East Asia
Is China safe?
L3Reconsider travel
Is China safe?
Street crime is low and cities are heavily policed. The bigger risks are legal: strict drug laws, political sensitivities and occasional exit bans. Traffic is chaotic.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel (varies by region), updated 2026-09-03.
- Homicide rate: 0.5 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 17.4 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
- Solo women: Safe alone in cities day and night; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi rather than unlicensed cars late at night.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- E-bikes on sidewalks and drivers who don't yield to pedestrians
- Winter smog in northern cities
- Detention or exit bans in rare political or business disputes
Common scams
- Friendly 'students' suggest a tea ceremony or bar, then a huge bill
- Unlicensed airport taxis and touts quoting high fixed fares
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.
Safety by place 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 China safe for tourists?
Street crime is low and cities are heavily policed. The bigger risks are legal: strict drug laws, political sensitivities and occasional exit bans. Traffic is chaotic.
Is China safe for solo female travelers?
Safe alone in cities day and night; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi rather than unlicensed cars late at night.
What is the emergency number in China?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- National Immigration Administration
- NIA online arrival card
- China Railway 12306
- Speedtest Global Index: China
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.