How to get medical care in China as a foreigner and expat — complete guide to hospitals, booking appointments, language support, diagnostic tests, payment systems, and follow-up visits for international patients
This comprehensive guide helps foreigners, expats, and international visitors access medical care in China through public hospitals, private clinics, international departments, and Traditional Chinese Medicine centers. Learn how to book appointments, navigate hospital registration, prepare medical records, arrange language support, understand payment systems, complete diagnostic tests, and schedule follow-up visits in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other major cities.
How to Get Medical Care in China as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
A complete walkthrough of accessing quality healthcare in China—from booking to follow-up
Foreigners can access medical care in China by booking appointments through public hospitals, private clinics, or international departments, registering with a passport, bringing medical records, and preparing for on-site steps including check-in, payment before tests, and follow-up visits. Understanding how Chinese hospitals operate—especially language support, scheduling, and phased appointments—helps expats and travelers move confidently through the system.
China's healthcare system combines world-class medical talent, extensive diagnostic capability, and one of the fastest specialist access pipelines in the world. Yet for many foreigners, even the simplest hospital visit can feel overwhelming. Booking typically happens in Chinese. Costs are paid up front. Diagnostic tests require separate scheduling. And returning to the doctor for results always requires another registration.
This guide provides a full walkthrough of how international patients actually move through the system—from selecting a hospital and booking an appointment to paying for tests and returning for results—so that you understand what to expect at every step.
Where Foreigners Can Receive Medical Care in China
Foreign patients have three primary access pathways: public hospitals (including international departments), private hospitals and clinics, and licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine centers. Each serves a different need and price point.
Public Hospitals (Including International Departments)
Public hospitals form the backbone of China's medical system and house most of the country's high-skilled specialists and advanced diagnostics. Foreigners choose public hospitals when medical needs are complex or when they want affordability and breadth of clinical services.
Within top-tier hospitals, many now operate International Departments—dedicated units that streamline care for foreigners. These departments typically offer English-speaking clinical staff, structured appointment systems, reduced wait times, and a quieter atmosphere compared to the main outpatient floors. Costs are higher than standard public outpatient visits but significantly lower than private facilities.
Private Hospitals and Premium Clinics
Private facilities offer a more familiar "Western-style" experience, with appointments scheduled in advance, private waiting spaces, and English-speaking medical staff. They are particularly popular among expats and business travelers who prioritize convenience or who need time-sensitive evaluations. Costs are noticeably higher than public facilities, and some complex procedures may still require referral to a public hospital.
Licensed TCM Clinics
China remains one of the very few countries where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) operates as a mainstream medical category rather than an alternative therapy. Foreigners seek TCM for pain, stress recovery, digestive issues, and long-term balance work. Some clinics offer full English service, but many do not, making translation or coordination support helpful.
For those curious about acupuncture, cupping, and herbal therapy, more resources are available here: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Preparing for Your Visit
Preparation determines how smoothly the experience unfolds. Having documents ready, arranging translation, and pre-booking appointments eliminates most avoidable frustration.
Bring the Right Records and Identification
Foreigners must present a passport to register for care. To ensure physicians understand your case, bring any past reports—even if they are not in Chinese. A concise, one-page medical summary outlining your symptoms, history, allergies, and medications makes your consultation far more efficient, especially when language barriers exist.
See also: How to prepare your medical profile before visiting China
Arrange Language Support
While English proficiency is improving, most care in public hospitals remains Chinese-first. International departments and private hospitals offer the most bilingual capability. For public outpatient clinics, consider hiring a medical translator or using a coordination service familiar with hospital workflows. The goal is not only language interpretation but also ensuring that instructions, diagnoses, and next steps are correctly understood.
Pre-book Your Appointment
Public hospitals frequently book appointments through hospital-specific mobile applications or mini-programs—most of which require Chinese reading ability. Foreigners can book through international departments by phone or email, while private clinics typically accept online booking. Walk-in patients are sometimes accepted but are likely to face long waits and limited physician selection.
Navigating a Hospital Visit: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Getting care in China involves multiple steps that unfold sequentially. Once you understand the rhythm, the process feels logical and efficient.
Register for Your Appointment
Registration secures your right to see a doctor. You will provide your passport details, select a department and physician, and pay the registration fee. Registration confirms a time slot but does not mark your arrival at the hospital. That comes next.
Check In When You Arrive
On the day of your appointment, arrive early to check in. Visit a reception desk or automated kiosk, scan your passport or enter your booking number, and print a visit slip that shows your consultation room and queue number. Proceed to the correct waiting area. In some hospitals you must scan again to confirm arrival. Once checked in, you wait until your number—or occasionally your name—is called.
Initial Intake by an Assistant
Before seeing the physician, you may first speak with a nurse or medical assistant. This person records your primary symptoms, reviews your history, and prepares an electronic chart. This step is important: the more detailed and accurate your answers, the more targeted and efficient your physician consultation will be.
Consultation With the Physician
Physician consultations in China are generally concise but structured. Doctors review your symptoms, ask clarifying questions, and perform examinations relevant to your concern. If further testing is required, you will receive test orders rather than undergoing diagnostics immediately.
