First off, its great for you to plan a solo trip to Beijing! It’s an amazing city with so much to offer. Now, regarding your safety concerns —Beijing is generally considered a safe destination for solo female travelers. Beijing is busy, public transportation is reliable and widely used. Chinese people are generally friendly and helpful to foreigners. However, like anywhere else, it’s important to take normal precautions, such as avoiding walking alone at night and being aware of scams targeted at tourists.
Chinese people call foreigners “Waiguoren” or “Laowai” (which means foreigner) when they see foreigners. They might point or stare. Chinese usually greet you with big smiles and waves and ask to take a photo with foreigners.
Do your research about where you would like to go and prepare in advance. There are so many resources and guides now for traveling around China. And it’s always good to have a plan and share your itinerary with someone you trust. That way, you can enjoy your adventure with peace of mind.
Have a copy or screenshot of all your hotel names and address, tourist destinations you’re looking for, and other useful information in English and in Chinese. Chinese is a difficult language. People in big cities speak English, arm yourself with a guide book, and download translation apps and metro apps.
While there are some barriers and challenges when traveling in China, don’t let them scare you! Have an amazing time in Beijing! If you have any specific questions or need more tips, feel free to ask.