China : Safety by City
China - safety as a countryTianjin is a metropolis and one of the national central cities of China, with a total population of more than 15 million people.
What attracts tourists are numerous landmarks.
This amazing city is the home of Beijing opera, the most respected Chinese opera. Its sights are incredible and Tianjin boasts with many architecturally wonderful buildings.
The city’s unique beauty developed thanks to the impact of European countries such as Italy, Germany, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Japan, and Belgium.
Tianjin’s famous art forms are available in the local theaters, while some of the most visited sights are Tianjin Museum, Tianjin Binhai Library, Tianjin Art Gallery and Tianjin Eye.
For those who want to enjoy its cuisine, the city’s restaurants offer delicious seafood, due to Tianjin’s closeness to the sea.
Warnings & Dangers in Tianjin
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Considering Tianjin’s safety statistics, it can be seen as a non-violent city, since most of the crimes are petty ones, such as theft and purse snatching. As long as tourists pay attention to people around them when in crowded streets and take precautions, they will protect themselves from becoming a victim.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Unlicensed taxis are not secure since they do not use the meter and there were situations when the taxi drivers drove off without taking out the tourists’ luggage from the trunk. A pedestrian should follow the locals when crossing the street because domestic drivers and cyclists do not respect traffic lights and go without looking.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpocketing and purse snatching are the two most frequent crime acts since a large population in combination with numerous tourists represents heaven for thieves. The best advice is to keep a watchful eye on your things.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
The possible natural disaster in Tianjin is an earthquake since it is situated in an active seismic zone.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The reports on mugging and kidnapping are only about domestic crime, and even that hardly ever happens. When these kinds of criminal acts are in question, foreigners are not targeted, so tourists can be considered safe.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The fear of terrorist attacks is needless in Tianjin. There are some inner threats to social stability and national security, and in case that happens, tourists just need to follow the advice of authorities and tourist guides.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Fake banknotes are a common and serious problem in Tianjin. Taxi drivers tend to take advantage of foreigners and overcharge them, as well as all the others who get the chance of doing that. Typical scams are in shops where price tag says one, and they charge you another price. If you decide to rent something, you leave a deposit and once you return what you have rented, they do not give you back the exact amount.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
There are plenty of reports from female travelers who went to Tianjin alone and felt safe during the whole duration of their trip. So, foreign women are unlikely to suffer any kind of serious assaults here. The only possible criminal act can be purse snatching, so females should stay alert in buses, bus stations, and crowded areas.
So... How Safe Is Tianjin Really?
Tianjin, which is very close to Beijing, is a progressive and ever-developing center that can boast with the presence of the increasing number of tourists.
They come to see one of the most popular streets – the Five Avenue – due to its architecture or to spend hours infamous shopping malls throughout the city.
When a crime in Tianjin is concerned, violent criminal acts are not common and especially not against tourists.
As in any other huge and populous city, petty crimes flourish and authorities are doing their best to somehow prevent it.
The best way to stay safe in Tianjin is to be self-confident while walking, pay attention in case you are being followed by a suspicious person and avoid being alone, particularly at night.
How Does Tianjin Compare?
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Tianjin | 67 |
Shanghai | 66 |
Hong Kong | 70 |
Guangzhou | 64 |
Shenzhen | 64 |
Beijing | 65 |
Macau | 66 |
Brussels (Belgium) | 60 |
Belize City (Belize) | 37 |
La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
Useful Information
Visas
The documentation that you need to have when coming to Tianjin is a valid passport and a visa. Some nationalities, like the US, Australia, Canada, France, Brazil, and the UK can stay in Tianjin for 72 hours without a visa if they are traveling outside of China. Hong Kong and Macau have separate conditions in terms of visas. To find more information about the Chinese visa, you can visit certain sites online.
Currency
China’s official currency is yuan or renminbi. Once you decide to exchange your money, the Bank of China is the only domestic bank which offers the best exchange rates, but higher fees. Its ATMs accept foreign cards. China is a country where cash is the most commonly used way of payment, but some hotels will accept international credit cards. Tourists are advised to always have cash with them because you never know whether your credit card will be accepted or not.
Weather
Tianjin has a temperate monsoon climate. The annually averaged temperature is 12 °C and the hottest month is July. The climate is characterized by pleasant autumns, cold winters, and hot and rainy summers when temperatures can reach even 40 degrees. The period from February to September is the rainy season, so the best time to visit Tianjin is spring and autumn when the climate is the most stable.
Airports
Tianjin Binhai International Airport is about 13 kilometers from the center of Tianjin and it is one of the major cargo centers in China. It is the only airport for passengers and the nearest alternative to Beijing Capital International Airport.
Travel Insurance
To feel secure in Tianjin, you should have a travel insurance policy. Accidents and illnesses cannot be predicted, as well as baggage loss or theft, and they can affect your trip.
Tianjin Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High °C | 2 | 6 | 12 | 20 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 26 | 20 | 10 | 3 |
Low °C | -8 | -5 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 9 | 1 | -6 |
High °F | 36 | 43 | 54 | 68 | 79 | 84 | 88 | 88 | 79 | 68 | 50 | 37 |
Low °F | 18 | 23 | 36 | 50 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 72 | 63 | 48 | 34 | 21 |
China - Safety by City
City | Safety Index |
---|---|
Beijing | 65 |
Guangzhou | 64 |
Hong Kong | 70 |
Macau | 66 |
Shanghai | 66 |
Shenzhen | 64 |
Tianjin | 67 |
Tibet | 87 |
Xinjiang | 80 |
Almost completely safe
I lived in Tianjin for 2 years. To say that the pickpocket risks are high is absurd. In fact, there’s almost no chance that you’ll be the victim of any crime in this city other than bicycle theft.
Visit Tianjin if you want a special experience
Here I’ve had some of the best seafood ever.
The food was very fresh and well cooked.
Every building and street is beautiful here and has something special.
You have to experience the city to understand what I mean.
I have lived as a Canadian expat in Tianjin for the past three years. It is an exceptionally safe and welcoming city. It is certainly safer than my hometown of Vancouver, Canada. Tianjin is safe at night and there are always people around especially in the downtown districts of Hebei and Nankai. Risk of pickpocketing is low. There used to be a lot of scams in China but everything that I’ve experienced is by the book: hotel deposits, gym fees, prices at grocery stores. Few merchants are looking to rip off foreigners. It can happen, but it was more common before we chat when I lived in China from 2004-2012. Come visit Tianjin, you’ll enjoy it!