fraud" scam in Lhasa?

Accepted Answer

At 3,650 meters, Lhasa's altitude affects virtually all arriving tourists, and the demand for Diamox (acetazolamide) and other acclimatization aids creates a market for counterfeit and ineffective products. Street vendors near the Barkhor kora circuit and hotel lobbies sell unmarked blister packs described as "altitude medicine" for CNY 50–150 per strip, often containing nothing more than aspirin or glucose tablets. Real Diamox (available at licensed pharmacies as Acetazolamide) costs approximately CNY 20–40 for a standard course. Purchase altitude medication only from licensed pharmacies (药房, yàofáng) with a visible pharmacy license. Bring Diamox prescribed by your own doctor before travel — this is the most reliable approach. Do not buy altitude medicine from hotel staff, tour assistants, or street vendors on the kora circuit.

Question 4

What is the "Khata Scarf Gifting Pressure" scam in Lhasa?

Accepted Answer

Khata are traditional white silk scarves presented as ceremonial gifts in Tibetan culture. Near Jokhang Temple and at Drepung Monastery (8km west of Lhasa on Zangre Road), individuals drape a khata around a tourist's neck uninvited while reciting a blessing, then immediately demand CNY 100–300 for the "gift" and the "ceremony." Refusal after the scarf is placed is met with aggressive demands or deliberate scenes in public. Politely but firmly decline any unsolicited item placed on your body or handed to you before a price is discussed. If a khata is draped on you, you can remove it and hand it back without obligation — no payment is required for an unsolicited gift. Your registered guide can help manage these interactions.

Question 5

What is the "Norbulingka Souvenir Inflated Pricing" scam in Lhasa?

Accepted Answer

The Norbulingka Palace (the Dalai Lama's former summer palace, now a park) on Norbulingka Road in western Lhasa attracts domestic and foreign visitors and hosts a concentration of souvenir vendors inside the park grounds. Vendors target foreign tourists with prices 5–10 times higher than those quoted to domestic Chinese visitors for identical items — yak wool scarves, painted stones, and small bronze figures. When tourists accept the first price, vendors occasionally pocket payment and claim they "misunderstood" the agreed figure, demanding an additional amount. Observe prices quoted to other customers before engaging, and always confirm the price in writing or on a phone calculator before handing over money. Compare prices at Barkhor Street stalls first to establish a baseline — Norbulingka park vendors consistently price higher due to the captive audience.

Street Scams in Lhasa

Fake Thangka Paintings at Barkhor Bazaar

Fake Buddhist Artifact and Antique Sellers

Altitude Sickness Medication Fraud

Khata Scarf Gifting Pressure

Norbulingka Souvenir Inflated Pricing

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