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Q: What are the safest cities in China for a foreigner to live in?
According to the United States Department of States handbook, China is considered one of the safer of the larger countries. Within China, what do you think are the safest cities for a foreigner to live in? I would venture that Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing are probably safe than Urumqui by a mile and probably incrementally safer than Guangzhou and Shenzhen. I have heard stories about Harbin being a bit rought around the edges. What has your own personal experience been?
11 years 18 weeks ago in Health & Safety - China
I suggest you read the newspapers and see just how many foreigners are involved in everyday violence in China. Finished reading? Yeah, none, or hardly none to speak of. I read my local newspaper from my Australian city and there have been 3 murders in a week and road rage that makes you wonder about the mentality of some people. My trips to Harbin have been okay, no problems, even at the bars. In all cities in all countries you need to use common sense by avoiding obviously seedier areas late at night and in China keeping away from KTV dives. I can tell you I feel a lot safer walking around in my city at night here in China than I do at home! Amen. In my opinion I think it's safer in the outer province cities where you are a novelty - not a threat.
hiddenjelly:
Agree with that, I don't feel threatened or afraid walking around late at night in China, London is a different story!
I'd say,it's safe to live in any places of China.
Just use your common sense,which place you should avoid going ,like in Guangzhou,everyone here knows Guangzhou train station(广州火车站） is not a very safe place to go even for a Chinese, a girl especially.
xinyuren:
Really? I go to Guangzhou railway station often and it seems very safe. even late into the night with many women and children sleeping on benches and on the ground as they wait for their train.
instant_noodles:
yes, i go there quite often, too, and the place is PACKED with people from EVERYWHERE.... what are you???
Dongguan is pretty safe in my book. The only incident here occoured last year when a Brazilian guy got beat up by a group of thugs for helping stop a robbery. Aside from that I've been out in some shady areas of the city at late (3am) times and felt very safe, safer than I would have done in London that's for sure!
brisguy:
You cannot be serious Donguan is one of the most crime ridden places in China.
hiddenjelly:
So have you lived in Dongguan brisguy or just heard from others.
I have lived here for 3 years now and I have had no issues with crime and I don't shut myself away in a cupboard everyday! I know there is crime and you have to be careful of pickpockets when riding the bus but the crime is pretty much petty and could happen in most cities.
I am aware of the Dongguan reputation as being one of the unsafest cities in China but I disagree with that, I feel very safe here and I've wandered the streets at 2-3am and don't feel threatened unlike how I might feel walking some neigborhoods in London or other parts of Europe!
Just my opinion and experience!
