Beijing is a safe capital city if you keep your wits about you and take special care when crossing roads. Likewise, the main health concerns are the same as for most other Asian climes; be wary of eating food from hawker stalls and stick to busy eateries.
Health
Stomach upsets and more importantly, food poisoning, are the biggest health risk with any trip to China, where low food-hygiene standards can spoil a holiday. Eat at busy restaurants and make sure the food is freshly cooked and piping hot. Peel fruit yourself and drink only bottled water; never drink water from a tap. Infection of the upper respiratory tract is another common cause of bad health in Beijing owing to the high levels of pollution. Symptoms are similar to the common cold or flu.
Speak to your hotel reception if you or a family member becomes ill, as many of the better establishments will have doctors on staff or at least be able to call a doctor for you. Try and stay away from the regular Chinese practices, as these low-paid doctors often prescribe antibiotics for anything and everything, and some unscrupulous GPs may even prescribe unnecessary medication. Also, stay away from traditional Chinese medicines.
Medical care: 120
Safety
Like anywhere else in China, penalties for most offences of crime are extremely high and therefore crime in general is fairly low. That is not to say crime is immune to the streets of Beijing, however, as cheats, touts and pick-pockets all work the streets and the chance of you being ripped off by any number of scams or when buying at markets is high. Areas to be wary of are the inner city, along the Great Wall, in and around Tiananmen Square and at bus and train stations.
In addition, be careful when crossing the street, as most locals are reckless drivers who don’t like to stop for pedestrians, regardless of whether the pedestrian is on a special crossing or not. Use under and over passes where possible and follow what the masses do when crossing streets. Tourists are not allowed to drive in China, so there is no reason to study the road etiquette in too much detail.
Police: 110
FAQ
Title:Is Beijing safe for Americans? Did you know an American was killed in Beijing?
Description:A Chinese man killed an American and seriously injured another while they were visiting a tourist area. They were related to an American athlete. Obviously most of the Chinese are anti American. Is it safe for Americans to be in Beijing?
I’m sure Europeans and anti Americans are thrilled to hear about it, but it’s a very sad story. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/09/olympics.murder/index.html
Best Answer
Wow. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. You should stop being so close-minded and open your eyes a little. Not all [or even most] Chinese people are anti-American. Even the article you posted clearly stated that the Chinese attacker also hurt a female Chinese tour guide. Europeans are thrilled to hear about it? Right. You really like to assume that everyone out there hates Americans and that Americans are victims.
But yes, in this case, I was also saddened by the news. R.I.P..
And to answer your question, I believe that Beijing is trying their best to make it a safe place for everyone, so yes.
Other Answers
A:
I must agree with Juliee, I’ve visited China many times and the people there are accepting of all cultures. The only thing that shadows me here is the Chinese security, and since they said it would be highest at the stadium and landmarks. Besides the point, it’s a crime, not a crime against races. It’s not Chinese vs. Americans, it’s some mad criminal vs. some innocent person on the streets. I wonder why everytime a person of another race is killed here the media doesn’t accuse of Americans and their country of not being safe.
B:
All I can say is WOW. I totally agree with the person who said you obviously need to open your eyes. I don’t think you’ve really seen the world. I’ve been to China many many times and most people there are really happy to help any foreigner. Plus, I’m Chinese American and I do not think that I’m anti-American.
C:
Murder case happen in every country everyday. A Canadian boy was decapitated and beheaded on a Greyhound bus by a psycho last week. I don’t know where this animal received his education. What a Scum!!!
Title:Is the food safe in Beijing?
Description:I know the soil is very polluted, especially with all the mercury seeping into the soil. Anyone have any good read-ups/news articles on this matter?
Best Answer
I think if you eat at major restaurants and buy food from major markets, then you are fine.
Eyrick E, That article turns out to be hoax shot by a journalist in China who got on the food quality bandwagon and fabricated the news by hiring people to do it. It is NOT real.
