Safety is often a concern for many travelers when traveling to huge cities like Shanghai.
Based on my three years living in China, this Ultimate Insider Safety Guide will cover everything you need to know about staying safe in Shanghai.
Find out the best tips, valuable apps, and what to do if something happens and things you shouldn’t do in the city. Let’s go!
Is Shanghai Safe?
How Does Shanghai Compare to Other Major Cities in China?
First of all, how does the city compare to other places? It’s good to know that this city is known as one of the safest in China, and crime in Shanghai is rare.
In fact, Shanghai is, after Tokyo, the city with the most cameras in the world: 12,825,589 cameras for 29,210,808 people. That’s crazy!
But this doesn’t mean you should let your guard down completely; always be aware of your surroundings, especially in the most busy tourist spot, the Bund.
Is Shanghai safe for solo female travelers?
Shanghai is perfectly safe for solo female travelers. One thing I recommend is keeping a power bank with you. Everything is done online, so if you’re alone and your phone is out of battery, you can be in a tough situation! Keep it charged to avoid any unwanted surprises.
The nightlife is also relatively safe, but I have heard of occasions when someone did something in a drink. Besides that, many bars and clubs serve ‘fake alcohol.’ The problem with this type of alcohol is that you will not feel it as regular alcohol until the moment it hits you, and then it hits you hard.
When going to clubs or bars, I recommend only ordering bottles, such as beer, champagne, bottled mixed drinks, etc. Don’t order cocktails or mixed drinks they make at the bar, and don’t accept any drinks from others.
It is common in China to drink from one big champagne bottle and pass it along; I would not advise participating in that.
Of course, this is not the case for all bars, and it doesn’t happen often, but if you’re traveling solo, it’s better to be extra safe!
How Safe is Shanghai for tourists?
Shanghai is a very safe place for tourists. It can feel a bit overwhelming at first because of how massive and fast-paced the city is and the amount of cameras in the streets, but most tourists get used to it quickly once they see how safe and well-organized everything is.
With low crime rates and an efficient public transportation system, getting around is easy, and most people are friendly and helpful.
The metro is super easy to use and safe, and Shanghai is generally easy to navigate. (Much more easy than Seoul, in my experience.) Be careful crossing streets since traffic can be busy. Air quality isn’t always the best, so if you have breathing issues, monitor the pollution levels.
Just be mindful of local customs (like not talking about sensitive political topics) and stick to licensed taxis or ride apps like DiDi. Follow any directions from the police on the streets (even if they seem a bit odd or unnecessary) because they’re serious about maintaining order.
Learning these two basic Chinese phrases will surely be appreciated in any situation.
Hello: Ni Hao (Knee How).
Thank You: XieXie (Sjè sjè).
Is Shanghai Safe for LGBTQ+ People?
It’s a bit hard to say for sure. From my experience, I’ve been around LGBTQ+ people in clubs in Shanghai and never saw any issues.
That said, I can’t recall ever seeing same-gender couples holding hands in public, except for girlfriends. There might be a reason for that, so it might be best to keep things low-key in public. China is quite conservative when it comes to LGBTQ+ topics, but this seems to apply more to local Chinese people than foreigners or tourists.
In my experience, almost everyone, including the police, tends to avoid issues with foreigners, so there’s a very small chance of being bothered by someone.
Surprisingly, Shanghai has an underground nightlife, not just some “underground” vibe, but truly underground that the government doesn’t know about. Here, folks are more open-minded, diverse, and free. Drop a comment if you’d like more info on the underground nightlife in Shanghai.
Is Traffic Safe in Shanghai?
From my experience, the traffic in Shanghai feels notably safe and surprisingly easy to navigate! You’ll notice few traffic signs and most crossroads follow a similar design.
Interestingly, there are no roundabouts or other complex traffic systems. Driving around on my electric scooter through the vast city was amazing and so easy.
A thing you should take into mind are taxi drivers. Some times they open their door without looking when parked on the side of the road.
A friend of mine was in a terrible accident because a taxi driver who parked his car on the side of the road suddenly opened his door without looking.
This happens quite lot, so if you’re on a scooter or bicycle riding next to taxi cars, please take some extra distance from them and drive extra safely.
My friend had to go to the hospital and recover for a few weeks after he crashed into the car door.
Another thing to remember is that at most crossroads, cars are (almost) always allowed to turn right, no matter if it’s a red light or if the pedestrian light is green. Please keep this in mind to avoid any surprises!
Is the Nightlife in Shanghai safe?
Shanghai at night is very safe, both outdoors and indoors. Clubs and bars are safe and I’ve honestly never seen any disturbances during my 100 shows in all kinds of venues in China.