Physicians commonly recommend:
- •Imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI)
- •Blood panels
- •Ultrasound
- •Cardiac tests
- •Specialist referral
Pay Before Testing
Most diagnostic and laboratory services require payment before the test is performed. Using a self-service kiosk or cashier window, you scan your test slip and complete payment using WeChat, Alipay, credit card, or cash. You will then receive barcodes or receipts that grant access to each specific test.
Complete Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the facility and the type of test, imaging may be completed immediately or scheduled for another day. Blood work, ultrasounds, and ECGs are often same day. X-rays may be immediate. CT or MRI slots may require advance scheduling. At each testing unit, you scan your receipt, wait for your code to be called, and undergo the procedure. Test results for lab work can be available within hours; imaging results may be available same day or returned via digital systems.
Retrieve Results and Schedule Follow-Up
Unlike some healthcare systems, results do not automatically trigger follow-up care. To review results, you must register again—often with the same doctor, but you may switch specialists if your results point elsewhere. During the follow-up visit, the physician interprets findings, confirms diagnosis, and explains treatment or referral plans.
Important: Foreigners sometimes miss this step—so always confirm before leaving: "Do I need to return to you to discuss results, or will another specialist review them?"
Understanding Costs and Value
Healthcare in China varies substantially depending on where care is received.
Public Hospitals
Public hospitals offer the most affordable care, with fees regulated by the government. Diagnostics and specialist consultations are inexpensive and represent some of the best value in the global medical landscape. However, comfort and English support vary widely.
International Departments
These units offer the clinical credibility of public hospitals but with lighter patient volumes and more bilingual service. Costs are higher than public outpatient clinics but typically far lower than equivalent Western private-sector pricing.
Private Hospitals
Private facilities deliver convenience paired with Western-style communication, but pricing often reflects the premium. Many expats mix public and private options: private for fast access, public for advanced specialty care, and TCM clinics for long-term support.
Best Cities for Foreigners Seeking Care
Beijing
Beijing serves as China's national medical capital, home to leading academic hospitals and senior specialists with decades of experience. International departments are well established, making it an ideal choice for complex cases.
Shanghai
Shanghai offers the smoothest English-language healthcare experience, with private hospitals and international clinics clustered throughout the city and established networks serving long-term expats.
Shenzhen and Guangzhou
Southern cities including Shenzhen and Guangzhou provide fast access to diagnostics, modern facilities, and rapidly expanding private options.
Kunming
Kunming has become a strategic hub for Southeast Asian patients due to direct transport access, lower treatment costs, and a relaxed environment suited for recovery and wellness travel. It also offers strong TCM capability.
Hainan (Bo'ao)
Bo'ao's International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone combines medical care with resort settings and, uniquely, access to certain therapies approved under special regulatory pathways.
Challenges Foreigners Face—and How to Navigate Them
Language and Clarity
Some hospitals will have English-speaking doctors; many will not. Even proficient doctors may default to Chinese for technical terminology. A translator or coordination partner ensures no information is lost.
Test and Follow-Up Planning
Many conditions require multiple visits spanning several days. Foreigners on tight itineraries should plan ahead, especially for imaging-based diagnostics.
Decision Support
In high-volume systems, medical teams may not always provide the contextual guidance a foreigner expects. Bringing questions in advance and requesting clear next-step instructions helps prevent confusion.
When to Consider Medical Navigation Support
Foreigners often choose coordination services when:
- They prefer vetted specialists
- They want structured English communication
- They require multiple appointments across departments
- They lack time to navigate hospital workflows
- They are accompanying children or family members
- They are traveling from abroad for medical needs
Coordination is not about selling procedures—it is about clarity, safety, and confidence.
Explore structured support options: Health Screening Services
Conclusion
China's healthcare landscape is robust, fast-moving, and structured differently from Western systems. With preparation, the right expectations, and an understanding of how to navigate key checkpoints, foreign patients can access high-quality care at lower cost and with faster access to specialists than in many countries.
Whether you are an expat, a short-term visitor, or a traveler integrating health into your trip, China offers medical care that is both accessible and capable—provided you know the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance to visit a hospital?
No. Foreigners can pay directly. If you plan to seek reimbursement later, request itemized receipts and English documentation. Most hospitals accept WeChat Pay, Alipay, credit cards, and cash.
Can I book specialists directly or do I need a referral?
Direct booking is standard in China. No referral is required for most outpatient specialists. You can choose which department and doctor you want to see when registering for your appointment.
Is TCM safe for foreigners?
Yes, when received from licensed practitioners. TCM complements—not replaces—Western medicine and is used widely for chronic care and recovery. Always verify that your practitioner has proper credentials and works at a licensed facility.
How long does it take to get test results?
Blood work and basic lab tests often return within hours on the same day. X-rays may be immediate. CT and MRI results typically take 1-3 days. Some specialized tests may take longer. Always ask your doctor when to return for results.
What if I don't speak any Chinese?
Choose international departments in public hospitals or private international clinics where English support is standard. Alternatively, bring a bilingual friend or hire a medical translator. Professional coordination services can also handle all communication and logistics on your behalf.
Need Help Navigating China's Healthcare System?
We help international patients find the right hospitals, book appointments, arrange interpretation, and coordinate every step of your medical journey in China.
From preventive health screenings to specialist consultations and Traditional Chinese Medicine—we ensure clarity, safety, and confidence throughout your care.