Is Shanghai safe?
Very safe, even at night. Tourist-trap scams and traffic are the main risks; avoid political demonstrations.
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 Shanghai at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in crowded areas like Nanjing Road and the Bund; occasional bag theft in bars. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Streets and metro stay lively; the last trains run around 22:30–23:30. Use DiDi afterwards. |
| Solo women | Safe alone at all hours. Harassment is uncommon; watch drinks in club districts and use DiDi late. |
| Other risks | Typhoons and heavy rain, Aug–Sep; E-bikes ignoring red lights; Humid summer heat above 35°C |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Friendly students invite you for tea or a bar, then a huge bill
- Touts on Nanjing Road offering fake goods or 'art exhibitions'
- Unlicensed taxis at Pudong airport quoting high fixed fares
Take care
- Nanjing Road East and People's Park: touts and tea-house scams
- Taxis without meters outside Pudong and Hongqiao arrivals
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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai safe for solo female travelers?
Safe alone at all hours. Harassment is uncommon; watch drinks in club districts and use DiDi late.
Is Shanghai safe at night?
Streets and metro stay lively; the last trains run around 22:30–23:30. Use DiDi afterwards.
What is the crime rate in Shanghai?
Pickpocketing in crowded areas like Nanjing Road and the Bund; occasional bag theft in bars. 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 Shanghai?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Shanghai
Going to Shanghai solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Shanghai 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
- Shanghai Metro
- National Immigration Administration
- Shanghai United Family Hospital
- 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.