Is Shanghai safe? An honest guide for visitors
Short answer
Shanghai is very safe, with low street crime and good public transport day and night. The realistic risks are tea-house and bar scams around tourist areas, traffic and e-scooters, summer heat and typhoons; violent crime against visitors is rare.
The real risks
Tea-house and bar scams
Friendly 'students' or 'tourists' near the Bund, Nanjing Road and People's Square invite you for tea or drinks, then present a huge bill; decline politely.
Traffic and e-scooters
Electric scooters ride silently on pavements and through crossings; look both ways even on a green light.
Touts and fake goods
Touts on Nanjing Road offer 'designer' goods or massages; ignore them.
Summer heat and typhoons
July and August reach about 32°C with high humidity, and typhoons are possible in late summer; follow local warnings.
Pickpocketing
Uncommon, but keep phones secure in crowds at the Bund and on the metro.
Areas and times to take care
No central areas are known as dangerous. Take normal care around the Bund, Nanjing Road and the Yu Garden bazaar, mainly against scams and touts.
Getting around safely
The metro is safe, clean and signed in English, with security checks at stations. DiDi and metered taxis are reliable; avoid unlicensed drivers at the airports and stations.
Solo and women travellers
Shanghai is comfortable for women travelling alone, including at night in central areas. Harassment is uncommon; usual precautions apply in bars.
Health, water and heat
Do not drink tap water; drink bottled or boiled water. Summers are hot and humid, with the 'plum rain' in June; winters are cool and damp. International clinics serve visitors.
Official travel advice
Check your government's advice before you travel — it is updated when things change.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Shanghai safe?
Yes, very safe. Watch for tea-house scams near Nanjing Road and the Bund.
Is the metro safe at night?
Yes, it is safe, clean and has security checks.
Can I drink the tap water?
No; drink bottled or boiled water.