Safety & Common Scams
Is China safe for tourists? The scams worth knowing — tea houses, fake taxis, tour touts, bar invitations — plus traffic, food, women’s safety and emergency numbers.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · policies change — confirm the official sources before travel
China is generally a very safe country for visitors: violent crime against tourists is rare, walking at night is normal in big cities, and lost wallets are often returned. The problems are mostly financial and specific: tea-house scams, unlicensed taxis, tour touts and bar invitations. This guide covers the scams that actually happen, the everyday risks that matter more (traffic, heat, altitude), and what to do in an emergency.
Key points
The details that matter
The tea-house and art-student scam
A friendly stranger — often a young woman claiming to be an art student — starts a conversation near a major sight, suggests a tea ceremony or an art exhibition, and leads you to a venue where the bill is thousands of yuan. Sometimes there is a “new friend” who insists on paying, then disappears when the bill arrives. The scam is well rehearsed and targets solo travellers and couples. The rule is simple: do not follow a stranger to a second location for tea, art, a drink or a “local experience”. If you are already inside and the bill is outrageous, refuse to pay, call 110, and ask for the police; do not hand over your card.
Taxis and airport touts
Official taxis are metered and safe. The scams are unlicensed “black cabs”, drivers who refuse the meter and quote a flat fare, and touts inside airport or station arrivals who offer a “taxi” at three times the price. Use the official queue, or DiDi, which shows the price and records the route. At stations, follow the taxi signs rather than accepting an offer from someone at the exit. If a driver refuses the meter, get out and take another car.
Tour and shopping scams
The common tour scam is the “Great Wall combo” or “city tour” sold at a station or tourist street: a low price, a mandatory jade or silk shop, and a rushed visit to the actual sight. Others include rickshaw tours that end at a tea house, and “free” walking tours that pressure you into paid extras. Book through your hotel, a licensed agency or a reputable platform, and confirm in writing that there are no shopping stops. A price that is far below everyone else is the warning sign.
Bar invitations and nightlife
A stranger on a dating app or in a bar invites you to a specific venue; the drinks are cheap until the bill arrives, and the “new friend” vanishes. This happens in Shanghai, Beijing and other expat-heavy cities. Meet in public, choose the venue yourself, pay per round, and never hand your card to staff or leave it behind the bar. If a venue demands an absurd bill, call 110. For nightlife areas and transport after midnight, see the nightlife guide.
Everyday safety: traffic, heat and water
Traffic is the risk you will meet every day. Scooters use pavements, electric vehicles are silent, and drivers may turn right on red. Cross with the crowd, look both ways twice, and do not assume a green pedestrian signal means all turning cars have stopped. Summer heat in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Xi’an can be brutal; carry water and plan indoor breaks. Tap water is not drinking water — boil or buy bottled. Street food is generally safe at busy stalls, but avoid raw produce and shellfish at quiet ones.
Solo women and LGBTQ travellers
China is generally safe for solo women; the main annoyances are stares, persistent photos and unwanted conversation, not violence. Dress as you would at home, avoid unlit parks at night, and use DiDi so the route is recorded. LGBTQ travellers should read the dedicated guide: same-sex activity is legal, but social attitudes vary and public displays of affection are less common outside big-city scenes. In any emergency, call 110; English support is limited, so a hotel or a Chinese-speaking friend can help.
If something goes wrong
For police, call 110; ambulance 120; fire 119. Hotel staff can call and translate. For a lost passport, file a police report, then contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document. For a lost phone, use Find My Device and ask your hotel to help; DiDi and Alipay sessions can be secured from another device. Keep digital copies of your passport, visa and insurance policy. Travel insurance is worth it for medical care, evacuation and trip interruption.
What works in practice
Never follow a stranger to a tea ceremony, art show or bar you did not choose
Use DiDi or the official taxi rank; check the plate before getting in
Book tours through your hotel or a licensed platform, and confirm no shopping stops
Cross roads defensively — scooters and silent EVs do not stop for green lights
Keep a hotel card and a digital copy of your passport
Save 110, 120 and your embassy’s number in your phone
Mistakes to avoid
Being polite to a persistent stranger instead of walking away
Accepting a flat fare from an unmetered driver
Buying a cheap tour from a station tout
Leaving a card behind a bar tab
Assuming pedestrian signals mean turning cars will stop
Frequently asked
Is China safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Violent crime against visitors is rare, and cities feel safe at night. The main risks are scams, traffic, heat and altitude, not street crime.
What is the tea house scam?
A friendly stranger invites you to a tea ceremony or art show, then presents an enormous bill. Do not follow strangers to a second location; if trapped, refuse to pay and call 110.
Are taxis safe?
Official metered taxis are safe and regulated. Use the official queue or DiDi, check the plate, and avoid unmarked cars and airport touts.
What is the emergency number?
110 for police, 120 for ambulance, 119 for fire. English is limited; hotel staff can call and translate. 12308 is China’s consular assistance hotline for citizens abroad, not a local emergency line.
Questions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.