Shanghai - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Just the usual China stuff while you'll hear about before you go. Outside of that, Shanghai is flat out the safest big city I've ever been. Small pickpocket problems and maybe the occasional tough Chinese guy at a club but outside of that no issues. The only time I've heard of outright theft was at an expat function where there were no Chinese people. - Nov 2020
Surveillance. - Oct 2016
Not too much. China is a fairly safe place for foreigners. - Dec 2014
Keep your wits about you in crowded places like train stations or tourist areas, since pickpockets are a real threat (my wallet was stolen while I was traveling in Dali, Yunnan Province). Walking alone after dark isn't terribly dangerous as long as you stay in well-populated areas. You might want to keep abreast of current events since terrorist attacks have occurred in places like train stations (cf. the Kunming Train Station attack in March), though these attacks don't seem to target foreigners. Just use common sense and you should be alright. - Aug 2014
Pickpocketing, aggressive beggars. Also if you are affiliated with the government in any way, prepare to be kept under close surveillance. - Aug 2011
Outside of the normal precautions any urban dweller needs to be aware of, it is relatively safe. Safety concerns though, especially when driving... It is probably best to have knowledge of "Confucian Road Theory" as a bus trumps all, bigger/expensive cars trump others, small cars trump bikes, and bikes trump pedestrians. However, each member of that list thinks and acts like they are the only moving thing, and appear to be oblivious to the movements of others. - Dec 2010
No. - Jul 2010
Shanghai is incredibly safe. Video cameras are ever present in all public places, and probably in "private" ones also. We leave our doors unlocked with confidence and our son runs free in the neighborhood without concern. - Feb 2009
None really, except for the occasional pick-pocket. Your biggest security concern will be the same people that protect you (Chinese Government). - Jun 2008
