How to Stay Safe in China
1. Introduction
China is the world’s most populous nation and one of its oldest civilisations, offering an extraordinary range of tourist experiences: the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors of Xi’an, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the karst landscapes of Guilin and Zhangjiajie, the modern skylines of Shanghai and Shenzhen, the Buddhist sites of Mount Wutai and Emei, the Yangtze River gorges, and the ethnic minority cultures of Yunnan and Guizhou. China received over 140 million international visitors annually before COVID-19 and has been rebuilding its tourism sector since 2023.
China is generally safe for tourists in terms of personal crime — violent crime against foreigners is rare and the country has a very low rate of street violence. However, travellers must navigate a complex regulatory environment, extensive internet censorship, sensitive political topics, and bureaucratic requirements that are unlike those in any other major tourist destination.
| TIP — Overall Safety: China is safe from a personal crime perspective. The main challenges are political sensitivities, internet restrictions, bureaucratic registration requirements, and — in specific regions — significant security presence and surveillance. |
2. Security Landscape
2.1 Political Sensitivities
China is a one-party state governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Public criticism of the CCP, the government, or senior officials can result in detention. This applies equally to foreigners. Discussion of Tiananmen Square, Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, or Hong Kong in political terms is extremely sensitive. These topics should be avoided entirely in public discussions, on Chinese social media, and in interactions with officials.
| WARNING — Political Discussions: Never engage in public political discussions about Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Tiananmen Square. Comments deemed offensive to the Chinese government can result in detention under vague ‘public disorder’ or ‘picking quarrels’ charges. |
2.2 Surveillance
China operates one of the world’s most extensive surveillance systems, including facial recognition cameras in public spaces, mandatory identity verification for SIM cards and accommodation, and monitoring of digital communications. Foreigners are routinely required to register with local police within 24 hours of arrival at any accommodation (hotels do this automatically; Airbnb/private rentals may require you to visit a police station). Your digital activity is monitored — use a VPN (pre-downloaded before arrival) to access foreign websites.
| WARNING — VPN Warning: Using a VPN is technically illegal in China for Chinese citizens but is a grey area for foreigners. Download and test your VPN before arriving in China, as VPN apps are blocked from download within China. Common blocked services include Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter/X, and many news sites. |
2.3 Xinjiang & Tibet
| WARNING — Xinjiang: Xinjiang (XUAR) has extremely heavy security measures — pervasive checkpoints, phone inspections, facial recognition, and restrictions on movement for both locals and tourists. Foreign journalists have been followed and detained. Some Western governments advise against non-essential travel to Xinjiang. |
| WARNING — Tibet: Tibet requires a special Tibet Travel Permit in addition to a Chinese visa. Independent travel in Tibet is not permitted — you must join an approved tour group. Entry to Tibet is periodically closed to foreigners, especially around politically sensitive dates (March anniversary of 2008 uprising, October National Day). |
3. Internet & Communications
The ‘Great Firewall’ blocks access to most Western internet services. Download before arrival: a reliable VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill), offline maps (maps.me), translation apps (offline Google Translate or Pleco for Chinese), and any documents you need. Within China, WeChat is the dominant communication and payment platform — set up a WeChat account and link it to a payment method before arrival, as cash use is declining rapidly. Alipay is the other major payment platform.
| TIP — Payment in China: Cash (RMB/yuan) is still accepted everywhere but many restaurants, shops, and transport increasingly require WeChat Pay or Alipay. Link a foreign card to WeChat Pay before or shortly after arrival — this is now possible for international visitors with a foreign credit card. |
4. Transportation
4.1 High-Speed Rail
China has the world’s largest high-speed rail network. G-trains and D-trains connect major cities at speeds up to 350 km/h. Beijing-Shanghai takes 4.5 hours; Beijing-Xi’an takes 4.5 hours; Shanghai-Guangzhou takes 5.5 hours. Tickets can be booked on the 12306 app (requires Chinese ID or foreign passport registration) or through third-party apps like Trip.com. High-speed rail is comfortable, punctual, and excellent value.
4.2 Domestic Flights
Domestic flights are extensive — over 200 airports. Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, and budget carriers Shenzhen Airlines and Xiamen Airlines all operate domestic routes. Book through Trip.com, Ctrip, or airline websites. Confirm flight status the day before — air traffic control delays are common, especially in summer thunderstorm season.
