It’s impossible to say that any country is 100% safe – even your own country. But when you visit China as a tourist, chances are that your stay will be safe and trouble free.
I’ve lived, worked and traveled all over China. Hand on heart, I can say that I’ve never felt unsafe.
However, there are seven things to look out for, which I’d like to share with you.
In summary: is China safe to visit?
Yes, it’s a very safe country for foreign tourists. Just remember to obey local laws.
While violent crimes involving foreigners are almost unheard of, scams are common so keep your guard up if a stranger approaches you and invites you somewhere.
1. Scams
Never accept tea from strangers in China. Image by Melnikov Dmitriy on Shutterstock.
- Where it exists: Big cities including Shanghai and Beijing
- Impact on foreigners: High
Scammers target foreigners in Beijing, Shanghai, and near the famous tourist sites.
The scams can take a variety of different forms, and if you get caught up in one then it will seriously affect your trip.
One of the most common is known as the tea ceremony scam. This is where an English-speaking local approaches you and invites you to a traditional tea ceremony.
You’re typically taken to a locked shop a few blocks away, where you sample teas at exorbitant prices. At the end of the visit, you’re left with a huge bill and no way to get out unless you pay.
So, if you’re approached out of nowhere, be super cautious and say “no”. Chinese people are generally shy with strangers and won’t approach you or ask you to go somewhere out of the blue.
While I haven’t fallen for the tea ceremony trick yet, I was scammed in China when I was 19.
I’d just flown into Pudong Airport in Shanghai, and a man in a suit approached me once I’d exited the departure area.
He said to follow him for a taxi. At that point, the alarm bells should have gone off, but I was young and naïve!
He took me to a private car, locked my suitcase in the trunk, and then told me the exorbitant amount I owed the driver to get to my destination.
I was scared, helpless, and upset with myself for falling for this scam.
But it was a good lesson learned. Now, if anyone approaches me in China, it’s an instant “no” (in English) every time.
2. Rip-offs
A market vendor tried to rip me off when selling this imitation Mao Zedong statue. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
- Where it exists: Everywhere in China
- Impact on foreigners: High
A rip-off isn’t as bad as a scam but it’ll still leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Many Chinese people think that all foreigners are rich. So when merchants see you, all they will see is dollar signs (well, yuan signs).
In Chinese markets, there are usually two prices – one for the locals and one for the tourists.
If you can speak basic Mandarin, you might be able to get the local price or close enough. But for everyone else, good luck!
It’s not uncommon for a vendor to raise their prices 5 or even 10 times the actual value of an item when they see a tourist. And there is nothing the Chinese authorities can do – or are willing to do – about it.
I can speak intermediate Mandarin, so I’m rarely ripped off in China. But I’ve seen many a foreign tourist get stung when buying things like silk, jade, tea or practically any other Chinese souvenir.
If you really want something, the best thing you can do is slowly walk away. And that’s exactly what I did when I so desperately wanted the brass Mao Zedong statue (which you can see in the photo above).
Initially, the vendor tried to rip me off with an insanely high price. It was amazing how quickly the vendor came chasing after me with a significantly reduced price.
Can’t speak Chinese? Use the vendor’s calculator or phone to enter an amount you’re willing to pay.
3. Petty crime
Watch your pockets and bags in places like this busy Macau market. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
- Where it exists: Big cities including Shanghai and Beijing
- Impact on foreigners: Low
I’ve personally never experienced petty crime in China, nor have I ever come across another foreign traveler who has been targeted.
But that’s not to say low-level petty crime doesn’t exist in Chinese cities. It does.
The main places to watch your pockets and bags include busy tourist sites, subways, and basically anywhere where there are big crowds.
When I stay in Chinese hotels, I bring my most valuable items with me. This includes my passport, which you need anyway for entry to attractions as well as riding the high-speed trains.
I never leave my hotel room without locking my suitcase.
4. Violent crime
You will see security cameras everywhere in China. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
- Where it exists: Anywhere in China
- Impact on foreigners: Low
Violent crime is rare in China, and very rare when it comes to violent crime against foreigners.
You occasionally hear about the odd knife attack. For example, in September 2024 a Japanese boy was fatally stabbed to death in Shenzhen, which was believed to be a racially motivated attack.
Crimes involving guns are practically unheard of.
The last time I worked in China, my boss’s husband (who used to be a police officer) told me that the main crimes that police deal with are fraud and alcohol-fueled fist fights.
Whether you agree with them or not, the insane amount of public security cameras all over China act as a deterrent to major crimes.
But in my opinion, it’s the peaceful Chinese culture and face-saving custom that act as the biggest deterrent. No one wants to harm others for fear of embarrassing themselves and their family.
Couple that with very high conviction rates and penalties, and you have an environment where people can walk around all day and night and feel safe.
5. Roads
Thank God there’s a pedestrian bridge over this seven-lane road in Shanghai. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
- Where it exists: Everywhere in China
- Impact on foreigners: Medium
One safety concern that you may not have considered is the traffic. Although there are road rules in China, drivers can interpret them any way they like.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen drivers running red lights, barreling straight through pedestrian crossings, and even driving on the sidewalk.
