Is it safe to travel to China?

What the US, UK and Canadian advisories say

Here is where the three governments stood as of late October 2026:

Level 2 is the same rating the State Department currently gives France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, though for different reasons. Hong Kong is also Level 2. Macau is Level 3, "Reconsider Travel," citing limited emergency consular services and arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Who the detention and exit-ban warnings focus on

The most serious warnings in all three advisories concern China's broadly defined national security laws, detention, and exit bans, which stop a person from leaving the country. They point to specific situations:

• Business and civil disputes. Exit bans can be used in commercial disputes and can last months or years. Both the US and UK say you may only find out at the airport.
• Links to governments and certain organizations. The State Department lists current or former ties to US law enforcement, the military, intelligence agencies or other parts of the US government, and people on US government-funded programs. The FCDO adds media outlets and NGOs.
• Academics, researchers and journalists. The State Department says people have been detained for academic and business research, including work with publicly available material.
• Dual nationals and people of Chinese heritage. China does not recognize dual nationality. The US and Canada both advise entering on your US or Canadian passport, not Chinese documents.

If any of these describe you, read the full advisory before you book. If none do, the risks you're more likely to meet are the everyday ones below. Either way, stay away from demonstrations, and keep in mind the State Department's advice to assume your messages and social media posts can be read.

Scams, theft and taxis

The FCDO calls serious crime against foreigners "relatively rare." Canada notes pickpocketing and phone theft in crowded places and tourist areas, even in daytime.

The scam most visitors hear about starts with a friendly English speaker who wants to practice English or take you to an art gallery, which is why it's also called the art student scam. You're invited to a teahouse, bar, gallery or massage place, then handed a bill that Canada says can run to thousands of dollars, sometimes with threats. Canada names Tiananmen Square, the Bund, East Nanjing Road and People's Square as hotspots. Say no thanks. If you want a tea tasting, choose the place yourself and see prices before you order.

• QR codes: almost everything is paid by phone, and the FCDO warns about QR code phishing. Check the merchant name and amount on your screen before you confirm. Our guide to paying in China covers setup.
• Taxis: avoid unmarked or unmetered cars, especially at airports and major tourist sites. The FCDO reports sexual assaults and robberies in unmarked taxis. Insist on the meter and ask for a receipt, or book through a ride-hailing app; Canada notes some accept foreign cards and phone numbers.
• Arguments: fights can lead to fines, detention or compensation claims regardless of who started it, according to the FCDO. Walk away from disputes over fares or prices.

Traffic and e-bikes

Canada warns that drivers don't always give pedestrians and cyclists the right of way and that traffic laws aren't consistently enforced, and the FCDO says accidents are common. Electric scooters are quiet, so look both ways every time, even in bike lanes and on one-way streets.

Don't plan to drive yourself. You need a Chinese driver's license, Canada notes the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02%, and drivers suspected of causing an accident can be held until the case closes. Use trains, taxis, ride-hailing or a hired driver.

Police checks, hotel registration and the rules that catch visitors out

• Carry your passport. Police make random checks and, the FCDO says, don't accept printed copies. You also need it to buy train tickets and board trains.
• Registration within 24 hours. Every foreigner must register their address with local police within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do this at check-in; if you stay with friends or family, you must register at the local police station yourself. Canada warns that failing to do so can bring fines or detention.
• Drugs. Police can test foreigners at random, including in bar raids, and a positive test can be prosecuted even if you used the drug legally abroad.
• Ammunition. The State Department warns that any ammunition in your luggage, even an empty bullet casing, could land you in prison. Don't bring bags you've used for hunting or shooting.
• Drones and photos. Drones are strictly regulated, and photographing military sites is prohibited.
• Blocked sites. Google, Facebook, YouTube and X are blocked on Chinese networks. Data on a foreign roaming SIM or eSIM is routed abroad, so those apps usually work, which is a gray area under Chinese law. See eSIMs and apps for China.

Advice for solo female travelers

The FCDO says personal attacks and sexual assaults are rare but do happen, including through drink spiking, and that women traveling alone or with female friends could be at higher risk. Don't leave drinks unattended or accept them from strangers. Canada adds that sexual harassment can occur on buses and overnight trains: lock your compartment and don't leave it empty.

In a taxi at night, the FCDO's advice is to make sure someone knows where you are and to note the taxi number; a ride-hailing app keeps a record of the car and route for you. The FCDO also advises against hiking alone in isolated areas, including on the Great Wall.

Health: tap water, food, air and medicine

• Water: the FCDO says tap water is generally not safe to drink. Use bottled or boiled water.
• Food: Canada's rule of thumb is "boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it." Busy places with fast turnover are a sensible bet.
• Air quality: Canada warns that air pollution can be severe across much of China and that some cities issue pollution alerts. Check the air quality index each morning and limit time outdoors on bad days, especially with children or asthma.
• Altitude: Tibet, Qinghai, western Sichuan and parts of Xinjiang lie above 3,000 meters, where altitude sickness can be serious.
• Mosquitoes: dengue is present in Guangdong and other areas, mainly from May to November.
• Medicines and pharmacies: bring enough of any prescription. The FCDO warns some medicines may not be available in China and some can't be brought in, so check with the Chinese embassy before you fly. City pharmacies can help with minor problems, but brands differ from home, so carry the generic name of anything you take.
• Doctors and cost: Canada says medical care is widely available in cities but not in remote areas, international-standard clinics cost much more, and payment is expected at the time of treatment. Get insurance that covers hospital stays and medical evacuation.

Typhoons can hit southern and eastern coasts between May and November, and flooding is common in the same months. Our guide to the best time to visit covers the seasons.

Emergency numbers to save

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