Taiwan · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kaohsiung City scores 90/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Kaohsiung is one of the safest cities in Asia for visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Taiwan · Assessed 29 July 2026
90
/ 100
Safer than ~96% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“The UK does not recognise Taiwan as a state and has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, so limited support is available to British nationals. Please refer to the British Office in Taipei for further information.”
Updated 2026-07-13T08:20:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Taiwan: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-16T13:40:47.4056552-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported near the harbor area after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs mainly in crowded night markets and on public transport, especially during festivals
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
90/100
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel very safe walking during daylight and at night in central districts, with only minor concerns about petty theft.
Yes — Kaohsiung is one of the safest cities in Asia for visitors.
Crime rates are low and visitor safety scores are high, with violent crime virtually absent and petty theft limited to crowded areas.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Kaohsiung is exceptionally safe for travelers, with violent crime virtually nonexistent and the city’s overall safety index placing it among the world’s most secure destinations. The latest data from the World Bank and Numbeo confirm a very low crime index, and the UN‑recorded feeling‑safe rate exceeds 90 %, meaning most visitors walk freely day and night without fear.
Recent incidents documented in the live dossier reinforce this picture. In June 2026 police broke up a spate of bag‑snatching thefts at the Love River Night Market, and a month earlier a flag‑vendor scam at Kaohsiung Main Station left a tourist overcharged for a souvenir. A separate April 2026 raid also uncovered a small loan‑shark network preying on foreign workers in the Yancheng district, but these cases involve organized crime that does not target ordinary tourists.
The primary risks to visitors are petty scams and pickpocketing in crowded spots such as night markets, the main station and busy transport hubs. Scammers often pose as flag sellers or offer unsolicited souvenirs, and unmarked taxis may overcharge. Using app‑based ride services, keeping valuables concealed, and avoiding isolated harbor areas after dark mitigates these threats.
Overall, travelers can expect a trouble‑free stay if they observe basic precautions. The city’s robust public services, plentiful hospitals within a kilometre, and consistently high safety scores from both governmental and crowdsourced sources mean that Kaohsiung remains a welcoming, secure base for exploration. Stay alert in dense crowds, stick to well‑lit and patrolled neighborhoods, and you’ll enjoy Kaohsiung’s vibrant culture and waterfront attractions with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Kaohsiung City districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kaohsiung City safety map.
XinxingavoidHigh concentration of transient populations and reported thefts near train station
GushancautionPopular nightlife area; stay alert after dark and watch belongings in crowded bars
CiaotoucautionIndustrial outskirts; avoid isolated streets after dark, otherwise low risk
LinyicautionCommercial zone; scams reported at night markets, keep valuables secure
YanchengsaferTourist hub with heavy foot traffic, police patrols, and well-lit streets; petty theft only
SiaogangsaferQuiet residential zone with low crime and good emergency services nearby
DashisaferUniversity district with active student presence and regular police checks
ShoushansaferMountainous park area; minimal crime but check weather for sudden storms
07 · After Dark
91% of people in Taiwan say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2020).
Mugging and armed robbery are extremely rare; isolated incidents have been reported near the harbor area after dark
After dark, be most careful around Xinxing, Gushan, Ciaotou, Linyi. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Kaohsiung City's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes — Kaohsiung is one of the safest cities in Asia for visitors. Crime rates are low and visitor safety scores are high, with violent crime virtually absent and petty theft limited to crowded areas. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags Xinxing as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Kaohsiung City ranks #1 of 5 Taiwan destinations we've assessed, scoring 90/100. See the Taiwan safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 9+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the Taiwan safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kaohsiung-city.json (CC BY 4.0).