Generally, I’ve found that the smaller the city, the less safe the road is in China.
As a pedestrian, you need to be vigilant and look in every direction. It sounds silly and obvious, but it’s true.
Use the pedestrian crossing if there is one, but even that doesn’t guarantee you the right of way! Cars don’t stop for pedestrians in most cities.
Having said that, on my last trip to Shanghai, I noticed cars would stop for people at lights. But this is only because there are cameras and they get fined if they don’t stop. I’m sure it has nothing to do with caring about your safety.
Chinese roads can also be scary if you’re a passenger. I remember going on a private tour to the ancient Tulou buildings near the city of Xiamen, and the driver was speeding at 130 km/h (80 m/h) on a 100 km/h (60 m/h) road.
It was uncomfortable to say the least, so I politely asked the tour guide to ask the driver to slow down.
This isn’t the first time this has happened to me – I’ve been on numerous tours in China where drivers have overtaken other vehicles on blind corners or driven really dangerously.
You should also be careful if you want to ride an e-bike in China. In 2019, e-bike riders accounted for over 13% of all road traffic deaths. Yikes.
To avoid becoming one of these statistics, here are some tips for surviving China’s roads:
- Stay off scooters and e-bikes – most travel insurance policies won’t cover you if you’re in an accident.
- Cross the road with others if you can – it’s always safer in numbers.
- Take out the headphones – I think the locals who use these on roads are crazy.
I hope I haven’t put you off exploring China. Just keep your wits about you, and make sure you get a decent travel insurance policy for China!
6. Water
I always make sure I have bottled water for long trips on Chinese trains. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
- Where it exists: Everywhere in China
- Impact on foreigners: High
Chinese tap water isn’t safe to drink, even in top hotels.
You can drink boiled water (which tastes gross IMO once it’s cooled down) or buy bottled water, which is available everywhere.
In fact, Chinese hotels usually give you two bottles of water per hotel room, per day.
When you go to a Chinese restaurant, warm water will be supplied (free) while cold bottled water will cost you.
(You can find out more about why the Chinese like drinking hot water here.)
7. Pollution
The power plant just across from where I lived. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
- Where it exists: Most places in China especially lesser-known cities
- Impact on foreigners: Medium
The pollution in China has definitely gotten better in recent years. That’s according to the “official” statistics but also from my own experience living and traveling in the country.
But there’s a big caveat to this.
Many foreign tourists, who only visit the biggest cities like Shanghai and Chengdu for the pandas, return home to say things like “China was so clean” and “There’s no pollution in China!”.
These people have clearly never visited a lesser-known Chinese city, or one that’s not in a rich area.
In one northwest rural city I lived in, I coughed up bloody phlegm every single day during winter. The locals burned fuel to keep warm and cook, so by 5 o’clock the city was shrouded in a thick, dense smoke.
There was also a coal-fired power plant just down the road from where I was working. I’ve never felt sicker in all my life.
The moment I left the area to go to Nanjing, about seven hours away by bullet train, the bloody phlegm had disappeared from my system within days.
General tips for China safety
Be extra vigilant if you make it over to magnificent Xinjiang. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
There are a few other things that you need to be aware of when you visit China:
- All drugs in China are frowned upon and the laws around them are extremely strict, so avoid taking or carrying illicit drugs
- Protests or large gatherings are rare in China, but if you see any don’t take photos or videos
- Security measures are tighter in Xinjiang province and there are lots of security checkpoints (you may be asked to show ID)
- You can only visit Tibet as part of an organized tour. No solo travel!
A final (but important) travel tip
If you want to access the internet safely while you’re in China, you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) app on your device. This helps you escape online surveillance and remain anonymous.
But you’ll also need a VPN to access all major foreign sites like Google, Gmail, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and all news sites. Even using WhatsApp in China is problematic without a VPN.
You can refer to this review for the best China VPN, or skip the review and go to the one that I personally recommend most:
Just make sure you download it before you arrive as VPN signups are blocked in China.
Stay safe in China
Rest assured China is a safe place to visit.
In fact, you’ll probably feel safer walking around China than you would back home.
As long as you use some common sense and avoid the obvious traps, you should have a safe and comfortable trip and arrive back home again with lots of great stories to tell.
Safe travels!
While we’re on the topic of safety, please check out my article on vaccinations for China. From rabies to typhoid and everything in between, it’s worth taking a read so you’re well prepared.
Main image credit: Supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
International travel advisories for China
Stay up-to-date with the latest advice from your government:
If you’re American, this article on The Helpful Panda may also assist.
FAQ about safety in China for tourists
Is China safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, probably safer than traveling around your own country – just follow your usual precautions. The biggest issue will be the language barrier.
Is China safe for American tourists?
Yes, just keep an eye on the travel advisory level issued by the U.S. Department of State which was recently as high as 3 (‘reconsider travel’) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws and the risk of wrongful detentions. The level is now 2.
Is China safe for Australian tourists?
Yes, though the Australian Government advises you to exercise a high degree of caution as foreigners have been detained on the grounds of ‘endangering national security’.
