Photo Gear in China (+ safety?)

[Zephyrize]

Hi
I'll be heading in China for a month long visit.
I'll visit Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, Guilin and other cities.
Some relatives told me some stories of people getting robbed and their stuff stolen; told me to always watch my back, etc.
almost sounds like there's a danger at every corner... is it really that bad?
Of course I'll keep low profile; masking the Lowepro and Canon logo,
and bringing only my 10-20 and 17-55 f2.8 tamron. Nothing big.

So what tips do would you recommend for traveling in china ?

[macroshooter1970]

danger is in every corner of the world. When I see a taped logo it says money to me, if I was a crook I'd still snag it. Just be street smart, use common sense. And have a safe fun trip :smile:

[HKdave]

I've visited Beijing, Shanghai and Guilin / Yangshuo in the last year. I took 400D, 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f4IS on each trip.

Beijing felt very safe everywhere I went which included the hutongs, major tourist spots and shooting at night around Tiananmen Square with a tripod.

Shanghai had lots of persistent touts in and around the Bund and Nanjing Road - I kept a grip on the gear. Outside of the tourist places I found it pretty relaxed. Didn't use the 70-200 in Shanghai.

Guilin / Yangshuo seemed okay but we were way out in the sticks rather than in the towns.

In both Beijing and Shanghai, there were lots of people with pro DSLRs and good glass (more so in Shanghai). Whenever you are travelling you should have your wits about you - it's easy to get distracted and have a bag lifted by an opportunist thief. Be aware but don't let it spoil your trip - also a good idea to back up your photos every night just in case the unthinkable happens and have travel insurance.

[CaliWalkabout]

I spent a year in college in Beijing and traveling around. In general I think it's a very safe place for foreigners, but any effort you make to not stand out will mostly fail, unless you're of Chinese descent and can truly blend in. And outside of the main shopping districts of Shanghai, "blending in" involves so many details (mannerism, clothing, general appearance) it's pretty much a non-starter. Frankly, don't worry about it and just be friendly.

When I was in China ten or so years ago, stealing from a foreigner was a far worse crime than stealing from a Chinese. Assaulting a foreigner (i.e. coming up to you and attacking you for your camera) was likely to end in a punishment far too serious to be worth the trouble. I doubt these rules have changed.

What this means is you're fine so long as you take proper care. Pickpockets aren't out of the question, but the more likely scenario is you get careless and leave your camera bag on a mini tour bus while you go into a shop to look at some trinkets, and the bus gets its door kicked in. I agree that banking on things like taping logos is probably not much use, since you'll stick out anyway. Ditching the loud Canon neck strap seems like a good policy regardless of what city you're in.

I recommend getting trip insurance for all your camera gear so you needn't worry about the economic loss, and then just take good care of your stuff as you would in any urban situation. Insurance will give you peace of mind so you can focus on what matters: the place and the people. China is an amazing place and the people are as warm and delightful as any on Earth.

[jeppoy]

another post that thinks 3rd world countries are robbers.....so sad.....then insure your stuff or just don't bring it at all. Even better, maybe live by those words underneath your signature and from your post, seems like your a chinese descent, so sad you can't even trust your own people.

[N0glock]

Have been to several city's in southern China on 2 trips in the past 4 years, have not felt unsafe at all, I am a very white big guy 6' 2" in other words I stand out, I took my camera everywhere and had no problems. I was friendly and polite, walked the streets and took my guides advice on where to avoid. Honestly did not have 1 problem in over a month total in china. Go and have fun, I felt much safer in China than in Hawaii. The thing to be concerned about if you are in the south is Humidity and your electronics. On and no pictures of Police/Military without asking their permission first.

[smcclelland]

I wouldn't stress too much over your gear being stolen, I was told the same thing before I arrived here and I have not had a single problem at all on my trip. I've left my 7D, 85L, 35L, 17L and Zeiss 50 in my Tilopa inside our guides car, hotel room and even traveled on multiple trains with it all without a hitch. In Beijing I've been wandering around with the 5D2 and some L lenses attached and I see many other people with high end Nikon's and Canon's snapping away. One suggestion I would make is buy yourself some of the small TSA approved locks and lock some zippers on your bags. I put three on my Tilopa just to be safe and my girlfriend put a few on her luggage and small tote bag she brings everywhere which helps deter any thoughts of trying to sneak open a zipper.

