Health and Safety in China

China is generally a safe country to visit, with low rates of violent crime and busy, well-lit city streets. The risks a first-timer actually meets are smaller ones: a scam aimed at tourists, a stomach upset, a heatwave, or not knowing where to find a doctor. Save the emergency numbers, pack your medicines properly and buy travel insurance.

Is China safe for tourists?

China is generally safe for tourists, including solo and female travelers. Violent crime against visitors is rare, cities are heavily monitored, and it is normal to walk around at night in central areas of Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an or Chengdu.

The everyday risks in China are more mundane:

• Traffic: scooters and e-bikes ride on sidewalks and through crossings, often silently. Look both ways even on a green light.
• Pickpockets: take normal care with phones and bags in crowded sights, markets and metro carriages.
• Scams: a few well-known scams target foreign visitors; see the scams section below.
• Your passport: you’ll need it constantly, so keep it secure and keep a copy separately.

Emergency numbers in China

The national emergency numbers in mainland China are free to call from any phone:

Operators may not speak English. Speak slowly, say your location clearly, and if you can, hand the phone to a hotel employee or a passer-by who can explain in Chinese. Having your hotel address in Chinese characters on your phone helps enormously. The 12345 government service hotline handles non-emergency questions and complaints.

Our emergency tool has these numbers, useful phrases in Chinese and a card you can show to someone who can help.

Hospitals, international clinics and pharmacies in China

For medical care in China, major cities have international clinics and many large public hospitals have an international or VIP department with English-speaking staff. These cost more than regular departments but make the process much easier for a foreign visitor. Ask your hotel or your travel insurer which ones are nearest.

How hospitals in China usually work:

• You register at a counter first, then see a doctor.
• Payment is often expected before tests or treatment, so carry a payment method.
• Regular public hospitals can be very busy, and staff may speak little English.

Pharmacies are easy to find in Chinese cities; look for a green cross and the character 药 yào (“medicine”). Pharmacists can often help with minor problems, but brand names differ from home, so know the generic names of what you take. Some medicines that are sold over the counter elsewhere need a prescription in China.

Bringing medication into China

If you bring prescription medication into China, keep it in its original packaging with the pharmacy label and bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor. Pack enough for the whole trip plus a few extra days, and carry it in your hand luggage.

Some medicines are tightly controlled in China, including certain strong painkillers, sleeping pills and stimulant medications for ADHD. If you take anything in these categories, check with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before you travel.

A basic travel kit is worth packing: rehydration salts, an anti-diarrheal, painkillers you trust, plasters and any allergy medication you use. See Food and ordering for how to explain an allergy in Chinese.

Check before you go: Rules on importing medication change. Confirm the current rules with the Chinese embassy or consulate that serves your country.

Air quality, heat and winter cold in China

Air quality in Chinese cities has improved a great deal, but polluted days still happen, especially in northern China in winter. Use an air quality app or the air quality index in your weather app to check the AQI each morning, and on bad days plan indoor sights and wear a well-fitting mask if you are sensitive.

Summer heat in China can be intense. Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing can all be very hot in July and August, and the south and the Yangtze region are humid too. Drink plenty of water, plan outdoor sights for early morning, use sunscreen and take breaks in air-conditioned museums and malls.

Winter in northern China is cold and dry. Beijing and Xi’an can drop well below freezing, especially on exposed sections of the Great Wall or on Mount Hua. Bring layers, a hat, gloves and lip balm. Further south, many older buildings have little or no central heating, so indoor spaces can feel colder than you’d expect.

Common scams aimed at tourists in China

A few scams in China target foreign tourists specifically. Knowing them is usually enough to avoid them.

• The tea-house scam: friendly young people approach you at a famous sight, saying they want to practice English, and suggest tea or drinks. The bill at the end is enormous, and the “friends” are part of it. Decline politely, or choose the venue yourself and check menu prices first.
• The art-student scam: “students” invite you to their exhibition, then pressure you into buying overpriced paintings. Walk away.
• Unlicensed taxis: drivers who approach you inside airports and rail stations are usually unlicensed and overcharge. Use the official taxi queue or a ride-hailing app; see Getting around.
• Shopping detours: cheap tours that stop at jade, silk or tea “factories” make their money from commissions. Choose tours that state clearly that there are no shopping stops.
• Fake tickets: unofficial sellers outside sights. Book through official channels; see Booking sights.

If you are scammed or robbed, call 110 or go to the nearest police station, and get a written police report for your insurer.

Travel insurance for China

Travel insurance with good medical coverage is strongly recommended for any trip to China. Medical care for foreign visitors often has to be paid on the spot, international departments are more expensive, and a medical evacuation or flight home can be very costly.

What to look for in a policy:

• Medical treatment and hospital stays in China
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Activities you plan, such as hiking on Mount Hua or unrestored sections of the Great Wall
• A 24-hour assistance line that can direct you to a suitable hospital

Save your policy number and the insurer’s emergency contact on your phone and on paper. Keep receipts and medical reports so you can claim later. Add insurance to your trip checklist.