Qiang Huang
Three hours. That’s how long my client Sarah stood in line at the Nanjing South Railway Station ticket machine before she realized her foreign credit card wouldn’t work. Forget the glossy brochures—if you don’t know the exact WeChat payment trick, you’re stuck. Let’s cut the fluff: Nanjing is overwhelmingly safe for tourists, but there are a few real gotchas most guides skip.
Overall Safety: The Big Picture
Nanjing is a first-tier Chinese city with heavy police presence, especially near tourist spots like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace. The public security bureau (PSB) reports extremely low crime rates. I've walked through Xinjiekou Square at midnight—street vendors still open, families strolling. The biggest danger? Getting hit by a rogue e-bike on the sidewalk.
Pickpocketing & Common Scams
Yes, it happens—but mostly in crowded markets. Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple) night market is the prime spot. I once saw a guy slide a phone from a distracted tourist’s back pocket while she was taking a photo of the lanterns. Keep your phone in your front pocket or a crossbody bag with the zipper facing you.
Other common schemes: taxi drivers who “forget” to start the meter (insist on using Didi app), and fake monks asking for “donations” at Jiming Temple. Real monks never ask for money.
Traffic & Crossing Streets
Nanjing traffic is … chaotic. Cars rarely stop for pedestrians even at crosswalks. My rule: use the pedestrian bridges or underpasses whenever available. At ground-level crossings, wait for a local to go first and follow them. E-bikes fly through red lights silently—look left, right, then left again.
Pro tip: The Nanjing Metro (11 lines as of 2025) is efficient, clean, and safe. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM, 5:30-7 PM) if you hate being squeezed like a sardine. Download “Nanjing Metro” app or use Alipay’s transport card.
Food & Drink Safety
Street food is generally safe—I eat it myself. But watch out for: uncooked river snails (common in Nanjing), which can carry parasites. Stick to cooked dishes. Tap water is not drinkable; buy bottled water or boil it. Restaurants popular with locals have high turnover—that’s a good sign. I always check Google Maps reviews for “sanitation” mentions.
| Food Type | Safety Rating | My Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) | Safe | Steamed, high heat kills bacteria |
| Cold noodles from street stalls | Moderate risk | Avoid in summer if stall looks unclean |
| Fried skewers | Safe | Oil should be freshly bubbling |
| River snails (luosi) | Risk | Only eat at busy reputable chaodao restaurants |
Solo Female Travel Safety
I’ve hosted dozens of solo female travelers. Most say they felt very safe, but harassment on public transport exists—rare but not zero. On crowded metro, keep your bag in front. If someone touches inappropriately, shout “干什么” (gan shen me) loudly—others will help. Stay in well-reviewed hotels with 24-hour front desk (e.g., Jinling Hotel, InterContinental). Avoid booking rooms in “small inns” inside hutongs for solo women—they lack security.
Nighttime: Zhongshanling area is quiet and safe after dark. Xuanwu Lake Park? Lovely but poorly lit on the east side—stay on main pathways.
Walking at Night
Central Nanjing (Xinjiekou, Confucius Temple) is lively until 10 PM. After that, streets empty quickly. Usually safe, but stick to main roads. Ziqing Road near the Ming Palace Ruins gets sketchy after 11 PM—I’ve seen a group of drunk men arguing there. Use the Metro until 11:30 PM, then Didi (ride-hailing app). A 10-minute ride in the city center costs ~20 RMB.
Health & Emergency Numbers
Foreigners can call 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), or 119 (fire). Operators rarely speak English—use the 12308 consular hotline (24/7, English) or ask a Chinese speaker for help. The Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital has an international clinic with English-speaking staff (address: 321 Zhongshan Road, near Gulou Station).
Pharmacies are everywhere, but many common meds require a prescription. Bring your own painkillers, antihistamines, and diarrhea medicine. No, you cannot buy codeine over the counter.
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