Five new police units will be formed in Southwest China's Yunnan province to combat fraudsters, con artists and other criminals targeting tourists.

The teams will be tasked with providing security cover in cities and towns such as Dali, Kunming and Lijiang, as well as receiving complaints from the public about fraud, unlicensed guides and ticket scalpers.

It is hoped the move will bring some order to the province's often chaotic tourism market and follows the release of a three-minute video that was widely circulated on social media, showing a tour guide in Xishuangbanna venting her frustrations about the lack of spending in scenic spots.