While booking a vacation to the Middle Kingdom to explore its world wonders, verdant landscapes and futuristic cities, you may be wondering ‘is China Safe?’ In general, it’s a country with very little crime and violence. Nevertheless, there are still a few things worth noting down before you jet off.
It’s not unheard of for pickpockets to operate in busy areas throughout China. When you’re roaming around the country’s hectic metropolises, keep your belongings close to you at all times and avoid carrying large sums of money. Be extra cautious on public transport, in particular buses and trains at night. If you have an expensive mobile phone model or camera, avoid getting it out in busy public places where it could be easily snatched.
Scams are also a big problem in certain cities, too. Common ones include young girls taking tourists to tea houses and then making them pay for meals or art students encouraging visitors to purchase their work for exorbitant sums of money.
If you’re hoping to do some souvenir shopping at a Chinese market, be wary of locals overcharging for cheap items or telling you designer items are authentic when they’re most likely not. Don’t settle for the first price a vendor suggests and try to shop around before you buy anything.
Road Safety in China
If you are planning to drive or be driven around then it’s natural to wonder ‘is China safe for drivers’? In general, driving around China is not usually recommended, especially in cities where the roads can be very congested and drivers seem to abide by their own rules. If you’re crossing a road, note that drivers don’t have to give way to pedestrians. Be extra cautious before stepping into the road, always look both ways first and try to use crosswalks where possible.
Is China safe for solo travelers?
China is a popular Asian country for solo travel. If you’re traveling around China on your own though, make sure someone back home knows where you are at every stage of your trip. It’s not uncommon for thieves and con-artists to target solo travelers (particularly women). Where possible, stick with your tour group and don’t wander around alone after dark.
Food Safety in China
Your safety and security in China is our topmost priority. With us, you are always in good hands. If you have any questions about your safety during your tour, our travel consultants are always happy to advise you. During your trip, you can always contact your local guide or your Trip Coordinator who is available around the clock throughout your trip.
China’s cuisine may be some of the most delicious on the planet, but it’s not always safe to consume. Health and safety standards when it comes to food are not as strict in China as in other parts of the world. Take on board the following advice:
Be careful eating street food. If you’d like to try it, make sure it’s piping hot and looks like it’s been prepared in sanitary conditions.
Visit restaurants which are busy. They’re usually popular for a reason and less likely to make you ill if they’re tried and tested by locals.
Carry hand sanitizer (particularly on public transport) and use it before you eat if you’re unable to wash your hands.
Having a Hepatitis A vaccination before you leave your home country is a good idea as the virus can easily be transmitted through contaminated food and drink.
Emergency Contacts in China
If you’re in an accident or need assistance from the Chinese emergency services, the local hotlines are:
Police – 110
Ambulance service – 120
Fire service – 119
If you are injured or become ill during your China vacation, you’ll want to choose which hospital you visit carefully as some are better than others (especially in the more rural areas). Have the number of your insurance company handy and let them know straight away if you need medical care so they can recommend the best health facility to visit at your location.
Still have questions about safety in China? Contact our team for all the safety details and more inputs before you book your exciting adventure around this culturally rich nation.
Given that it’s the third-largest country in the world, China’s vast expanse naturally means tremendous diversity in temperatures and weather. From the best time to visit China to month by month highlights, plan your China tour just right with tips from our experts.
Where else can you find a country that has both great lakes and a desert, cutting edge technology and architecture, and towns where life has gone unchanged for centuries? To help you navigate the vast expanse, here is our list of the top things to do in China.
Whether you’re a little unsure about China’s visa requirements, or simply want to know a bit more about the recommended vaccinations, prepare yourself for an unforgettable vacation in the Far East with tips from our China travel guide.
Our family took a trip to Indonesia this summer booked through Enchanting Travels. All of the flights, went smoothly and there was an english speaking tour guide to pick us up at each location. The tour guides were very friendly and a pleasure to be with. The accommodations at each location were even better than expected! During the planning phase it was nice to be able to go back and forth and change things up until we created a trip that was perfect for our family and our budget.
Renee Craddock
March 2025
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
We’ve worked with Enchanting Travels on more than ten trips now………….many have been 3-5 week adventures that require tremendous attention to detail in remote parts of the world. We have never been disappointed–only incredibly delighted! Anita was amazing to work with for Sri Lanka/Southeast Asia. I had a very specific wish list and she made sure I crossed everything off of it! The itinerary was geared to our interests and the pace we prefer. Divya kept a close eye on us throughout to ensure that things went smoothly. Working with Enchanting for so many years has allowed us to build relationships that increase the quality of our experiences as time goes on. Not only do they know the best places to see throughout the world but now the bonus is that they know US! These trips keep getting better. We run out of superlatives in trying to explain just how outstanding our experiences have been since we started working with Enchanting. As long as we can drag our suitcases to an airport, we will continue to plan meaningful, life changing adventures with them. Many thanks to the entire Enchanting Team for all of the efforts in making this trip so memorable!
Carol Susan Larimore
March 2025
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Once again we were delighted to travel with Enchanting Travels. This was our third time and destination and they didn’t disappoint. Our driver/guide was of exceptional standard proudly showing us his country with the combination of the Enchanting team in the background making it a seamless adventure. I would recommend them to one and all.
Pauline Hunter Kleeman
March 2025
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Travels made our trip entirely stress free and easy. This meant we were able to enjoy the beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia. All our guides, drivers, hotel staff, and trip coordinators were so so wonderful and a pleasure to interact with- Can’t speak highly enough about this company.
Edith Isaacs
January 2025
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Travels exquisitely prepared our excursion from top-to-bottom based on our initial discussions regarding our desires for our trip. From cities, sites, tours, hotels, & activities, we were immersed in our favorite style of travel: get involved in activities [culinary class, organic farming, yes – and of course care of the elephants], great knowledgeable guides, local food tasting as one priority, and trying different modes of local transport [from car, boat, bicycle, Cyclo-cross, Tuk-Tuk, Long Boat, gondola, canoe, Vespa scooter, and even a bamboo raft]. The hotels were specifically selected for their local style, and the sites were all well represented and included off-the-beaten path historical and natural treasures. The oversight of our trip via the App as well as 24/7 coordinator involvement made it totally hassle-free.
Marek Mirski
January 2025
Rating 5/5
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Enchanting Travels and their staff put together a trip of a lifetime. We hadn’t traveled to Asia before and were nervous about what to expect or how to navigate once we were there. We also really didn’t know what we wanted to do other than a few expectations. We went to four countries with multiple hotels, flights and boat excursions. I cannot believe that the 5 week trip went off with out any hitches! Everything was so smooth and effortless. We did not worry about anything the whole time we were there. It was comforting to know that our trip coordinator was there for us if we needed her and she certainly responded quickly if we did have a need or question. The choices for hotels that Enchanting Travels recommended were superb and the guides and driver were knowledgeable and fun. I can not speak more highly of all of their services and plan on using them again for another big trip.
