What safety precautions should I take when visiting Chengdu?

Chengdu is one of the safest major cities for travelers, but a smooth trip depends on practical preparation rather than fear of crime.

Food Safety:
This is the most likely issue you will face. Sichuan food is oily and spicy, which can upset an unadjusted stomach. Ease into the spice over the first two days. Stick to busy street stalls with high turnover. Drink only bottled water. Carry stomach medicine as a backup.

Transport Safety:
The metro is clean, well-signed in English, and runs until about 11 PM. Use Didi for rides after metro hours. Avoid unlicensed taxis waiting at the airport and tourist sites—they overcharge and sometimes take longer routes. Have your destination written in Chinese characters to show drivers.

Payment Preparation:
Chengdu runs on mobile payments. Set up Alipay with an international card before you arrive. Most places do not accept foreign credit cards directly. Carry some cash in small bills as backup, but expect most transactions to be digital.

Internet Access:
Install and test a VPN before you land in China. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and most Western apps are blocked. Download offline maps and translation packages in advance. The airport sells local SIM cards if you need one.

Air Quality:
Winter air can be hazy in the Sichuan basin. Check the AQI and adjust outdoor plans on bad air days. Masks are common and not unusual. Spring and autumn have better air quality.

Scams:
Chengdu has few aggressive scams compared to other tourist cities. The most common is the tea ceremony invitation from overly friendly strangers near tourist areas, which ends with an inflated bill. Politely decline unsolicited invitations. Taxi overcharging at the airport is also common—use Didi or the metro instead.