Is Yangshuo safe?
Safe for travelers. Scooter and e-bike crashes, rafting-price disputes and occasional bag theft in West Street are the main issues.
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 Yangshuo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft in West Street and on buses; occasional rental disputes. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | West Street is busy until late and fine for walking; countryside roads are unlit, so don't ride after dark. |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Use hostel-arranged rides at night in rural areas. |
| Other risks | Scooter and e-bike crashes on rural roads; Summer floods and slippery karst; Mosquitoes in humid months |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Bamboo-raft touts quoting inflated fares and changing routes
- Rental shops claiming damage on returned bikes or scooters
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter from Guilin
Take care
- Rural scooter and e-bike roads: potholes, buffalo and sudden rain
- Karst climbing without guides in wet weather
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 Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone; harassment is uncommon. Use hostel-arranged rides at night in rural areas.
Is Yangshuo safe at night?
West Street is busy until late and fine for walking; countryside roads are unlit, so don't ride after dark.
What is the crime rate in Yangshuo?
Petty theft in West Street and on buses; occasional rental disputes. 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 Yangshuo?
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301.
More about Yangshuo
Going to Yangshuo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Yangshuo 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.