4.3 Urban Transport
All major cities have metro systems that are modern, cheap, and easy to navigate (signage is in English in tourist cities). Use metro wherever possible. Didi (Chinese Uber equivalent) operates in most cities — the English-language app is available. Taxi apps require WeChat or Alipay for cashless payment in many cities.
5. Health & Medical
Medical facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other major cities include internationally accredited hospitals (Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai United Family Hospital, Raffles Medical Group facilities). Tier-1 city hospitals provide care of reasonable international standard for expatriates and tourists. Rural and western China hospitals are basic — evacuation to a major city is advisable for serious conditions.
Air quality in major cities (Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an) can be poor, particularly in winter when coal heating is used and temperature inversions trap pollution. Monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) — above 150 is unhealthy, above 200 is very unhealthy. Carry N95 masks for poor air quality days. Food safety is generally good in established restaurants but street food hygiene standards vary.
6. Common Scams & Threats
| Scam Name | How It Works | How to Avoid It |
| Tea Ceremony Scam | In Shanghai, Beijing, and Xi’an, attractive strangers approach tourists, claim to be students, and invite them to a ‘traditional tea ceremony.’ The tourist is presented with an enormous bill. | Never accept unsolicited invitations from strangers to tea houses, art galleries, or cultural experiences. This is one of Asia’s most well-known tourist scams. |
| Art Student Scam | Friendly ‘art students’ invite tourists to their gallery and pressure them to buy expensive ‘original’ artwork at inflated prices. | Decline all unsolicited invitations to art galleries or studios from strangers. |
| Taxi Meter Fraud | Taxi drivers use tampered meters or take unnecessarily long routes. | Use Didi app for transparent pricing. In airport taxis, insist on the meter and check the starting amount. |
| Counterfeit Currency | Fake 100 RMB notes are occasionally passed to tourists at markets. | Examine 100 RMB notes carefully — check for watermark, colour-shifting ink, and security strip. Exchange at banks or official counters. |
| Fake Antiques | Vendors sell mass-produced items as genuine antiques at Panjiayuan Market (Beijing) or Dongtai Road (Shanghai). | Assume everything in antique markets is reproduction. Buy for aesthetic value only. |
| SIM Card Fraud | Unofficial SIM card sellers at airports offer tourist SIMs with hidden charges. | Buy SIM cards at official China Unicom, China Mobile, or China Telecom shops only. |
| Rickshaw Overcharge | Cycle rickshaw drivers in tourist areas quote one price then demand much more on arrival. | Agree on price in writing (show on phone) before riding. Use app taxis for genuine transport. |
| Fake Monk Donation | Individuals dressed as monks approach tourists with ‘blessing’ beads and then demand large donations. | Genuine Buddhist monks do not solicit donations from tourists on the street. |
7. Legal Considerations
Drugs: zero tolerance. Even small quantities of marijuana carry severe penalties including lengthy imprisonment. China executes foreign nationals for drug trafficking. Do not bring any drugs into China. Gambling: largely illegal except in Macau and licensed venues. Photography: restricted near military installations, Tiananmen Square security zone, and in Xinjiang.
| WARNING — Arbitrary Detention: China has detained foreign nationals under vague national security laws. Foreign journalists, academics, and business people have been subject to ‘exit bans’ preventing departure while under investigation. If detained, request consular access immediately — you are entitled to this under the Vienna Convention. |
8. Emergency Contacts
| Service | Number / Details |
| Police Emergency | 110 |
| Ambulance | 120 |
| Fire Service | 119 |
| China Tourist Helpline | 12301 |
| Beijing United Family Hospital | +86 10 5927 7000 |
| Shanghai United Family Hospital | +86 21 2216 3900 |
| UK Embassy Beijing | +86 10 5192 4000 |
| US Embassy Beijing | +86 10 8531 4000 |
| Australian Embassy Beijing | +86 10 5140 4111 |
| Canadian Embassy Beijing | +86 10 5139 4000 |
9. Safety Checklist
- Download and test a VPN before departing for China
- Download offline maps and translation apps before arrival
- Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to a foreign credit card
- Register with police within 24 hours of arrival if staying in private accommodation
- Carry your passport at all times — police checks are common
- Avoid all discussion of politically sensitive topics (Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, Tiananmen)
- Book Tibet Travel Permit well in advance through a licensed operator
- Use Didi or metered taxis for all transport
- Be aware of the tea ceremony and art student scams in tourist cities
- Check air quality index on bad days and carry an N95 mask
- Purchase travel health insurance including medical evacuation
- Familiarise yourself with your embassy’s emergency contact number
