Safety Tips for Women Traveling Alone (Applicable within China)

For female tourists traveling alone, safety is always the primary consideration. Below are specific recommendations for traveling in China, covering pre-trip preparation, accommodation, transportation, social interaction, and other key aspects.

1. Pre-Trip Preparation and Information Gathering

1. Destination Research
2. Learn about the security conditions of your destination in advance, avoiding areas that are remote or have less nighttime activities.
3. Pay attention to Chinese culture and customs (such as dressing appropriately, avoiding sensitive topics) to reduce the risk of cultural conflicts.

4. Save the hotline number for global consular protection by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +86-10-12308 (24-hour service).

5. Accommodation Selection

6. Prioritize booking hotels through international platforms (such as Booking, Agoda) or reputable Chinese platforms (such as Ctrip, Fliggy), choosing accommodations with ratings above 4.5 and numerous reviews.

7. It is recommended to stay in hotels located in the city center or near transportation hubs, avoiding secluded areas. Chain brands (such as InterContinental, Marriott) or hostels with women-only dormitories are safer options.

8. Backup Emergency Contact Information

9. Print and store your itinerary, hotel address, and emergency contact information (such as family members, embassy) both on your phone and in the cloud.
10. Save the emergency numbers for your destination city (China’s universal emergency number: 110; medical emergency: 120).

2. Transportation and Travel Safety

1. Airport to City Transportation
2. Choose airport shuttles, official taxis (with company identification on the car body), or ride-hailing services (such as Didi Chuxing). Verify that the license plate number matches the order before getting in.
3. When taking high-speed trains or regular trains, keep your belongings secure and choose seats closer to the aisle for convenience. For overnight long-distance trips, it is recommended to select the lower bunk of a sleeping berth.

4. For intra-city travel, subways are the safest option (avoid crowded times during early and late rush hours). When taking a taxi, keep your navigation app running throughout the trip and share your route with friends or family.

5. Nighttime Travel

6. Try to avoid going out alone at night. If necessary, choose streets with dense crowds and adequate lighting, and inform the hotel front desk of your destination beforehand.

3. Accommodation Safety Details

1. Check-In Inspection
2. After entering the room, check if the door lock and peephole are functioning properly. Use a door chain or doorstop (you can bring a portable doorstop).

3. Avoid revealing your room number to strangers. If someone knocks claiming to be staff, verify their identity through the front desk.

4. Privacy Protection

5. Use the "Do Not Disturb" sign to create the illusion that someone is in the room. Lock valuable items in the hotel safe or carry them with you when leaving.

4. Personal Property and Document Management

1. Separate Storage of Valuables
2. Keep cash in different places (such as your carry bag, suitcase compartments), and use RFID-blocking wallets.

3. Store important documents (passport, visa) originals in the hotel safe, and carry copies or digital versions on your phone when going out.

4. Anti-Theft and Anti-Fraud

5. Avoid exposing valuable items (such as DSLR cameras, designer bags) in public places, and keep your bag with you while taking photos at scenic spots.
6. Beware of "free activities" or "low-cost tours" on the street to avoid scams.

5. Social Interaction Precautions

1. Cautious Socializing
2. Maintain a friendly but moderate distance from strangers, avoiding sharing too much personal information (such as hotel name, itinerary details).

3. In bars or night markets, avoid accepting drinks from others, and do not drink anything left unattended.

4. Photography and Sharing

5. Be mindful of your surroundings when taking selfies, and avoid lingering in secluded areas.
6. Delay posting on social media by 1-2 days to avoid revealing your real-time location.

6. Health and Emergency Response

1. Health Protection
2. Purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation, and carry common medications (such as digestive aids, allergy medicine).

3. Choose restaurants with good hygiene standards (refer to Dianping ratings), and avoid raw food and street vendors with unknown origins.

4. Emergency Handling

5. If you encounter harassment or theft, call 110 immediately and contact the embassy (save the contact information in advance).
6. If lost or unable to communicate due to language barriers, seek help from uniformed staff (such as subway stations, mall attendants).

7. Recommended Practical Tools

1. Essential Apps
2. Navigation Maps: Baidu Maps or AutoNavi (support English interface).
3. Ride-Hailing: Didi Chuxing (bind international credit card).

4. Translation Tools: Google Translate or Tencent Translation (can be used offline).

5. Emergency Assistance

6. Search for “Foreign Ministry 12308” on WeChat Mini Programs to contact consular protection with one click.