Is Guilin safe?
Safe, with low crime. Tourist-trap scams around river boats and shops, plus slippery trails, are the usual problems.
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 Guilin at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft in crowds and on tourist boats; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Lit-up lakes make an easy evening walk, but the city is quiet after 22:00. Use DiDi for late rides. |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi after dark and avoid unlit lake paths late. |
| Other risks | Summer floods on the Li River; Slippery karst trails; Mosquitoes in humid months |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Bamboo-raft and Li River cruise touts charging inflated prices
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter near the station and pedestrian street
- Shops steering tours to commission stops
Take care
- Unlicensed boat operators on the river
- Karst trails after rain: slippery steps
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 Guilin 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 Guilin safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Use DiDi after dark and avoid unlit lake paths late.
Is Guilin safe at night?
Lit-up lakes make an easy evening walk, but the city is quiet after 22:00. Use DiDi for late rides.
What is the crime rate in Guilin?
Petty theft in crowds and on tourist boats; 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 Guilin?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Guilin
Going to Guilin solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Guilin 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
- 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.