Staying Safe in China: Scams, Police and Emergency Numbers

China is, by most measures, a safe country to live in — violent crime against foreigners is rare and walking home late is unremarkable in most cities. The risks that do exist are different from what you may be used to: street-level scams aimed at visitors, everyday traffic, and the practical problem of not knowing what to do when something goes wrong in a language you don’t speak. This guide covers the numbers to save, the scams that actually get reported, how to deal with the police, and the small preparation that turns a bad day into a manageable one.

Last reviewed: September 2026 · Part of our Life in China guide series.

The numbers to save before you need them

Number	Service	What to know
110	Police	The one number to use for crime, theft, or if you are being threatened. Some operators in big cities have English support; don’t rely on it.
119	Fire	Also used for many rescues and building emergencies.
120	Ambulance	Private and public hospitals both respond; you usually pay before treatment.
122	Traffic accidents	For collisions and road incidents — call this as well as 110 if anyone is hurt.

Beyond the national numbers, save three contacts of your own: your university’s international office (they will interpret for you and know the local stations), one Chinese-speaking friend who has agreed in advance to take a call, and your embassy or consulate. Our healthcare and insurance guide covers what happens at a Chinese hospital, including payment.

Scams that target foreigners

These are reported consistently enough to be worth knowing in advance. The pattern is always the same: a friendly stranger, a plausible social setting, and a bill or a request you cannot easily refuse.

The tea-house or “art student” scam

Someone friendly — often a young person practising English — suggests showing you a traditional tea ceremony, an art gallery or a “student exhibition”. You are taken to a venue, served, and presented with a bill far larger than anything you would normally pay, sometimes with intimidating staff present. The defence is simple: don’t follow strangers to a second venue, and agree a price before you consume anything. If it happens, pay if you feel pressured, leave, and report it to 110 — these operations are known to police in most big cities.

Fake and rigged taxis

At airports and stations, drivers approach travellers inside the terminal and quote a flat fare, or a taxi has a tampered meter. Use the official taxi queue outside the terminal, insist on the meter (打表, dǎ biǎo), or book a ride-hailing car through an app — covered in our essential apps guide. Photograph the licence plate before you get in.

Inflated bar and karaoke bills

A night out ends with a bill far above what you ordered, sometimes with unfamiliar “hostess” or “room” charges. Ask for an itemised bill before paying; if the total is disputed, do not escalate alone — call the police or your international office.

Money-transfer and “help me” requests

• A new “friend” asks you to receive money into your account and pass it on. This is money laundering, and in China it can involve frozen bank accounts and police investigation. Refuse.
• Messages claiming to be from a classmate in trouble, asking for an urgent transfer. Verify by voice before sending anything.
• “Charity” collections and street petitions aimed at foreigners — verify through your university, not the person collecting.

Rental and deposit scams

Paying a deposit for a flat you have not seen, or to someone who is not the landlord, is the most expensive mistake students make. Our renting, contract and deposit guide sets out how to verify who you are dealing with before any money moves.

Fake police and the “passport check”

Real police in China are approachable and used to helping foreigners, but imposters exploit that. Legitimate officers identify themselves and, in any formal interaction, act through a station.

• Ask to see identification and, for anything beyond a routine check, to go to the police station (派出所) rather than handling it on the street.
• Police will never ask you to transfer money to “settle” a matter, and will not take your passport away on the street without paperwork.
• You should carry your passport (or a certified copy plus the original photos on your phone) — but don’t hand it over casually. Offer to show it, then accompany them if they need verification.
• If in doubt, call 110 yourself and ask them to confirm, or phone your international office and put them on the line.

Money and phone safety day to day

• QR codes. Payment is by QR code almost everywhere. Only scan codes generated by the merchant in front of you; tampered stickers on scanners and parking meters are a known trick.
• Phone theft. Theft is uncommon, but a lost phone in China is a serious problem because it holds your wallet. Enable a lock screen, keep your payment PIN separate from your unlock code, and know how to freeze your accounts.
• Cash is rarely needed. Carrying less cash means less to lose — see our WeChat Pay guide for setting up properly.
• Public Wi-Fi. Use your mobile data or a trusted network for anything involving banking; airport and café Wi-Fi is the weak link.

Traffic: the everyday risk

Statistically, the thing most likely to hurt you in China is not crime, it is traffic — and specifically electric scooters and delivery riders, which are fast, near-silent, and often on the pavement.

• Cross at lights, but still look — turning vehicles have priority over pedestrians in practice.
• Expect scooters on pavements and in bike lanes travelling against the flow.
• If you ride an e-scooter or e-bike, wear a helmet, and understand that e-bike rules differ by city and are enforced.
• Ride-hailing is inexpensive and safer than hailing at night; share your trip with a friend through the app.

If something happens: the order to do it

1. Get safe first. Move somewhere public and well lit.
2. Call 110 for police, 120 for medical emergencies. Say your location in Chinese if you can — have it written down.
3. Ask for the written report (报警回执). Insurance claims, passport replacement and university procedures all ask for it. Without it, you will struggle to prove what happened.
4. Notify your university’s international office. They can interpret, accompany you, and know the local procedure.
5. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is lost or stolen, if you are detained, or in any serious incident — they can issue emergency travel documents and provide a list of local lawyers.
6. Notify your insurer within the deadline in your policy; most require prompt reporting.

What to store in your phone right now

• Passport photo page, visa and residence permit pages — photographed and stored offline.
• Your address in Chinese characters, so you can read it to a dispatcher or show it to a driver.
• Emergency numbers, your international office, one Chinese-speaking contact, your embassy — all as real contacts, not just in a chat thread.
• Your insurance policy number and the 24-hour assistance line.
• Your blood type and any allergies, in Chinese if possible.

Sources

• Your university’s international student office — local emergency procedures, campus security contacts and reporting routes
• Your country’s embassy or consulate in China — consular registration, emergency travel documents and lists of local legal assistance
• Your insurer’s 24-hour assistance line — claim deadlines and which hospitals are directly billed

Disclaimer: Rules, prices and platform features in China change frequently and can vary by city, institution and individual circumstances. Always confirm with the relevant authority or provider before making arrangements.