China Guide > China Guidebook > China Travel Safety & Security
China Travel Safety & Security
Generally speaking, China is a safe country to travel around, and most people you meet are friendly, honest and trustworthy. However, China is far from immune to crime. Reports of foreign travelers being targets of criminals are on the increase. A basic knowledge of potential risks and common scams are useful to help you have a smooth and safe trip in China.
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Crime
By and large China is safe, but petty crime is on the increase and tourists are particularly vulnerable. Take precautions and use common sense, particularly at night, and particularly around the tourist areas and in crowded places like markets.
- Wallets, mobile phones, cameras, jewelry and laptops are tempting targets for thieves.
- Try not to carry large amounts of money or obvious symbols of wealth, and keep your wallet or purse out of sight (back pockets are a big no-no). Do not flash a wallet around when paying for purchases and carry some loose change for beggars.
- Pickpockets tend to operate in crowded areas, for example on public buses, on trains, at city center bus stops and big shopping streets, so you are advised to keep a watch of your belongings when in busy and crowded places.
- Don’t get caught in a crowd with lots of valuables dangling from you: camera, purse, backpack etc. You can’t keep an eye on everything.
- Purse snatching is on the increase. Keep valuables close to your person.
- When you get up from taxis, buses, trains, etc, check nothing has fallen out of your pockets. It probably won’t be there five minutes later if you come back for it.
- If you fall asleep on transport beware people leaning over or reaching round you to get at your possessions. Put your valuables well inside your bag, so that they are not accessible by someone quickly opening a zip.
Common Scams
- Be cautious if somebody approaches you and invites you for a drink at a tea house or bar nearby to "practice English". There have been reports of tourists being left with the bill.
- Do not pick up rolls of banknotes found on the street. A scam artist will probably then approach you asking for you to share your new found wealth. He will ask for the money in your wallet and then you will find that the banknotes are worthless.
- ATM crime is on the rise recently. There are continual reports of ATM scams including using fake ATMs or other methods used to steal the user's card. You are advised to use ATMs when accompanied and during the daytime.
Valuables
Make sure that you protect your passport, tickets and other documents by carrying them on your person, preferably underneath clothing in a pouch or money belt. Never leave valuables lying around your hotel room or in your transport. If you are backpacking or staying in hostels buy a padlock so that you can secure your possessions in lockers, or use a safe deposit at the hotel. Carry a photocopy of your passport and other vital documents separately. Be particularly careful at night. At all times try to stick to busy, well-lit places.
Local laws
Be aware that local laws and penalties, even those which may seem harsh by your home country standards, do apply to you. For example, there are strictly enforced laws which prohibit demonstrations unless they have prior approval from the government. Penalties for drug offences are severe, and include the death penalty, as do certain other serious crime.
National disaster
Rural areas near the Yangtze River (eg. rural areas of Chongqing and Yichang) may be subject to flooding between May and September.
Landslides
Landslides are more likely to happen in southwestern China's Yunnan and Sichuan provinces and Tibet from May to September when the areas see plenty of rain.
Typhoons
Typhoons can occur during the wet season, usually from June to August, along the southern and eastern coasts. You should monitor weather reports if traveling in affected areas. If a natural disaster occurs you should follow the advice of the local authorities.