China
UK Foreign Office travel advice · 10 August 2026
Current safety guidance for China from UK Foreign Office travel advice. We cover 13 cities in China, with reported scams for each.
Source: China travel advice — UK Foreign Office travel advice
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, but incidents can happen. Take care of your belongings at major tourist sites and other busy places, particularly where foreign nationals gather.
Indiscriminate attacks using vehicles as a weapon, and knife attacks, have occurred in public places including at schools, supermarkets and hospitals. Although rare, there have been isolated violent attacks that have impacted foreign nationals.
Penalties for fighting and physical altercations can range from fines to short term detentions to longer-term criminal detentions, regardless of who was initially responsible. Compensation claims by injured parties are commonplace, again regardless of who was initially responsible.
Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers. Personal attacks and sexual assaults are rare, but they can happen, including through drinks being spiked. Women, travelling alone or with female friends, could be at higher risk.
Beware of scams in popular tourist areas. A common example is the ‘tea tasting’ or ‘massage’ scam. Friendly strangers may invite you to visit a bar, to drink tea or have a massage, and the establishment then demands a large fee. This can be followed by threats, violence or credit card fraud.
Due to the prominence of QR code usage in China, travellers are recommended to familiarise themselves with the risks of QR code phishing.
Cashless payments through smartphone apps such as WeChat or Alipay are almost universal.
Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited. It is not possible to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes.
Counterfeit banknotes (especially 100 renminbi notes) are common, including from ATMs. Banks will not replace them. Check notes carefully before accepting them.
Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered taxis, as there have been incidents of sexual assault and robbery against foreign nationals. In marked taxis, make sure someone knows where you are and try to take a note of the taxi’s number.
Disputes over taxi fares can quickly escalate. Any physical altercation could lead to detention regardless of who is to blame. Insist on paying the metered fare and ask for a receipt. The receipt should have the taxi number on it.
This guide also has safety advice for regions of China.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorist attacks in China cannot be ruled out.
Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted, attacks may happen in places visited by foreigners. Take particular care during national holidays and at public transport hubs, and always follow the advice of the local authorities.
Chinese national security laws have broad scope, and you can be arrested without having intended to break the law. See advice in the Laws and cultural differences section below for more information.
China is ruled by a single political party. Though China is open to foreign visitors, be aware of political and cultural sensitivities.
Avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings. The Chinese authorities enforce public order strictly, and you may face arrest, detention and deportation. Foreign journalists have been intimidated, assaulted or detained for trying to report on demonstrations.
You may risk becoming a target when there is an anti-foreign feeling or attitude in China. Keep informed of developments and follow the advice of the local authorities. During periods of tension, the authorities may block:
Posting, publishing or supporting political statements critical of China or the Chinese authorities could be viewed as illegal.
Before entering a commercial contract in China, take legal advice, both in the UK and in China. Contracts agreed in the UK are not always recognised by Chinese courts.
If you’re involved in or connected to a business or civil dispute, the Chinese authorities may impose an exit ban, which means you cannot leave China until the matter is resolved. British nationals have been detained against their will, intimidated and forced to pay money.
Violence is rare, but it can be threatened. Report any threats of violence to the Chinese police.
Always carry your passport with you. Police carry out random checks, especially during periods of heightened security and major sporting or political events. They do not accept printed copies. Failure to produce your ID can lead to a fine or detention.
There is a risk of detention for alleged breaking of national security laws
China’s authorities have detained foreign nationals who break national security laws. Both ‘national security’ and ‘national interest’ appear regularly in Chinese legislation and have broad scope. You may be detained without having intended to break the law. Activity that happened outside of mainland China – including online activity – could fall under the scope of mainland legislation. There is a risk of arbitrary detention, including of British nationals.
If you’re detained on grounds of national security, you may be held for up to 6 months before formal arrest and denied legal representation before charges are brought.
You may be at greater risk of surveillance, harassment or detention while in China if you are currently or have previously been linked to:
This list is not exhaustive and may change over time. This is particularly relevant when travelling to areas with large ethnic minority populations, including but not limited to Xinjiang. See Regional risks for more information.
All foreign nationals travelling to or around ‘sensitive’ areas might attract more attention from the authorities, including when:
Sensitivities can change over time and may heighten around particular dates or events.
There are restricted military areas, where foreigners can be detained, fined or deported if found without prior authorisation. Signs typically indicate where these areas are, but it may not always be clear.
The Chinese authorities formally recognise five religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Taoism. Only officially registered religious organisations are permitted to carry out religious activities. Even officially registered organisations must observe restrictions on some religious activities, including preaching and distributing religious materials.
Updated religious legislation (Chinese language only) entered into force on 1 May 2025, setting out rules that foreigners must abide by when practicing religion in China. The paragraph below summarises some of the key information included in the link, but local legal advice should be sought for full and further detail.
Foreigners may participate in religious activity that complies with Chinese law in registered temples, churches, or other approved temporary locations. Foreign nationals may invite Chinese religious professionals to hold baptisms, weddings, funerals, dojos, pujas, and other religious ceremonies for them. Foreigners wanting to hold religious activities or events in approved locations must meet the specific requirements and use the correct application procedures. One of these requirements (Article 10) is that Chinese religious professionals should preside over religious activity. Another (Article 16), is that group religious activities held by foreigners in China are limited to participation by foreigners in China. Collective religious events involving Chinese citizens are prohibited unless officially approved by the Chinese government. There are also rules for foreign religious professionals visiting China to give lectures or sermons, and those bringing in religious materials.
The Falun Gong movement and others that the authorities consider as ‘cults’ are banned in China.