Other Answers
So far, it’s is as safe at it can get. However, the issue of environmental pollution is probably the biggest challenge (aside from the independence of Tibet and Xinjiang) facing China at this time. Most of the major water sources are either so heavily polluted or degraded (Yellow River, Yangtzhe, Mekong) that some of the best scientists are worried for the future of critical ecosystems that are sustaining hundreds of millions of people, especially in rural areas, who are depending on small scale farming. Along major waterways, manufactures spill daily millions of cubic metres of untreated chemichal waste, and for the most part the human sewage of millions people is deposited without treatment in those same waters. It is just a matter of time until we will witness the collapse of critical ecosystems. On top of that, the use of chemicals and insecticides that are banned in most other countries is still common in large-scale agricultural undertakings and cattle raising. All this toxic soup, mercury included, seeps through the environment and finds its way up the food chain, and lands on our plate….Yes, Chinese food is great and tasty, my favourite cuisine…but how long can we trust it in China?
Title:Do you think its safe to travel in Beijing alone?
Description:I am a single young filipina, I have this free air fare and I am thinking to use it to fly to Beijing. If you were in my shoes will you push thru wit the trip even if you are alone? I read a lot of comments and stories and besides I am apprehensive coz of the language barrier. Kindly help, thanks,
Best Answer
China is a pretty safe country and crimes against foreigners are treated much more severely by the police than crimes against Chinese.
That said, if you are a foreigner people expect that you have more money. That makes you a huge target for being pick-pocketed and robbed. There are the usual headaches of getting ripped off and stuff too, but I think that is pretty common in any place. Violent crimes are rare, and if you keep some good travel safety routines you will have no problems. I lived in China for 8 years (travelled for 4 months each year) and the only time I ever had a problem was when I was pickpocketed in the city I lived… only a couple blocks from home.
There are many great things to see in Beijing. You can find agencies that do local tours, and even your hotel can help you arrange tours with other guests at the hotel (most likely foreigners). Research is your best friend. There are numerous bulliten boards and places to find people who are also travelling alone in Beijing. If you have a good guide book and a good phrase book you won’t have too many problems. An adventurous spirit and flexibility are all you really need.
PS) if you are an asian Filipina then it will be easier for you to “blend” with the locals and that will make it a little easier for you at times.
Title:Is Beijing China tapwater safe for sinus washes?
Description:I’ve been told tap water in Beijing China is not safe to drink, or even to use to brush your teeth. Does that mean I should not use it for sinus rinses/washes?
Best Answer
boil it first
Title:Does anyone know a safe, clean place to get a Brazilian wax in Beijing?
Description:I’m an American student living in Beijing, and I’m in dire need of a waxing salon. I’m wondering if anyone has personally gone to any spas here and had a good experience?
Best Answer
it sounds like this is your first time… well it’s as simple as this, just tell the lady what you want taken off, even if its everything she can still wax off all the hair down there!! that includes your whole front, between the legs, around your butt crack and your butt cheeks. some people dont automatically wax the butt cheeks so you may have to ask to get that done as well. just make sure you tell her what you do and dont want taken off.
you might get some reddness, possibly some bumps here and there, but they will probably go away within a few hours or so.
my personal experience, i have been waxing most of my body, including the butt and brazilian, and have noticed that the hairs come back shorter, finer, more sparse, and take longer to grow out with each waxing session…these waxings i have been doing for a little over a year and have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference!!! =)
whenever I get all those areas waxed it the bill comes out a little over $100 plus tip….keep in mind i am a guy which explains the higher price. i live in Odenton, Maryland so I am not sure about the price in your area. you may wanna check out phone books for that…even though you are in beijing there is probably at least a few places that specialize in brazilian waxing.
