Quick answer: Medical care in China can be surprisingly accessible and affordable compared to what many Western travelers expect — but the language barrier is real, and not every hospital has English-speaking staff. This guide covers emergency numbers, international hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai, what medical visits typically cost, how insurance works, essential Chinese phrases, and what medications you can bring into the country.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Hospital policies, costs, insurance acceptance, and medication regulations can change. Verify current details with your insurance provider and official sources before travel.
Disclaimer: This is informational travel guidance, not medical advice. In a medical emergency, contact local emergency services or go directly to the nearest hospital. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical decisions.
Emergency Numbers (as of May 2026)
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Emergency (Ambulance) | 120 | Nationwide. Operators primarily speak Chinese. Have someone who speaks Chinese call if possible. |
| Police | 110 | For accidents, theft, or situations requiring police assistance. |
| Fire | 119 | Nationwide fire and rescue. |
| Traffic Accident | 122 | Specifically for road accidents. |
If you cannot communicate in Chinese during an emergency, try the following: ask your hotel front desk to call on your behalf, use a translation app to show your situation in Chinese text, or call your travel insurance emergency assistance line if it offers local-language support. Most international hospitals have English-speaking staff and can coordinate with emergency services.
International Hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai
International hospitals and clinics in major cities offer English-speaking doctors, familiar Western medical standards, and direct billing with international insurance providers. They are significantly more expensive than public hospitals but remove the language barrier.
Beijing:
- Beijing United Family Hospital (和睦家医院) — Private international hospital with English-speaking staff, 24-hour emergency, and direct billing with many international insurers. Located in Chaoyang district.
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) International Medical Service — Prestigious public hospital with a dedicated international wing offering English service. More affordable than private international hospitals but can have longer wait times.
- Raffles Medical Beijing — Private clinic in the Central Business District. Good for non-emergency care, general practice, and travel medicine.
Shanghai:
- Shanghai United Family Hospital (和睦家医院) — Private international hospital with English-speaking staff and 24-hour emergency. Located in Changning district.
- Ruijin Hospital International Medical Center — Major public hospital with a dedicated international wing. Lower cost than private international hospitals.
- ParkwayHealth Shanghai — Private clinic network with multiple locations. Good for general practice, specialist referrals, and English-speaking care.
For other cities, search for “international medical center” or “international clinic” before your trip. Smaller cities may not have dedicated international facilities — in that case, university-affiliated teaching hospitals are often your best bet for finding English-speaking staff, though it is not guaranteed.
What Medical Visits Typically Cost
Costs vary dramatically between public and international hospitals. As a rough guide based on traveler reports from 2025–2026:
| Service | Public Hospital (approximate) | International Hospital (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| GP / general consultation | RMB 50–200 ($7–$28) | RMB 800–2,000 ($110–$280) |
| Specialist consultation | RMB 100–300 ($14–$42) | RMB 1,200–3,000 ($170–$420) |
| Blood test (basic panel) | RMB 100–300 ($14–$42) | RMB 500–1,500 ($70–$210) |
| X-ray | RMB 100–300 ($14–$42) | RMB 500–1,500 ($70–$210) |
| Emergency room visit | RMB 200–500 ($28–$70) | RMB 1,500–4,000 ($210–$560) |
These are approximate ranges based on traveler reports. Actual costs depend on the hospital, city, treatment complexity, and whether you have insurance with direct billing. Public hospitals typically require payment upfront — keep Alipay or WeChat Pay funded, along with a backup credit card or cash. International hospitals may bill your insurer directly — confirm this before treatment.
Travel Insurance for China
Do not travel to China without medical insurance that covers international care. Even though basic medical visits can be cheaper than in the US or Europe, a serious incident — surgery, extended hospitalization, medical evacuation — can be extremely expensive anywhere in the world.
What to check in your policy:
- Does it cover medical treatment in mainland China specifically?
- Does it cover COVID-19 or other infectious disease treatment if relevant?
- What is the process for direct billing vs. reimbursement?
- Does it cover medical evacuation to your home country or a nearby hub like Hong Kong or Singapore?
- Is there a 24-hour emergency assistance line with English support?
Save your insurance policy number, emergency contact number, and claims process offline. If your insurer has a recommended hospital network in China, save those hospital addresses in both English and Chinese. We do not recommend specific insurance providers — compare policies and read the exclusions carefully before purchasing.
Medications: What You Can Bring and What to Know
China has strict regulations on certain medications, particularly those containing controlled substances. Some common Western prescription and over-the-counter medications may be restricted or require documentation.
