Is Hefei safe to visit right now? (September 2026)

Travel advisories for China

What the advice says

• The US State Department places China at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, in an advisory dated September 2026; this rating is set at the country level, not specifically for Hefei.
• The UK FCDO advisory is also issued for China as a whole and notes that its guidance covers regions of the country generally rather than singling out Hefei.
• The FCDO highlights a general threat of terrorism, including at transport hubs and places visited by foreigners, and advises staying alert in busy public places.
• It warns that Chinese national security laws are broad in scope and that travelers can be detained without having intended to break the law, so avoiding demonstrations, political statements, and sensitive photography is advised.
• Scams involving strangers inviting travelers to tea tastings or massages, followed by demands for large payments, are noted as a specific risk in tourist areas, along with QR code phishing.
• The advisory notes that drink spiking and sexual assault are rare but possible, and that women traveling alone or with friends could face higher risk, so normal solo-traveler and after-dark precautions are worth following.
• Travelers are advised to carry passports at all times, since police may conduct random ID checks and do not accept printed copies.