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Part of YouChina Wiki — Safety category

Staying safe in China

The numbers to know and the traps to skip.

Overview

A handful of numbers and habits cover most of what matters

Reassuring, practical, no fearmongering: know the emergency numbers, recognize the classic tourist-scam patterns (each has a simple counter), stick to bottled/boiled water, and know where to find English-speaking medical care if you need it.

Guides in this category

China emergency numbers110, 119, 120, 122 — who answers what, and what to say when you call.Common tourist scamsEvery classic trap has a simple counter. Reassuring, practical, no fearmongering.Is tap water safe to drink in China?Official guidance says no — the bottled/boiled-water habit that makes it a non-issue.Which hospitals take foreigners in China?International/VIP wings, official facility lists, and why we don't name unverified hospitals.

Frequently asked questions

This category is meant as practical preparation, not a verdict on overall safety. Know the emergency numbers, the common scam patterns, and the water/hospital basics, and most of the everyday concerns are covered.

120 is the ambulance/emergency medical number — see our full emergency numbers guide for the complete list and what to say when you call.

The classic scam patterns tend to cluster around a handful of tourist-heavy situations, and each has a simple, well-documented counter — see our tourist scams guide.

Major hospitals in big cities commonly have an international or VIP wing — see our hospitals guide, and confirm your travel insurance before you fly.

Official sources

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