Safety · Solo travel
The short answer is yes, with caveats. Violent crime against tourists in China is genuinely rare—major cities rank among the safer urban environments in the world by most measures. The real challenges are petty scams, language barriers, cultural differences, and occasional unwanted attention. This guide is based on the experience of many solo female travelers and gives an honest view of what to expect and how to handle it.
Safety varies significantly between cities. Major tourist destinations are generally well-policed and tourist-friendly; rural areas are quieter but language barriers are greater.
The most visited and generally the safest for solo travelers. CCTV cameras are everywhere, police presence is high, and tourist areas have English signage. You can walk in most neighborhoods at night without issues. The main risks are tourist-targeted scams (see below) and pickpockets in crowded spots like Wangfujing or the Bund promenade. Metro and Didi are safe to use any time of day.
Very comfortable for solo female travel. Chengdu is known for its relaxed, welcoming culture. Xi'an has a large tourist infrastructure. Hangzhou is clean, modern, and walkable. Language barriers are more common outside tourist areas, but Google Translate (with a VPN) handles most situations. Locals are often curious and friendly toward foreign visitors.
Physically safer (lower crime), but culturally more challenging. Expect more stares, fewer English speakers, and occasional awkward attention—usually curiosity, rarely threatening. Accommodation quality varies; check reviews carefully. Always have your hotel address in Chinese ready for taxis. Carry more cash here—mobile payment acceptance and ATMs are less reliable.
Most city centers are safe to walk at night in well-lit, populated areas. Avoid empty alleys and poorly-lit parks after midnight. In bar districts (Sanlitun Beijing, Wukang Road Shanghai, Kuanzhai Alley Chengdu) the usual caution around alcohol and strangers applies. Trust your instincts—leave any situation that feels uncomfortable without explaining yourself.
The metro system in Chinese cities is clean, cheap, and very safe at all hours. Security scanners at every entrance. The cars are busy enough that you're rarely alone—and if you are, that's fine too. Download the local metro map app or save an offline version. Pay with Alipay/WeChat or buy a token at the machine.
Didi is China's main ride-hail app. Safer than unmarked taxis because every trip is tracked and the driver is rated. Always confirm the license plate and driver's face before getting in. Share your trip with a contact through the in-app feature. Sit in the back seat. For late-night rides, choose Express or Premier over Economy for better-reviewed drivers.
Official taxis (metered, with license number on the door) are safe but drivers often don't speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese characters on your phone to show the driver. Insist on the meter ("打表 dǎ biǎo")—if the driver refuses, get out and take the next taxi or use Didi. Avoid anyone who approaches you at the airport or station offering a "cheap taxi." Airport taxi queues (有序排队) are the safe option; follow the queue signs.
Scammers anywhere target people who are alone, distracted, or visibly lost. In China the most common tourism scams are well-known—once you know them, they're easy to avoid.
Friendly strangers (often young people practicing English) invite you to a "traditional tea ceremony" or "art exhibition." At the end, you're presented with a bill for thousands of yuan. Decline any unsolicited invitation to somewhere you didn't plan to go. If you find yourself in this situation, pay only what you consider fair and leave; call police if you're physically prevented from leaving.
People dressed as monks giving you beads or bracelets and then asking for a donation—often aggressive if you try to give it back. Genuine monks at legitimate temples don't solicit money on the street. Politely decline and walk away; don't take the item.
Usually harmless curiosity—but can be a lead-in to the tea or art scam. A short conversation is fine; decline any suggestion to "go somewhere nearby."
Vendors near tourist spots offer to dress you in traditional clothing for a photo. Prices may not be stated upfront and become unreasonably high afterward. Confirm the price in writing (or on their phone) before agreeing to anything. Walk away if they won't quote a price.
In major cities, wear what you like—Shanghai and Beijing are cosmopolitan and international dress is common. In smaller towns and rural areas, more modest dress reduces unwanted stares without restricting your experience. At temples and religious sites, cover shoulders and knees (you can carry a light scarf and wrap it when entering). Practically speaking, comfortable shoes matter most—Chinese cities involve a lot of walking.
Thousands of solo female travelers visit China every year and the majority have a safe, enjoyable trip. The things that go wrong are almost always preventable with basic awareness: don't accept invitations from strangers, use official transport, keep valuables close in crowds, and trust your gut. Knowing a few words of Mandarin ("不要" bù yào = I don't want it; "帮我 bang wǒ = help me") helps in a pinch. China rewards travelers who are curious and prepared—go and enjoy it.
This guide reflects general experience and is not exhaustive. Travel situations vary; always exercise personal judgment.