Fast. Reliable. Free.
Made for travelers, by travelers
China · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Nanjing scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Nanjing is generally safe for visitors, with low violent crime but moderate petty theft and scam risks in crowded areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
China · Assessed 18 October 2026
77
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Fri, 04 Sep 2026
Full advisory →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
Full advisory →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 2026-10-14T10:01:47.8603619-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery against visitors is extremely rare; no recent incidents reported in the dossier.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur on crowded buses, subways, and around Fuzimiao and transport hubs.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
88/100
Recent traveler reports describe Nanjing as very safe to walk around, with high confidence in nighttime walks and low concern about personal theft.
Yes. Nanjing is generally safe for visitors, with low violent crime but moderate petty theft and scam risks in crowded areas.
Nanjing has very low homicide and violent crime rates, and visitors report feeling safe walking alone day and night. However, pickpocketing and tourist scams occur around major attractions and transport hubs, and arbitrary law enforcement remains a concern per foreign government advisories.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Nanjing remains one of China’s safer major cities for visitors, with violent crime against foreigners being uncommon. The city’s extensive public transportation and well-populated tourist zones contribute to a strong sense of personal safety, especially during daylight and evening hours. However, petty theft persists in crowded environments such as the Fuzimiao area, subway lines, and bus stations, where pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the most frequent risks to travelers.
Scams targeting visitors include unofficial taxi and bus touts near transport hubs who may overcharge or take tourists to incorrect locations, as well as counterfeit goods sold in tourist markets. Travelers should use official taxi stands, verify transport tickets at designated gates, and remain cautious of unsolicited offers. Additionally, foreign visitors are advised to carry identification, avoid photographing government or military installations, and refrain from participating in or observing political demonstrations due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement under local laws.
While no recent criminal incidents involving visitors appear in the dossier, broader developments such as the April 2026 museum audit following a Ming artwork scandal and ongoing historical discourse around the Nanjing Massacre highlight sensitivities that could indirectly affect the travel environment. Air quality in October is moderate, and no natural hazards are active. With standard precautions, Nanjing offers a safe and manageable experience for tourists exploring its historical and cultural sites.
Was this Nanjing, China report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Nanjing districts for visitors: 5 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Nanjing safety map.
Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple)cautionPickpocketing and scams reported in crowded tourist area; stay alert with belongings.
ZhonghuamencautionTransport hub with reports of unofficial taxi and bus touts overcharging tourists.
Qinhuai River Scenic AreacautionTourist zone with pickpocketing risk in crowds; avoid isolated parts after dark.
Xuanwu LakesaferPopular park with low crime; safe for daytime and evening walks.
Gulou (Drum Tower)saferHistoric district with strong police presence; minimal crime reported.
Nanjing University (Gulou Campus)saferUniversity area with low crime; safe for visitors during daylight hours.
Hexi (New Town)saferModern business district with low crime; safe for daytime and nighttime activities.
YuhuataisaferResidential and memorial area with low crime; safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
91% of people in China say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Armed robbery against visitors is extremely rare; no recent incidents reported in the dossier.
After dark, be most careful around Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple), Zhonghuamen, Qinhuai River Scenic Area. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Nanjing is generally safe for visitors, with low violent crime but moderate petty theft and scam risks in crowded areas. Nanjing has very low homicide and violent crime rates, and visitors report feeling safe walking alone day and night. However, pickpocketing and tourist scams occur around major attractions and transport hubs, and arbitrary law enforcement remains a concern per foreign government advisories. (Assessed 18 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Nanjing 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.
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Nanjing ranks #9 of 9 China destinations we've assessed, scoring 77/100. See the China safety overview for the full list.
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.
Keep exploring
Raw data: nanjing.json (CC BY 4.0).