when you go to your wax session make sure that the hairs are no shorter then a quarter inch, but no longer then half and inch. this will help the waxy to fully grip the hairs and its less painful when the hairs are shorter! if your hairs are too long then the wax lady can simply trim them at no extra charge 
regarding the pain, it hurts at first, but not as much with each additional waxing session. the pain level for your first time will probably be an 8…next time a 6, than 4, maybe 2, and just 1 to none from then on. just make sure you go to a professional and they will have creams. its much better to wax though since the results are long term and your skin will be baby soft/smooth for a long time, way over a month =)
while getting waxed you may be asked to moved your legs in a few different directions to help with better access down there. you will be laying down the whole time, except when doing the butt and butt crack of course. all you really need to do is just relax, talk to the lady to help the time go by faster and try to not think about the actual wax session. dont feel embarrased when you are spreading/opening up wide down there, the waxing lady does this everyday to men and women so you are not the only one
after waxing a few times some hairs will stop growing back, however, for permanent results you may wanna try laser hair removal. after the first session i noticed that in some areas the hair did not grow back at all!! try it if you would like, its gonna cost ya a pretty penny, but its painless and the results last forever. because each persons’ skin type is different you may have to get multiple treatments for all thair to be gone. on average you need 5 to 6 treatments.
Title:Is it safe for a female to travel alone in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu?
Description:What sort of deliquence should i be aware of? Generally, is it safe to travel alone, for a girl with chinese look, in twenties. Thanks!
Best Answer
going there is safe, but be care full about places you want to go. I mean the places in those cities.
Other Answers
The four cities you mentioned are safe. Stay alert as always as you would be back home. Ask the hotel for directions before any trips. Take a small purse and keep your money separately. Don’t carry your passport on you, just take an ID like your driver license. Take a couple of credit cards only. Keep the rest in the hotel safe. Don’t walk down dark alleys and the most important, don’t give money to beggars regardless whether the beggar is a child. If you do, you just exposed yourself to a lot of other beggars and pickpockets. They’ve organized beggar union. Nothing to worry about though.
Beijing is a fun city, a lot of history. Shanghai is quite safe, there are a lot of police around even at night. Night shopping is fun in Shanghai, Canton street. Hangzhou is nice. There are a lot of good hotels around the lake. A lot of people stroll around the lake. There are tea huts and restaurants around the lake. There is a silk street there too. Chengdu is really a lay back place. If you like spicy food, it is the place for it.
You will have fun at those places.
Title:Will Beijing be safe for the Olympics with the unrest in Tibet?
Best Answer
Sure. The Chinese have a huge army. They use them against their own people on a regular basis.
Our socialist democrats want to do the same thing here. Check out Waco Texas. It is a safe place now that the democrats killed the women and kids for being religious.
Asker’s Comment:
I’ll have to give it to you because I’m still waiting on a forensic (media) report on the fire’s effect on the buried bus where most of the children supposedly were sent.
Title:We are taking a trip to hong kong and beijing in May 2008, are trains from hong kong to beijing safe?
Best Answer
The train from HK to Beijing is safe. If you are going in May, the train shouldn’t be that crowded. It will be very crowded during popular travelling season as Chinese New Year, the 1st week of Oct and the beginning and end of summer vacation. (College in China does not end until June, and they cancalled the Golden week for the 1st week of May this year, so May should be a good time. The mess of trains on this Chinese New Year was horrible for reading the news.)
Unless you are going to take acouple month long vacation, if not, it may not worth to spend 26hours on train while you can fly for 3 hours. (This is different than going from HK to Shanghai or Shanghai to Beijing where it takes a little over 12 hours that you can get on the train close to evening, sleep over, and arrive next day morning.)
Title:Does anyone know of a safe site where I can watch the Beijing Olympics live?
Description:
Please Help!
I don’t have cable and I can’t find any safe online websites where the olympics are broadcast live. I’ve only found nbcolympics.com.
By the way, I live in the United States.
Additional Details
I would like to watch the Olympics free.
Please do not give me any websites advertising satellite.
Thank You
Best Answer
nbc.com has highlights, but not the full olympics
Title:How to find safe accommodation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Best Answer
Beijing will be the safest city in the world during the Olympics. It is a fairly safe city anyway, but the last thing China wants is bad press about foreigners being accosted.
Any good online web site that finds hotel accommodation‘s would be a safe bet. Or better yet, have your travel agent do all that for you. You may get a better price through them then doing it yourself.
Title:My daughter is traveling to Beijing at the end of May…How safe is it? Are there certain areas to aviod?
Best Answer
Beijing is very safe
two things to watch out for
1 – pick pockets
2 – the taxi drivers (they will rip you off and their grandmom too, they are ruthless)
Other Answers
Ah don’t worry, it is not like China in a war zone.
