Is China Safe to Travel? Our Honest Experience After 50 Days on the Ground

From a personal safety standpoint, China was one of the safest countries we have ever traveled in.

Petty crime felt extremely low. We regularly saw locals leave their phones, bags, and wallets unattended at cafes or restaurants. Similar to South Korea, there is a strong sense that theft is not tolerated and not common.

We felt comfortable walking around at night, using public transit, and exploring unfamiliar neighborhoods without fear.

At no point during our trip did we feel threatened or unsafe.

There are a few reasons why safety in China feels different from many other countries.

CCTV is everywhere.
At first, this was uncomfortable. Cameras are present in public spaces, on streets, in transit stations, and around residential areas. Over time, we realized this creates accountability and deterrence. It provides a strong layer of protection rather than fear.

Police presence is very visible.
You will see police officers regularly, especially in busy areas and transit hubs. As a visitor, this felt reassuring. As long as you are not committing crimes or breaking laws, you are left alone.

Strict laws and enforcement.
Crime carries serious consequences in China. This creates a culture where most people follow rules, which directly impacts public safety.

Safety in China is not passive. You experience it constantly.

Every time we entered the metro, we had to go through security screening. Bags were sent through X-ray machines, similar to airport security. This happened in every city we visited.

Liquids are taken seriously. I was stopped and asked to throw away a liquid hand sanitizer spray. In some cities, security asked me to take out my water bottle so they could scan it to confirm it was water. On another occasion, my asthma inhaler was flagged and inspected so they could see what it was.

The same level of vigilance extends beyond the metro. On trains, flights, and even some subway platforms, we regularly saw police officers walking through cars with cameras strapped to their chest. They were calm and observant, simply present to ensure public safety.

At first, this level of security felt intense. Over time, it became reassuring. You quickly realize that safety in China is actively enforced, not assumed.

We did not feel targeted or treated negatively because we were foreigners.

In major cities, foreigners are common enough that we did not stand out. In smaller towns, people noticed us more, but interactions were still respectful and neutral.

We never experienced scams, harassment, or aggressive behavior.

Language barriers existed, but they were logistical issues, not safety concerns.

Yes.

We regularly walked around at night in cities like Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, shanghai and smaller towns. Streets were well lit, busy, and active well into the evening.

Public transportation felt safe, and ride hailing apps like Didi were reliable at all hours.

Always carry your passport.

Many attractions require your physical passport for entry. Even if you book tickets online through platforms like Trip.com, you must present your passport to redeem them.

Photos or copies are often not accepted.

Not everything felt familiar, but discomfort is not the same as danger.

Public spitting was common and shocking at first. It happened often and never became something we got used to.

Smoking indoors still exists in some restaurants. As someone with asthma, this was difficult to deal with.

Line cutting was also common. People would step directly in front of us. When we spoke up, they usually moved back. It felt culturally acceptable rather than aggressive.

None of these moments made us feel unsafe. They were simply cultural differences.

Is China safe to travel?

Based on our 50 days on the ground, yes. Extremely.

China felt structured, controlled, and secure. That level of safety allowed us to focus on exploring, learning, and enjoying the country rather than worrying about personal security.

If safety is your main hesitation, this is one area where China exceeded our expectations.

We documented our entire time in China across multiple cities on YouTube.

If you want to see what daily life, transportation, food, and culture actually look like on the ground, follow along with our China series.

Subscribe to Chasing the Chungs on YouTube to explore China with us, one city at a time.