China Travel Forum

[Kate]

I am an american female and only speak english. I have an internship offer in Beijing at a software company that will provide housing for me. However, I wonder whether Beijing is a safe city for an american female to travel to on her own? I'm worried about whether I will stand out a lot (I'm 5'9" and have light brown hair and fair skin).

Some people told me that people will stare at me cause I look out of the norm. Is this true? Also, how safe is it compared to US?

[kamal]

Yes, people will staring at you all the time, and they will
swear behind your back, but as you don't understand chinese than that shouldn't be a problem, you won't understand a word that coming out of their mouth anyway.(Most of chinese
don't speak a word of english, so don't worry ^_^)

Most of chinese are scare of foreigner, so they won't physically hurt you but please be aware of your money. I am not sure is it their culture or something, but from children around the street to high education men, they seem to like cheating money from others, specially foreigner in everyway.

Finally, about safety... well, what can I say, China is a developing country, what can you expect. Robbery, raping, kidnaping...... If you have any problem or anything happen on you, go to the America Embassy, don't count on the chinese police, they like to take things slowly, I mean VERY SLOWLY.

Wish you luck, you need it.

PS: Better carry some amount of money all the time, local hospital won't cure patient unless you pay in cash first.

[lossy]

I am the same person who posted the dissapointment thread.
What happened to me happened at Beijing airport and its vicinity. So I am a bit tentative in generalizing.

In any case, based on that experience I would not recommend that any foreigner within that area lower his guard even for a moment.


The problem seems to be the difference between the dollar and the yuan and the misguided perception that foreigners carrying American currecy are fair game to be either intimidated into paying for non-services or overcharged.

I would recommend always travelling with a friend or in a group.

[aynor]

There are thousands upon thousands foreigners living and working in Beijing.
Almost half the 500 top firms have branch in Beijing.

I am working in Beijing for an US company now.
My colleagues always visit Beijing with their families.

Don't worry about language, since in nowadays' China, lots of people speak good English, especially educated people.
Also Chinese goverment is encourage people learning English for 2008 Olympic game.

Welcome to Beijing.
I can give you necessary help if you want.