How safe is Shenzhen for tourists?

Hello,

Im sorry for sounding steriotypical, but I have seen articles about tourists being involved in scams and kidnappings is Shenzhen really as dangerous as they make it sound. Im intrested in coming on a day trip and just making sure because I want my family to be safe.

Thanks

How safe is Shenzhen for tourists?

It%26#39;s safe.

I%26#39;m not stereotyping but I assume by your name you are of Chinese appearance, so you will be one of 13 million in SZ. I am white with grey hair and stuck out like a sore thumb, but apart from strange looks I had no problem in 5 days there. I think SZ is as safe as any city.

How safe is Shenzhen for tourists?

Well I am half Chinese so i look kind of different but am darker then white, but thanks alot so I guess I wont have to worry about my kids safety.

Thanks

bchang -

I am a regular visitor to Shenzhen and I can say there is no special problem with crime there, except in the Baoa%26#39;an area near the airport.

If you stay in the main city you should have no problem if you just observe the normal precautions of staying in any major city anywhere in the world.

%26gt;%26gt;so you will be one of 13 million in SZ

You are being funny :)

Foreign Chinese (including people from HK) can be spotted from miles away.

I witnessed pickpocket gangs in action at the pedestrian footbrdiges close to the train station, everytime I went there. Foreigners are often victims of scams and crime, ONLY IF they are not vigilant or being overly sympathetic to seemingly extreme poverty( like giving money to someone eating from the garbage bin... they do it everyday and received a lot of ';donations';).

Kidnappings happened mostly to HK people who flaunt their wealth and/or have mistresses in Shenzhen, or being (potential) customers of $ex workers.

you watch your pocket and the people suround you, shenzhen city is safe compare to the baoan and longgong area.

Being a black male from the UK travelling to Shenzhen, should i expect any different treatment?

Oyster King, I%26#39;d suggest that the most noticeable result of being obviously ';not from around here'; is not that you will feel unsafe, rather that you may feel swamped by touts at LoWu!!

I would do all the sensible things about keeping wallet and passport secure but it isn%26#39;t a threatening or scary place.

We are Australians and just spent 4 days there in Dec 2006. Myself, my wife, and my 11 year old daughter. Crime and safety was no worse than any other city, and we did not have any incidents or trouble. Take normal precautions, always be vigilant of who is around you, and be careful if approached. Watch your bag or wallet in a crowd.

Having basically lived in SZ on and off over the last few years, and NOT in a well guarded foreign ghetto-compound, AND using the public transport system every single day, I will have to say that SZ can be a dodgy place.

I have eye witnessed and also experienced any number of crimes, obviously of which pickpocketing is the most prevalent.

Big and small gangs operate on all the busses and in all the busier shopping districts and they seem to be immune and fearless.

At the moment there is another police %26#39;crackdown%26#39; going on, where you will see lots of cops aimlessly riding up and down.

Hopefully this encourage the gangs to lie low...

The great thing that might struck you about SZ is the multitude of security guards to be found EVERYWHERE, at busstops, underpasses, restaurants, banks, gates, entrances...just remember, they are there for a good reason...wear an inside moneybelt at all times with your cash and passport tugged inside your pants.

Even in KFC and Mcdonalds you might find staff telling you not to put bags or cameras next to you but to keep them on your lap.

Upperclass restaurants also worry about your stuff dissapearing while you dine...

Taxis can be tricky too...better bargain for a price BEFORE you get in...unless you know exactly where you are going.

When you receive change after shopping, better carefully check it for fakes, even the one RMB coins can often be fake, not to mention the bigger bills...

If you do buy something like expensive alcohol, especially at the Lowu border, better check that the seal is not broken.

There are numerous other rip-offs, too may to mention, and don%26#39;t give any money to %26#39;beggars%26#39;...keep your eyes open and your wits around you...

Hi There,

could you give us an advice? My boyfriend and I are currently living in Hong Kong, but we are planning a trip to mainland China and the flights from Shenzhen are a lot cheaper, so we are planning to leave from Shenzhen airport.

After reading all of this we are a bit scared about our safety! How should we do to get to the airport in the safest way? Thanks for all!

Ari