Shaanxi is a landlocked province in north-central China that served as the cradle of Chinese civilization and the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road. Home to the world-famous Terracotta Army, the Ming-dynasty Xi'an City Wall, and the sacred cliffs of Mount Hua, Shaanxi pairs 3,000 years of imperial history with the hearty noodle-and-lamb cuisine of the Loess Plateau.
Shaanxi is a very safe destination for international travelers with low rates of violent crime in Xi'an and other cities. The main safety considerations are ticket-scalping and taxi-touting scams around major tourist sites, and the need to navigate Chinese internet restrictions and payment systems.
Current safety advisory
Low
The US State Department rates China at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws and exit bans, not due to crime or terrorism. Shaanxi itself presents no specific elevated security concerns for international travelers behaving lawfully.
Last updated: 2026-04
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Be aware of exit ban policies that could prevent departure even for minor disputes. Standard tourist activities in Shaanxi present very low risk.
Standard Precautions
Shaanxi is generally safe for travelers. Take normal precautions against opportunistic theft in crowded tourist areas such as the Terracotta Army and Muslim Quarter.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Buy Terracotta Army tickets online in advance through the official site or Ctrip/Trip.com — scalpers and unofficial 'guides' cluster around the parking lot and site entrance offering inflated combo tickets
Use Didi (ride-hailing app) exclusively for taxis in Xi'an — unlicensed drivers at the airport, train station, and Terracotta Army site frequently overcharge international visitors or push unwanted tour add-ons
Drink only bottled or boiled water — tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Shaanxi; hot tea served at restaurants is safe
Install a VPN before entering China — Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and many other services are blocked; use Baidu Maps and WeChat instead
Wear closed, grippy footwear for the Mount Hua plank walks and steep stone stairways — sections are narrow with sheer drops and safety harnesses are provided only on the designated plank walk
Keep valuables secured and be alert for pickpockets in the crowded Muslim Quarter and near the Bell Tower/Drum Tower in the evening
Register with your country's embassy or consulate upon arrival in China for emergency assistance if staying long-term
Download offline maps (Baidu Maps, Amap/Gaode) and save your hotel address in Chinese before venturing out — language barriers can complicate getting help when lost
Emergency services operate on standardized Chinese numbers; keep the police (110), ambulance (120), and fire (119) numbers saved on your phone
Carry your passport at all times — hotels, some museums, and high-speed rail stations require ID checks for entry
Be cautious with ATM usage — use bank branch ATMs (ICBC, Bank of China) rather than standalone machines to minimize card skimming risk
Winter road conditions in the Qinling Mountains south of Xi'an (routes toward Hanzhong) can be hazardous — check conditions before driving or taking buses in December–February
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Terracotta Army Ticket Touts
Individuals near the site entrance and parking lot sell overpriced or fake 'skip the line' tickets and bundled tour packages that are not needed
How to avoid: Buy tickets only at the official ticket windows or through the official Terracotta Army website or a reputable platform like Ctrip/Trip.com
Taxi and Private Driver Overcharging
Unlicensed drivers at the airport, Xi'an Railway Station, and near the Terracotta Army site quote flat fares many times the metered rate, or claim the Terracotta Army is 'closed' to redirect visitors to a different paid attraction
How to avoid: Only use the Didi app for taxis, or licensed metered taxis with the meter running; ignore drivers who approach you directly
Muslim Quarter Overpricing
Some food stalls and souvenir vendors in the busy Muslim Quarter quote inflated prices to foreign tourists compared to locals
How to avoid: Check prices at neighboring stalls first and confirm the price before ordering; use the displayed QR-code price when paying by phone
Fake Tour Guides at Historic Sites
Unofficial 'guides' approach tourists at the City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda offering tours at inflated rates with no credentials
How to avoid: Book guided tours in advance through a reputable platform, or use the official audio guide available for rent on-site
Currency Exchange Fraud
Informal currency changers offer favorable rates but give counterfeit notes or shortchange tourists
How to avoid: Exchange money only at banks, official airport exchange counters, or your hotel; never exchange with street individuals
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and tetanus are recommended for Shaanxi. Routine vaccinations should be up to date. No specific altitude-related medication is needed, as Shaanxi's populated areas sit at low-to-moderate elevation.
- Water
- Tap water is not safe to drink. Always use bottled water or boiled water (tea at restaurants is safe). Bottled water is inexpensive and sold everywhere.
- Food
- Food safety is generally good in established restaurants. Busy street food stalls in the Muslim Quarter are typically safe given high turnover. Avoid raw foods, unpeeled fruit, and food that has been sitting out.
- Facilities
- Xi'an has well-equipped hospitals including Xi'an International Medical Center and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, both with some English-speaking staff. Rural areas of Shaanbei and Shaannan have more limited medical facilities — carry a basic first aid kit when traveling outside Xi'an.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Shaanxi is very safe for solo travelers including solo females. Xi'an's central districts within the City Wall are well-lit and populated at night. The hostel community around the South Gate is active and social. Solo travelers heading to Mount Hua or Hanzhong should share their itinerary with their accommodation.
Female travellers
Female solo travelers report Xi'an as generally safe with minimal harassment. Standard urban precautions apply: avoid isolated areas late at night, use Didi rather than street taxis, and keep your accommodation address saved in Chinese to show a driver if needed. Female-only dormitory rooms are available at Xi'an's better hostels.
Families
Shaanxi is a good family destination. Child-friendly amenities are available in Xi'an's larger hotels and malls. The Terracotta Army and Shaanxi History Museum are engaging for older children; the Mount Hua plank walk is not recommended for young children due to sheer drops.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legal in China but are not publicly recognized. Xi'an is a large, relatively cosmopolitan city with a small LGBTQ+ presence, though public displays of affection between same-sex couples may draw stares. Exercise the same discretion you would in any conservative society.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 110
- Medical
- 120
- Embassy
- Contact your country's embassy in Beijing; most have a 24-hour emergency hotline for citizens in distress. US Embassy Beijing: +86 10 8531 4000; UK Embassy Beijing: +86 10 5192 4000
- Tourist Police
- Xi'an Tourist Complaint Hotline: +86 29 8636 8888