Safety Guide for Foreign Visitors to China

slug: safety title: "Safety Guide for Foreign Visitors to China" section: safety summary: "Emergency numbers, hospital access, common scams, and transport safety tips for a worry-free trip." lastVerified: "2026-06-26" officialSourceUrl: "https://www.gov.cn"

China is one of the safer travel destinations in the world for foreign visitors. Violent crime against tourists is very rare, major cities have extensive police presence, and public infrastructure is modern and well-maintained. The main risks are common to any major global destination: petty theft, tourist-targeted scams, and transport-related incidents. Being informed is the best preparation.

Emergency Numbers

Medical Access

For serious emergencies, call 120 for an ambulance. In major tier-1 cities, emergency departments (急诊 jízhěn) at public hospitals must treat any patient in a genuine emergency regardless of insurance status — payment is settled after treatment.

International hospitals and international wards offer English-language care and are easier to navigate as a foreign visitor, though they cost more:

• Beijing: Beijing United Family Hospital, SOS International Clinic
• Shanghai: Shanghai United Family Hospital, Raffles Medical
• Guangzhou: Guangzhou United Family Hospital
• Chengdu: Chengdu International Medical Center

Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended before travelling to China. Medical costs for uninsured foreign visitors can be substantial, and medical evacuation to your home country in a serious case can cost USD 30,000–100,000 without insurance.

Petty Crime Awareness

Pickpocketing and bag theft do occur in crowded tourist areas, busy metro stations, and markets — the same as in any major city. Keep valuables in front pockets or anti-theft bags, and use the in-room safe at your hotel for passports, spare cards, and large amounts of cash. Be particularly aware in crowded situations: peak-hour metro carriages, busy street markets, and popular tourist sites.

Tourist Scams

A small number of persistent scams target foreign visitors in Chinese tourist areas. Being aware of them means they are easy to avoid:

Tea ceremony scam: A friendly, English-speaking local invites you to experience a "traditional tea ceremony." After a pleasant visit, you receive an inflated bill for hundreds or thousands of yuan that you are pressured to pay. Decline politely and walk away.

Art student scam: Students approach you, claim to be exhibiting their artwork, and invite you to visit their gallery. The art is then sold at vastly inflated prices. The students are not students and the prices are not negotiable in any real sense.

Unofficial taxis: Unlicensed drivers solicit passengers outside airports, train stations, and tourist sites, and charge arbitrary fares. Always use official metered taxis from designated taxi ranks, or use the Didi app for tracked, rated rides.

Fake goods sold as genuine: Bargaining culture is real in markets, but quality is rarely what is implied. Buy for what the item is worth to you, not based on an implied original value.

Unofficial currency exchange: Only exchange currency at banks, official exchange desks, or hotel front desks. Any offer to exchange currency at better-than-market rates on the street is a scam.

Transport Safety

China's major transport infrastructure is modern and safe:

• High-speed rail has an outstanding safety record and is the recommended way to travel between cities
• City metro systems are reliable, safe, and well-signed in English in major cities
• Didi (the dominant ride-hailing app) has driver verification and rating systems — check ratings before confirming a ride
• Licensed taxis are safe; request a receipt (发票 fāpiào) for accountability if needed
• Avoid unlicensed "black taxis" at airports and tourist sites — use the official taxi rank or Didi
• Road traffic: pedestrian crossings are not always respected by drivers even on green signals. Cross roads with awareness and follow local pedestrians