Is Xiamen safe?
Very safe, with low street crime and good policing. Crowds on Gulangyu, typhoons and e-bikes are the main nuisances.
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 Xiamen at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing at crowded ferry terminals and tourist streets is uncommon but happens; overcharging for seafood is the typical complaint. |
| At night | Waterfront and downtown stay lively and safe. Use DiDi after the metro closes around 10:30–11 pm. |
| Solo women | Safe and comfortable for solo women. Harassment is rare, even late at night. |
| Other risks | Typhoons Jul–Sep; Hot, humid summers; E-bikes on pavements |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Seafood restaurants on Gulangyu or Zhongshan Road adding hidden fees
- Fake art-student invitations to tea or galleries, then a high bill
- Unlicensed black cabs near the ferry terminal
Take care
- Gulangyu ferry in peak season: long queues and pickpockets
- Swimming at city beaches in summer: jellyfish and rip tides
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 Xiamen 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 Xiamen safe for solo female travelers?
Safe and comfortable for solo women. Harassment is rare, even late at night.
Is Xiamen safe at night?
Waterfront and downtown stay lively and safe. Use DiDi after the metro closes around 10:30–11 pm.
What is the crime rate in Xiamen?
Pickpocketing at crowded ferry terminals and tourist streets is uncommon but happens; overcharging for seafood is the typical complaint. Nationally, China records 0.5 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2020).
What number do I call in an emergency in Xiamen?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Xiamen
Going to Xiamen solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- China Railway 12306
- National Immigration Administration
- 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.