Is Wuhan safe?
Very low violent crime against visitors. Traffic, scams and the language barrier are the main 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 Wuhan at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft in crowded markets and on the metro, occasional phone-scam attempts, and fraudulent 'teahouse' invitations in tourist areas. |
| At night | Streets are busy and well lit late into the evening, with heavy CCTV. Use DiDi rather than unlicensed cars after the metro stops around 23:00. |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women by Chinese standards. Expect stares and some language barrier; DiDi and the metro are fine at night. |
| Other risks | Heat above 38°C in July and August; Fast e-bikes on pavements and crossings; Flooding during summer rainstorms |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Friendly strangers inviting you to a tea or art gallery, then a huge bill
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter near stations and tourist spots
- Fake guides at Yellow Crane Tower selling overpriced tickets
Take care
- Crossing streets: e-bikes and scooters ignore signals and crosswalks
- Late-night bars near universities: spiked drinks reported
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 Wuhan 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 Wuhan safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women by Chinese standards. Expect stares and some language barrier; DiDi and the metro are fine at night.
Is Wuhan safe at night?
Streets are busy and well lit late into the evening, with heavy CCTV. Use DiDi rather than unlicensed cars after the metro stops around 23:00.
What is the crime rate in Wuhan?
Petty theft in crowded markets and on the metro, occasional phone-scam attempts, and fraudulent 'teahouse' invitations in tourist areas. Nationally, China records 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2020).
What number do I call in an emergency in Wuhan?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Wuhan
Going to Wuhan solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- China Railway 12306
- Wuhan Metro
- Tongji Hospital (English)
- 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.