By Cheryl Teal
Safe Travel in China
China is generally considered a safe country to travel in, but travelers do need to take routine safety precautions just as at home. Pickpockets and scammers are usually a traveler's biggest concerns in China.
Where to Find Tips
The U.S. Department of State offers safety and security tips for travelers on their website. The U.S. embassy in Beijing also issues safety and security messages under "Warden's Warnings" on the embassy website.
Keep Passports Safe
The State Department recommends travelers carry passports in a safe place on themselves or leave them in the hotel safe. The agency recommends keeping a photocopy of the main passport page, as well as the page with the Chinese visa, separate from the passport; the copy makes replacing a lost or stolen passport easier.
Pickpockets
Pickpockets are common in China so the State Department recommends using a money belt worn under clothing to protect cash, credit cards and passports. If possible, avoid crowded subways or buses at rush hour.
Scammers
Travelers should be wary of Chinese who approach them asking if they'd be interested in visiting a tea house or art gallery. Unsuspecting travelers who fell for these scams have posted accounts on the Lonely Planet's message board for China.
Under Surveillance
China has a reputation for spying on people. The State Department advises travelers, especially businessmen and journalists, that their activities may be monitored and hotel rooms searched.
Resources
About the Author:
Cheryl Teal is an award-winning photojournalist who began writing professionally in 1968. She is a former small-business owner who specializes in writing about business, motorcycles and travel. She has her own line of travel guides called "Cheryl's Guides," which are mostly about travel in China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.
Photo Credits:
Cheryl Probst
