Is China Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

China is generally considered a safe country for solo female travelers. Cities are often busy, significantly reducing risks of getting attacked or harassed, and public transportation is reliable and widely used. Chinese people are generally friendly and helpful to foreigners. However, like anywhere else, it's important to take normal precautions, such as avoiding walking alone at night in secluded places and being aware of scams targeted at tourists.

Safety index

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How safe is China?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

China is relatively safe at night, especially in the major cities, where streets are well-lit and often bustling with people. Public safety officers patrol frequently, and CCTV cameras are common. It's advisable for solo female travelers to always be cautious and retain common sense such safety measures like keeping personal belongings close, avoiding alleys or dim-lit areas, and not accepting unsolicited offers from strangers. However, overall, many solo female travelers report feeling safe walking around Chinese cities at night.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in China is generally safe and efficient. With an extensive network of buses, subways, and taxis, one can travel through the cities with relative ease. As a solo female traveler, normal precautions still apply. Watch out for pickpockets in crowded subway cars, avoid traveling alone during late night hours and always keep a close eye on your belongings. Though instances of harassment are relatively low, it's still advisable to always be attentive about one's surroundings.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

China generally has a safe environment for female solo travellers. Street harassment is relatively low, although it can vary based on cities or regions. Most locals are respectful and helpful to foreigners. However, staring or curiosity might be mistaken as harassment, but it's usually due to the language barrier or cultural differences. Stricter laws are also in place to protect women's rights. Therefore, one can feel relatively safe while journeying through this culturally rich country.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Petty crimes like pickpocketing, bag snatching or smartphone theft do occur in China, mainly in crowded tourist areas or public transportation. However, the overall incidence is relatively low compared to other countries. As with any travel, individual vigilance and keeping your belongings secure can usually deter such incidents. The Chinese authorities also maintain a strong law enforcement presence, which further dissuades petty criminals.

Is China worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.5 /5

based on 3 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

3.3/5

Food

3.3/5

Budget-friendly

2.8/5
Marieke

Marieke

Belgium

Beijing, Solo travel

I loved Beijing. I only had time to spend two days there which was a pity. I felt very safe. I did not so much like the Dinghe hostel, which had no atmosphere. I did really like my visit to the Great Wall of China at Jinshanling. And I can also recommend the three stone kite shop, where you can buy crazy beautiful hand made kites! Besides that I took a lot of metro’s, enjoyed the 798 art scene and wandered the streets.

Posted: October 5, 2024
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Magda

Magda

Poland

Tongren, Solo travel

I felt very safe in Tongren. Food is simple but delicious. People are very friendly although rater shy. Longwu and Wutun temples are beautiful and fascinating. Every interesting places are in walk dostanie.

Posted: August 24, 2024Experienced: June, 2024
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Lyana

Lyana

Malaysia

Beijing, Solo travel

I worked in Beijing for a year and I loved living here. I don’t like the job but the city is amazing. Food is affordable, Didi (their taxi version) is affordable and fast, payment is convenient. So many things are extremely convenient but you need to know the system. It’s not friendly to tourists unless you have an insider due to the blocking of majority of western owned apps hence VPN is a must or you could use roaming. Although you still need a local number to get a lot of things here like buying tickets.

Posted: August 23, 2024
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rym

rym

China

Shaanxi Xi'an, Solo travel

Xi'an is a beautiful city, it's very safe, have a lot of rivers, so many Chinese restaurants, clean, and historical places, the transport is cheap specially the bus and subway, it have a lot of foreigners

Posted: July 30, 2024
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China, Solo travel

Not really safe for a blonde girl. Delicious culture, landscape and food. Prefer to avoir touristic places, be curious and audacious. Take a train ride through the chinese coubtryside, you will be another you after this.

Posted: July 29, 2024Experienced: June, 2010
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Shenzhen, Group travel

Shenzhen is really an amazing place to visit. Being a girl I was a little hesitant at first but the people there were really friendly and cooperative. If you go to Shenzhen you must visit the famous Huaqiang Electronic market, the seventh tallest building in the world. If you are a vegetarian like me it will be a little hard but there are really good restaurants and you can ask them if they can make the dish without meat. You must visit the beaches of Shenzhen as well.

