Health and Medical Care for Foreign Visitors
Health and Medical Care for Foreign Visitors
What are the medical emergency numbers in China?
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance | 120 | Nationwide; Chinese-speaking operators |
| Police | 110 | Nationwide |
| Fire | 119 | Nationwide |
| Beijing medical (additional) | 999 | Beijing only; some English support |
Language issue: 120 operators and ambulance crews typically speak Chinese only. Have a Chinese-speaking person call on your behalf, or use a translation app. Keep your hotel address written in Chinese characters for emergencies.
What types of hospitals can foreigners use in China?
| Type | Cost | Language | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public hospital (公立医院) | Low (consult ¥50–300) | Chinese | Everywhere |
| VIP / international ward (国际部) | Medium | Some English | Major public hospitals |
| International / private hospital | High (consult ¥500–2,000+) | English | Tier-1 cities |
Public hospitals are affordable and available everywhere, but are crowded (2–4 hour waits are common), operate mainly in Chinese, and English-speaking doctors are not guaranteed even at large hospitals.
VIP / international wards (国际部 or 外宾部): many Grade 3 (三级, top-tier) public hospitals have a separate international department with English staff, shorter waits, and private facilities — at higher prices than the standard ward but lower than a private hospital. Ask for 国际部 (guójì bù) at the front desk.
International / private hospitals: English-speaking staff, Western-standard care, 24-hour English hotlines, direct billing with some insurers. Concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu.
Notable International Facilities
Beijing: Beijing United Family Hospital (和睦家医院, 24/7 ER); SinoUnited Health (SUH); Peking Union Medical College Hospital (international dept.)
Shanghai: Shanghai United Family Hospital; Parkway Health; Huashan Hospital International Medical Center
Guangzhou: Guangzhou United Family Hospital; Clifford Hospital
Other cities: search “[city] 国际医疗” for the nearest option with international services.
How does hospital admission work in China?
- Registration (挂号): at reception desk, hospital app, or WeChat mini-program. Pay registration fee (¥5–50 public; higher private). Bring your passport.
- Consultation: see the doctor. Arrive early for non-emergency visits — queues form quickly.
- Tests / prescriptions: doctor issues orders; pay at the cashier before collecting medicine from the pharmacy or proceeding to test stations.
- Payment: pay at each step; keep all receipts for insurance claims.
- Hospitalization deposit: if admitted, pay a deposit (¥3,000–7,000 at public hospitals; higher at private). Deducted during stay, refunded on discharge.
- Medical report: request a discharge summary (出院小结). Insurance claims may require a certified translation.
How do I pay for medical care in China?
Most public hospitals do not accept international credit cards. Bring:
- Alipay or WeChat Pay (set up before arrival — see Mobile Payment)
- Cash (RMB)
- UnionPay card
Keep all receipts for insurance reimbursement.
Do I need travel insurance for medical care in China?
Travel insurance is essential. Medical evacuation / repatriation is extremely expensive without it. Look for:
- Medical treatment: at least USD $100,000 cover
- Medical evacuation / repatriation: unlimited or high-limit cover
- Emergency dental
Some international hospitals have direct billing agreements with major insurers (AXA, Cigna, Allianz) — confirm before your visit to avoid paying out of pocket. Embassies cannot pay medical bills or arrange evacuation.
How should I prepare my health before traveling to China?
Consult a travel medicine clinic or your GP at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Commonly recommended vaccinations for China visitors include:
- Hepatitis A — recommended for most travellers; transmitted via food and water
- Typhoid — recommended if eating outside major international hotels
- Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis — recommended for rural travel, wildlife contact, or extended stays; simplifies post-exposure treatment significantly
- Routine vaccines — ensure tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella, and seasonal flu are current
Check your government’s travel health advisory for the latest China-specific recommendations (e.g. UK FCDO fitfortravel.nhs.uk, US CDC wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china).
Can I bring medicines or buy prescriptions in China?
- Bring a full supply of any prescription medication for your stay, plus extra for delays.
- Bring a doctor’s note listing all medications, dosages, and diagnoses (in English; Chinese translation helpful).
- Some medications legal at home are controlled or prohibited in China — check the NMPA (National Medical Products Administration, 国家药品监督管理局; nmpa.gov.cn) restricted and controlled drug lists before travel. Note: the agency was formerly called CFDA; references to CFDA online may be outdated.
- Common Western OTC brands may not be available; local equivalents exist but packaging is in Chinese.
- Watson’s and established pharmacy chains (大药房) in major cities carry some imported products.
What should I do about animal bites or rabies risk in China?
