Checked on 30 October 2026.
Serious crime against foreign visitors in China is relatively rare, according to UK government advice. The problems tourists more often meet are scams, traffic and stomach upsets. The official advisories focus on a different risk, the way local laws are enforced, which is worth understanding before you go.
This guide sums up what the US and UK governments say as of late October 2026, and the everyday precautions that make a trip go smoothly. Advisories change, so read the current versions on travel.state.gov and GOV.UK before you book and again before you fly.
Is China safe for Americans
The US State Department rates mainland China Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, the second of four levels. Its advisory says the government “arbitrarily enforces local laws, including exit bans,” and that US citizens may be detained without access to consular services. It also warns that China does not recognize dual nationality, so dual US-Chinese citizens may be treated as Chinese only.
In mid-October 2026 the department added a “D” indicator for wrongful detention to the advisory, as Semafor and the South China Morning Post reported. The overall level stayed at 2.
In practice, the advisory is about legal risk, not street crime. It says exit bans have been used in business disputes, court cases and investigations, sometimes against relatives or colleagues of the people involved. The State Department suggests entering on your US passport, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and asking police to notify the US Embassy if you are ever detained. Its country page also notes that phones, internet use and social media may be monitored.
What the UK government says
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not advise against travel to any part of China. Its safety page says serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, that terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out, and that national security laws are broad enough that “you may be detained without having intended to break the law.” It also describes exit bans, which you may only learn about at departure.
The FCDO also warns that drug offenses carry very heavy penalties, and that foreigners found in restricted military areas, which are not always signed, can be detained, fined or deported.
Crime and common scams
Pickpocketing happens in crowds, at stations and at major sights, so keep your phone and wallet zipped away. Most scams start with a friendly approach:
- The tea house scam. A stranger, often offering to practice English, suggests a tea house or bar. They leave, and you get a huge bill, sometimes with pressure to pay by card.
- The art student scam. A “student” invites you to their gallery, where mass-produced paintings are sold at inflated prices.
- Cheap tours. Very low-priced day trips, such as to the Great Wall, often spend most of the day at shops that pay the guide commission.
The fix is the same each time: decline politely, keep walking, and choose your own places to eat and drink.
Taxis, traffic and e-bikes
At airports and stations, ignore people who walk up offering a taxi. Use the official taxi rank or book a car through DiDi, which has an English app and accepts foreign cards. Check that the plate matches the one in the app before you get in. Our apps and internet guide covers setting up DiDi.
Traffic is the bigger everyday risk. The State Department describes traffic safety as generally poor. Turning cars may cross while you have a green walking signal, and electric scooters are almost silent and often ride on pavements or through red lights. Look both ways several times, even on one-way streets, and cross with groups of local people.
Food, water and air
Tap water is not safe to drink in China, according to UK advice. Drink bottled water, or boil it in your room kettle. Busy restaurants with high turnover and food cooked hot in front of you are sensible choices.
Air pollution is a significant problem in many places, according to the State Department. Check the daily air quality index in a weather app, and if you have asthma or a heart or lung condition, bring your medication and a well-fitting mask.
Altitude in Tibet and Yunnan
Lhasa sits at about 3,650 m, Shangri-La at about 3,300 m and Lijiang at about 2,400 m. Altitude illness can affect anyone who arrives too fast. Rest on the first day, avoid alcohol, go up in stages where you can, and speak to your doctor before booking if you have heart or lung problems. See our Tibet and Shangri-La pages for more.
Solo and women travelers
Solo travel in China’s cities is straightforward, and streets, metros and malls stay busy into the evening. The FCDO notes that women travelling alone or together could be at higher risk of drink spiking and sexual assault. Watch your drink, use app-booked cars at night, and share your location with someone you trust.
Same-sex relationships are legal in China. The FCDO notes that public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and that public displays of affection may draw attention.
Carrying your passport
The law requires foreigners to carry their passport, and police make random checks. Printed copies are not accepted. You also need the original for hotel check-in, train tickets and many timed-entry sights, which are booked in your real name.
Hotels register your stay with the police for you. If you stay with friends or in a private home, you or your host must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival.
Emergency numbers in China
- 110 police
- 120 ambulance
- 119 fire
- 122 traffic accidents
Save your hotel’s address in Chinese so you can say or show where you are, and keep your embassy’s 24-hour number in your phone.
If you lose your passport
Report the loss at the nearest police station and keep the receipt. Take it to the local exit-entry administration of the Public Security Bureau to get a passport loss certificate. Your embassy or consulate then issues a new passport or emergency travel document. Last, apply at the exit-entry administration for a replacement visa or exit document; Beijing quotes up to seven working days. Keep a photo of your passport’s photo page and your entry stamp on your phone to speed things up.
For the entry rules themselves, see our visa-free entry guide.
