Safety in China

Overall

Mainland China is, by international standards, very safe for tourists. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Petty theft is far below European or North American urban averages. Walking back to your hotel at midnight is standard everywhere.

Common scams

• The tea-house scam (Beijing Wangfujing, Shanghai Bund): a friendly young person who 'wants to practise English' invites you to a 'tea ceremony' or 'art exhibition'. The bill at the end is ¥1,500+.
• Art-student scam: 'come to my graduation art show' = high-pressure sales of mediocre paintings.
• Fake-taxi scam at airports: solicitors at arrivals offer 'taxi' at 5x the metered fare. Always use the official rank.
• Counterfeit currency: rare with mobile payments, possible if paying cash at small markets. ¥100 notes have multiple security features.
• Restaurant scam: 'we don't have a menu, eat what we cook' followed by a wildly inflated bill. Always look at a menu with prices before ordering.

Pickpockets

A real concern on busy metro lines (Beijing 1, 2, 6; Shanghai 1, 2, 9), at major tourist sights (Forbidden City queues, Bund), and at long-distance bus and railway stations. Use a money belt or anti-theft bag in those zones.

Solo travel

Mainland China is a comfortable place for solo travellers regardless of gender. Hostels and hotels in major cities are full of solo travellers. The language barrier is the main daily challenge, not safety.

LGBTQ+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are decriminalised but not legally recognised. Public displays of affection — even between heterosexual couples — are uncommon outside Tier-1 youth zones. Discretion is the norm. Same-sex couples sharing a hotel room is generally unproblematic in international-brand hotels and most domestic hotels in cities; smaller-town hotels may ask questions. The dating apps Blued and Lala are widely used.

Sensitive zones

• Tibet: requires permit and licensed-agency tour. Photography of monks, ceremonies and police is sensitive.
• Xinjiang: frequent ID checkpoints; photography of police, government buildings, and infrastructure is restricted.
• Border zones: Korean border, Russian border, Indian border, Vietnamese border have additional checks.

Emergency numbers

• 110 — police
• 119 — fire
• 120 — ambulance

English-language assistance varies; call your embassy emergency line if language is a barrier.