Seeing a Doctor in China: A Foreigner’s Guide to a Non-Emergency Hospital Visit

It’s not a crisis. You don’t need an ambulance. You just have a nagging cough that won't go away, need a routine prescription refilled, or want a simple skin condition checked out.

Yet, for a foreigner, walking into a large Chinese public hospital for the first time can feel more intimidating than a real emergency. The crowds, the unfamiliar signs, the multi-step process—it’s a system built for local efficiency, and it can be utterly baffling.

This guide will demystify the process for you, turning a daunting experience into a manageable one.

International Clinic vs. Local Hospital: Which to Choose?

First, you have a choice to make.

• International Clinics: Places like United Family Healthcare or ParkwayHealth exist in major cities.

  • Pros: English is spoken by everyone, the service feels familiar to Westerners, and they can often bill your international insurance directly.
  • Cons: They are extremely expensive. A simple consultation can cost over 1,000 RMB.

• Local Public Hospitals: The choice for most locals and budget-savvy expats.

  • Pros: Very affordable. A consultation might only cost 20-50 RMB. They are well-equipped to handle a vast range of issues.
  • Cons: Can be crowded, a significant language barrier exists, and the process is very different.

This guide will focus on navigating a local hospital.

The 5 Steps of a Local Hospital Visit

Once you understand the logic, the Chinese hospital system is actually quite efficient. It’s a dance of: Register -> See Doctor -> Pay for Service -> Get Service.

Step 1: Registration (挂号 - Guàhào)

This literally means "to hang a number," and it’s your entry ticket. You are not just seeing a doctor; you are registering for a specific department, doctor, and time slot.

• The Modern Way (Highly Recommended): Nearly every hospital has an official account on WeChat or Alipay. You can use these mini-programs to book an appointment in advance. This allows you to choose a department, see which doctors are available, and select a time slot, saving you a massive queue. You will need your passport number for this.
• The Old-Fashioned Way: Go to the main hall of the hospital and find the 挂号 (Guàhào) windows. You will need your physical passport. Tell the clerk which department you need (e.g., "Pífū kē" for Dermatology).

Step 2: Finding the Department

Your registration receipt will have a department and room number. Hospital signage usually has English. You are looking for the outpatient building, or 门诊 (Ménzhěn).

Common departments include:

• Internal Medicine: 内科 (Nèikē)
• Dermatology: 皮肤科 (Pífū kē)
• Otolaryngology (ENT): 耳鼻喉科 (Ěr-bí-hóu kē)

Step 3: Seeing the Doctor

Find the waiting area for your department. There will likely be an electronic screen displaying the queue of patient numbers.

• Pro Tip: It's common for consultations to be very quick (5-10 minutes). Don't be surprised if the door is left open or other patients wander in and out. The concept of patient privacy is very different. Be direct, state your symptoms clearly (using a translation app if needed), and show the doctor any previous medications.

Step 4: Paying for the Service (付费 - Fùfèi)

Here's the part that confuses most foreigners. The doctor has entered your prescription or test order into the hospital's computer system. You do not go directly to the pharmacy or lab.

You must go back to the payment windows (收费处 - Shōufèi chù) or use a payment kiosk, show them your patient card or QR code, and pay for the prescribed medicine or test.

Step 5: Getting Your Medicine or Test (取药 / 检查)

Now, with your payment receipt, you can proceed.

• For Medicine: Go to the Pharmacy window, or 药房 (Yàofáng). Hand over your receipt, and your name will be called when your prescription is ready.
• For a Test: Go to the relevant department, like Radiology (放射科 - Fàngshè kē) for an X-ray or the lab (检验科 - Jiànyàn kē) for a blood test.

Essential Tips for a Smoother Visit

• Your Passport is Non-Negotiable. You cannot be treated without it.
• Go with a Translation App Ready. Have your symptoms, allergies, and any questions typed out in Chinese beforehand.
• Payment is King. While some major hospitals accept foreign credit cards, it's not guaranteed. Having a functional Alipay or WeChat Pay account is the most reliable option.
• Go Early on a Weekday. Hospitals are busiest on Monday mornings and weekends. A Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon is usually calmer.

While it seems complex, the system is designed to handle a huge volume of patients. Once you know the five-step dance, you can navigate it for any minor health needs with confidence.