Don’t engage in prostitution: the default penalty is 10–15 days in detention, not just a fine

There is no cost and no time required. All you need to do is simply refrain from it.

Article 78 of the Law on Administrative Penalties for Public Security stipulates that individuals convicted of prostitution or soliciting prostitutes face 10–15 days of administrative detention, with a possible fine of up to 5,000 yuan. For less serious cases, the penalty may be 5 days of detention or a fine of up to 1,000 yuan. Those who solicit customers in public spaces also face similar penalties. Article 79 states that anyone who lures, shelters, or arranges prostitution is subject to 10–15 days of detention and a fine of up to 5,000 yuan; less serious cases incur 5 days of detention and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yuan. Article 87 provides that employees of hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, or taxi services who aid or facilitate prostitution activities face 10–15 days of detention. Article 360 of the Criminal Law criminalizes knowingly spreading sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis or gonorrhea through prostitution; offenders may be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined. (National application; Law on Administrative Penalties for Public Security effective 1 January 2026.)

全国人大常委会 (2025). 治安管理处罚法（2025 年修订，第七十八、七十九、八十七条）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml；全国人大常委会. 中华人民共和国刑法（经刑法修正案十一修正的整合文本）第三百六十条. https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html（北京市公安交通管理局转载）；全国人大常委会 (2015). 刑法修正案（九）（第四十三条，删去刑法第三百六十条第二款）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180205_364562.shtml

This detention is administrative in nature, meaning offenders are held in a detention center rather than merely paying a fine. Those who arrange or provide venues for prostitution face identical penalties under Article 79. Employees of hotels or entertainment venues who assist clients in evading law enforcement are also subject to 10–15 days of detention under Article 87. Previously, Article 360 included a provision criminalizing statutory rape of minors; this was removed via the 2015 Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law, meaning such acts are now prosecuted as rape. Any services advertised as “on‑site wellness” or “massage” are still treated as prostitution based on actual conduct. Health risks related to sexually transmitted infections and HIV are addressed separately in Section 1, Item 30 (consistent condom use) and Section 13, Item 38 (post‑exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours). Precautions specific to entertainment venues are outlined in Section 22.