There are so many Asian cities and countries that you might not realize a city you are thinking about visiting is even Asian.
For example, did you know India is in Asia, as well as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel?
Along with Malaysia, Thailand, China, and Indonesia, there are 48 countries according to the United Nations.
Choosing the most dangerous is going to prove challenging–and varied.
See where the 10 most dangerous cities in the largest continent are located as you plan a move or trip.
Contents
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Asia
1. The DMZ
The DMZ is the Demilitarized Zone for North Korea.
The area comprises the land between North and South Korea.
This nearly 150 miles of land buffers the warring countries and prevents people from crossing the border without permission.
A city of sorts, the DMZ was formed in 1953 following the Korean War Armistice Agreement ending the conflict.
Today, the DMZ continues to be home to undetonated bombs and mines since the Second World War.
Yet any person with a tour guide and a pass can visit the DMZ as a historical site.
However, you could be detained, arrested, shot at, or blown up by a 50-year-old explosive.
The countries of North and South Korea are still at war, after all.
2. Kabul, Afghanistan
In the 2022 Asian Crime Index, Kabul, Afghanistan had the highest score of 78.1.
The crime rate scale is based on a total of 100.
Crime scores on the index that fall between 60 and 80 are considered high.
If you are from the US, you are not supposed to travel to Afghanistan at all.
This is because there is armed conflict and terrorism, as well as kidnapping and other crimes.
3. Osaka, Japan
Osaka is the third-biggest city in Japan and has the highest per capita crime rate.
The neighborhood of Shinsekai is particularly troublesome.
In the south of Osaka, Shinsekai is the poorest and most seedy area of the city.
Osaka is also the place where the most US military posts are at 74 percent.
If you live on a US military base and are in Osaka, you most likely will want to avoid Shinsekai.
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh
According to the Asia Crime Index for 2018, the highest crime index was in Dhaka, Bangladesh at a score of 70.6.
The lowest city (# 87) for crime was Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates with a score of 13.6.
The US Embassy reiterates the dangers in Dhaka.
Current visitors to Dhaka should be highly cautious of terrorism, property crime, and kidnapping.
5. Male, Maldives
If you are traveling in the Maldives, there is currently as of October 2023 a high degree of caution.
You should be wary of terrorism and civil unrest currently affecting the country at large.
Male is the capital city of the Maldives, which is also an island of itself.
As a result, the island is extremely dense in population and housing–you cannot find a lot of room to spread out.
This overpopulation could be the cause of the increase in civil unrest and crime.
6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Right behind Dhaka on the Asia Crime Index for 2018 was the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia.
Second place on the ranking, the city had a score of 68.2.
However, most areas have no high reports of property or personal crime.
When visiting Kuala Lumpur, it is advised to avoid leaving Kuala Lumpur to go to the islands and Sabah.
Sabah is a state in northern Malaysia that is on a separate island from the Malay peninsula containing KL.
7. Meerut, India
The 2022 Asian Crime Index states Meerut is the second-most deadly city in India with a score of 68.9.
The reports show that Meerut has the second-highest homicide rate in the entirety of India.
The crime rate has increased over the past three years.
In the news, 10 murders have taken place in four days in September 2023, adding to the toils of violence.
A headless body was recovered from a river in one homicide.
8. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
While violent crime against travelers is not common, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam has high rates of other crimes.
The highest crime rate of HCMC is for bribery and corruption at a rate of 80.06, which is considered extremely high.
Assaults and armed robberies are not as prevalent with a crime rate of only 46.8, compared to the level of vandalism and theft with a score of 59.73 out of 100.
9. Hudaydah, Yemen
Yemen is the poorest country in Asia.
The country was ranked 183 out of 191 countries for human development in 2021/2022.
Hudaydah, a port city on the Red Sea, is the most dangerous city in Yemen.
Daily the city has cease-fire violations associated with the Yemen and Syrian civil wars.
Being at war and not having provisions is terrifying for locals and visitors.
Travel is not advised for Americans to Yemen or Hudaydah.
10. Chongqing, China
In the world’s largest city Chongqing, China, there are more than 30 million people.
Along with overpopulation, the city is where they also have the most motorcycles manufactured in China.
The illegal gun trafficking trade is equally huge in Chongqing.
In 2008, the Public Security Bureau reported there were nearly 340 criminal cases with weapons.
As a result of the large number of manufacturers in Chongqing, smuggling weapons is also a problem here.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Dangerous Asian Cities
Do Not Take a Private Vehicle
Go for public transportation when possible to ensure you are not left alone with a suspect, such as a cab driver.
Buses and trains are also going to have more secure ticketing agencies and purchasing opportunities.
This should make traveling safer for you.
Arrange for travel in advance, preferably before entering the city where you are staying if it is dangerous.
You will be able to avoid internet or phone scams and can have your ticket information in advance.
This will help you stay safe from scam artists and thieves.
Use Local Money for Payments
Be prepared to go directly to a money exchange office when you arrive in the Asian city, if you do not already have their local currency.
You want to have your money exchanged for the local currency to avoid having to haggle or getting harassed, and maybe later robbed, at shops where you want to spend US dollars.
Do not have large cash bills in hand when in these cities, even in your private car or hotel.
Instead, use a debit or credit card if possible to make payments.
This will offer some protection against criminal activities through the card provider and bank.
Stay With a Travel Partner
If you are a woman especially, do not travel alone.
Go with a travel agent company and tour guide or be with a trusted travel partner or group.
Do not shop alone or go to beauty treatments or massages in Asian cities that are dangerous.
If you are scheduling a medical procedure where you are going to be put to sleep with general anesthesia, bring a medical doctor or nurse with you.
Medical standards and safety precautions vary from city to city and as a traveler from out of the country you want to be extra careful.
Have a Schedule
The worst thing that can happen when in an Asian city is you are detained by local authorities for looking lost.
Have a travel itinerary and use the schedules for trains, etc., so you are not left out in the cold asking for directions.
Know how to read the signs and road names of the city where you are going to travel in Asia.
Practice asking for directions in the local language to prepare for any circumstance.
Know the Language
Before traveling to any Asian city, particularly one that is dangerous, learn a few important words and phrases in the local language.
Use the local language as often as possible to avoid looking like a foreigner.
Nod, smile, or avoid eye contact when you are confused to prevent appearing like you are not local.
Learn about the proper etiquette and customs of the Asian culture where you are visiting.
This includes researching local cuisine and entertainment to explore when you are in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Safest City in Asia?
Pune, India has the lowest crime index in India at 41.9.
The city is reportedly safe for women travelers to Maharashtra, India.
What is the Biggest Crime in Asia?
Asian organized crime is the largest threat to anyone in Asia and those traveling from abroad.
Interestingly, Interpol is the organization that has designated Asian organized crime (AOC) as a major threat.
The Interpol or International Criminal Police Organization uses AOC to determine where crime is, ironically.
Crimes that are committed by members of Asian organized crime include kidnapping, drug trafficking, and extortion, as well as gambling and human smuggling.
Is Singapore a City or a Country?
Actually, Singapore is a city and an island, as well as the smallest Southeast Asian country.
I have lived in Oaska for the past 8 months now and I absolutely love it here! the people are so nice to me (an American) and I feel very safe, still working on my language skills, learning Japanese is not easy at all for me.
Kudos to the author for tackling the not-so-glamorous side of travel. This post on the 10 most dangerous cities in Asia is a wake-up call for those of us who tend to romanticize every destination. The inclusion of safety tips and advice on how to navigate these cities responsibly is a valuable addition. It’s a reminder that, with the right precautions, one can still explore and enjoy these places while staying safe.