Safety & Scam Awareness

China as a whole has excellent public security. Violent crime is extremely rare, and walking alone at night in most city neighborhoods is safer than in major Western cities. The main risks are small-time scams and pickpocketing. Knowing the common tricks below will help you avoid them.

A. Tea scam / tea ceremony performance scam

In tourist areas like Beijing (Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, near the Forbidden City), Shanghai (the Bund, Nanjing Road), and Xi'an, you may encounter young people speaking fluent English who strike up a conversation, claim to be "students" or "art students", and invite you to a "boutique teahouse / art gallery / cultural experience". Once there, they serve pot after pot of expensive tea, and the bill can reach hundreds or even thousands of US dollars—and you can't leave without paying. Response: politely refuse any stranger who approaches you on the street and invites you to "have tea / see an art exhibition / attend an event".

B. Taxi without meter

Unofficial taxis near airports and train stations may refuse to use the meter and ask 5–10 times the normal price. Always use Didi to book a ride; if you must take a taxi, insist on the meter or check the estimated price in advance via Amap / Baidu Maps.

C. Emergencies

Police: 110 (you can request English service); Tourism complaint hotline: 12345. Chinese police are generally friendly to foreign visitors, but if there's a language barrier, just show them your hotel's Chinese business card and your passport.