- Bring medications in original packaging with the prescription label visible.
- Carry a doctor’s letter describing your condition and prescribed medications, ideally translated into Chinese.
- Check restricted medications before travel — certain painkillers, ADHD medications, sedatives, and psychotropic drugs may be controlled or banned. Contact the Chinese embassy in your country for the current list.
- Bring enough for your trip plus a few extra days — your specific medication may not be available in China or may require a local prescription.
- Keep medications in your carry-on luggage, not checked baggage.
Common over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, paracetamol, antacids, and antihistamines are generally available at Chinese pharmacies. However, brand names differ, and pharmacy staff may not speak English. Bring a translation app to show what you need.
Essential Chinese Medical Phrases
Save these phrases as screenshots or in a note app. They may help in a situation where no English-speaking staff is available:
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| I need a doctor | 我需要看医生 | Wǒ xūyào kàn yīshēng |
| Hospital | 医院 | Yīyuàn |
| Emergency | 急诊 | Jízhěn |
| I am allergic to… | 我对…过敏 | Wǒ duì…guòmǐn |
| Pain | 疼 / 痛 | Téng / Tòng |
| I have travel insurance | 我有旅行保险 | Wǒ yǒu lǚxíng bǎoxiǎn |
| Please call an ambulance | 请叫救护车 | Qǐng jiào jiùhù chē |
| Where is the nearest hospital? | 最近的医院在哪里? | Zuìjìn de yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ? |
FAQ
Should I go to a public hospital or an international one?
If you need English-speaking care and have international insurance that covers it, go to an international hospital — the experience will be more familiar and communication easier. If cost is a primary concern or you’re in a city without international options, a university-affiliated public teaching hospital is your best bet. Public hospitals are generally competent but communication may require a translation app or a Chinese-speaking companion.
Will my travel insurance be accepted directly?
International hospitals in major cities often have direct billing arrangements with major international insurers. Public hospitals typically require upfront payment — you pay first and claim reimbursement from your insurer later. Confirm the process with your insurer before travel, and keep receipts for everything.
Can I buy prescription medications at a Chinese pharmacy?
Some medications that require a prescription in Western countries are available over the counter in China, and vice versa. Pharmacies in major cities are common, but staff may not speak English. Bring a translation of your medication name (generic name, not just brand name) and the condition it treats. For controlled or specialized medications, consult official sources before travel — do not assume availability.
What if I need medical evacuation?
Medical evacuation from China is expensive and logistically complex. This is why insurance that specifically covers evacuation is important. Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo are common evacuation destinations for international-standard care. Your insurer’s emergency assistance line should coordinate this — save that number offline.
Is tap water safe to drink in China?
Tap water in China is not generally considered safe for drinking without boiling or filtration. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Most hotels provide bottled water or a kettle for boiling. Avoid ice in drinks from street vendors or small restaurants with unclear water sourcing.
What to Do Before Your Trip
- Confirm your travel insurance covers medical treatment in mainland China and save the emergency number offline.
- Check whether your regular medications are permitted in China and bring a doctor’s letter.
- Save the addresses and phone numbers of international hospitals in the cities you’ll visit — in both English and Chinese.
- Install a translation app with offline Chinese support and save the medical phrases above as screenshots.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay — you’ll need it for hospital payments at public facilities.
- Download Amap or Apple Maps and save hospital locations offline.
- Review our First Trip to China guide for the complete pre-trip checklist covering internet, navigation, and payments.
Useful related guides
Continue with the guide that matches the next decision in your trip:
- Essential China Travel Apps: What to Download Before Your Flight (2026)
- Gaode Map vs Google Maps in China: Which App Should Travelers Use?
- China Digital Survival Kit 2026: 6 Apps Every Traveler Must Download Before Flying
Related Guides
- First Trip to China — Complete planning and safety preparation
- How to Use Alipay in China
- Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay?
- How to Use Amap / Gaode Maps
- Best eSIM for China Travel
Editor note: Hospital information, costs, insurance acceptance, medication regulations, and emergency procedures can change. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then verify current details with your insurance provider, relevant embassies, and official healthcare sources before travel. This is informational travel guidance, not medical advice.
Health and clinic search wording
Foreign travelers may search China hospital for foreigners, clinic in China, travel insurance China, pharmacy in China, and what to do if sick in China. Save your hotel address in Chinese, carry your passport, and keep travel-insurance details offline so a minor medical problem does not become a navigation problem.
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Stay connected during your China trip
Install a China travel eSIM before you fly so maps, payments, transport and messaging apps work the moment you land. Airalo is the simplest option most visitors here start with.