Is Chongqing safe?
Safe, with low street crime. Hills, crowds at viewpoints and spicy food are bigger problems than crime.
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 Chongqing at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing at Hongyadong and Jiefangbei on busy nights; scams around tours. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | The riverfronts are busiest and safest after dark. Metro runs until about 23:00; use DiDi afterwards. |
| Solo women | Safe alone; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi late, and watch drinks in bars. |
| Other risks | Summer heat above 38°C; Steep stairs and hills; Very spicy food |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unlicensed drivers outside stations offering Dazu or Wulong tours with extra stops
- Touts steering you to overpriced hotpot restaurants
- Photographers at viewpoints charging after taking pictures
Take care
- Hongyadong and Jiefangbei crowds on holidays: pickpockets and crush
- Steep staircases after rain: slippery
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 Chongqing 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 Chongqing safe for solo female travelers?
Safe alone; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi late, and watch drinks in bars.
Is Chongqing safe at night?
The riverfronts are busiest and safest after dark. Metro runs until about 23:00; use DiDi afterwards.
What is the crime rate in Chongqing?
Pickpocketing at Hongyadong and Jiefangbei on busy nights; scams around tours. 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 Chongqing?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Chongqing
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Chongqing Rail Transit
- National Immigration Administration
- China Railway 12306
- 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.