But there are several things to keep in mind:
- Some bars serve “fake” or “cheap” alcohol. I recommend only drinking bottled drinks, such as beer or champagne, especially when traveling solo.
- If anything might happen, like a fight or argument in a bar, don’t get involved. As a foreigner, you have fewer “rights” than the locals in the eyes of the police.
- Baijiu is a famous Chinese rice drink that is very strong. Don’t drink too much of that stuff!
- Clubs usually have tables instead of a dance floor. People rent those tables (for incredibly high prices), and they are not open to everyone. Don’t go to tables with other groups/people unless you are invited (which does happen occasionally and can be really fun).
During my time I performed at about 100 shows in 40 different cities in China and I have not seen any disturbances in bars or clubs or even outside what so ever.
Is it Safe to Walk Alone at Night in Shanghai?
From my experience, walking around in Shanghai at night is very safe. I’ve walked around at 4 a.m. in various parts of Shanghai and never experienced anything unsafe. You’ll see many people, including women, at night on the streets of Shanghai, enjoying a drink, just hanging out, or leaving a bar.
Are there any Scams in Shanghai?
I’ve never experienced any scams whatsoever. There have been stories of being invited to drink local tea and you end up paying much more than you were told at first, but I honestly think that barely happens and has been something of the past.
If a Chinese person approaches you and starts talking in English with some story, it could be a scam because Chinese don’t just approach someone like that.
Or if it’s a younger person, it could be a student trying to learn English. This has happened to me several times. They have an assignment from school to talk to foreigners to improve their English, which is quite fun!
Is Eating Street Food in Shanghai Safe?
I’ve had many meals and street food in Shanghai and haven’t had any issues. However, locals have warned me about the fruit being sold on the street. Some friends of mine got sick from it.
Another thing I do have to mention is that lots of oil is used to cook. My stomach had to get used to that, and I even gained some weight, so please keep this in mind.
Also, take the necessary vaccinations to be safe when eating street food. If you’re unsure about it, don’t try it.
Is it Safe to Use a VPN in China?
Using a VPN in China is fine. Many Chinese people have one. Selling VPNs is not allowed. That would be a major crime, but I don’t think that’ll be on your holiday itinerary!
Is the Water in Shanghai Safe to Drink?
I don’t recommend drinking water from the tap. I always buy bottles of water or the big ones with 20 liters, where you can put a small tap on top of it.
Getting a filter is an excellent idea if you’re concerned about the water quality when showering. I had one; you can attach it to the shower head, and the water will be filtered.
If you need to pay bills for water in China, you’ll notice that toilet water and drinking water are priced differently.
The water is perfectly fine for showering, cooking food, boiling tea, and cleaning your windows!
How are the Police in Shanghai?
I’ve dealt with the police several times in China, specifically in Shanghai!
From my experience, they have always been kind and very helpful. Once, I was driving around on my scooter without a helmet (which is mandatory in Shanghai). The police stopped me and asked me where my helmet was. I responded that I didn’t have one. He said, ” Buy one,” and let me drive on.
The other time the police stopped me was when my wife and I were on our way to a wedding. They said sitting with two people on this scooter wasn’t allowed. I said we didn’t know that and were on our way to a friend’s wedding. The policeman looked to the left and right and said, “OK, go quickly!” Thanks, officer!
Also, I had to deal with the police several times when I had to register when I moved into a new place.
They’ve always been friendly and flexible if there were any issues.
Note that many police can be present on the streets, but don’t be alarmed; the police are also just regulating traffic or showing people where to walk. Please follow the instructions, even if it’s for something small because they take it quite seriously.
Are taxis safe in Shanghai?
Taxis are safe, and I have never heard of any issues with taxis in Shanghai.
Using taxis in Shanghai can be a great way to get around, but taking certain precautions is important. Always go for licensed taxis, usually identifiable by their yellow or blue colors.
What’s smart to do is to save your destination on your phone in Mandarin to avoid any confusion with the taxi driver and keep your travel documents handy, just in case. Many taxi drivers barely speak any English.
It’s also important to remember that getting a taxi from a Chinese app can be difficult.
Nowadays, you can connect Alipay to your credit card, but getting a taxi with the app is impossible unless you have a Chinese bank account. You can pay cash, but getting a taxi on the street will be hard.
A more convenient way to get around is by bike or subway. Use Alipay to unlock a bike or buy a subway ticket at the subway.
Taxi doors
One thing to remember about taxis is that they tend to open their doors without looking. This has caused a significant accident with a friend of mine. So if you are driving on a bike or scooter close to parked taxis, take some extra distance!