Posted: July 28, 2024Experienced: May, 2024
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Xinjiang, Solo travel

I feel safe because the police there are very helpful and high efficient. They helped me when I lost my bag. And most of the people there are very friendly with tourists and willing to give you a hand.

Posted: July 24, 2024
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Imane

Imane

China

Hunan Changsha, Solo travel

I live in Changsha now, came here 3 months ago and I instantly felt very safe, the city is so budget friendly, many restaurants and street food to recommend, lot of entry free places to visit and much more. My advice to you is download few apps before coming to China which are the following: Alipay Vpn (WhatsApp and other platforms don’t work here) WeChat If you have iPhone you can use Apple Maps otherwise download Baidu maps (but it’s all in Chinese) Translation app

Posted: July 24, 2024
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Qinghai, Couple travel

I feel safe overall and I do like the beauty there. The food is delicious if you like meat. I personally don’t like the strong wind sometimes. After 10 there would be fewer people outside so I think it is safer to stay indoors if you are not planning to see the stars!

Posted: July 20, 2024
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Tianjin, Family travel

Tianjin is a beautiful, safe city with lots of fun activities to enjoy around the clock! The food is quite inexpensive, and the city boasts an Italian scene (highly recommended). Convenience stores are sprinkled all around the city, and it's quite transit-friendly too.

Posted: July 20, 2024
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Is China safe for women?

Safety index

4.7 /5

Based on 24 local experiences

Crime index

1.9 /5

Based on 24 local experiences

Chengdu

Chengdu is a very safe city! In fact, I’d say many of China’s major cities are quite secure, thanks to the extensive network of cameras everywhere. You can walk around at night, even in less crowded areas, and feel completely at ease. It’s one of the things I love most about living here—you can enjoy the city at any time of day or night without worrying about your safety.

Posted: September 19, 2024
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Violet

Violet

China

China is really safe and I feel comfortable walking around at night and also with my valuables with me. There are a lot of people and can be chaotic sometimes. Overall, it’s a very friendly country and come visit!

Posted: September 7, 2024
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Is China safe right now?

Before your visit to China, it's essential to check travel advisories for China, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

**The Canadian Government advises exercising a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.** Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: September 24, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

**The Australian government advises exercising a high degree of caution in China overall.** Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: September 3, 2024

Meet locals in China

Imane

Imane

About Me

I’m Imane, 26 yo from Morocco, I just moved to Changsha 3 months ago and I am looking for friends who’d like to hangout.. I’m polyglot, perfectly fluent in English, French and Arabic, I also speak a little Spanish and Japanese, and now I have a basic conversation level in Chinese (still learning) My passion no1 is riding big motorcycles but unfortunately it’s forbidden here.. I know I’m still new but feel free to text if you need local advice about the city.. my loneliness made me discover places even locals don’t know about 😅

Speaking

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Trusha

Trusha

About Me

Hi, I am a curious and adventurous traveler,I'm excited to be exploring new places on my own and immersing myself in new cultures and experiences. I love meeting fellow travelers and locals, trying new foods, I'm looking forward to making new connections and creating unforgettable memories on this solo journey!

Speaking

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Stay with locals in China

Trusha

Trusha

China

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi, I am a curious and adventurous traveler,I'm excited to be exploring new places on my own and immersing myself in new cultures and experiences. I love meeting fellow travelers and locals, trying new foods, I'm looking forward to making new connections and creating unforgettable memories on this solo journey!

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to China

Eli

Eli

About Me

Hi! I’ve always worked behind a desk and I have to say that I love my profession but after 30 years, I felt that I was missing something and after thinking a lot about it I decided be bold, quit my job and go for it … not knowing how to start I decided to focus on what I love the most …traveling !

Speaking

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Ami

Ami

About Me

Hello future friends :) My name is Ami from Hiroshima, Japan🇯🇵 I am 21yo, totally friendly and polite. I love to explore my world-like to share our story and try something new cuz life is once. Lets enjoy trip together 🌸

Speaking

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Safety in China