Xi'an Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Xi'an.
Healthcare System
Xi'an has a two-tier healthcare system with public hospitals serving most locals and international/private hospitals catering to expatriates and tourists. Public hospitals are generally affordable but crowded, with limited English-speaking staff. International clinics offer higher service standards and English support but at significantly higher costs.
Hospitals
Xi'an International Medical Center and Xi'an Gaoxin Hospital's International Medical Center are recommended for foreign visitors, offering English-speaking staff and international standards. Major public hospitals like Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital and Xijing Hospital provide quality care but with language barriers. Most hotels can arrange medical assistance or recommend appropriate facilities.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are abundant throughout Xi'an. Many over-the-counter medications available in Western countries may require prescriptions in China, or may not be available at all. Bring sufficient supplies of any prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter. Chinese pharmacies often stock traditional Chinese medicine alongside Western pharmaceuticals.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is strongly recommended and often required for visa applications. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation, as serious conditions may require transfer to Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete supply of prescription medications as specific brands may not be available
- Keep a list of your medications in both English and Chinese characters
- Download a translation app for medical terms before arrival
- International hospitals require upfront payment or proof of insurance coverage
- Keep copies of prescriptions and medical records with you
- Air pollution can exacerbate respiratory conditions; bring appropriate medications and masks
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded tourist areas, on public transportation, and at busy markets. Thieves often work in teams to distract victims while accomplices steal belongings.
Traffic in Xi'an can be chaotic with aggressive driving, frequent lane changes, and vehicles not always yielding to pedestrians. Electric scooters and bikes often use sidewalks and may not have warning bells or lights.
Xi'an experiences significant air pollution, particularly during winter months (November to March) when AQI levels can reach unhealthy levels. This can affect respiratory health and exacerbate existing conditions.
While food poisoning is not extremely common, street food hygiene standards vary, and foreign stomachs may be sensitive to local bacteria, oil, and spices. Tap water is not safe to drink.
Summer temperatures (June-August) can exceed 35°C (95°F) with high humidity, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially when visiting outdoor sites like the Terracotta Warriors.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Friendly English-speaking locals (often young women or art students) approach tourists near major attractions, strike up conversation, and invite them to a traditional tea ceremony or art exhibition. Victims are then presented with an exorbitant bill (often thousands of yuan) and pressured or intimidated into paying.
Individuals dressed as Buddhist monks approach tourists, offer a 'blessing' or bracelet, and then aggressively demand large donations. Real monks do not solicit money this way.
Some taxi drivers refuse to use meters, quote inflated flat rates, take unnecessarily long routes, or claim the meter is broken. This is particularly common at train stations and airports.
When receiving change, particularly in markets or from taxis, vendors may include counterfeit bills, especially 50 and 100 yuan notes.
Vendors near major attractions like the Terracotta Warriors sell 'authentic' terracotta figures and other souvenirs at highly inflated prices, often claiming they're antiques or special quality.
