Go with a plan.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Shanghai at 74/100 for crime — that makes it read safer than China's national picture overall (64/100 vs 62/100).
City page · part of China
The one number a country page can't give you
What people who actually live in Shanghai report
Numbeo aggregates thousands of resident-submitted perception surveys into a per-city Crime Index (higher = worse) and its inverse, a Safety Index — the only real city-granularity crime signal feeding this page, alongside China's national advisory, political, health, and police-trust data.
Crime Index
26.4
Safety Index
73.6
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as China's national page, with crime swapped for Shanghai's own Numbeo number above.
Local know-how
Staying safe in Shanghai, specifically
- • Shanghai, despite its size, is a very safe city, and violent crime is incredibly rare; it is generally not a problem for women to roam the streets alone at night.
- • Although pickpocketing is not as rampant as in major European cities, it pays to be prudent, especially in crowded public transport and the main shopping streets.
- • Beware of this taxi scam: first you agree on price (e.g., ¥300 for a taxi shared with someone else from Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou) then after a short taxi ride they ask to get out and a group of people say that you need to pay agreed money right now.
- • The notorious tea house scam, long practiced in Beijing, is unfortunately spreading to Shanghai as well.
Legal status (national law)
Legal since 1997
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country →Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / I · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 110 / ambulance: 120 / fire: 119
Tipping
As a general rule, tipping is not practised in China. When leaving a tip on your table, it is common to see a waiter chase after you to return the money you "forgot" to take.
SIM / Data
Mobile phones offer good service in China, with strong 4G and 5G networks. International roaming is expensive (¥12–35/min), but roaming data is uncensored. Check rates with your provider or consider a prepaid Chinese SIM card if staying for more than a few days. SIM cards usually require a passport and registration at the provider's main office.
Cash vs. Card
Outside of star-rated or chain hotels, major supermarkets, and high-class restaurants, foreign credit/debit cards like Visa and MasterCard are generally not accepted and most transactions will require cash or mobile payments. Many department stores and large grocery stores have point-of-sale terminals for Chinese bank cards, but most foreign cards are not supported.
How this compares to China
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Shanghai at 74/100 for crime — that makes it read safer than China's national picture overall (64/100 vs 62/100).
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