Shenzhen is a sprawling megacity on China's southern coast, directly across the border from Hong Kong. Transformed from a fishing town of about 30,000 people into a metropolis of over 17 million in four decades, it is China's original Special Economic Zone and the country's leading technology hub, home to Tencent, Huawei, DJI, and thousands of electronics manufacturers.
Shenzhen is a very safe, modern city with low rates of violent crime and a strong police and camera-surveillance presence. The main concerns for visitors are consumer scams around electronics and gadgets, occasional taxi overcharging, and practical issues like the Great Firewall's internet restrictions and typhoon season. Standard precautions make for a smooth, trouble-free visit.
Current safety advisory
Low
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Shenzhen is one of mainland China's safest large cities, with very low rates of violent crime against visitors; the main risks are petty scams and overcharging rather than personal safety threats
Around Huaqiangbei, China's largest electronics market, some vendors sell counterfeit or defective electronics, SD cards with fake capacities, or refurbished phones sold as new; buy only from reputable, licensed stores and test items before paying
Registered metered taxis are generally honest, but a minority of unlicensed drivers at the airport, train stations, and border checkpoints overcharge tourists; use official taxi ranks or the Didi ride-hailing app instead
Mainland China's internet is heavily filtered (the Great Firewall blocks Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western social media and news sites); arrange a reliable VPN before arrival, as VPN apps cannot be downloaded once inside China
Shenzhen's mobile-payment culture (Alipay/WeChat Pay) means very little cash changes hands; carry some cash as backup, but pickpocketing of physical wallets is uncommon compared to cities that remain cash-heavy
Passports must be carried or a copy readily accessible at all times, as spot ID checks occasionally occur, particularly near border-crossing areas such as Luohu and Shenzhen Bay
Summer (June-September) brings high heat, humidity, and typhoon risk; monitor local weather alerts (via the Shenzhen Weather app or hotel notices) during typhoon season and avoid coastal areas when a signal is raised
Air quality is generally good for a major Chinese city but can dip in winter; those sensitive to pollution should check the daily AQI, especially November through February
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Counterfeit or defective electronics at Huaqiangbei
Huaqiangbei's markets sell everything from phones to components, and some stalls pass off counterfeit accessories, mislabeled memory cards, or refurbished devices sold as brand new, particularly to tourists unfamiliar with market norms
How to avoid: Buy electronics only from established shops with return policies, ask for a receipt (fapiao), test items before leaving the stall, and compare prices across several vendors before committing
Taxi and border-area overcharging
A small number of unlicensed drivers near the airport, Luohu, and Shenzhen Bay checkpoints target tourists with inflated flat fares instead of using the meter
How to avoid: Use official taxi ranks, insist on the meter, or book through Didi, which shows the fare upfront and is widely used and trusted in Shenzhen
Tea house and art gallery invitation scam
Friendly strangers, sometimes near tourist sites, invite visitors to a tea ceremony, art exhibition, or bar and then present an enormous bill after the fact
How to avoid: Politely decline unsolicited invitations from strangers to unfamiliar venues, especially ones offering to 'practice English'
Fake or unofficial tour and ticket sellers
Unofficial vendors near major attractions like Window of the World or Splendid China sometimes sell overpriced or invalid tickets
How to avoid: Buy tickets at official gates, through the venue's app, or via well-known platforms such as Ctrip/Trip.com and Klook
Currency exchange shortchanging
Informal money changers, mostly near border areas, may shortchange travelers or use rigged calculations
How to avoid: Exchange money only at banks (Bank of China, ICBC) or licensed exchange counters, and count cash received before walking away
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No specific vaccinations are required for entry; ensure routine vaccines are current, and consult a travel clinic about hepatitis A/B and typhoid for extended stays, per standard China travel guidance
- Water
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking; bottled or filtered/boiled water is standard practice, and hotels typically provide complimentary bottled water or an in-room kettle
- Food
- Food safety standards in Shenzhen's restaurants, hotels, and chain eateries are generally good; street food from busy, high-turnover stalls is usually safe, though very cheap unlicensed stalls carry more variability - stick to visibly clean, popular vendors
- Facilities
- Shenzhen has excellent modern hospitals. The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) in Futian operates an International Medical Center with English-speaking staff and a 24-hour Accident & Emergency department built to international protocols. Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, also in Futian, is a large Grade III Class A public hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, though English fluency among staff is more limited. Pharmacies (yaodian) are widespread for minor ailments.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 110
- Medical
- 120 (ambulance)
- Fire
- 119
- Traffic Accident
- 122
- General Emergency
- 110 for police in any emergency; 120 specifically for ambulance dispatch
- Main Hospital
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH), Haiyuan 1st Road, Futian District - International Medical Center with English-speaking staff
- Embassy Us
- US Consulate General Guangzhou: +86 20 3814 5000
- Embassy Uk
- British Consulate-General Guangzhou: +86 20 8314 3000