Beijing is a huge city and safe.
Some tips though:
- Careful for pickpocket. If you on the place where were too crowded for your own good, careful your wallet and handbag. Don’t put your wallet or handbag or even travel bag on your back.
- If there a fight (it’s more like shouting not by hand, all right), ignored it and walked away, don’t stop and look since it’s usually a drama and a change for pickpocketing.
- If you used a taxi, and being charge ridiculously expensive, take the receipt, remember the taxi number, and phone the taxi company (every taxi have the company phone number position on the plastic glass behind the driver seat)
- Careful, don’t loss your pasport, It’s difficult and annoying to do the administration for new passport
- If you buy something in traditional market, go bargaining as low as you can *chuckle*
- If you need help, asked police or olympic volunteer
Title:Is it safe to drink tap water at Beijing, if not, how much is a bottle of distilled/mineral water?
Best Answer
Do not drink the tap water in Beijing. Use bottled water – price varies from RMB 2 and up (US$0.25 and up)
Other Answers
Most locals don’t even drink the tap water, so i wouldn’t suggest it. I’ve done it a few times, and not only does it induce vomitting (great after a heavy night out), but it pretty much gives you the shits for a week which is not so good.
i’ve got friends who brush their teeth with bottled water, but that’s a little extreme for me.
don’t think its safe to drink, but i wouldn’t worry if you accidently swallowed some. .
Title:Is Beijing really safe?
Description:After the deaths of the 17 policemen in North West China, and threats from the Islamic extremists, do you think that China’s Army is capable of stopping any attacks on the Beijing Olympics?
Additional Details
Just so everyone knows, I am not an American, I am British
Best Answer
If any country can, it’s China. I have to tell you, the police presence here in Beijing is overwhelming, and as it has gotten closer to the games it appears to be getting even stronger. There are a few lapses in their security, just due to the ways that they do things in China. (it’s hard to explain, but there is just a Chinese way of doing things that is sometimes really odd). But, The government also has roadblocks on all the streets leading into Beijing, and is strictly controlling who gets in. I went to Tiananmen last Saturday to watch some fireworks they were setting off and the amount of police and army personnel they have there is staggering.
But on top of the police, there is also the ordinary citizenry. Down to the people living in run down hutongs, every Chinese I have met is extremely proud of the games and wants to do what they can do to help make sure they go smoothly. They always pay attention to what people are doing, especially foreigners, but this year they seem to be exceptionally diligent. So you even have to count the regular people as part of the security apparatus.
I think there could be more attacks in other areas, but it will be to hard for there to be attacks in Beijing, although we could see some protests. Protests are more likely to be a problem in Beijing than attacks.
Title:Do you think tix for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will sell out or will I be safe buying tix upon arrival?
Description:I attended the 2004 games in Athens, buying all of my tix over a year in advance. Upon getting there, there were many tix still available, so for events that we particularly enjoyed(beach volleyball) we bought more tickets and had better seats than the one’s we’d bought over a year ago!! I don’t want that to happen again! Any tips on accommodations would be great too!!! We stayed in an apartment for two weeks in Athens, wouldn’t mind doing the same thing again for the right price:)
Best Answer
Tickets to the medal ceremonies and big events like swimming, gymnastics, and mens basketball will probably be sold out. I think tickets to events in which China is expected to do very well in will be gone. You can probably buy tickets to the smaller events when you get there. Opening or Closing ceremonies will be sold out. If you have you tickets before you leave you will not be disappointed you will not have to run around to get tickets to the events you want to see. You can spend your time enjoying the Olympics.
Title:Need your advice things to watch up when traveling to Beijing with kids ( 4yrs to 12yrs) in Dec? Is it safe?
Best Answer
I would strongly sugget NOT to do the following:
1) Eat their pork bun (blended with paper)
2) Buy rubber hair bands (made from condom)
3) Eat their chicken (they buy [XX days] dead chicken, dye it red for fresh look, and sell to the eateries.)
4) Robbers and pick pockets
5) Use their chopsticks (they reuse disposable ones after rinsing)
Final recommendation.. dun go.. haha. If you must, bring your own food / utensils or lots of medicine.