Bicycle rickshaw drivers around tourist areas quote one price but demand much more at the destination, or claim the quoted price was per person, not for the ride.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Keep copies of your passport, visa, and important documents separate from originals
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for emergency notifications
- Download offline maps and translation apps before arrival
- Carry your hotel's business card in Chinese for easy navigation back
- Be aware that VPNs are needed to access many Western websites and apps
- Keep emergency cash in small denominations hidden separately from main wallet
- Learn basic Mandarin phrases for emergencies
- Save important phone numbers in your phone with Chinese characters
Transportation Safety
- Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps like Didi rather than unmarked vehicles
- Avoid unlicensed taxis and motorcycle taxis
- Keep belongings secure on public transportation, particularly during rush hour
- Stand away from platform edges in metro stations
- Wear seatbelts in taxis when available
- Have destinations written in Chinese characters to show drivers
- Take photos of taxi license plates before entering
- Use metro system when possible as it's safer and more reliable than road transport
Money and Valuables
- Set up mobile payment (WeChat Pay or Alipay) as cash is becoming less common
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than street ATMs
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Carry small amounts of cash and keep larger amounts in hotel safe
- Be discreet when handling money in public
- Keep credit cards in RFID-blocking wallets
- Photograph your valuables and note serial numbers before travel
- Use hotel safes for passports when not needed for check-ins
Health and Hygiene
- Drink only bottled water; avoid ice in drinks unless at international hotels
- Carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently, especially before eating
- Bring a basic first aid kit with common medications
- Be cautious with street food; choose busy vendors with high turnover
- Wash fruits and vegetables with bottled water or peel them
- Carry tissues as public restrooms may not provide toilet paper
- Get recommended vaccinations before travel (Hepatitis A, Typhoid, routine vaccines)
- Consider bringing probiotics to help adjust to new food bacteria
Cultural Awareness
- Respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting religious sites
- Avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public
- Be aware that internet is monitored and censored
- Don't photograph military installations or personnel
- Learn basic Chinese etiquette for greetings and dining
- Respect queue culture and wait your turn, though it may seem chaotic
- Be patient with language barriers and use translation apps
- Understand that personal space concepts differ from Western norms
Accommodation Safety
- Choose accommodations in well-reviewed, established areas
- Verify hotel bookings directly with the property
- Check that windows and doors lock securely
- Use door chains and deadbolts when in your room
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors; verify through hotel front desk
- Know emergency exits and evacuation routes
- Keep valuables in room safe or hotel safety deposit box
- Be cautious about sharing room numbers or travel plans with strangers
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Xi'an is generally safe for women travelers, including solo female travelers. Violent crime against women is rare, and the city has a visible security presence. However, women may experience staring, unwanted attention, or comments, particularly if traveling alone. This is usually more curiosity than threat, especially if you have non-Asian features. Harassment is less common than in many Western cities, but standard precautions should still be taken.
- Dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention; while Western clothing is common, very revealing outfits may attract stares
- Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than accepting rides from strangers
- Avoid walking alone in isolated areas after dark; stick to well-lit, populated streets
- Be firm and assertive if approached by overly friendly strangers, particularly men inviting you to tea houses or bars
- Keep your phone charged and share your location with friends or family
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Consider joining group tours for visits to remote attractions
- Be cautious in bars and nightclubs; watch your drinks and don't accept drinks from strangers
- Learn basic Mandarin phrases like 'leave me alone' (走开 - zǒu kāi) or 'help' (救命 - jiù mìng)
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm for emergencies
- Book accommodations in central, well-reviewed areas
- Be aware that staring is common but usually not threatening; maintaining confidence often deters unwanted attention
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in China and was declassified as a mental illness in 2001. However, there are no legal protections against discrimination, same-sex marriage is not recognized, and there are no specific hate crime laws. Public discussion of LGBTQ+ issues is limited and sometimes censored.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection, as this may attract negative attention or stares
- LGBTQ+-specific venues are limited in Xi'an; research online communities before arrival for current information
- Be cautious about discussing sexual orientation with strangers or in public settings
- Dating apps may be monitored; use with discretion and meet new contacts in public places
- Hotel staff are generally professional, but booking rooms may occasionally present challenges for same-sex couples
- International hotel chains are typically more LGBTQ+-friendly than local establishments
- Avoid political discussions about LGBTQ+ rights, as these topics can be sensitive
- Connect with online LGBTQ+ expat communities for current advice and support
- Be aware that LGBTQ+ content may be censored on Chinese internet and social media
- Consider Shanghai or Beijing for more visible LGBTQ+ communities if this is important to your travel experience
- Transgender travelers may face additional challenges; ensure all travel documents match your presentation
- Medical care for LGBTQ+-specific health needs may be limited; bring necessary medications and supplies
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for visiting Xi'an and China. Medical care for foreigners can be extremely expensive, especially at international hospitals, and many facilities require upfront payment or proof of insurance before treatment. Medical evacuation to Beijing, Shanghai, or home country can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other travel disruptions are common concerns. China's visa requirements often include proof of travel insurance.
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