Safety & the Few Scams Worth Knowing

Violent crime against visitors is rare. The things that go wrong are almost always the same three or four, and all of them start with someone approaching you first.

The rule that prevents most of them: you approach businesses, not the other way around.

The approach scam

Someone friendly strikes up a conversation near a major sight, suggests a tea house, an art student exhibition, or a bar, and the bill arrives with an extra zero. It is well-rehearsed and it happens near the Bund, Nanjing Road and People's Square.

Polite refusal and walking away ends it. There is no confrontation.

The unlicensed driver

Inside airport and station arrivals halls, people offer rides. They are not taxi drivers. Use the official rank or the app pickup zone.

The same applies at attractions: cars waiting outside are usually unlicensed.

Counterfeit notes and short change

With cash, receive change in a shop rather than from a street seller. Card and QR payments avoid the problem entirely.

Ordinary city awareness

Watch for e-bikes on pavements — they are silent and they use the footpath. Cross at signals even when locals do not. Keep your phone out of your back pocket in crowds.

Emergency numbers: 110 police, 120 ambulance. Hotel staff will call for you if you need them to.