Title:Going to Beijing and Hong Kong next week. Beauty parlours. peels? are they cheaper over there and safe? where?
Description:what can I get done over there? anyone know prices? nothing too extreme, mabe a peel or something – suggestions. where do I go?
Best Answer
Beijing beauty parlours are much cheaper than Hong Kong ones. Everywhere on the mainland is very cheap for beauty treatments. Don’t know about peels. They do a lot of Biore treatments here. Prices vary according to how nice the salon is but in Shenzhen a really good facial / massage costs between six and ten pounds sterling in a nice place, up to 15 pounds in a fancy place, more in 5 star ‘foreigner’ hotels. If you sign up for a course of treatments, the price drops a lot!
Title:Suggestions for places to live in Beijing this summer?
Description:A friend and I (2 females) are looking for a nice, safe place to live this summer in Beijing. We both speak Mandarin, but have never lived in China before and would like suggestions for either specific buildings or general areas. AC is a must. I will be working in Tower 2 of the Bright China Chang An Building, 7 Jianguomen Ave. I think this is close to Tiananmen. Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!
Best Answer – Chosen by Voters
live in wudaokou…it’s basically the university district. there are some apartments called hua qing jia yuan…they are big pink apartments right next to the wudaokou light rail stop. it’s located on the 5th ring road. it’s fun b/c you’ll meet a lot of foreign students…there’s bars and a couple of clubs. i loved it. u can also jump on the light rail and be in the center of town in no time.
Title:I want to transport our English Bulldog from Chicago to Beijing. What is the most economical and safest way?
Description:Where do I find info. on the most current requirements for entering China? Also, because of the airlines restrictions for snub nosed dogs, our dog would have to fly without us. Has anyone done this without a shipper helping, in other words on their own?
Best Answer
United airlines has a special pet air service. If you go online to the united airline page they have a link you can click on for details and pricing info. Alot of breeders that ship your pet to you, use this service. You should check the Bejing, and U.S. requirements.You may have to have your dog quarintined for some time before you get him back.
Other Answer
You do know that if you take your dog out of the country youll be lucky to ever be able to bring him back to the US?
Airports aren’t that nice to pets travelling.
The dog will likely end up in quarantine in China I know it will be when/if it is actually allowed to come back.
Title:Is it safe for US citizens under the age of 18 to travel to China?
Description:I have heard that there are many kidnappings in China, but that the Chinese police are making their kidnapping department better for the Olympics. If someone were to travel to China next summer before the Olympics, is there any risk? This person would be in Hong Kong for about 5 days, then Shanghai for about 2, and Beijing for about 3. This person is caucasian. Please help!
Best Answer
Paranoia. It is safer in China than in the US. I just got back: Beijing, Wuhan, Shanghai, Pudhong, Tanjing and others. Don’t let rumors stop you. It is very safe and fun. In any big city you should watch kids but I would feel safer in any of these than Mobil, Dallas, Atlanta and not to mention Chicago, LA and New York. Go and have fun.
Other Answers
Use your common sense and fair judgment and you will be as safe, if not safer, as in the U.S. The so-called kidnappings are more of coaxing. Chinese criminals prefer not to mess with foreigners because the punishment for the same crime is more severe and deadly in these cases.
If you still need to calm your nerve, have your kid(s) keep the contact (including emergency) information of the local American embassy / consulate in each city securely with him/her at all times. Personally, I don’t think he/she will ever use it, but it is more to keep your mind at peace.
Their number in Hong Kong:
2841-2230 (local call)
Shanghai:
(021) 3217-4650
8:00am – 11:30am and 1:30pm – 3:30pm Monday to Friday
Closed on Tuesday afternoons, weekends and holidays.
After Hours Emergencies: (86-21) 6433-3936
Beijing:
(010) 6532-3431, Weekdays 8am-12pm, 1-5pm
After Hours Hotline: 010-6532-1910
The numbers in apprentices are area/city code for long distance calls.
Check out these websites for more about traveling to China:
http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs.html
http://china.usembassy.gov/index.html (choose a city on the right)
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