Safety, Health & Practical Tips for China Travel
China is one of the safest countries for travelers — but knowing what to watch for makes your trip smoother. Here's what every foreign tourist should know before visiting.
Safety in China — The Truth
China is extremely safe for travelers — one of the safest countries in the world by almost any measure. Violent crime against foreigners is exceptionally rare. Women travelers generally report feeling very safe, even when traveling solo. The streets are well-lit, people are helpful, and police presence is visible in urban areas.
The biggest safety risks for tourists are:
- Traffic — Cars and electric scooters may not stop at pedestrian crossings. Always look both ways, even when you have the right of way. Electric scooters on sidewalks are common.
- Petty theft — Keep your phone and wallet secure in crowded tourist areas and on public transport. Bag-snatching is rare but opportunistic pickpocketing exists.
- Scams — See the dedicated section below. Most scams target your wallet, not your safety.
Use common sense, trust your instincts, and you'll be fine. China's extensive CCTV network and strong police presence mean that even minor crimes are taken seriously.
Common Scams to Avoid
Scams targeting tourists exist in China as they do everywhere. The good news: they're well-known and easily avoided once you're aware of them.
The Tea Ceremony Scam
Friendly strangers (often young women) approach you, speak good English, and invite you to experience a 'traditional tea ceremony' or see 'local art.' They take you to a tea house where you're presented with an enormous bill (¥1,000+). The staff becomes aggressive if you refuse to pay.
How to avoid: Politely but firmly decline unsolicited invitations from strangers in tourist areas. Real tea houses have visible menus and prices.
The Overpriced Taxi / Rickshaw
A taxi driver refuses to use the meter and quotes an inflated price, or takes an unnecessarily long route to run up the fare. Near tourist sites, unlicensed 'taxis' may approach you at the exit.
How to avoid: Always use the meter (say 'da biao' 打表), or better yet, use Didi where the fare is fixed upfront. Ignore touts offering rides at tourist exits.
The 'Art Student' Exhibition
Similar to the tea ceremony scam — someone claims to be an art student and invites you to see their exhibition. You're taken to a shop where you're pressured to buy overpriced 'art' that's actually mass-produced.
How to avoid: If you're interested in buying art, go to established galleries or art districts with fixed prices. Don't follow someone to a 'secret' exhibition.
Fake Monks & Donation Scams
At temples (including some near Huaguo Mountain), people dressed as monks offer you incense, a blessing, or a bracelet, then demand a 'donation.' Real Buddhist monks don't solicit money from tourists.
How to avoid: If you want to make an offering at a temple, use the official donation boxes. Politely refuse items handed to you by strangers at religious sites.
Golden rule: If a stranger in a tourist area is unusually friendly and speaks surprisingly good English, be cautious. Most Chinese people are genuinely warm and helpful, but unsolicited invitations are almost always scams.
Health, Water & Medical Tips
Drinking Water
Do NOT drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap (¥2-5) and available everywhere — convenience stores, street vendors, vending machines. Hotels provide bottled water or kettles (boiled tap water is safe).
Public Restrooms
Carry tissues and hand sanitizer. Many public toilets are squat-style and may not provide toilet paper or soap. Western-style toilets are more common in hotels and upscale restaurants.
Air Quality
Air quality varies by city and season. Lianyungang generally has better air than Beijing or Shanghai. Check AQI apps if you're sensitive. N95 masks are widely available at pharmacies.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (药店 yàodiàn) are common in cities. Staff rarely speak English — show them a photo or Chinese text of what you need. Bring prescription medications from home with the original packaging and prescription.
Travel Insurance
Strongly recommended. International hospitals exist in Beijing and Shanghai but are limited in Lianyungang. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation.
Food Safety
Street food is generally safe — look for stalls with high turnover and lots of local customers. Avoid raw vegetables washed in tap water. Hot, freshly cooked food is the safest bet.
Language Barrier — How to Cope
Outside of international hotels and major airports, English is limited — especially in smaller cities like Lianyungang. But don't let this stop you. With the right tools and attitude, you can navigate China just fine.
Essential Survival Phrases
| English | Chinese (Pinyin) | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Nǐ hǎo | 你好 |
| Thank you | Xiè xiè | 谢谢 |
| How much is this? | Zhè ge duō shǎo qián? | 这个多少钱？ |
| I don't understand | Wǒ tīng bù dǒng | 我听不懂 |
| Where is the toilet? | Cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ? | 厕所/卫生间在哪里？ |
| Too expensive! | Tài guì le! | 太贵了！ |
| Delicious | Hǎo chī | 好吃 |
| I want to go to... | Wǒ yào qù... | 我要去…… |
Digital Tools
- Google Translate — Download the Chinese offline pack. The camera translation feature (point your phone at text) is incredibly useful for menus and signs.
- Pleco — The best Chinese-English dictionary app. Works offline. Worth the paid add-ons.
- Show addresses in Chinese — Before heading anywhere, screenshot the destination name and address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers and locals.
Chinese people are generally patient and appreciative when foreigners make an effort to communicate. A smile, a translation app, and a few basic phrases go a very long way. And of course — having a local English-speaking guide solves the problem entirely!
Emergency Reference Card — Save This
These numbers work from any phone (even without a Chinese SIM). Operators may not speak English — if possible, have a Chinese speaker make the call.
Save your embassy/consulate phone number before travel.
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