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 37 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.4/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.6/5
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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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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Is China safe for women?

Safety index

4.8 /5

Based on 45 local experiences

Crime index

1.9 /5

Based on 45 local experiences

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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Beijing

It's the safest city in China in my opinion. There are a lot of police on streets day to night and cameras almost everywhere in public. The infrastructure of the city is well-developed and a lot of security check at subway stations and the like.

Posted: March 18, 2025
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Meet locals in China

McChuan

McChuan

About Me

I’m a part-time introvert who loves meeting new people and sharing cultures every now and then! That’s why I’m always up for traveling and connecting with new faces. I’m into art, different cultures, and history—I’d love to meet up and hang out!

Speaking

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Jayne

Jayne

About Me

I can be a little shy when with big groups of people, but I really like to talk and listen to everyone's experiences. I've been living in China for almost one year and planning to travel around Asia during 2025. ☀️♥️

Speaking

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Stay with locals in China

McChuan

McChuan

Chengdu

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I’m a part-time introvert who loves meeting new people and sharing cultures every now and then! That’s why I’m always up for traveling and connecting with new faces. I’m into art, different cultures, and history—I’d love to meet up and hang out!

Speaking

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Xiao

Xiao

Hangzhou

Can host for:

5 days

About me

I really like to make friends around the world and I love to travel a lot.

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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Doreen

Doreen

Beijing

Can host for:

3 days

About me

A tea shop owner in Beijing with legal background and a cat owner.

Speaking

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Sarie

Sarie

Shanghai

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi I'm an American voice actress living and working in Shanghai for 6 years. Once you get into Shanghai, you won't want to leave. It's an affordably, luxurious international city like you have never seen before! I'm hoping to rent out my apartment for July and August of this year. It's centrally located duplex lift with a balcony and river view. Full kitchen, 1 and a half baths and washer/dryer. Open to showing you around and helping you get set up for an amazing summer!

Speaking

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Sparrow

Sparrow

Shanghai

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey all! I’m Sparrow, an Asian American international student currently living in the vibrant city of Shanghai. I love traveling, making art, debate, speech, literature, chess, meeting new people, and exploring new places.

Speaking

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Amy

Amy

Xiamen City

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I am a Chinese lady, like traveling, have visited 42 countries, Enjoy communicating with people, experience different cultures, try all kinds of food,love walking,do yoga,play badminton. I am not good at making joke, but easygoing, open-minded, like hanging out with friends.

Speaking

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Zhi

Zhi

Changsha

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey I'm Zhi. Nice to meet u! 💻 Digital nomads (or want to be🤣) 💎 Currently working in web3 industry as project manager 🏃🏻‍♀️ Love ⛸figure skating & 🧗‍♀️bouldering (but still not doing well in both - I will some day :D ) 💖 Actively planning on retaking bachelor on psychological studies 💪 Feminist

Speaking

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Qiwen

Qiwen

Chongqing Chongqing

Can host for:

3 days

About me

I'm Qiwen and I'm from Chongqing, China. I can speak Chinese, English and Spanish. I'm very interested in language change and willing to make more friends on this app.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to China

Jayne

Jayne

About Me

I can be a little shy when with big groups of people, but I really like to talk and listen to everyone's experiences. I've been living in China for almost one year and planning to travel around Asia during 2025. ☀️♥️

Speaking

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Safety in China