Exploring China alone is safe and fun! Whether you are a solo traveller or a female backpacker, China's perfect security, convenient transportation and rich tourism resources allow you to travel with peace of mind. This guide includes safety tips, must-have checklists, recommended destinations, and tours for solo travellers to help you start your own journey.
🏷️Find Cheap Flights, Hotels, Train Tickets, and eSIMs & SIM Card for Your China Trip
👉Search More Cheap China Attractions Tickets and Tours on Trip.com
Is China Safe for Solo Travel?
That’s right! China is one of the safest countries for solo travel. Especially since the visa-free transit policy opened up, more solo and group travellers are visiting major Chinese cities than before. You can find 24-hour convenience stores everywhere. Public transport, like subways and high-speed trains, is clean and efficient. Many places have English signs, and even if locals don’t speak much English, they are often happy to help.
Is China Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
China is definitely a safe choice for solo female travellers! As a woman who often travels alone, I've visited many cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Xi'an, Tianjin, and Hebei. Public safety is excellent here - subway security checks are strict, and shopping areas/main streets stay busy and well-lit at night. I've never had safety issues, whether admiring Chongqing's Hongyadong night views or eating late-night snacks on Guangzhou streets.
However, you still need to pay attention to some details when travelling alone. It's best to plan ahead - avoid quiet alleys, note taxi license plates at night, and choose chain hotels or metro-accessible accommodations. These cities have great tourist facilities, and locals are often happy to help. Just keep valuables secure, download maps/translation apps (many places accept mobile payments), and solo female travel is completely manageable.
😅 As an INTP personality, I totally get the urge for spontaneous trips - I used to book hotels last-minute too! But honestly...pre-booking in China saves you the hassle. During holidays, rooms in popular cities may sell out quickly, and attractions like the Forbidden City also require advance bookings. Now I will at least book a hotel for the first night, so that I can have some flexibility and avoid the embarrassment of dragging my suitcase around the streets looking for a hotel.
👉Search More Cheap China Attractions Tickets and Tours on Trip.com
What to Prepare for Solo Travel in China? (Packing List)
🛂 Travel documents
✓ Passport (valid for 6+ months)
✓ Chinese Visa (24/240-hour visa-free transit in 54 countries)
✓ Printed copies of passport, visa, and hotel bookings
✓ Health QR Code (fill in via WeChat "Customs Pocket Service")
✓ Travel Insurance (recommended for emergencies)
📝Packing List
📶 Electronics:
- Smartphone + charger
- Universal adapter (China uses Type A/C plugs)
- Portable Wi-Fi/eSIM & SIM card (or buy one at the airport)
👕 Daily Essentials
- Clothes (Pack for the season - winters get cold!)
- Comfy shoes (Perfect for citywalk adventures)
- Basic toiletries (Can buy cheaper in China)
- Skincare (Moisturizer for dry areas like Beijing)
- Sun protection (Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
- Rain gear (Small umbrella/light raincoat)
- Personal meds (Prescription drugs + basic first-aid)
💳Money & Payments:
- Some cash (RMB) (not all places accept cards)
- Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay (for cashless payments)
- Credit/debit card (for hotels/flights)
📱 Must-Have Apps
- Payments: Alipay / WeChat Pay
- Maps: Amap / Apple Maps
- Travel: Trip.com (for hotels/flights/trains)
- Transport: Didi (taxi) / Metro Man (subway)
- Translation: Pleco / Google Translate (download Chinese offline)
Best Places to Travel Solo in China
Solo travel in China is easy and fun! Big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are perfect for solo travellers. They are safe, have good transport, and many interesting places to visit. You can see famous landmarks, try delicious food, and meet friendly people.
Other amazing cities I've personally explored solo include: Chengdu for pandas, Xi'an for history, and Chongqing for spicy food. These places are also safe and easy to explore alone. Now, let’s take a closer look at why these cities are so great for solo adventures!
1. Beijing
History: Beijing is China’s ancient capital with over 3,000 years of history. Must-see sites like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven showcase imperial China’s grandeur.
Safety: Very safe for a solo traveller, even at night. Police presence is strong, and subway stations have strict security checks.
Attractions: From historic hutongs (alleyways) to modern art districts like 798, Beijing mixes old and new. Parks like Summer Palace offer peaceful escapes.
