Safety, Scams and Emergency Numbers
Stay safe: the common scams and who to call.
TL;DR: China is one of the safest countries for travelers; the real risks are tourist scams. Police 110, ambulance 120, fire 119. Keep your passport and a hotel card on you.
Last reviewed2026-08-27
Risk levelMedium · verify time-sensitive rules
Best next stepSave the Starter Kit
Step by step
- Avoid the classic 'tea ceremony' and 'art student' scams near tourist sights - politely walk away.
- Use only metered taxis or Didi; never unmarked cars, especially at airports and stations.
- Keep a photo of your passport and your hotel's name and address in Chinese on your phone.
- Save the emergency numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire.
- Buy travel insurance that covers China and note the nearest international hospital in each city.
FAQ
Is China safe for solo and female travelers?
Very - violent crime is rare; standard big-city precautions apply.
What's the biggest risk?
Overpriced tourist scams and pickpocketing in crowds, not violent crime.
Can I drink the tap water?
No - drink bottled or boiled water; hotels provide kettles.
Next step
Turn this into a trip-ready system
Save the free kit, then upgrade to the full China Travel OS: every current paid city guide, offline cards, route packs, templates and emergency backups.