China Travel Safety

Road safety

Avoid driving outside major cities after dark. Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Taxis are available in major cities and are easier to obtain at hotels or taxi stands. Self-drive (rental) or chauffeur-driven cars are available for rent in major cities. Dial 112 for roadside assistance. China has an extensive passenger train system. Most trains are slow, although there are express trains on well-travelled routes.

Precautions

Petty crime and sexual harassment can occur on buses and overnight trains. Do not carry large sums of money. Secure valuables, with the exception of passports, in hotel safe-deposit facilities. While violent crime is relatively rare, foreigners have been attacked and robbed in the past and some have been killed. Ensure that the train compartment contains packages belonging only to you and other occupants. Store personal belongings in a safe place and do not leave the compartment unattended. Doors should be securely locked. There is a risk of armed bandit attacks in remote parts of China. Police presence may be poor around border areas.

Marine transportation

Ferry accidents have occurred in China. Exercise caution and common sense when using marine transportation, always use available safety equipment, such as lifejackets and seatbelts, and do not board ferries that are overloaded.

Women's safety

China can be safe or dangerous depending on the remote areas or major cities. Based on the crime situation of the China, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel. Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered taxis, as there have been incidents of sexual assault and robbery against foreigners.

Piracy

Pirate attacks occur in coastal waters and, in some cases, farther out at sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Scams

Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so you should arrange for a Chinese-speaking person to write out your destination in detail on a card before you go. Use only reputable taxis and do not agree to multiple passengers. Negotiate fares prior to entering the taxi, and/or request that the taxi driver use the meter and provide you with a receipt (fapiao). Cases of overcharging by taxi, motorcycle and pedi cab drivers have been reported. Exercise caution in the more popular tourist areas (particularly in Beijing's Tiananmen Square and the Bund, East Nanjing Road and People's Square in Shanghai) where scammers target foreigners. Foreigners have also been approached by strangers and invited to a nearby establishment for a drink (usually tea or alcohol), a massage or other services. They were then presented with an exorbitant bill (sometimes thousands of dollars) and forced to pay under threat of injury. In some cases, the person was harmed. Be cautious of unsolicited requests from strangers to "practice English" or to accompany them to an "art gallery" or unknown location. Telephone scams where the caller claims you are being investigated by local authorities. Should you find yourself the victim in such a scenario, get to a safe location immediately and take note as soon as possible, while your memory is still fresh, of the name and address of the facility where you were held, which is required for local police to identify the persons involved and/or issue a police report – the latter likely being obligatory by your credit card company in order to cancel the transaction.

Crime

Foreigners are targeted, especially in major cities and tourist areas. Be vigilant in all crowded locations, including tourist sites, trade fairs, restaurants, coffee shops, Internet cafe's, markets and department stores. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching and theft of mobile phones and laptop computers, is prevalent, even during the day.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in China. A number of explosions and knife attacks have occurred in public places, including in busy railway stations, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Be aware of your surroundings at all times in public places. Further attacks may occur. Targets could include government buildings, places of worship, schools, transportation hubs and public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and sites frequented by foreigners.

LGBT

Although homosexuality is not prohibited by law, public attitudes are less tolerant and public displays of affection may attract negative attention. There's no provision under Chinese legislation guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. LGBT travellers should be aware of local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural areas.

Gambling

Gambling is illegal in mainland China.

Identification

Failure to produce your ID can lead to a fine or detention.

Driving

Foreigners must hold a foreigner residence permit and meet local requirements to obtain a Chinese driver's licence. Foreign drivers involved in an accident face harsh penalties. Police officers have the right to detain foreigners suspected of being responsible for road accidents until their case is closed, which can take years. It is not uncommon for foreigners to be blamed for accidents even though they are not at fault. Carefully consider the implications of driving in China.