Food: Famous for Peking duck, jianbing (savory crepes), and hearty noodle dishes. Night markets and food streets (e.g., Wangfujing, Qianmen) are great for solo diners.
Transport: Easy to explore with cheap, efficient subways and shared bikes. I remember that the upper limit of Beijing metro fare was only￥7. Signs and metro announcements include English.
Unique Vibe: A blend of tradition (tea houses, tai chi in parks) and modernity (skyscrapers, tech hubs). Although English is not widely spoken, the locals are friendly.
Bonus: Affordable hostels/hotels and many free/low-cost activities (museums, temple visits). Perfect for budget solo trips!
2. Shanghai
History: Shanghai has a mix of old and new. You can see old buildings on the Bund and visit the 400-year-old Yu Garden. The Shanghai Museum shows China's long history.
Safety: Shanghai is very safe for solo travellers. Streets are clean and well-lit at night. Police and security cameras are everywhere. Many shops stay open late.
Attractions: Top spots include the Bund (great for photo ops), Shanghai Tower (China's tallest building), and Tianzifang (artsy shopping area). In addition, there are many parks and gardens.
Food: Try famous Shanghai dishes like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and shengjianbao (fried buns). The city has food from all over China and the world. Night markets are fun and cheap.
Transport: The Shanghai Metro is convenient and has English signs. Taxis are affordable. You can walk to many places in the city centre.
Helpful for Tourists: More people speak English here than in other Chinese cities. Many train station signs and metro announcements have English. Tourist centers can help with maps.
Good for Budget Travel: There are cheap hostels and good budget hotels. Many attractions are free or low-cost. The metro is very affordable (about ¥3-8 per ride).
Extra Tips: Buy a transportation card for easy access to the subway/bus. Visit during weekdays to avoid crowds. Download a translation app - it helps with menus and signs.
3. Guangzhou
History: Guangzhou has 2,200 years of history as a major trading port. See ancient sites like the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees and modern landmarks like Canton Tower. The city is also famous for hosting the Canton Fair (China's biggest trade fair) every year.
Safety: Very safe for solo travellers. The city has good lighting at night and helpful police. Subway stations have security checks.
Attractions: Visit Guangzhou Chimelong Tourist Resort, Yuexiu Park, Shamian Island (colonial buildings), and Canton Tower for great views. The Pearl River night cruise is popular.
Food: Guangzhou is famous for dim sum, roast goose, and Cantonese cuisine. Try local tea houses and street food in Beijing Road area.
Transport: Easy to get around with metro (signs in English), buses, and taxis. The airport connects to many international cities.
Helpful for Tourists: Some people speak basic English in tourist areas and Canton Fair venues. Many restaurants have picture menus. Metro announcements are in English and Chinese.
Good for Budget Travel: It is cheaper to travel to Guangzhou than to Beijing or Shanghai! Affordable hostels and hotels. Many free parks and cheap local eateries. Metro fares start at ¥2.
Extra Tips: Visit in spring or autumn for best weather. Download a metro map app for easier navigation.
4. Other Best Places to Travel Solo
China has many safe cities for solo travel besides Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. I've travelled alone to places like Chengdu (see pandas!), Xi'an (visit the Terracotta Army), and Chongqing (eat hot pot). These cities are all very safe with good transport systems.
You can easily explore them alone. Suzhou has beautiful gardens, Hangzhou has West Lake, and Xi'an has great street food. All these places are safe with helpful police and English signs in tourist areas. They're often cheaper and less crowded than the biggest cities.
I have personally visited all of these places. They're perfect for solo travellers who want to see real China. You'll find good hotels, easy transport and friendly people everywhere. Ready to try?
China Tours for Solo Travellers
Travelling alone in China is safe and fun, but joining a tour group can make things easier. Many tour operators offer specialized solo tours where you can meet other travellers while visiting top sights. Most of these tours handle hotels, transport and tickets, so you don't need to plan everything yourself.
Good options include small group tours (8-12 people) or private tours with local guides. Popular choices are the Great Wall hikes, Yangtze River cruises, or food tours in Chengdu. Many hostels also organize cheap day trips - great for meeting people. You can enjoy the freedom of travelling alone and get extra help when you need it.
504 booked
