Is China Safe For Tourists?
Eight questions about the safety of China, answering your concerns.
I have a friend who went to China last month. After he came back, he told me not to trust everything you see online. He said China is not safe at all. He got food poisoning after his first meal there. He was sick all night. For the next two days, he stayed indoors. He didn’t go out during the day. On the fourth day, he went outside, but a group of strangers surrounded him on the street. He was really nervous. He stayed in China for five days, then came back. At the airport, he noticed his money was missing.
I asked him, “Would you go to China again?” He said, “Of course! I love China! Next time, I’ll make sure not to eat Sichuan food right after I arrive. It’s way too spicy. Maybe I’ll start with Cantonese food instead.” He also said, “I’ll make sure to spend more time during the day. Last time, I stayed out at night markets and bars for two nights in a row, and slept through the day.”
He told me, “I’ve never felt so safe walking around the streets at midnight. The night in China is so lively. The people are so friendly. I noticed they love taking pictures with foreigners. At the tourist spots, I was surrounded by a group of Chinese people wanting to take photos with me. One mom even handed me her baby for a picture. It was so cute!”
He laughed and said, “Even though I was only in China for five days, I spent a lot of money. I bought tons of clothes and handmade crafts. The quality was great, and they were so much cheaper than back home. I love China and can’t wait to visit again!”
1. Is food from China safe?
When you’re traveling in China, the safety of the food depends on where you eat. If you’re dining at a restaurant with a proper storefront, it’s generally safe. Chinese food safety authorities regulate these places and do regular checks. But if you choose to eat at street food stalls, food safety might not be guaranteed. These stalls are mobile and can avoid regulation, so there could be food safety risks. As long as you stick to restaurants with storefronts, you don’t need to worry about food safety.
If you’re Muslim, you can ask the restaurant beforehand whether the food contains animal fat or alcohol. If you can’t handle spicy food, you can also ask them to go easy on the chili or skip it altogether. Chinese restaurants are usually very friendly, so feel free to make your requests.
2. Is China safe for tourists? I'm worried my money will get stolen.
Don’t worry, it’s actually really hard for pickpockets to target you in China. Mobile payments are super popular there—about 85% of people use them. If you ask someone on the street to lend you money, they’ll probably just transfer it to you through their phone because they don’t carry cash. Even beggars on the street have QR codes for digital donations, or they won’t get anything. So, being a thief in China is pretty tough—apart from the phones people are holding, there’s not much to steal.
Another thing that surprises a lot of foreigners is how people casually leave their deliveries, bikes, and parcels all over the streets without worrying about theft. People can park their bikes on the sidewalk and just walk away without locking them. Even valuable items left in plain sight are left alone. That’s because there are tons of security cameras in public places. If someone does steal something, the police can pull up footage within an hour and catch the thief.
In 2023, the number of theft, robbery, and fraud cases dropped by 31.4% compared to 2019. The overall trend is that thefts are decreasing. Some people say being a thief in China is one of the dumbest things you can do because the risk is high and there’s not much money in it.
3. Is China safe to travel at night?
Not at all! You’ll find your money disappearing, haha! If you spend one night in China, you’ll see the nights are full of lights. Almost every city has China night market, and they usually stay open until around 5 AM. In other countries, after 11 PM, the streets can feel empty, but in China, that’s when the fun really starts. Food stalls are packed, and people are on the streets, drinking beer and having barbecue.
Girls don’t need to worry about safety at night—they can dance in the parks with their friends without a care. Every foreigner on a trip to China will notice that when night falls, parks across the country fill with hundreds or even thousands of people. Some are doing square dancing, others are practicing martial arts, and some are flying kites. There are even playgrounds for kids. How safe is China? Spend one night here, and you’ll see for yourself.
When traveling in China, you might actually spend more at night than during the day because there’s just so much to do after dark!
4. Are Chinese people friendly? Is it safe to go to China?
Every country has good people and bad people, but the good ones definitely outnumber the bad. Some international travelers might worry: “Is it safe to travel to China as an American?” or “Is it safe for a European to travel to China?” There’s no need to worry at all. When you’re on a trip to China, you’ll find that you become a bit of a “celebrity” at the tourist spots. Don’t get me wrong, I mean you’ll be like a “star”—lots of Chinese people will want to take pictures with you. They think it’s cool to snap photos with a Western person who looks totally different from them.
Even kids in China are excited to chat with you, and some will happily share their snacks with you. Foreigners are very popular in China because Chinese people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Hospitality is a huge part of Chinese culture, and they treat guests with warmth and kindness.
5. Will I be arrested by the Chinese police for no reason? Is China safe for tourists?
As long as you’re not committing crimes like theft, fraud, or robbery in China, the police won’t even pay attention to you. Every year, over 10 million foreigners visit China, and you’re just one of many tourists. You don’t need to worry about the Chinese government targeting you out of the blue. In fact, Chinese police are actually very willing to help foreign travelers because they understand that language barriers and cultural differences can make things difficult. If you ever run into trouble, you can always ask the police for assistance.
6. Is China's air quality bad?
China is huge, so the air quality can vary a lot between different cities. According to 2023 data, 85.5% of the days in 339 cities across China had good air quality. However, in winter, the air quality can be worse. This is mainly because northern China relies on coal for heating during the winter, which releases a lot of CO2 and other pollutants. Plus, winter tends to be drier, with less rainfall, which means the air can’t get cleaned up as easily. So, if you’re sensitive about air quality, it’s best to avoid northern cities in the winter. Southern cities in China tend to have better air quality because they get more rain and are closer to the sea.
7. What is the largest religion in China? Most Americans practice Christianity. Is it safe for Americans to travel to China?
The largest religion in China is Buddhism. There are over 13,000 Buddhist temples in the country, and about 200,000 monks and nuns. Buddhism has been in China for over 2,000 years. In addition to Buddhism, China’s main religions include Taoism, Islam, Catholicism (with over 6 million followers), and Christianity (with over 23 million followers). China is a multi-religious country and respects people’s freedom to practice their beliefs.
8. I’ve heard that China often experiences typhoons. Will I encounter a China typhoon during my China trip?
The peak months for typhoons in China are July, August, and September. During these months, typhoons form and make landfall most frequently, especially in July and August. The areas most affected by typhoons in China are Guangdong and Hainan. If you’re worried about encountering a typhoon during your trip to China, it’s best to avoid visiting Guangdong and Hainan during the summer months—July, August, and September.
