Go with a plan.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Shenzhen at 76/100 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 Shenzhen 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
24.5
Safety Index
75.5
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as China's national page, with crime swapped for Shenzhen's own Numbeo number above.
Local know-how
Staying safe in Shenzhen, specifically
- • Despite its sensationalized reputation among Hong Kong residents for being crime-ridden during the 2000s, Shenzhen's crime rate compares favorably with those of American and European cities of similar size.
- • The main crimes tourists are likely to encounter are scams and petty thefts.
- • Being scammed is not as common as in Beijing or Shanghai but be alert for people touting for business (massage, watches, shoes etc.) around the Luohu area, as they sell below-standard fakes at inflated prices.
- • You will encounter beggars but they are confined to a few places.
- • As an industrial megacity, Shenzhen has a smog problem.
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 Shenzhen at 76/100 for crime — that makes it read safer than China's national picture overall (64/100 vs 62/100).
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