Beijing Tips - Safety & Security

Generally speaking, Beijing is a safe place for foreign tourists. One thing you need to keep in mind is never accept free drink or food from someone you don’t know. There has been many cases that tourists drink drugged drink and all the money has been taken away. Another thing you need to know is when you feel you are in danger you walk to the crowd then you should be OK.

If it is your first time to visit Beijing, one of the biggest dangers you are going to face is being involved in some traffic accidents. When you are about to cross the road you should be very careful because in most cases the cars don’t yield to pedestrians. It is an often frightening experience at the first time but when you get used to it you will be able to handle it. You have to also pay attention to the seatbelt when you are riding in a taxi because some of taxis they just don’t have the front seat belt or they skimpily don’t work. It that is the case you’d better sit in the back of the taxi.

The next danger is thief which is considered as one of Beijing’s biggest crime problems. It usually happens in the crowded places like bus stations. Suggestion from local people is putting your backpack in front of your chest when you are taking a bus or waiting in the queue. If you are walking on the street there will be probably kids ask you for money. What I can tell you is these kids are managed by some adults even you give them money, it will be taken by the adults behind them. So I suggest you not give them money. Another thing you need to keep in mind is never leave your stuff to the place where you can not see.

Never accept invitation from people who want to take you to a girl bar or something, and of course never believe the quote they give to you. You know what will happen to you if you believed these people, don’t you? If you really want to go to such places to have some fun, you’d better to go with your trustworthy local friend.

At last if you are going to the rest room, remember to bring paper tissue because in most of the rest rooms in China they don’t provide you free paper tissue. You know how dangerous it is if you go to the rest room without paper tissue.