Guidelines for Accessing Medical Facilities During Your Travel in China

Medical facilities are relatively easy to access during your travels in China, but the situation varies depending on the region, language communication, and medical needs. Below is a detailed analysis:

I. Distribution of Medical Resources

1. Major Cities (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, etc.)
2. Top-tier Hospitals’ International Departments: Top-tier hospitals in major cities usually have international medical departments (International Medical Department) that offer English services and can handle emergencies and complex conditions.

3. Private Hospitals and Clinics: Such as Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, etc., which provide full English services and meet international medical standards, but at higher costs.

4. Medium and Small Cities and Popular Tourist Cities (such as Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, etc.)

5. Public Hospitals: Most have emergency rooms, but their English communication ability is limited. It is recommended to prepare translation tools or contact tour guides for assistance in advance.

6. Medical Points in Tourist Areas: Near popular scenic spots (such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall), there are usually first-aid stations that can handle minor injuries or common issues like heatstroke.

7. Rural and Remote Areas

8. Township Health Centers: Basic medical facilities are relatively simple. It is recommended to plan your itinerary in advance and carry commonly used medicines.

II. Language Communication Issues

1. Translation Tools: It is suggested to download translation apps (such as Google Translate, Tencent Translation), and prepare key medical vocabulary translations in Chinese in advance.
2. Assistance Channels:
3. Call 12308 (the 24-hour multi-language assistance hotline of the Global Consular Protection and Service Emergency Center of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
4. Contact hotel front desks or local tour guides for translation assistance.

III. Payment Methods for Medical Services

1. Public Hospitals: Generally require cash or UnionPay card payments; international credit cards may not be accepted. The cost is relatively low (for example, about 20-100 RMB for a general outpatient visit).
2. Private Hospitals: Support international credit cards, but the cost is higher (about 500-1500 RMB for emergency registration fees).
3. Travel Insurance: Strongly recommend purchasing international travel insurance that includes medical expenses within China (such as Allianz, AXA), and keep all medical receipts for reimbursement.

IV. Handling Emergency Situations

1. Emergency Numbers:
2. 120: Nationwide medical emergency number (Chinese communication required).
3. 110: Police hotline, which can assist with translation services.
4. Emergency Contacts: It is recommended to save the contact information of Chinese embassies or consulates in advance (for example, the telephone number of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing: +86-10-8531-3000).

V. Medicine Purchase and Usage

1. Pharmacies (such as Lao Bai Xing Pharmacy, Tong Ren Tang):
2. Non-prescription drugs (cold medicine, stomach medicine, etc.) can be purchased directly with a passport.
3. Prescription drugs require a doctor’s prescription (which can be remotely issued by an international clinic).
4. Suggested Self-preparation: Common medicines (such as allergy medication, painkillers), mosquito repellents, sunscreen, etc.

VI. Precautions

1. Keep Receipts: All medical receipts should be stamped and annotated with diagnostic information for insurance reimbursement.
2. Visa Validity: If you need to extend your stay due to medical reasons, apply for visa extension at the local immigration bureau.
3. Preventive Measures:
4. Avoid raw food and unhygienic street snacks to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems.
5. Pay attention to traffic safety, especially in old urban areas where pedestrians and vehicles mix.

VII. Recommended Resources

1. Hospital Search Tools:
2. WeChat Mini Program “State Council Client” → search for “Medical Institution Query”.
3. Gaode Map/Baidu Map APP → search for “hospital” or “clinic”.
4. International Insurance Recommendations: Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads.