Hi, I am going to china (Beijing and Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou) in May for 8 days. We will be visiting on our own; not with a tour group. I am from Taiwan and he is from Romania so people will definitely be able to tell that we are foreigners. My mom keeps telling me that it is unsafe for the two of us to go alone without guides. Is it true that traveling in these 2 areas is dangerous? What are some of the pointers you can give me in regards to staying safe and not getting ripped of when getting around in a taxi or shopping.

Thanks so much =)