Safety, Beijing

The Y files, where Y stands for "yikes!".

In every metro and train station we used, we found an x-ray machine where you were asked to x-ray your bags. At some stations there was the scanner for people, just like at any given airport, but when it beeped they didn't search me or ask me to take off my jacket or my boots. At no point was anyone from the the staff rude towards us.

I saw some people who were asked to open their bags but that didn't happen to us.

This might've been one of the few times where the Chinese actually queued...sort of.

This is easier said than done especially with the language barrier, but if you get angry or aggressive people will immediately behave much worse towards you, and observers will believe you are the party at fault.

I normally found that if things were awkward, but you stayed very very calm, and just made a pain of yourself by not going away and continually explaining what your problem was (I could only say Thank-you in Chinese and I did most of my Chinese trip alone), you could normally rectify the problem. Albeit rather slowly sometimes!

It can be sometimes scary seeing how people in Beijing crossing the street!
Many driver do not give priority to the walking people/bicycle , on the other side, people sometimes ignore the trafic signal and the car as well , go ahead anyway regardless the colour of the sign !

Always be careful while passing the street , don't follow those who ignore the traffic regulation (many of those are migrants from rural area , don't know how dangous it is) .Bear in mind that many of our drivers are new! Anything could happened.

Have a safe travel!!!!!!!!!!!

Taxis: if you take a taxi, sit at the back because many of them don’t have front seat belts or if they do probably won’t work (usually the most expensive taxis, 1.60 or 2.00 Yuan, have seatbelts, however, just follow my advice and seat at the back). Be involved in traffic accidents in China could be one of the most complicated issues of your entire life.

Pickpockets: it is also a big issue in China. Pay special attention when you travel in crowded buses, trains or subway.

Unattended bags or coats: wherever you take a seat (except in the hotel room or at your friend’s house) don’t ever leave your belongings.

Ripped-off: always bargain for untagged prices (except at the major department stores). If you feel the price is too high or feel there is something you don’t feel comfortable with simply don’t buy, shop around.

Fake goods: watch out!

"Best before"…: check the expiry date or date of validity, especially foods and drinks.

Strangers: don’t accept free drinks or food from people you don’t know. Being drugged and waking up only with your clothes have happened many times.

Beware of entering restaurants - gangs of thieves crowd you - usually with one in front, one on the side and two in the rear. The one in the front enters before you with the others crowding you from behind. The one in front then appears to change his mind and turns to get out creating a jam at the door. The crush results in your purse/wallet/backpack being picked with everything taken. My sister lost 4800 yuan this way in May 2007.

beijing is crawling with pickpockets and con-artists man, i'm telling ya. i've had so many friends who have had their passports, wallets, or cellphones snatched that i couldn't count them all if i tried. sure, it will happen in the predictable places: shopping districts, on the bus or subway, touristy areas. but apart from that, you have got to be constantly vigilant wherever you are, whether it's at the supermarket, at the bathroom of a restaurant, or anywhere. just watch it. it happens sooo fast.

This is an old one, but can still happen to you!
Be really careful when visiting most popular tourist attractions such as Temple of Haeven or Forbidden City. They are also the most common places to get mugged. So NEVER carry your wallet, documents and other important things in front pockets of your rucksack or your bag or in your pockets (even if they have zippers). Put those things somewhere REALLY safe.

You wish to cross the street and when the pedestrian light turns green, all vehicles stop for you, right? Wrong! Cars and buses here do not stop for anybody, even if you're on a zebra. So better look both ways, wait then cross when clear and as quick as possible.

Beijing is a very safe city, especially in comparison with alot of other major cities around the world. When I was in Beijing the most common crime seemed to be petty theft, and while I was not a vicitim a friend of mine had her backpack stolen from right beside her chair in a KFC. Just remember to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and keep your valuables in your line of sight and you should be fine. Oh, and beware the traffic....cars stop for no one.

be careful when u are in :SUPERMARKET ,MALL,BUS.SUBWAY.OUTSIDE MARKETS,CROVDED STREETS.always watch your back never carry backpack,dont put mobile in your pocket,be carefull people behind you if they are too close...never allow them to get too close to you..never talk strangers if they talk to u keep walking,,,