01 / Read the whole risk picture
Everyday precautions and personal risk are different checks.
UK travel advice describes serious crime against foreign nationals as relatively rare, while still warning about theft, violent incidents and tourist scams. That is not a guarantee for a particular traveler or place. FCDO crime advice.
The US mainland-China advisory issued on 19 October 2026 is Level 2, “Exercise increased caution,” and highlights arbitrary law enforcement, exit bans and wrongful-detention risk. Read the current advisory and personal-risk details alongside your own country’s advice.
If your nationality, legal history, business situation or other circumstances raise a specific concern, get appropriate consular or professional advice. A city-safety checklist cannot resolve it.
02 / Keep these accessible
Emergency numbers in mainland China.
These numbers are listed in the Shanghai government’s emergency guidance. Tell the operator what happened and your exact location. Have the Chinese address or a nearby landmark ready; ask someone nearby to help communicate if needed.
Save your insurer’s assistance number and your country’s consular contact before travel. Do not wait for a travel-planning email reply in an emergency.
03 / Prepare for the situations you will meet
Four moments worth planning for.
Arriving tired, with no working data
Before: save the hotel’s Chinese address, booking and first transfer plan offline. Keep a backup way to pay.
If it happens: use the airport’s official transport or information channels. Ask the hotel to confirm the destination before accepting an unclear offer.
First-day arrival checklist →A crowded station or attraction
Before: agree on a meeting point, keep belongings secure and put the next ticket somewhere easy to find.
If you get separated: go to the agreed point or an identifiable information desk. Avoid splitting up further while both people try to search.
Train-journey preparation →A late return, alone or with family
Before: save the return address and decide how to get back while you still have battery, data and energy.
If the plan breaks: stop somewhere staffed, clarify your transport and contact the hotel or a trusted person. Shorten the outing when the return becomes uncertain.
Taxi and destination checks →Bad weather on an outdoor day
Before: check local warnings, the site’s notices and the return transport. Choose an indoor alternative.
If conditions change: follow local instructions and change the route. A paid ticket or a photograph you wanted is not a reason to continue into unsafe conditions.
Season and route planning →These are practical preparation suggestions, not incident statistics or guarantees.
04 / Slow down the payment
An unexpected invitation deserves a pause.
The FCDO warns about invitations to tea, bars or other services followed by excessive charges, as well as QR-code phishing. Read the official scam warnings.
Before accepting
Choose the venue deliberately. Check the price and what you are agreeing to, rather than letting a stranger choose the entire transaction.
Before scanning or paying
Check the destination, recipient and amount. Verify an unexpected company request using contact details you found independently.
Do not give verification codes or identity images to unsolicited contacts. If a situation becomes threatening, prioritize getting to safety and contacting local police rather than escalating a dispute on the spot.
05 / Recover if something goes wrong
Keep a small recovery plan off your phone, too.
My phone is lost or stolen
Use your paper hotel details and another trusted device or staffed desk to contact help. Contact your mobile carrier and the relevant account providers through official channels to protect the number and accounts. If theft is involved, contact local police. A trusted contact should know how to reach you without the missing phone.
My passport is missing
Contact local police and your country’s consulate or embassy for the applicable process. A saved copy helps identify the document but does not replace an original where it is required. Use the lost-passport guide to organize the next steps.
I need medical help
For a medical emergency, call 120. For non-emergency care, use the seeing a doctor guide. Keep insurance details accessible and ask your insurer about assistance and payment procedures when the situation allows.
Solo travelers and families
Plan around the person who needs the most support or rest. Keep children’s contact information accessible, agree on meeting points and avoid relying on one phone for every ticket, payment and address. For solo travel, share a simple contact plan with someone you trust.
Recheck official advice near departure and when your route or circumstances change. For documents and coverage, continue with the travel-insurance preparation guide.
Sources & how to use this guide
Official guidance supports the factual statements linked above. Our checklists, examples and route choices are editorial preparation advice, not provider tests or individual guarantees. Review changing requirements again for your travel dates.
- FCDO: China safety and security — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- US Department of State: China travel advisory — US Department of State
- What to do in an emergency — Shanghai Municipal Government
Edited and reviewed on 30 October 2026. Read our editorial method.
