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 Lijiang safe? 🇨🇳
China · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Lijiang scores 79/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Lijiang is a safe destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and a high sense of personal security. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Lijiang 🇨🇳
China · Assessed 13 October 2026
79
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime81/100GoodHomicide 0.5 / 100k
Sentiment89/100GoodVery 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 2026-10-09T09:52:51.7081377-04:00
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
90 / 100 (Very Positive)
90
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
211k residents
83
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 robbery is rare in Lijiang, with a low national homicide rate.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded tourist spots and markets.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Very Positive
89/100
Reported feel90Very Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report feeling very safe, with a high percentage feeling secure walking alone after dark.
Lijiang is a safe destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and a high sense of personal security.
While official advisories recommend caution for China broadly, Lijiang itself experiences very little crime affecting tourists. Travelers generally feel safe, though awareness of petty theft in crowded areas is advised.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Safety works began at Tiger Leaping Gorge following a rockfall.— AD HOC NEWS
- Aug 2026Raft reforms aimed at improving safety and order on the Lijiang River were implemented.— China Daily
- Apr 2026Lijiang's tourism sector is experiencing robust growth.— China Daily
Common scams
- Overcharging by taxi drivers
- Fake antique sales
Full briefing
Lijiang offers a generally secure environment for visitors, with a low incidence of serious crime. The city's low homicide rate and high percentage of people feeling safe walking alone after dark contribute to this positive assessment. However, as with any popular tourist destination, vigilance against petty theft is recommended.
Recent reports indicate ongoing efforts to enhance safety in surrounding natural attractions, such as the implementation of raft reforms on the Lijiang River and safety work at Tiger Leaping Gorge following a rockfall in September 2026. Tourism in the region is experiencing robust growth, suggesting a stable and welcoming atmosphere for travelers.
To ensure a safe trip, travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded areas like markets and popular viewpoints, where pickpocketing can occur. It is advisable to use reputable transportation services and be cautious of potential scams, such as inflated taxi fares or the sale of counterfeit antiques. Keeping valuables secure and out of sight will further mitigate risks.
Was this Lijiang, China report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Lijiang districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Lijiang safety map.
Old Town (Nighttime)cautionCan become less crowded and more prone to petty crime after dark.
Lijiang Train Station AreacautionStandard caution advised due to transient populations.
Tiger Leaping GorgecautionRecent rockfall requires awareness of natural hazards.
Old Town (Daytime)saferGenerally safe and well-trafficked during the day.
Shuhe Ancient TownsaferSimilar to Old Town, safe for visitors.
Baisha Old TownsaferQuieter and generally safe.
Dayan Town (modern Lijiang)saferModern areas are generally safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Lijiang safe at night?
91% of people in China say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Violent robbery is rare in Lijiang, with a low national homicide rate.
After dark, be most careful around Old Town (Nighttime), Lijiang Train Station Area, Tiger Leaping Gorge. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Lijiang safety FAQ (2026)
Is Lijiang safe right now (2026)?
Lijiang is a safe destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and a high sense of personal security. While official advisories recommend caution for China broadly, Lijiang itself experiences very little crime affecting tourists. Travelers generally feel safe, though awareness of petty theft in crowded areas is advised. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Lijiang safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Lijiang 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 Lijiang should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Lijiang (2026)?
- Overcharging by taxi drivers
- Fake antique sales
How does Lijiang compare with other places in China (2026)?
Lijiang ranks #2 of 9 China destinations we've assessed, scoring 79/100. See the China safety overview for the full list.
How is this lijiang safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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: lijiang.json (CC BY 4.0).