China is an extremely safe country with minimal violent crime. There are no privately owned guns in China, virtually no illegal drugs, and 90% less overall crime than in the United States.

If your family is staying in 4 – 5 star hotels and visiting international tourist destinations, then you will have no communication related problems. There will be plenty of English speaking staff in upscale hotels, restaurants, and sight-seeing locations. The Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing fall into this category. So do Shanghai’s She Shan Mountain and People’s Square attractions.

If you are planning trips to secondary locations, staying in 3 star or lower hotels, or wish to experience the "real China", then your lack of Chinese language skills will be a huge hurdle. Such an undertaking might be adventurous for a young couple, but is not advisable for parents with kids in tow. Any medical or safety problem involving your kids could spiral out of control without proper communication skills. Travel in any foreign country requires substantial pre-planning when children are involved.