China is considered a very safe place for tourists to visit and explore.
In fact, the biggest reported crimes in most areas are corruption and bribery – and even those are ranked as moderate in comparison to other countries.
Still, every country has areas that are less safe than others, as well as those that are safer overall.
And before you start planning your trip, you should know which areas are considered the safest.
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10 Safest Cities in China
The following are ten of the safest places to go in China, according to their crime and safety indices.
1. Beijing
There are really too many things to do and see in Beijing, including The Great Wall, The Summer Palace, The Ming Tombs, museums, zoos, parks, canyons, and more.
And you can experience Chinese culture through a mix of history and modern beauty.
It’s such things that lead millions of people to visit every single year.
If you want to be among them, there’s good news.
It’s a pretty safe place to visit, boasting a crime index of only 28.43 and a safety index of 71.57.
2. Shanghai
What’s on your itinerary for visiting China?
Regardless of whether you’re hoping to enjoy some great shopping, eat delicious food, explore an incredible mix of Eastern and Western cultures, check out some impressive nightlife, take in beautiful architecture, or something else, Shanghai is the place for you.
You can also find some familiar things in this area, like KFC and McDonald’s, as well as Disneyland.
And it’s a very safe place to visit, with a crime index of just 30.55 and a safety index of 69.45.
3. Hong Kong
Though there was a time safety was an issue in Hong Kong, it’s gotten much better.
In fact, the most current reports show a crime index of 21.47 and a safety index of 78.53 – putting it on par with the other cities on this list.
And that’s a great thing since it’s one of the most diverse areas in China.
You can enjoy cuisines that come from multiple cultures, including Japanese, Thai, Indian, African, and more.
And don’t forget the incredible shops and markets where you can discover just about anything.
And as it’s so diverse, you’ll find that many residents speak English and most signs are easy to read.
4. Qingdao
If you’re looking to enjoy China at a bit of a slower pace, Qingdao is a good place to visit.
There are still plenty of great restaurants, beautiful architecture, museums, and city life to take advantage of.
However, there are also several peaceful parks, piers, and beaches to enjoy.
And this low-key atmosphere helps give Qingdao a very low crime index of 9.33 and high safety index of 90.67.
If you’re planning to travel through China, you might want to let Qingdao be your last stop, as it is a great place to wind down and wrap up a vacation.
5. Tianjin
Tianjin is not exactly a small place – it’s actually a big city.
However, people love it thanks to the small-town feel.
Yes, there may be business, beautiful architecture, and marvelous art surrounding you, but so are some of the friendliest people.
Don’t be surprised to be invited to stay for a drink or even play a game with some of the local shopkeepers.
These awesome characteristics are part of the reason that Tianjin has a low crime index of 34.45 and a good safety index of 65.55.
6. Shenzhen
Shenzhen is an amalgamation of styles and features.
It is, indeed, a booming manufacturing seaside town, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not a good place to visit.
It’s covered with plenty of activities, including theme parks, beautiful parks and gardens, folk villages, and zoos.
And, of course, you’ll find plenty of food and will likely get treated to some great street music or various forms of art.
If you love to read, you have to visit Book City, which is full of bookstores and book bars that never close.
And with a crime index of 28.90 and a safety index of 71.10, you should feel pretty safe in the area.
7. Nanjing
Nanjing was once the capital of China and is now known as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China.
The great thing is that you get an incredible ancient feel there, thanks to the historical sites.
You can visit the Confucius Temple and even the Nanjing Massacre Memorial for a real step back in history.
Worry not, though, as there are plenty of modern activities as well, including great brand-name stores, delicious food, fun nightlife, and more.
And with a crime index of 13.52 and a safety index of 86.48, both tourists and residents feel safe enjoying all that Nanjing has to offer.
8. Changsha
Though China is full of cultural significance, Changsha tends to exude it.
There are plenty of modern things to do, including enjoying the beautiful lights along the riverfront, but the ancient Hunan presence is still very much upon it.
Take some time for contemplation on Yuelu Mountain, marvel at the ancient city walls, or explore the Hunan Provincial Museum.
You might also enjoy a Hunan Discovery Tour.
The crime index is really low at just 19.47 and the safety index is 80.53 – making it one of the safest cities to visit in China.
9. Kunming
If spring is your favorite season, consider visiting Kunming at any time of the year.
It’s known as “Spring City” and “the City of Eternal Spring” thanks to its mild, beautiful climate year-round.
Aside from that characteristic, a trip to Kunming also provides you with amazing landscapes to view or photograph.
And while you’re there, you can visit various beautiful temples, botanical gardens, parks, and villages.
This city is typically used more as a stop-through than a full-time vacation destination.
However, between all it offers and a low crime index of 24.57 and a safety index of 75.43, there’s no reason not to hang around for a while.
10. Wuhan
Wuhan might just be one of the most fascinating places to take kids in China.
What child wouldn’t want to visit the Wuhan Haichang Polar Ocean World filled with polar bears, beluga whales, penguins, dolphins, walruses, and more?
You can also enjoy a view of the Yellow Crane Tower, visit some really fun theme parks, watch the Dragon Boat Festival, and – of course – enjoy some very delicious food.
With a crime index of 25.00 and a safety index of 75.00, you can feel safe about traveling with your family to Wuhan.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to China
Generally speaking, China is a safe place to travel, so you shouldn’t fret too much when planning your trip.
However, no place on earth is 100% safe, as there will always be nefarious beings, weather, and other issues you can’t control.
The following tips can help reduce your risk of being affected by such things.
- Leave the backpacks behind. Backpacks tend to attract thieves wherever you travel, so leave them back in your hotel.
- Don’t dress to impress. You don’t have to look like you just rolled out of bed or anything – just don’t be too flashy. And this doesn’t just apply to clothes. Don’t flash a nice phone, either, as tech is the main target for thieves.
- Don’t look like a tourist. Like every other tourist area, there are both thieves and scam artists in China – and they target tourists. Don’t draw more attention to yourself by wearing a camera around your neck and things like that.
- Don’t carry much cash. It’s best to keep the amount of cash you have on you limited and leave the rest back in your hotel safe. This will limit the amount a thief or pickpocket could potentially get.
- Keep your purse or wallet in front of you. If you’re taking a wallet, slide it into your front pocket. If you’re carrying a purse, try to take a cross-body one that you can keep in front and keep it zipped up tightly.
China Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: China Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any cities to avoid in China?
Overall, you should be safe traveling throughout China, but some people recommend avoiding areas along the border.
This is not due to China itself but more that there could be criminal activity in these remote areas.
How much do I have to worry about being scammed in China?
Like any tourist area, you can expect people to attempt to scam you.
A common one is what’s known as the Tea Scam, which is when someone invites you to tea and leaves you to pay – and it’s usually a pretty expensive bill.
According to many residents and travelers, if you meet a local who is extremely friendly and simply won’t take “No” for an answer, it’s a good indication that it’s a scam attempt.
It’s not that there aren’t friendly people in China – there are many.
However, the scammers are those that are simply too pushy – even to the point that they’ll follow you around or grab your clothes.
How do I know which restaurants are safe to eat at?
It’s no secret that not every restaurant and food vendor has the same level of hygiene and food safety – that includes in China.
One of the best tips provided by both residents and travelers is to watch the locals.
If you see many locals visiting a restaurant or vendor, it’s probably one you can safely eat from.