The only place anyone's ever told me to watch my stuff over here is whenever we go to one of the flea markets or pearl markets they just say to swing your back in front of you and keep your wallet/cell phone in your front pockets and not your rear.

[t60p]

In general, pickpockets are the biggest problem in very crowded areas. Use common sense and everything will be fine. As far as gear is concerned, I suggest taking whatever gear you feel you need to make great pictures.

[cancan7]

I'm a Singaporean Chinese and went to Tibet earlier this month. Many local Chinese were toting 5D Mk IIs and L glass. Tourists with DSLRs are commonplace, I even saw a 28-300 L and a guy carrying TWO Leica digital Ms. I wouldn't worry about camera gear making you stand out :)

[Karl Johnston]

i'd be more worried about traveling around the streets of montreal or toronto with an assortment of expensive photo gear, nevermind anywhere else, lol.

[monk3y]

yeah don't worry about it... just enjoy yourself :)

[johnny0415]

I realize this thread is over a month old and OP might even back by now but just leaving my experience for those who happen to drop by later.

I just came back from a 5 day trip to Shanghai in July. I'm Chinese and from Hong Kong, but this is my first trip to Shanghai. I mainly used 7D + 17-55 but also brought along my 30/1.4 and Peleng 8mm. Anyway, Shanghai felt very safe.

I mostly stayed in the urban areas (places where tourists would go). The Shanghainese are fairly well off now from what I experienced. Prices for branded goods (electronics, clothing, etc) are all on par or even more expensive than what I can find in Hong Kong. Lots and lots of DSLRs everywhere. My expectations were low before I arrived (since I've been to some poorer parts of China), but Shanghai is relatively tourist friendly. I wouldn't worry too much about safety.

[ChrisSearle]

I have found China to be amongst the safest places, particularly the centres of big cities. I have always found the people to be amazingly helpful and courteous and have never had a single issue nor have any of my colleagues who travel there.

[redflash]

Yeah, no problems for me when I was there a few years ago now, and I stood out like a sore thumb. People were very kind and generous, never once felt out of place nor in danger of losing anything. Enjoy.

FWIW Magnum ice creams were = 50 cents! I ate 100... a few times..

[RPCrowe]

IMO, Mainland China is one of the safest place for foreign tourists that I have ever visited. I carried a pair of 1.6x cameras, 17-55mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses plus a pair of Canon EX flash units all over the country and never felt scared or had any problems. My gear was safe even in crowds like this...

http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Other/CHINA-FOCUS-TOUR-2101-BEIJING/E-177-Temple-of-Heavenly-Peace/869281146_2c45J-L.jpg (http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Other/CHINA-FOCUS-TOUR-2101-BEIJING/12208379_Kwztxm#869281146_2c45J-A-LB)

There are plenty of people carrying top-line cameras that my 1.6x gear disn't stand out like it would have in places like Africa. This photographer wanted to shoot a picture of me shooting him...

http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Other/Chiba-Focus-Tour-2010-Shanghai/USM-0702/880363694_tsaUM-L.jpg (http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Other/Chiba-Focus-Tour-2010-Shanghai/11968279_5hxSq9#880363694_tsaUM-A-LB)

The people were courteous and helpful and they never minded me photographing them or their kids...

http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Other/Chiba-Focus-Tour-2010-Shanghai/A2-father-and-son-smugmug/848348978_CXFb4-L-1.jpg (http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Other/Chiba-Focus-Tour-2010-Shanghai/11968279_5hxSq9#848348978_CXFb4-A-LB)

BTW: If you have a longer lens, by all means; bring it!

