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

Travel advisories for China

What the advice says

• The US State Department rates China at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and this advisory is issued at the country level rather than specifically for Lanzhou.
• UK guidance notes that terrorist attacks in China cannot be ruled out, and travelers should take particular care during national holidays and at transport hubs.
• Chinese national security laws have broad scope, and travelers can face detention without having intended to break any law, including for activity that took place outside mainland China.
• Foreign nationals traveling to sensitive areas, including those with large ethnic minority populations, may attract extra attention from authorities, especially when taking photographs or engaging with political or ethnic minority groups.
• Serious crime against foreign nationals is described as relatively rare, though scams such as fake tea-tasting or massage invitations occur in tourist areas and can lead to demands for large fees.
• Solo travelers, particularly women, should avoid leaving drinks unattended or accepting drinks from strangers, since drink spiking and related assaults, while rare, have occurred.
• Travelers should always carry their passport, since police carry out random ID checks and do not accept printed copies.