Interview data for 835 respondents interviewed randomly in three Chinese provincial capital cities (Guiyang, Kunming, Xi’an; 2013-2016). Respondents represent potential end-consumers of giant salamanders; data include levels of giant salamander consumption across respondents’ wider urban social networks, and reasons why they might want to eat giant salamander.Project design was approved by the Zoological Society of London’s ethics committee (ref. WLE569), and by provincial-level Chinese government bodies in all provinces where fieldwork was conducted.