Health, Safety & Scams

By the standards of most countries a Western traveller visits, China is exceptionally safe. Violent crime against foreigners is rare, cities feel secure walking alone late at night, and the density of cameras and police presence — whatever one thinks of it in the abstract — means street crime is uncommon. Pickpocketing exists in crowded tourist areas and on the metro; that is roughly the extent of ordinary criminal risk.

The scams that actually happen

Health before you go

• No vaccinations are required for entry. Routine cover — MMR, tetanus, diphtheria — should be current. Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended; rabies if you will be rural or cycling.
• Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is essential. Good private hospitals expect payment up front.
• Bring your own supply of any prescription medication in original packaging, with a copy of the prescription. Some common Western drugs are unavailable or controlled.
• Codeine, some ADHD medication and some strong painkillers are restricted or prohibited. Check before you pack them.

Air quality

Substantially improved since the 2013 peak, but northern China in winter still produces bad days. Beijing, Xi'an and the Hebei industrial belt are the worst; the south and southwest are usually fine. Check the AQI on a real-time app before planning an outdoor day. If you have asthma or a respiratory condition, bring an N95 mask and your inhaler, and treat readings above 150 as a day to visit a museum.

Altitude

This is the most underestimated risk in Chinese travel. Lhasa is at 3,656 m; Jiuzhaigou's airport at 3,450 m; Shangri-La at 3,200 m; Jade Dragon Snow Mountain's cable car tops out at 4,506 m; Everest Base Camp is 5,150 m. Altitude sickness at these heights is common, occasionally serious, and unrelated to fitness.

• Ascend gradually. Do nothing on your first day above 3,000 m.
• Drink far more water than feels necessary; avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours.
• Know the warning signs: worsening headache, vomiting, breathlessness at rest, confusion, loss of coordination.
• The only reliable treatment is descent. Do not push on and hope.
• Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before you travel; it needs to start before you ascend.

Traffic

Genuinely the biggest physical danger you will face. Right turns on red are permitted, so a green pedestrian signal does not mean the crossing is clear. Silent electric scooters use pavements, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings, frequently against the flow of traffic. Look both ways on a one-way street, and cross with a group of locals whenever you can.

Practical emergencies