Recent signals
Foreign-ministry advisories
Practical guidance
What the crime sub-score means for you
China’s crime sub-score sits at 93/100 (low band). That number is anchored on UNODC homicide statistics plus the urban-pattern detail foreign-ministry advisories add, so it captures the national baseline rather than tonight on your specific street. National rates are dominated by domestic and organised-crime violence that visitors rarely encounter; the question for a tourist is not “is the country dangerous” but “what crime patterns target tourists here, and in which neighbourhoods.” The country safety guide goes neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood; this page is the headline.
Crime patterns that affect travellers
The five recurring patterns across most destinations: opportunistic pickpocketing in transit hubs and at landmarks; taxi overcharging and unmetered fares (use Uber, Bolt, Grab, or the local equivalent); ATM card skimming (use machines inside bank branches in daytime); distraction scams targeting groups at bars and clubs; and bag or phone snatching from passing scooters in dense urban areas. In China the specific variant matters: the safety guide covers which districts and which times of day concentrate the risk. One generalisable rule: keep a backup card and a small cash reserve in a separate location from your wallet so a single loss doesn’t strand you.
If something happens
Report at the nearest police station within 24 hours; you need the police report for any insurance claim. Most travel-insurance policies require it within 48 hours and reject claims without one. For passport loss, contact your embassy or consulate; emergency travel documents typically take 24 to 72 hours to issue. The Field Manual guide Staying safe in cities, anywhere covers the 11-habit urban-safety baseline that applies regardless of destination.
Related for China
Long-form context
China is among the safest large countries in the world by general crime measures and operates one of the most-developed traveller infrastructures on the planet (the world’s largest high-speed rail network, modern metros in 50+ cities, ubiquitous digital payments). The 2024 wave of visa policy reforms (240-hour transit visa-free for 54 nationalities, full visa-free entry for several EU and Asia-Pacific countries) has reopened the country to mainstream tourism after the long pandemic closure. The structural risks are not crime: they are operational complexity (the Great Firewall and payment ecosystem, Tibet permit logistics, Xinjiang sensitivity), the death-penalty drug law, the Sichuan and Yunnan earthquake exposure, the seasonal air quality calendar, and a small set of political and surveillance considerations. This guide unpacks the visa-free transit mechanics, the Alipay and WeChat Pay tourist modes, the Tibet permit process, the regional risk map including Hong Kong and Macau, and the practical contacts that shape a Chinese itinerary.
Frequently asked about China
What is the crime rate in China?
China's crime sub-score is 93/100, anchored on UNODC homicide statistics plus the urban-pattern detail foreign-ministry advisories add. National rates are dominated by domestic and organised-crime violence visitors rarely encounter; traveller-targeted crime (pickpocketing, scams, ATM skimming, taxi overcharging) follows different patterns. The country safety guide breaks it down neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Is China safe for tourists?
China's overall Safe Trip Score is 63/100 (heightened risk). Tourist safety depends on which neighbourhoods, what time of day, and what activity. The five recurring patterns travellers encounter most: pickpocketing in transit hubs, taxi overcharging, ATM skimming, distraction scams at bars, bag snatching by scooter. The country safety guide covers which districts and times concentrate the risk.
What are the most common scams in China?
The recurring travel-scam patterns globally: unmetered taxis, fake police asking for "passport inspection", distraction theft at restaurants, ATM skimmers, and "free" tour offers that pressure you into expensive purchases. The country safety guide and the Field Manual urban-safety guide cover the specific variants reported in China.