Chinese laws and procedures relating to the arrest, detention and trial of criminal suspects are different from in the UK. For example:
The granting of bail is rare, and the criminal process can often last at least a year before a verdict is passed. If bail is granted the accused will not be permitted to leave China.
If you’re suspected of a crime, the Chinese authorities can stop you from leaving China by:
The thresholds for detention and prosecution in China differ from those in Hong Kong.
You can be convicted in China of a crime committed against the Chinese State or a Chinese citizen, even if that crime was committed outside of China.
Foreign nationals can be subject to exit bans. Exit bans can:
An exit ban can last for months or years or until a legal process is complete. You may not be aware you are subject to an exit ban until you try to leave mainland China.
Possession, trafficking and manufacture of any illegal drugs, including cannabis, are serious offences in China. The Chinese authorities have a zero-tolerance policy and those caught face heavy fines, lengthy prison sentences, or the death penalty.
Airports in China have security equipment and procedures in place for scanning and detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This is also used to scan all the baggage of transiting passengers.
The Chinese authorities can randomly test foreign nationals for drugs, including on entry to the country. Police can also raid homes as well as nightclubs and bars. If you’re in a bar that’s raided, you will be subject to on-the-spot testing and immigration checks. This may involve:
If you test positive, the Chinese authorities can prosecute you regardless of where or when you took drugs. Testing positive for drugs, or being found in breach of your visa conditions, can lead to heavy fines, detention and deportation.
The Chinese authorities control internet access. Internet access can be limited around key political events and dates. Some services are permanently blocked, including:
Other websites may sometimes be blocked.
China’s cybersecurity laws state that online products and services (for example, VPNs) need to be licensed by the Chinese government. See the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (in Mandarin). Make sure you stay informed and follow Chinese law.
The import, possession and use of drones and drone components are strictly regulated. Contact the Civil Aviation Administration of China before travel for the latest rules regarding registration and use.
Fire protection standards in Chinese accommodation are not always the same as in the UK. You should:
Make sure your accommodation has a working carbon monoxide alarm. People have died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to incorrectly installed gas equipment.
Energy UK has advice on how to stay safe and the symptoms to look out for.
Thoroughly research the school or university that is hiring you in China and make sure you’re confident they are following the law.
Same-sex relationships are legal in China, but public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK. Showing affection in public may receive negative attention. There’s no Chinese law guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Do not hike alone in isolated areas, including on the Great Wall, due to unpredictable weather conditions and the chance of injuries. Even when hiking in a group, leave your itinerary, mobile number and expected time of return at your hotel or with a third party.
You must have a Chinese driving licence and valid insurance to drive in China. There are harsh penalties for driving without these, including fines and detention.
Drive with caution in China. Accidents are common due to:
If you’re involved in a serious traffic accident, call the police. Do not move your vehicle until they arrive but make sure you and your passengers are in a safe place. If there are injuries, you may be held legally responsible for medical costs. You will also be held responsible if you hit a pedestrian.
There are harsh penalties including fines, detention and imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol, even at very low levels.
You must show your passport to buy a ticket and to board a train in China.
Trans-Mongolian Express trains (Beijing-Moscow via Ulaanbaatar) are known for smuggling. Petty theft on overnight trains is common. Search your compartment and lock the cabin door before the train leaves.
Mariners should avoid the disputed territory between China and other countries in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the area. ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre has further information about piracy and armed robbery.
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
China is in an active seismic zone and can experience major earthquakes. Learn what to do before, during and after an earthquake from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting southern and eastern coastal regions. Air travel and other forms of transport can be affected. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency and the China Meteorological Administration websites.
See guidance on tropical cyclones for advice about what to do if you are caught in a typhoon.
Flooding and storms are common between May and November. You should monitor local weather reports and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.
This section has safety advice for regions of China. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.
You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.
You must get a permit to travel to Tibet and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) through a specialist travel agent in China. You must also travel on an organised tour. The Chinese authorities sometimes stop issuing permits without notice or restrict travel to Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures (TAPs) in neighbouring provinces, even if you have a permit. Check with tour operators or travel agents and other media for information.
Once in Tibet, avoid large public gatherings. Political and ethnic tensions have historically generated violent protests. Security measures will be tight. Unauthorised gatherings may be dispersed by force. Do not film or take photographs of public security forces or any altercations.
Local authorities will react negatively if you’re found carrying letters or packages from Tibetan nationals to be posted in other countries.
You must ask before you take photographs in Buddhist monasteries.
The ability of the British Embassy to help British nationals in the TAR is limited.
Violent unrest in Xinjiang has resulted in deaths. There are allegations that police use lethal force to disperse protests.
The Chinese authorities have a significant security presence throughout Xinjiang, both as a visible demonstration of state control and to respond quickly and harshly to any unexpected demonstrations or outbreaks of violence.
There have been widespread arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial detentions in Xinjiang, mainly affecting the local population, particularly Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. You may be at increased risk if:
Expect airport-style security measures, including passport and security checks, at shopping centres, markets and parks. You may need to give the security forces your phone number, have your photograph taken and explain why you are travelling. Organisations monitoring facilities in Xinjiang are at risk of harassment and detention.
Always carry your passport and avoid all protests and large crowds. Do not photograph or film protests, large crowds, security officials or installations, or anything of a military nature. Mosques and other religious sites are also considered ‘sensitive’ by the authorities.
The ability of the British Embassy to help British nationals in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is limited.
There is continuing violence on the Myanmar side of the China-Myanmar border, which has occasionally spilled over into China.
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