Is It Safe To Travel To China?

China is an interesting travel destination as it offers a long history, diverse culture, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and large cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. Though, with political instability appearing in the headlines, authoritarian regimes, air quality issues, and now, the COVID-19 virus, you might be asking yourself – is it safe to travel to China at the moment?

In response to the question, the short answer is normally yes; however, like any other country, one needs to exercise normal safety measures. However, there are some factors that you should consider before booking for travel.

Coronavirus Outbreak

The novel coronavirus that has its roots in Wuhan, China has affected tens of thousands to date and has claimed over a thousand lives in the country as of the writing of this document at the beginning of the year 2020. The Chinese government has locked down Wuhan and many other cities in China to prevent the further transmission of the virus.

Despite most of the cases having been reported in china, the coronavirus has been reported to have affected more than 26 countries. Most governments have put out alerts that people do not travel to China unnecessarily. The overall situation is unpredictable and knowing how long this outbreak will affect China makes it unwise to plan any short term travels. It is wise to wait and see how the situation unfolds in the following weeks or months.

Government Surveillance & Innovation

In the recent past, Chinese authorities have upped their surveillance of their people and visitors through the use of facial recognition technology and other enhancements. While this does improve public safety in general, it compromises privacy and freedom of speech to express opinions regarding the government. This preparation should be made as people should avoid discussing Chinese politics or any other related topics that are considered sensitive.

The Chinese government also frequently limits access from within China to many international Web sites and services, limiting connection and information. Due to this China’s ‘Great Firewall’ is constantly being improved and updated leading to inefficiency of VPNs. This means that travelers that mostly depend on google, face book, western news papers and other banned websites will experience a challenge of connectivity.

However – China is still very inventive in creating such things as high-speed railway systems, integrating digital payments, and city planning. In terms of technology, it is possible to get a look into how the advanced world of the future will look like when one visits major Chinese cities.

Street Crime & Scams

The crime against tourists in China, particularly violent ones, is still very low, especially given the large population and size of the country. However, you should use rationality and other issues related to safety in urban environments especially when walking at night alone. There is sometimes pickpocketing and theft in places with high population density such as subway and tourist attractions.

Staying away from con artists is important – do not go anywhere with a stranger or give your phone number to a stranger you have just met. Many friendly English speakers you meet in the streets might invite you to art shows, tea shops or bars, they make sure you pay a lot for services or products, which can be quite expensive. You should then follow your own research to make sure that the prices the seller is asking are reasonable or when converting your currency or buying expensive items.

Air Pollution

High speed of industrialization is also evident in china, thus making it a significant contributor to air pollution related problems. In this case, Beijing and other large Chinese cities are sometimes covered by thick smog, which hinders visibility and probably has adverse effects on health. If you are an asthmatic or sensitive to respiratory issues, ensure that you monitor the weather forecast for any changes in air quality and ensure you wear a face mask if you have to go out. When planning for a trip, note that winter is a very bad season for pollution, so if possible avoid it.

Cultural Differences

China is a country that has a number of subcultures within its population. There are some places that are still very conservative while others such as Hong Kong or Macau are relatively more liberal. There are some differences in the body language, ways of speaking and perceiving etiquette and norms in comparison with Western cultures. It is very helpful to remain patient and keep an open mind when traveling in China because it helps to better embrace the differences. Even knowing a few basics Chinese phrases is also good to show respect to the Chinese people.

This means that English is not widely spoken in China outside the areas that frequently receive tourists, which can make it difficult to communicate. As a result, it is advisable to work with local guides whenever one can or download translation applications that can be used offline. Better download a VPN service before travelling to use Google Translate for there is no Google still to date.

Wrap Up

Is it safe to travel to China? Of course, there are some points that are quite questionable starting from civil unrest, coronavirus threats to health, pollution dangers, and ending with censorship that hinders connection. However, it is still a country with great opportunities for the tourists who are ready to take certain safety precautions. Be reasonable, make sure you investigate the particular areas you are planning on visiting and respect government warnings and do not engage in protests or express opinions on political issues. If you ensure you prepare yourself adequately and you get to experience the culture shock of china, then you will be part of the most memorable moments of your life.

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