Rabies is present in China. Any animal bite or scratch (dog, cat, bat, monkey) requires:
- Immediate wound cleaning with soap and water for 15 minutes
- Same-day visit to a hospital or rabies vaccination center (狂犬病疫苗接种点)
- Full post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) course — 4–5 injections over 2–4 weeks
Do not wait. Rabies is fatal once symptomatic. Find a vaccination center via 120 or any hospital emergency desk.
What common health issues affect travelers in China?
Air quality: Beijing, Shanghai, and industrial cities have periods of high PM2.5. Check AQI apps — IQAir and Air Matters work without VPN. Bring N95 masks for high-pollution days.
Water: tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in mainland China. Use bottled water (矿泉水) or hotel boiled water (开水).
Food safety: street food is generally safe if freshly cooked and hot. Avoid raw vegetables washed in tap water at budget restaurants. Carry oral rehydration salts and basic anti-diarrheal medication.
Altitude: see the dedicated section below.
How do I avoid altitude sickness in China?
If travelling to Tibet (Lhasa: 3,650 m), Qinghai, or high-altitude destinations in Yunnan (Shangri-La: 3,200 m) or Sichuan, altitude sickness is a real risk. For full detail on the Tibet permit process, see Tibet Permits.
Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Onset typically 6–12 hours after reaching altitude:
- Headache (most common)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath at rest
Severe AMS can progress to HACE (confusion, inability to walk straight) or HAPE (extreme breathlessness, pink frothy cough) — both are life-threatening. Descend immediately. Do not wait until morning.
Prevention
- Acclimatize: spend 1–2 full days resting in Lhasa before going to higher elevations (Shigatse, Everest Base Camp)
- Hydrate: 3–4 litres of water per day; avoid alcohol for the first 2–3 days
- Move slowly: no vigorous physical activity in the first 48 hours
- Rhodiola rosea (红景天): traditional Chinese herbal supplement; start 1–2 weeks before arrival; available at pharmacies throughout China and in Lhasa; evidence is mixed but widely used with no known safety concerns
- Acetazolamide (Diamox): prescription diuretic that speeds acclimatization; 125–250 mg twice daily, starting 1–2 days before ascent; common side effects: increased urination, tingling in hands/feet. Obtain a prescription before travel — declare to Chinese customs if carrying more than a 7-day supply.
Oxygen canisters are available at most Lhasa hotels, often free or for a small fee.
Travel Insurance for High-Altitude Travel
Standard policies frequently exclude high-altitude emergencies. Verify that your policy:
- Covers medical treatment at altitude
- Covers helicopter or air evacuation — ground ambulance from Everest Base Camp to Lhasa takes 6+ hours; helicopter is the only practical emergency option
- Does not exclude Tibet or Xinjiang as conflict/restricted zones
Useful Phrases
| Situation | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| I need to see a doctor | 我需要看医生 | Wǒ xūyào kàn yīshēng |
| Please call an ambulance | 请叫救护车 | Qǐng jiào jiùhùchē |
| I am allergic to… | 我对…过敏 | Wǒ duì … guòmǐn |
| I have insurance | 我有保险 | Wǒ yǒu bǎoxiǎn |
| Emergency room | 急诊 | Jízhěn |
Keep a card with your blood type, allergies, current medications, and emergency contacts in both English and Chinese.
See Also
- Mobile Payment — Alipay / WeChat Pay setup (required for hospital payment)
- Internet & Connectivity — AQI apps (IQAir, Air Matters) work without VPN. Note: Google Translate is blocked in China without a VPN — use Baidu Translate or Microsoft Translator as VPN-free alternatives for emergency communication.
- Tibet Permits — Tibet Travel Permit process, altitude sickness detail, evacuation insurance requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do foreigners get medical care in China?
- Major cities have international hospitals and foreigner clinics with English-speaking staff (e.g., United Family, Raffles). Public hospitals are cheaper but largely Chinese-only; bring a translation app and your passport.
- How do I pay for a hospital visit in China?
- Hospitals generally expect payment up front via Alipay, WeChat Pay or cash. Set up mobile payment before arrival and keep your travel-insurance details handy for reimbursement.
- Do I need travel insurance for China?
- Strongly recommended. It covers medical emergencies and evacuation, which can be costly — especially for high-altitude or remote-area trips. Confirm the policy explicitly covers China.
- Can I buy medicine over the counter in China?
- Pharmacies (yaodian) are widespread and stock common remedies, but staff may not speak English and brand names differ. Bring essential prescriptions, and show the generic drug name via a translation app.