Airport taxis
Some people will offer you a taxi ride when you arrive at the airport. In most countries, these are illegal taxis. You will find a designated spot for taxis at every airport or train station in China. Go there and get a taxi from there.
Most of the time, a long line of people will be waiting for a taxi, but it usually goes pretty fast, and you don’t have to wait long.
Summing up:
- Save the destination in Mandarin on your phone.
- Connect your credit card to Alipay.
- Bring Chinese cash with you, just in case.
- Only take official taxis at the taxi stand.
- Watch out for taxis opening their door unexpectedly on the side of the road.
How is the air pollution in Shanghai?
The air pollution in Shanghai can be quite bad from day to day, but it is not as bad as in many other cities.
Shanghai is close to the ocean and often rain is clearing the air. There were days when it was awful, but overall, it is not as bad as you might expect.
Daily updates on the air quality can be found at Iqair.com
Is Shanghai safe for street photography?
Taking photos outside on the street in China is perfectly fine. The whole concept of privacy isn’t a thing in China, as it is in many Western countries.
People take photos of everything in China, and you’ll see many people posing to get the perfect shot. So walking outside with your camera shooting away is fine and a real joy!
Of course, try to be respectful. Some things that are not allowed to be photographed are the police, the military, and other government-related things.
I’ve actually seen someone taking a photo once of a group of soldiers at a train station. It was quite a spectacular site, and as a photographer, I wanted to do that as well, but I knew that this is strictly prohibited.
This was a Chinese person, and the leader of the soldier group immediately approached the person who took the photo and took away his phone. After the photo was deleted, he got his phone back. As a foreigner, you might not be so lucky to get your phone back.
What is not safe in Shanghai?
While Shanghai is a safe city, there are safety precautions for Shanghai:
Overstaying your visa duration: This is a very serious crime, particularly in China (and many other countries), you should avoid it at all costs. Please be aware of your time in the country by checking your visa or researching the regulations specific to your passport online.
If you overstay, you will be detained, which you don’t want to experience. Your embassy will have to make a lot of effort to solve the issue.
Talking about sensitive topics: Don’t chat online (and offline) about the government, the president, Taiwan, the Uyghurs, or any other sensitive subjects.
So what is not safe about that? Honestly, I’m not sure.
I’ve heard of occasions where a friend of mine, who’s a journalist and had to discuss several sensitive topics online, had police at the door asking all kinds of questions for a few hours. That’s not a pleasant experience, but other than that, I haven’t heard of anything bad happening to someone. In my experience, police tend to avoid issues with foreigners.
Tap Water: Tap water is not drinkable, so it’s important to drink bottled water. It’s perfectly fine for cooking pasta for instance, in my experience.
Air Quality: Occasionally, Shanghai experiences poor air quality due to pollution. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you have respiratory issues. You can check real-time air quality indexes to see how safe it is to be outdoors.
Drone flying: Strictly forbidden in Shanghai.
Airbnb or guesthouse: Don’t forget to register yourself and fellow travelers at the nearest police station. When you’re staying at a hotel this is not neccesary.
What’s not a good time to visit Shanghai?
In China there are several holidays and during those times… it’s busy! So busy, that you will not be able to book a train ticket or get a taxi.
From my experience, the busiest time is during “golden week.” Golden Week always begins on 1 October with the National Day celebration and runs until 7 October. I don’t recommend going to Shanghai or any city in China then.
Other busy holidays are the Dragon Boat Festival from June 8 to June 10th and the mid-autumn festival from September 15 to 17.
The Chinese New Year is also not a great time to go. This usually occurs around February, and the holiday takes over a week. Many restaurants and shops are closed. Unlike you might expect lots of fireworks, as fireworks come from China…, you will not see any!
Essential Emergency Numbers for Travelers
What do you do if you get into an accident?
First, don’t drive or run away because CCTV sees everything, and you will only worsen things. Stay calm, even tho the other person isn’t.
On the Shanghai emergency website, you can find emergency numbers and information.
The three most important emergency numbers are:
Fire 119
- Fire, disaster relief, emergency rescue, and other critical situations.
- Available in English.
Police 110
- Public security, such as reporting crimes and requesting police assistance.
- Non-criminal situations, such as finding lost items or assisting in traffic accidents.
Medical Emergency 120
- Used for emergency healthcare: on-site first aid, emergency treatment, and ambulance service.
- Available in English.
According to the website, patients transported to the hospital via the 120 service will receive priority medical care.
Shanghai does not charge for using emergency numbers. 110 is available in English, Japanese, Russian, German, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean.