The longer focal lengths allowed me to isolate portions of scenes:

http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/China-Focus-Tour-2010-Hong/Cleaning-man-with-cart/859064345_rZdEm-L.jpg (http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/China-Focus-Tour-2010-Hong/11941703_zFNWNZ#859064345_rZdEm-A-LB)

To compress distances:

http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/China-Focus-Tour-2010-Hong/Traffic-11/859075179_jsPrJ-L.jpg (http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/China-Focus-Tour-2010-Hong/11941703_zFNWNZ#859075179_jsPrJ-A-LB)

And to isolate subjects with narrow DOF:

http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/CHINA-FOCUS-TOUR-2010/C-937-Summer-Palace-Phoenix/869109409_EQKcj-L.jpg (http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/CHINA-FOCUS-TOUR-2010/11857692_K2WKbz#869109409_EQKcj-A-LB)

See my China Galleries at the link below:

[Jules winnfield]

Just we aware of the usual scams. In Beijing I was offered several times to go have a tea with some "students" that wanted to practice English with me. Turns out they usually take you somewhere and have a tea with you, but when the bill comes you are the one that has to pay, and that bill is extremely high. Luckily I refused.

[S.Horton]

I think I'd be more worried about dirt on the lenses and sensor, should I change in the open, than theft.

I have not yet visited China. But everywhere in the world the same sense that goes off when you're in e wrong neighborhood has been the same. And the gear is the least of my concerns when in those places. I can always get new gear.

[x_tan]

Just we aware of the usual scams. In Beijing I was offered several times to go have a tea with some "students" that wanted to practice English with me. Turns out they usually take you somewhere and have a tea with you, but when the bill comes you are the one that has to pay, and that bill is extremely high. Luckily I refused.

I would be very surprise if someone from Spain fall into a trap in China:

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1062/5101603238_66365f623c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/x_tan/5101603238/)
Scammers in Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain (http://www.flickr.com/photos/x_tan/5101603238/) by X_Tan (http://www.flickr.com/people/x_tan/), on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/x_tan/sets/72157625208745774/

[Jules winnfield]

I would be very surprise if someone from Spain fall into a trap in China:
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You never know, you never know.....:D

[RPCrowe]

Here is a tip for traveling in China, especially in Beijing. The street salespeople are nicknamed "Hello People" because that is always how they approach a caucasian tourist... "Hello, Hello!!"

In order to keep them from mobbing you, try to avoid eye contact. This is often difficult to do.

They are relatively honest and are not usually pickpocklets or cut and run thieves but, they can be somewhat a PITA.

Shanghai has stricter regulations regarding street sales people than does Beijing.

In Beijing, the favorite items were five-dollar Rollex watches which were guaranteed to work at least until you get back to your hotel, cute panda hats for kids and "three generation t-shirts... Buy the shirt for yourself, wash it an give it to your son, wash it again and it will fit your grandson!

[KHAWACHEN]

Lucky that you were able to go to Tibet.
I'm a Tibetan and can't go to Tibet because the Chinese Authorities would not allow Tibetans to easily go to Tibet. And Tibet is not just TAR, if you know what i mean. Big part of Qinghai & Sichuan also were once part of Tibet now called TAR.

I'm a Singaporean Chinese and went to Tibet earlier this month. Many local Chinese were toting 5D Mk IIs and L glass. Tourists with DSLRs are commonplace, I even saw a 28-300 L and a guy carrying TWO Leica digital Ms. I wouldn't worry about camera gear making you stand out :)

[edge100]

I was in Beijing (http://www.mfphotography.ca/2011/07/28/toronto-photographer-asia-part-2-beijing/) and Hong Kong (http://www.mfphotography.ca/2011/07/28/toronto-photographer-asia-part-3-hong-kong/) this past summer and carried my 5D2, 35L, Sigma 50, and 85L around with me all the time. Never once did I feel threatened or worried about the safety of me or my gear.

Use the same common sense you'd use in your home town or anywhere else in the world, and you'll be fine. Frankly, I felt much less safe walking around parts of San Francisco (http://www.mfphotography.ca/2011/10/26/toronto-photographer-san-francisco-october-2011-2/) than I did in Beijing or Hong Kong.