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

4.3 /5

based on 32 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.4/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5
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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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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Is China safe for women?

Safety index

4.7 /5

Based on 37 local experiences

Crime index

2 /5

Based on 37 local experiences

Shanghai

It’s a modern big city. And people here are very nice and polite. You can go on the street at midnight.Because the security here is very good. Even you left your bag on the street, no one will steal it.

Posted: January 9, 2025
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Shanghai

There are CCTV s absolutely everywhere and deters almost all violent crime. You can leave your bags alone at table in a restaurant or bar and no one will take your things. If you lose your phone in a taxi, you can contact the driver and retrieve it. Walking alone at night is more than fine as well.

Posted: January 3, 2025
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Meet locals in China

Shiela

Shiela

About Me

Adventurer and flexible

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

Shiela

Shiela

Shanghai Shanghai

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Adventurer and flexible

Speaking

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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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Upcoming visitors to China

Clàudia

Clàudia

About Me

Hey:) I'm Clau, a Catalan girl, and I consider myself as a enthusiastic, calm and empathetic person. I love arts (I write, do theatre and play the guitar and sing), yoga/meditation, hiking, good talks... I've studied Performing Arts and I'm a yoga teacher.

Speaking

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Clàudia

Clàudia

About Me

Hey:) I'm Clau, a Catalan girl, and I consider myself as a enthusiastic, calm and empathetic person. I love arts (I write, do theatre and play the guitar and sing), yoga/meditation, hiking, good talks... I've studied Performing Arts and I'm a yoga teacher.

Speaking

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Safety in China