Set these numbers as contacts in your phone!
Other Safety Tips when Visiting Shanghai
- Check all the requirements for your visa.
- Please print out your hotel confirmation. They might ask for it at the airport, as they did to me once.
- Another smart thing to do is if you know someone who speaks Mandarin, maybe in your home country, ask them if anything might happen, and you can give them a call to translate for you on the phone.
- Always get travel insurance.
- Always carry your passport or a copy with you when out and about in Shanghai, as it’s required by law.
- There might be a language barrier, but in Shanghai, more locals can speak English than in any other city in China.
- A pro tip for a safe journey through China is to get an e-sim from Airalo. This works surprisingly well!
- Pro tip: get a VPN BEFORE you enter the country.
Summing up safety in Shanghai
Overall, Shanghai is a very safe place. You will probably notice quite quickly that this high level of safety is a great feeling.
Not worrying about leaving stuff in your car, pickpockets, or any crime issues is a relaxed feeling, and it’s something I miss when I’m in Europe.
You’ll also notice how kind and friendly the folks in China are, especially if you know a few Chinese words. Learning how to say Ni hao (hello) and Xie Xie (thank you) is already a good start!
From my experience, folks in China are incredibly friendly and welcoming to foreigners.
Nevertheless, there are some things you should keep in mind, especially when you travel to China for the first time. But you’ll notice that China is quite different than what is often portrayed in the news. You’ll only know by finding out yourself!
Hopefully, this safety guide will help you make the most of your time in Shanghai and China. I wish you a fantastic trip!
If you have any questions regarding safety issues in China, drop a comment below and I will resond asap.
Where To Stay in Shanghai?
When traveling to Shanghai, finding a good and trustworthy place to stay can make all the difference. English isn’t very well spoken at many hotels, even in the hotels of Western brands.
Moreover, there are various areas that you can stay depending on your interests. Below you’ll find my 2 favorite hotels in Shanghai I’ve stayed at.
Close to the bund any many other attractions like the People’s Square and shopping street Nanjing Road there is the Campanile Hotel. An affordable hotel with really great value.
Tours & Things To Do in Shanghai 🏙️
Discover epic activities in Shanghai through Viator.
Renting a house or Airbnb in Shanghai Tips
This counts for the entire country, but when you rent a house or an Airbnb in Shanghai or China, you have to go to the police station within 24 hours to register yourself. If you don’t, police will come to your doo,r which might scare you a bit. So go to the police station and tell them your address etc.
This is different when renting a hotel room; they will do that for you, and you will not have to do anything.
This might even be why you would choose a hotel over a house or Airbnb.
My recommended Hotels in Shanghai 🛏️
Campanile Bund
Shanghai, China
$ – Budget Friendly
Great location near the Bund and many other attractions- Best value for price
Great location near the Bund and many other attractionsRight at the heart of the French Concession area is the Langham. I always had a good experience there and the neighborhood is one of the best to find coffee and lunch places and explore on food, when you step outside you never would have thought you’re in China.
My recommended Hotels in Shanghai 🛏️
Crown Plaza
Shanghai, China
$ – Budget Friendly
- Great location in the French Concession area.
- Great value for price
Discover all available hotels in the map below:
Read my full guide on where to stay in Shanghai to make the best decision for your trip.
F.A.Q.
What should I do if I am arrested or detained while traveling in Shanghai?
If you are arrested or detained, you should ask police or prison officials to notify your country’s embassy or consulate. They can assist and ensure that your rights are respected under Chinese law. Make sure to save the phone number in your phone in case you don’t have access to the internet.
Is it safe to visit the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region?
The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has experienced increased security measures and restrictions. I do not recommend to go there.
Can I use WeChat for safety tips while traveling in Shanghai?
Yes, WeChat can be a useful tool for staying connected and accessing safety tips from friends or local contacts while traveling in Shanghai. It’s the most popular app among Chinese citizens for communication!
Should I avoid any areas in Shanghai at night?
In my experience, there aren’t any areas you should avoid. Some areas have more clubs and bars open at night but there aren’t any “bad” areas.
How can I contact local authorities if I need assistance in Shanghai?
You can contact local authorities by dialing the emergency number 110 for police assistance. If you require medical help, you can call 120 for ambulances. Always keep the contact information of your country’s embassy or consulate handy.
Can I use my mobile phone to navigate Shanghai?
Yes, you can use mobile phones to navigate Shanghai. Get a sim-card at the airport or get one from Airalo.com.
Have any travel advisories been issued for Shanghai?
Travelers are encouraged to check the latest travel advisories from their respective embassies. I always check the one from the UK, which is often very detailed.
