Is Chengdu safe?
Safe and relaxed with low violent crime. Teahouse and ticketing scams plus very spicy food are the usual issues.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel (varies by region), updated 2026-09-03.
- Homicide rate in China: 0.5 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in China: 17.4 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
Safety in Chengdu at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in crowded streets and metro; occasional bag theft on sightseeing buses. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Streets, bars and food stalls are busy until late and feel safe. Metro stops around 23:00; use DiDi afterwards. |
| Solo women | Safe alone; Chengdu is considered one of China's easiest cities for solo women. Use DiDi late and watch drinks. |
| Other risks | Earthquake region; know hotel exits; Very spicy dishes can upset stomachs; Summer heat and humidity |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Teahouse tours where prices appear only after tasting
- Unlicensed drivers offering panda base rides with extra stops
- Touts at Wuhou Shrine selling inflated souvenir tickets
Take care
- Kuanzhai Alley crowds: pickpockets and street touts
- Unmarked cars at Chengdu East station
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Staying in a private home, register with local police within 24 hours; hotels do it for you.
- Drug use abroad can be prosecuted after a positive test in China.
- Don't photograph military sites or bring political or religious material to distribute.
How Chengdu compares in China
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Beijing | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shanghai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Xi'an | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chengdu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guilin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chongqing | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shenzhen | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guangzhou | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hangzhou | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Zhangjiajie | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yangshuo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lijiang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Suzhou | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Harbin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sanya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Xiamen | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dali | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Huangshan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kunming | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Qingdao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nanjing | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shangri-La | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jiuzhaigou | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Changsha | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pingyao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dunhuang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Wuhan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tianjin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lhasa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Kashgar | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Chengdu safe for solo female travelers?
Safe alone; Chengdu is considered one of China's easiest cities for solo women. Use DiDi late and watch drinks.
Is Chengdu safe at night?
Streets, bars and food stalls are busy until late and feel safe. Metro stops around 23:00; use DiDi afterwards.
What is the crime rate in Chengdu?
Pickpocketing in crowded streets and metro; occasional bag theft on sightseeing buses. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, China records 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2020).
What number do I call in an emergency in Chengdu?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Chengdu
Going to Chengdu solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Chengdu meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Chengdu Metro
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
- West China Hospital
- National Immigration Administration
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.