The 10 Most Dangerous Serial Killers in China

China has witnessed some of the most horrifying serial murder cases in modern criminal history. Several killers terrorized entire provinces for years before being captured. Their crimes shocked the nation because of their brutality, randomness, and the large number of victims.

This detailed report explores the origins, crimes, methods, arrests, and punishments of the ten most feared serial killers in China.

Yang Xinhai was born in 1968 in Henan Province into a poor rural family. He dropped out of school early and became involved in theft and robbery. He was repeatedly arrested during his youth.

Yang attacked isolated rural homes during the night. He used:

• Axes

• Hammers

• Shovels

• Metal bars

He often killed entire families while they slept.

Police connected multiple murders through similar attack patterns. In 2003, officers stopped Yang during an identity check and discovered false documents. DNA and confessions linked him to dozens of murders.

He was sentenced to death in 2004 and executed shortly afterward.

Born in Gansu Province in 1964, Gao worked ordinary jobs and appeared quiet and harmless.

• 11 murders

• Multiple sexual assaults

He targeted women and girls, usually dressed in red clothing. He sexually assaulted victims and killed them using knives and strangulation.

For years police had no leads. In 2016, DNA technology finally identified Gao after comparing blood samples from relatives.

He was sentenced to death and executed in 2019.

Bai was born in Beijing in 1958. He had a difficult childhood and became involved in crime early.

• 15 murders

• Multiple robberies

After leaving prison, Bai began robbing police officers and civilians using firearms. He killed witnesses and security guards during robberies.

Police traced stolen weapons and linked ballistic evidence to Bai. He was captured in 1997 after a nationwide manhunt.

Zhou was born in Chongqing and became obsessed with guns and violent crime.

• 10 murders

• Numerous armed robberies

He attacked banks and people withdrawing money from ATMs. He used firearms and shot victims instantly.

After years of pursuit, police located him in Chongqing in 2012. He was killed during a gun battle with police.

No trial occurred because he died during the confrontation.

Huang was born in Henan Province and became fascinated with violent films and serial killer stories.

He lured teenage boys and young men to his home with fake job offers or gaming invitations. He strangled victims and hid their bodies.

One intended victim escaped and informed police, leading directly to Huang’s arrest.

Lao worked as a teacher before meeting criminal partner Fa Ziying.

The pair kidnapped wealthy victims, extorted money, and murdered victims afterward.

Lao escaped capture for more than 20 years while living under false identities. She was arrested in 2019 after facial recognition technology identified her.

Fa grew up involved in gangs and violent crime.

He tortured victims during kidnappings to obtain ransom money.

Police tracked him after a failed kidnapping operation.

Long lived in rural China with his wife.

The couple lured travelers and workers to their home, robbed them, and murdered them before burying bodies nearby.

Villagers became suspicious after several disappearances. Police discovered bodies around the property.

Both received death sentences.

Little is publicly known about his childhood.

He targeted vulnerable women in rural areas and attacked them at night.

Police used witness descriptions and regional crime analysis to identify him.

Chen reportedly drifted between temporary jobs and criminal activity.

He attacked travelers and workers in isolated areas to steal money and valuables.

Captured after investigators traced stolen property connected to victims.

Executed after conviction.

These serial killer cases terrified China for several reasons:

Some killers murdered whole households, including children.

Many attacks occurred in isolated villages with little police protection.

Some killers escaped detection for years.

Many crimes involved torture, sexual assault, and brutal methods.

These cases pushed Chinese authorities to improve:

Today, many of these criminals remain symbols of fear in Chinese criminal history.