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 rating

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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

4.4 /5

based on 30 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.5/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5

Beijing, Solo travel

Fantastic city, great food, easy to get around, but most of the attractions were very crowded (e.g. Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace). It's very safe, with cameras literally everywhere.

Posted: November 19, 2024Experienced: September, 2024
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Josh

Josh

Germany

Shanghai, Solo travel

Its pretty safe traveling in Shanghai, or most big cities in China. In Shanghai, i went to see a football game, went to Disneyland, went to see an opera, and taste some traditional food, beer and coffee. They are all recommended. Shanghai is also known as coffee city in China, if you are interested in Coffee, you should definitely try some. I spent 1k CNY for the flights, 300 for 1 night hotel, the rest of nights I was couch surfing, 500 for Disney land, 300 for opera tickets, 200 for football ticket. 1k for eating and drinking. I get around mostly by shared bike. It’s really convenient, for most spots we can ride in several minutes.

Posted: November 15, 2024
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Patience

Patience

Ghana

Chengdu, Group travel

In September 2015, I went to Chengdu for a maternal health care workshop. The food was incredible! I loved the spicy hotpot and dumplings, they were some of the best I’ve ever had. I felt safe the entire time, and the locals were really friendly. Overall, it was a great experience with amazing food and a welcoming vibe.

Posted: October 24, 2024Experienced: September, 2015
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China, Solo travel

The first stop was SEG Plaza, and I saw a waterfall inside a mall for the first time, which felt quite novel. After browsing around, I headed straight to Chahua Nong. Although I've had it many times, I still wanted to have it once in Xi'an. There are really Chahua Nong stores everywhere, but having "West Lake Scenery in March" in Xi'an was quite wonderful, haha. The second stop was the Shaanxi History Museum. After trying to book for two days in the dorm, I finally got a reservation. I was really happy ^_^. I downloaded an explanation video from Bilibili in advance and listened to it while walking around. I learned a lot, found it very interesting, and highly recommend it. The third stop was the Great Tang All Day Mall. There were so many people, and everywhere there were young ladies dressed in Hanfu. Good good good.

Posted: October 17, 2024
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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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Is China safe for women?

Safety index

4.7 /5

Based on 34 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 34 local experiences

珂

Hubei

There's surveillance everywhere, so it's easy to get caught trying to commit a crime.The danger that may be encountered is mainly in walking alone at night.Pay attention to traffic safety, because there are drivers and pedestrians who do not obey the traffic rules, and generally it is OK.

Posted: December 25, 2024
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Shanghai

Safest city I have been, I grew up in shanghai and I could take public transportation starting when I was around 12 years old to anywhere inside the city. All my friends and family think it’s the safest city they have been

Posted: December 6, 2024
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Meet locals in China

Yizhuo

Yizhuo

About Me

Hi, I'm Yizhuo, 22 years old, a student at the University of Edinburgh. I hope to travel around Europe and meet different people this year. I'd like to meet some new mates and travel together.😊

Speaking

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Xixian

Xixian

About Me

I traveled Nepal, Thailand, Australia, the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Kyrghyzstan, alone, and I like hangout with travellers on the road, good to see everyone kind, different, interesting! I like take photos of attractions, please check out on my ins. Right now in my journey. Language: Mandarin, English. (A little: Japanese, Spanish)

Speaking

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Stay with locals in China

Xixian

Xixian

Yibin

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I traveled Nepal, Thailand, Australia, the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Kyrghyzstan, alone, and I like hangout with travellers on the road, good to see everyone kind, different, interesting! I like take photos of attractions, please check out on my ins. Right now in my journey. Language: Mandarin, English. (A little: Japanese, Spanish)

Speaking

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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

Janna

Janna

About Me

cringe queen sociopath dopamine addict dog teacher dark tourist vegetarian menstrual cup ambassador

Speaking

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Malin

Malin

About Me

Hey. Im currently doing a gap year, before starting university in august. I’m traveling through south-east Asia in the spring of 2025, starting in Bangkok in February and flying from Singapore in April. In April I’ll be traveling around Japan, mostly Tokyo, before staying in Shanghai the first week of may. Would love to meet some new friends along the way:)

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Safety in China