Is Shanghai 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 its country-level advisory, which applies nationwide rather than specifically to Shanghai.
• UK guidance describes a high global terrorism threat affecting British nationals and notes that attacks in China cannot be ruled out, even though foreigners have not been specifically targeted.
• China's national security laws have broad scope, and travelers can be detained without having intended to break the law, so care is advised around political topics, demonstrations, and sensitive areas.
• Serious crime against foreign visitors is described as relatively rare, but belongings should be watched closely at major tourist sites and other busy places.
• Scams such as the so-called tea tasting or massage scam target visitors in tourist areas and can lead to demands for large fees or threats; QR code phishing is also a noted risk given how widely QR codes are used locally.
• Drink spiking and sexual assault are rare but possible, and solo travelers, particularly women, are advised not to leave drinks unattended or accept them from strangers.
• Travelers should always carry their passport, since police carry out random ID checks and do not accept printed copies, and failing to produce ID can result in fines or detention.