No advisory against travel
“This travel advice covers mainland China. See travel advice for the Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:30:13Z
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Is Hangzhou safe? 🇨🇳
China · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Hangzhou scores 78/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Hangzhou is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and high public confidence in walking alone after dark. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Hangzhou 🇨🇳
China · Assessed 13 October 2026
78
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime77/100GoodCrime index 23.0 / 100
Sentiment90/100GoodVery Positive
Advisories75Good
Stability67Fair
Health72Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for China: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:52:51.7081377-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
95 / 100 (Very Positive)
95
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
9.2M residents
40
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2China0.5Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
98
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime and robbery are statistically very low in Hangzhou.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist spots and on public transport.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Very Positive
90/100
Reported feel95Very Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Over 91% of people feel safe walking alone after dark, indicating a high level of perceived safety among residents and visitors.
Hangzhou is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and high public confidence in walking alone after dark.
While official advisories recommend exercising a high degree of caution due to broader regional concerns, Hangzhou itself presents a low risk for typical tourist-related crime. Travelers should be aware of potential air quality issues and traffic safety.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Typhoon Bavi disrupted travel across China, with significant flight cancellations.— Global Times
- Jun 2026A safety rating for Hangzhou was published, indicating it is safe for travel.— Travel Safe - Abroad
- May 2026Humanoid robots were being tested in Hangzhou traffic and tourist areas.— AI Insider
- Dec 2015Protests against industrial air pollution occurred in Hangzhou City.— Middle East Institute
Common scams
- Tea ceremony scams where overly friendly individuals invite tourists to a tea ceremony, then charge exorbitant prices.
- Fake art or antique sales, particularly in tourist areas.
Full briefing
Hangzhou presents a generally safe environment for travelers, with official data indicating a low incidence of crime and a high public perception of safety, particularly regarding walking alone at night. While Canadian government advisories suggest exercising a high degree of caution for China overall, this sentiment does not appear to be directly linked to specific threats within Hangzhou itself.
Recent news indicates that humanoid robots are being tested in Hangzhou's traffic and tourist areas, a development that suggests ongoing technological integration. However, travelers should remain mindful of potential air quality issues, as indicated by an unhealthy US AQI reading, and exercise caution on the roads due to traffic risks, which are higher than in many developed nations.
While violent crime is statistically rare, pickpocketing remains a moderate risk in crowded tourist locations and on public transportation. Travelers should also be aware of common scams, such as the tea ceremony scam, and exercise vigilance when making purchases. It is advisable to monitor air quality reports and consider protective measures on days with poor air.
Was this Hangzhou, China report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 Hangzhou districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Hangzhou safety map.
Gongshu DistrictcautionIncludes older and newer areas; exercise standard urban vigilance, especially after dark.
Xiaoshan DistrictcautionA large district with industrial and residential areas; be aware of surroundings.
Fuyang DistrictcautionMore rural and mountainous; stick to established tourist paths and be prepared for varying conditions.
Xihu DistrictsaferHome to West Lake, generally safe and well-patrolled.
Binjiang DistrictsaferA modern, high-tech zone with good infrastructure and low crime.
Shangcheng DistrictsaferCentral business and shopping area, safe with usual city precautions.
07 · After Dark
Is Hangzhou safe at night?
91% of people in China say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Violent crime and robbery are statistically very low in Hangzhou.
After dark, be most careful around Gongshu District, Xiaoshan District, Fuyang District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Hangzhou safety FAQ (2026)
Is Hangzhou safe right now (2026)?
Hangzhou is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and high public confidence in walking alone after dark. While official advisories recommend exercising a high degree of caution due to broader regional concerns, Hangzhou itself presents a low risk for typical tourist-related crime. Travelers should be aware of potential air quality issues and traffic safety. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Hangzhou safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Hangzhou report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Hangzhou should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Hangzhou (2026)?
- Tea ceremony scams where overly friendly individuals invite tourists to a tea ceremony, then charge exorbitant prices.
- Fake art or antique sales, particularly in tourist areas.
How does Hangzhou compare with other places in China (2026)?
Hangzhou ranks #7 of 9 China destinations we've assessed, scoring 78/100. See the China safety overview for the full list.
How is this hangzhou safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: hangzhou.json (CC BY 4.0).