Getting Sick in China: Medical Care Guide for Tourists (2025)

Nobody plans to get sick on vacation. But if it happens in China, you need to know how the system works—because it's different from Western healthcare.

This guide covers what to do, where to go, and how to handle medical situations.

First: Don't Panic

Chinese cities have excellent medical facilities. International hospitals in major cities have English-speaking staff and Western-trained doctors. You will get good care.

The challenge is navigation: knowing where to go, how to pay, and communicating symptoms.

Types of Medical Facilities

International Clinics/Hospitals

Best for tourists. These cater to foreigners:

• English-speaking doctors and staff
• Familiar procedures
• International insurance accepted
• Higher prices (Western-level)
• Shorter wait times

Major chains:

• Beijing United Family Hospital
• Shanghai United Family Hospital
• Parkway Health (Shanghai, Beijing, others)
• Global Doctor clinics
• Various city-specific international hospitals

When to use: Non-emergency issues, anything you'd visit a doctor for at home.

Public Hospitals

The main healthcare system. Massive facilities with:

• Excellent medical expertise
• Overwhelming crowds
• Long wait times
• Language barriers
• Lower costs
• Cash/Chinese payment required upfront

When to use: Emergencies (they have the best equipment), when international clinics aren't available, specialist care.

Pharmacies (药店)

Pharmacies are everywhere:

• Many medicines available without prescription
• Pharmacists can recommend treatments
• Language barrier challenging
• Can buy antibiotics, etc. over the counter

When to use: Minor issues—cold, headache, stomach upset, minor injuries.

For Minor Issues

Self-Treatment

For common ailments, try pharmacies first:

Headache/fever:

• 布洛芬 (Bùluòfēn) — Ibuprofen
• 对乙酰氨基酚 (Duìyǐxiānanójīfēn) — Paracetamol/Tylenol

Stomach issues:

• 黄连素 (Huángliánsù) — For diarrhea
• 藿香正气水 (Huòxiāng Zhèngqì Shuǐ) — For stomach upset

Cold/flu:

• 感冒灵 (Gǎnmào Líng) — Cold medicine
• 999感冒灵 — Popular brand

Show your symptoms: Point to where it hurts, use translation app, pharmacists are often helpful.

When Pharmacy Isn't Enough

See a doctor if:

• Fever over 38.5°C (101°F) lasting 24+ hours
• Severe stomach pain
• Blood in stool/urine
• Difficulty breathing
• Injury needing assessment
• Symptoms worsening
• Anything that would send you to a doctor at home

For Serious Issues

Finding a Hospital

International clinics (recommended for foreigners):

Beijing:

• Beijing United Family Hospital: +86 10 5927 7000
• International SOS Clinic: +86 10 6462 9112

Shanghai:

• Shanghai United Family Hospital: +86 21 2216 3900
• Parkway Health: +86 21 6445 5999

Guangzhou:

• Can Am International Medical Center: +86 20 8710 6685
• Guangzhou United Family Hospital: +86 20 3610 2333

Other cities: Search "[city name] international hospital" or ask your hotel.

Emergency Numbers

• 120 — Ambulance
• 110 — Police
• 119 — Fire

Note: 120 dispatchers typically don't speak English. Have someone call for you if possible, or use a translation app.

Going to a Public Hospital

If international clinics aren't available or it's a true emergency:

What to expect:

1. Registration (挂号 guàhào) — Pay small fee
2. Wait in line
3. See doctor briefly
4. Get tests ordered
5. Pay for tests
6. Do tests
7. Wait for results
8. See doctor again
9. Get prescription
10. Pay at pharmacy
11. Collect medicine

Tips:

• Bring your passport
• Bring cash and/or Chinese mobile payment
• Bring someone who speaks Chinese if possible
• Write your symptoms in Chinese (translation app)
• Bring any medications you're currently taking
• Be patient—waits can be hours

Emergency Rooms

For true emergencies (急诊 jízhěn):

• Tell them it's urgent: 紧急 (jǐnjí)
• Emergency rooms prioritize by severity
• Major injuries/chest pain/difficulty breathing get fast attention
• Less severe issues may wait longer

Payment and Insurance

How Chinese Hospitals Work

Important: Chinese hospitals typically require payment upfront, before treatment.

• International hospitals may bill insurance directly
• Public hospitals usually require cash/payment first
• Expect to pay, then claim from insurance later

Travel Insurance

Essential. Before your trip:

• Get comprehensive travel insurance
• Confirm China coverage
• Note emergency contact numbers
• Understand the claims process
• Keep policy documents accessible

What good insurance covers:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Medical evacuation
• Hospital stays
• Prescriptions
• Emergency dental
• Repatriation (if needed)

Costs

Service	International Hospital	Public Hospital
Doctor consultation	¥1,000-2,000	¥50-200
Blood tests	¥500-1,500	¥100-400
X-ray	¥500-1,000	¥100-300
ER visit	¥2,000-5,000	¥200-500
Hospital night	¥3,000-8,000	¥300-800

International hospital costs are similar to US prices. Public hospitals are much cheaper.

Medical Evacuation

For serious conditions requiring treatment elsewhere:

• Insurance can arrange medical evacuation
• Hong Kong is closest quality destination
• Can cost $50,000-150,000 without insurance
• Your insurance company coordinates this

Useful Chinese Phrases

English	Chinese	Pinyin
I'm sick	我病了	Wǒ bìng le
Hospital	医院	Yīyuàn
Doctor	医生	Yīshēng
It hurts here	这里疼	Zhèlǐ téng
Emergency	紧急	Jǐnjí
Ambulance	救护车	Jiùhùchē
Fever	发烧	Fāshāo
Diarrhea	腹泻	Fùxiè
I'm allergic to...	我对...过敏	Wǒ duì...guòmǐn
Pharmacy	药店	Yàodiàn

Prevention Tips

Food and Water

• Drink bottled water only
• Avoid ice in drinks (unless at international establishments)
• Eat hot, freshly cooked food
• Be cautious with street food
• Wash hands frequently

Common Issues

Traveler's diarrhea:

• Most common tourist ailment
• Usually mild, lasts 1-3 days
• Stay hydrated
• Bland foods (congee is good)
• OTC medicine (Imodium)

Air quality:

• Check AQI before going out
• Wear N95 mask on bad days
• Stay indoors when AQI > 150
• May aggravate asthma/respiratory conditions

Heat-related illness:

• Summer is extremely hot
• Stay hydrated
• Take breaks in AC
• Avoid midday sun

What to Bring from Home

In your medical kit:

• Prescription medications (in original containers)
• Copy of prescriptions
• Pain relievers
• Anti-diarrhea medicine
• Antacids
• Antihistamines
• Band-aids and antiseptic
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent

Documents:

• Insurance policy details
• Emergency contact numbers
• List of allergies
• Blood type (if you know it)
• Copies of prescriptions

Hotel Assistance

Your hotel can help:

• Recommend clinics/hospitals
• Call ambulance
• Provide translation
• Arrange transportation
• Contact your embassy

Tip: Save the hotel's number and address in your phone. They can communicate with emergency services in Chinese.

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The China Survival Kit includes emergency contacts, hospital directories, and medical phrase cards for peace of mind during your trip.