Crime
Petty crime remains relatively low, and it is common for people to quietly carry large amounts of cash. At the same time, one should take the usual precautions against being conspicuously wealthy. In some areas, there are many pickpockets. In crowded markets, buses, and even dance clubs it is common for wallets and mobile phones to disappear. Items such as purses left unguarded at restaurants are also liable to be stolen. The major cities in Southern China, especially Shenzhen, have crime rates that are soaring. They are typically no more dangerous than a major American city and violent crime is especially rare, but keep your eye on your bags and if you see a local wearing a backpack on their front, it's probably a good idea to do the same.

Traffic
Traffic in China can be very dangerous, and driving in China is not for the faint hearted.

Walking, especially in rural areas, can be very dangerous because of oncoming traffic, which includes bicycles and motorbikes which have their own lane, in addition to cars and larger vehicles. In urban areas traffic will sometimes slow down if they see you in the way. More often — and almost always outside of major cities — they will just honk and expect you to get out of the way. Stop signs do exist in China but are rare, and cars almost never stop there. The safest way to cross a street is via a pedestrian overpass or subway, if available. When having to cross on the street, a safe bet is to cross with the locals, as they know what they're doing and tend to cross in numbers.

] Begging
Once taboo, begging is no longer an uncommon sight in China, particularly in major tourist areas. In Beijing begging is exceptionally bad, especially around hotels and markets foreigners frequent. Shanghai has also seen a return of the child begging gangs from the pre-revolutionary era. Shenzhen is also full of beggars, the most aggressive types are in front of the Hong Kong border/Lou Hu. Please be aware that as soon as you give money to a beggar, you WILL be accosted by every other beggar.

Beggars in China are almost exclusively professional and many have obvious deformities, which are more effective at eliciting pity. Others are fully functional and will use their strength to latch on to your leg or arm until you give them some cash or drag them for a distance. Children are frequently coerced into begging by adults, who force the children to beg and then take the money that they collect. In some areas, especially Beijing, beggars are often rather aggressive and persistent, even though there are traditionally strong social norms against begging, as it is considered shameful. The Mandarin phrase "qù nǐ de", literally "go to your (place)", has roughly the force of "bugger off". It might be appropriate for rude aggressive beggars, though almost certainly not for others.

Begging is common in train stations around the country. Often, women will hold babies and say that their kids are hungry. True or not, just be aware of your surroundings if you do decide to give any money.

If you do feel it appropriate to give a beggar some money, keep in mind that many Chinese only make ￥20-30 per day working hard labor jobs. Giving ￥1 to a beggar is very generous.

See begging for more detailed discussion.

Scams
See also: Common scams, Pickpockets
In touristy places in China be cautious about unknown people approaching you on the street and striking up a conversation in English, as this may be a prelude to a scam. Be polite, but there is no need to come along if they start insisting on you coming with them some special place you had not planned on going to.

In Beijing these scams are most common around places like Tiananmen Square, which attract tourists but don't charge for admittance. But they also happen in other big cities such as Shanghai when strolling through touristy places.

An example of this type of scam is the Chinese tea ceremony. Just as you're leaving a tourist attraction, a friendly couple approaches you to invite you to a tea ceremony which turns out to be very expensive.

Another common scam is the free art gallery tour. Tourists are lured into small shabby art shops and pressured to buy overpriced Chinese art which is nothing but a copy. This is common in Beijing, and the scammers may claim to be struggling art students.

One other scam is the bargain tour of city where somebody who is supposedly a driver who offers to take you to all the major tourist attractions of the city for a cutthroat price and with no time limit. He may even offer you his identity card and show you some sort of "tour operator license". These people can typically be found in the arrival halls of airports and ferry terminals as well as at major border crossings. If one accepts the offer, the driver would typically drug his passengers and coax them to hand over all the valuables, which the passenger would usually comply under the influence of the drugs. Such people can be rather persuasive so be firm with them and walk away if they continue to pester you. If they get too persistent, threaten to report them to the police as touting is illegal in China. If you require a vehicle with a driver, arrange for one through your hotel instead.

Most locals however are genuinely curious people who may see that you're looking lost or who want nothing more than a chat and a photo with foreigners.

Try to strike a balance, to avoid scams without being rude and unfriendly to people who may just be genuinely helpful and curious. Just don't be afraid to say no to any offer. If you meet someone who wants to have a cup of coffee and a chat, suggest going to Starbucks or another big chain, as you are unlikely to be scammed there. But consider treating your new friend(s): a cup of Starbucks coffee is relatively expensive for an average Chinese person, to say nothing of a student or someone else on a tight budget.

Overall, be positive and cautious when on the road and enjoy your trip.

Banned items
The Chinese government uses censorship extensively. Books or magazines mailed in are almost always delayed at customs and sometimes disappear.

In particular, support for Tibetan or Taiwan independence is unacceptable. Under this law, the movies Kundun and Seven Years in Tibet and publications written by or supporting the Dalai Lama are banned.
Lonely Planet's China guidebook is reportedly also banned because its map depicts Taiwan as an independent state, but is very commonly seen.
Some historical books, such as those critical of the Cultural Revolution, are banned. These include Jung Chang's Wild Swans (an accessible if narrow introduction to recent Chinese history) and all the works of the only Chinese to win the Nobel Prize for literature, Gao Xingjian, who now lives in France.
Publications by the Knights of Columbus, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unification Church, and Seventh-Day Adventists may not be imported. Generic religious items, such as Bibles, have reportedly also been seized. Typically however, one Bible in the visitor's native language is allowed.
Publications concerning Falun Gong are strictly forbidden.
Most importantly, do not bring in an item that could be perceived as an insult to Mao Zedong, the Chinese Workers' Party, or the Chinese people or government.

Trying to bring in a banned book might get you stopped at the border, prevented from entering. If police notice one in the country, they would confiscate it and you may face interrogation or even detention. After that probably you would be deported and permanently banned from China. Beware of getting Chinese friends into trouble; it might be much more serious for them.