No advisory against travel
“This travel advice covers mainland China. See travel advice for the Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao.”
Updated 2026-08-27T22:02:55Z
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.8 districts
Is Hefei safe? 🇨🇳
China · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Hefei scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Hefei is generally safe for visitors, with low violent crime and moderate petty crime risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Hefei 🇨🇳
China · Assessed 3 October 2026
77
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~83% of countries
What drives this score
Crime77/100GoodCrime index 23.0 / 100
Sentiment88/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability67Fair
Health76Good
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 2026-10-01T11:35:48.2469042-04:00
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
88 / 100 (Mostly positive)
88
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
5.0M residents
48
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2China0.5Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
98
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare; incidents mostly occur late at night in poorly lit areas near transport hubs.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in crowded markets, public transport, and tourist sites, especially during peak hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Reported feel88Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone during day and night, citing low visible crime and helpful police presence in central districts.
Yes. Hefei is generally safe for visitors, with low violent crime and moderate petty crime risks.
Hefei benefits from a very low homicide rate and strong public safety perception, though petty crime like pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas such as train stations and markets. Scams targeting tourists, including taxi overcharging and tea ceremony traps, are reported but avoidable with caution. Traffic accidents remain the leading safety concern for foreigners due to high pedestrian fatality rates.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Hefei Ganquan Church elders sentenced for 'fraud' after accepting tithes, reflecting ongoing religious activity monitoring— Human Rights in China | Substack
- Jun 2026Residents protested and canceled a planned garbage transfer station, showing local environmental concerns can trigger public demonstrations— The Online Citizen
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging or refusal to use meter
- Tea ceremony or art student scams inviting tourists to overpriced venues
- Fake tour guides or rigged shopping tours
Full briefing
Hefei remains a secure destination for travelers, with violent crime exceptionally rare and most visitors reporting high comfort levels walking in urban areas. The city’s safety is supported by strong data: a homicide rate of just 0.5 per 100,000 and over 91% of residents feeling safe walking alone after dark. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing is noted in busy zones like Hefei Railway Station and the Huaiyuan Road market, particularly during rush hours or festivals, so securing belongings is advised. Traffic poses the greatest risk, as China’s pedestrian fatality rate is triple that of the U.S., making vigilance essential when crossing streets, even at marked crosswalks.
Recent local developments include a March 2026 sentencing of church elders in Hefei’s Ganquan Church for alleged fraud related to tithes, indicating continued scrutiny of religious groups, and a June 2026 resident-led protest that halted a garbage transfer station plan, demonstrating how local environmental issues can spark public demonstrations. While neither directly threatens tourists, they reflect the importance of avoiding political or religious activism and staying aware of local sensitivities. Scams such as taxi overcharging, tea ceremony traps, and fake art student invitations persist in tourist areas but are easily avoided by using official transport, declining unsolicited invitations, and verifying tour operators.
To stay safe, rely on ride-hailing apps like Didi for transparent pricing, avoid carrying large sums of cash, and keep passports and valuables in hotel safes. When exploring markets or stations, wear bags front-facing and stay alert to distractions. Always have your hotel’s address written in Chinese to show drivers or police if needed. Air quality in October is moderate (AQI 71), posing minimal risk, and no natural disaster alerts are active. By observing standard precautions and respecting local laws — especially avoiding protests or religious disputes — visitors can expect a safe and smooth experience in Hefei.
Was this Hefei, China report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Hefei districts for visitors: 5 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Hefei safety map.
Hefei Railway Station areaavoidHigh congestion and transient crowds elevate pickpocketing and scam risks, particularly at night.
Yaohai DistrictcautionOlder urban area near train station; higher foot traffic increases pickpocket risk, especially at night.
Changfeng CountycautionWestern county near Chaohu Lake; isolated areas may pose risks after dark, though violent crime remains rare.
Baohe DistrictsaferCentral district with government offices, universities, and Baohe Park; low crime and well-patrolled.
Shushan DistrictsaferHigh-tech zone with science parks and residential areas; generally safe day and night.
Luyang DistrictsaferCommercial hub with shopping malls and dining; petty theft possible in crowded areas but overall secure.
Feixi CountysaferSuburban county with industrial parks and rural areas; low crime but limited nighttime lighting in villages.
Feidong CountysaferEastern county with scenic areas and manufacturing zones; safety consistent with regional averages.
07 · After Dark
Is Hefei safe at night?
91% of people in China say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare; incidents mostly occur late at night in poorly lit areas near transport hubs.
After dark, be most careful around Hefei Railway Station area, Yaohai District, Changfeng County. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Hefei safety FAQ (2026)
Is Hefei safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Hefei is generally safe for visitors, with low violent crime and moderate petty crime risks. Hefei benefits from a very low homicide rate and strong public safety perception, though petty crime like pickpocketing occurs in crowded areas such as train stations and markets. Scams targeting tourists, including taxi overcharging and tea ceremony traps, are reported but avoidable with caution. Traffic accidents remain the leading safety concern for foreigners due to high pedestrian fatality rates. (Assessed 3 October 2026.)
Is Hefei safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Hefei 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 Hefei should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Hefei Railway Station area as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Hefei (2026)?
- Taxi overcharging or refusal to use meter
- Tea ceremony or art student scams inviting tourists to overpriced venues
- Fake tour guides or rigged shopping tours
How does Hefei compare with other places in China (2026)?
Hefei ranks #7 of 9 China destinations we've assessed, scoring 77/100. See the China safety overview for the full list.
How is this hefei safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ 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.
More China reports
6 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the China safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: hefei.json (CC BY 4.0).