Important
Stay calm. Most lost items in China are found and turned in, especially in taxis, hotels, and restaurants. Pickpocketing exists in tourist areas but violent crime against tourists is rare.
Lost Passport
This is the most serious situation. Act immediately.
1
Report to Police
Go to the nearest police station (派出所) and report the loss. Bring any ID you have. Get a police report (报案证明) — you need this for everything else.
2
Contact Your Embassy
Call your embassy's emergency line. Explain the situation and ask for an emergency travel document appointment.
3
Get Emergency Travel Document
Visit your embassy with the police report, passport photos, and ID. Processing takes 1-3 working days.
4
Get Exit Visa
Take your new travel document to the local Public Security Bureau (公安局出入境管理处) to get an exit visa so you can leave China.
Pro Tip
Always keep a photocopy of your passport and visa in a separate bag, and email a scan to yourself. This makes replacement much faster.
Lost Phone
Your phone is your lifeline in China — it has your payment apps, maps, and communication. Here is what to do:
1
Try to Locate It
If it is an iPhone, use Find My iPhone from another device or iCloud.com. Android users can use Find My Device. If it is still nearby, call it.
2
Report to Police
File a report at the nearest police station. Get a case number for insurance claims.
3
Remote Lock / Wipe
Use Find My iPhone or Find My Device to remotely lock and erase your phone to protect your data.
4
Contact Your Bank
If you had banking apps or payment methods on the phone, notify your bank. WeChat Pay and Alipay require passwords/fingerprint for transactions, but it is better to be safe.
5
Get a Replacement
Buy a cheap Android phone in China (¥500-1000) and reinstall your essential apps. Apple Stores exist in major cities for iPhone replacements.
Important
Losing your phone means losing access to WeChat Pay and Alipay. Always carry some cash (¥500+) as backup. Without your phone, you cannot scan QR codes, call DiDi, or access many services.
Lost in a Taxi / DiDi
Taxis and DiDi drivers in China are generally honest and will return lost items.
- DiDi: Open the app → My Rides → select the trip → Contact Driver or Report Lost Item
- Taxi (no receipt): Call the taxi company with the time, route, and any identifying details. Most cities have a lost-and-found hotline.
- Taxi (with receipt): The receipt has the taxi company's phone number and the driver's ID.
- Hotel concierge: Ask your hotel to call the taxi company for you — language barrier solved.
Pro Tip
Take a photo of the taxi license plate or DiDi driver info before getting out. It takes 2 seconds and can save hours of stress later.
Lost Wallet / Cards
- Cancel cards immediately: Call your bank's international hotline. Numbers are usually on the back of the card (save them separately before traveling).
- WeChat/Alipay: If your phone is also lost, contact WeChat/Alipay customer service to freeze your account.
- Cash: Western Union or MoneyGram can send emergency cash to China. Your embassy may also provide emergency loans in extreme cases.
- Travel insurance: File a claim for stolen cash and belongings. Keep all police reports and receipts.
Preventing Loss and Theft
- Front pockets only: Never put valuables in back pockets
- Cross-body bags: Wear bags in front of you in crowded areas
- Hotel safe: Use the in-room safe for passport and extra cash
- Split valuables: Don't keep all cards and cash in one place
- Phone leash: Consider a wrist strap for your phone
- Photograph everything: Passport, visa, cards, important documents
- Digital backups: Email copies of all documents to yourself
TL;DR
China's major cities are very safe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Most "theft" is actually accidental loss — leaving something in a taxi or restaurant. Being mindful goes a long way.
Emergency Contacts Summary
| Situation | Action | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Crime / Theft | Call police | 110 |
| Lost passport | Police + Embassy | See embassy page |
| Lost in taxi | Taxi company / DiDi app | On receipt or app |
| Cancel bank cards | Bank international hotline | On back of card |
| Consular help | Contact your embassy | See Embassy Finder |
| Emergency cash | Western Union / Embassy | Varies |