Visitors dream of taking China's serenity, safety home

Visitors pose for a photo at the Shanghai Disney Resort on June 16. LIU YING/XINHUA

"What is it like night walking in China's Guangzhou, one of the most populated cities in the world? It's extremely safe. I'm wearing my very expensive watch. No one bothers you, no one is trying to pull you in their shops," British creator Ben posted on his social media account, OTWD.

His observation about the capital of South China's Guangdong province, casual as it seemed, struck a chord with a large number of foreign visitors to China.

When a man can stroll through one of the world's busiest urban centers late at night wearing an expensive timepiece — and nothing happens — his actions challenge assumptions about safety in densely populated cities.

As China gains in popularity as a travel destination, a growing number of foreign tourists are capturing moments through their lenses showing how safe China is, their images resonating deeply with expats and visitors. This "Chinese sense of security" has sparked spirited discussions on social media platforms both at home and abroad.

The growing perception that China is an extremely safe destination is backed up by statistics. In 2025, the number of criminal cases in the country dropped 12.8 percent year-on-year, reaching their lowest level in decades, while public order cases also declined, according to data from China's Ministry of Public Security. In addition, public confidence of public safety remained above 98 percent for the sixth consecutive year.

Perhaps more telling for an international audience is the Global Safety Report 2025, released in January 2026 by the US-based analytics firm Gallup. Among more than 140 countries and territories surveyed, China ranked third safest overall. The report also highlighted strong public confidence in local law enforcement and low levels of personal experience with crime.