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 38 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.5/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.6/5
Giulia

Giulia

Italy

Guilin, Solo travel

Going around in China is extremely safe, it is mandatory to always bring with yourself your passport with visa as a foreigner but apart from that you are totally free to go around also by night alone as no one with harass you.

Posted: April 13, 2025
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Iana

Iana

Russia

Beijing, Group travel

I was in Beijing with my friend and her husband during 144-hour transit, we were able to shop and visit Universal, Great Wall of China. I haven't tried Chinese cuisine before this trip, so I suffered a bit but the overall experience was okay. Food was quite cheap especially domestic ones. Housing was on the expensive side, of our budget. The Beijing metropolitan was really nice and comfy. As we were in transit we were not allowed to go outside Hebei district. But it was quite okay.

Posted: March 10, 2025Experienced: March, 2024
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Beijing, Solo travel

Being able to speak Mandarin would reallyyyy help. But if not, i have seen folks survive on Google Translate and VPN. Use Alipay and WeChat Pay for public transport, texi, food, everything really. I use Trip.com for hotels and high speed trains.

Posted: January 31, 2025Experienced: September, 2024
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China, Solo travel

Travelled 4 times to china, total spending 3 months in different province and cities. I would rate it as the safest country in the world. Welcoming and Friendly towards foreigners. Food is cheap, delicious and lots of variety.

Posted: January 28, 2025Experienced: November, 2023
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Shanghai, Solo travel

Shanghai is overall safe. the night life is so fun and interesting. can’t recommend a hotel or restaurant, mostly stayed with a local friends. worth to visit just to meet new people and get the vibe of the city

Posted: January 24, 2025
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Michelle

Michelle

Singapore

Hangzhou, Family travel

The overall food is yummy. The food is really fresh there. I stayed in my aunt's house. But do take note of the sound proofing of the house because it isn't that soundproof. You can hear everything that is happening outside. Even if you're living on a higher level of the building, you still can hear people talking, and the vehicle sounds. I usually walk to places we have to go. But of course there are times where I took the bus/car and some sort of car booking apps when the places are far. The car is driven by my uncle. The bus if you're not above 60 you pay $1 yuan. But if you're over 60 you pay only 0.50 yuan for the whole ride

Posted: January 5, 2025
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China, Couple travel

I only visited Shanghai. The prices weren’t too bad and the city was definitely fun to explore. There are security cameras everywhere, so I felt pretty safe until I had got harassed on the street. It was around midnight and a guy cornered me and kept telling me how he loves me, then he started following me. Luckily there are restaurants that are open 24/7 everywhere in Shanghai so I hid in one and waited until he was gone.

Posted: January 3, 2025
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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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Is China safe for women?

Safety index

4.8 /5

Based on 46 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 46 local experiences

Xiamen City

A very safe city.but also not worth to take a visit. I’d say it’s a proper place if someone wants to experience peace but boring life.Here we have strict security rules,no matter you’re in metros or BRT ,security checks are always needed.

Posted: April 4, 2025
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Tianjin

I think China is very safe, I’ve spent five months longing there and I’ve never been afraid or worried for my safety. I was not worried when waking alone during the night, so I recommend it. Tianjin is pretty safe

Posted: March 30, 2025
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Safety in China