Everything you need to plan care in China
67 practical, first-hand guides — costs, hospitals, visas, insurance and more — written and kept current to help foreigners get treatment in China with confidence.
Start hereHow to See a Doctor in China as a Foreigner (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)
A clear, step-by-step guide to seeing a doctor in China as a foreigner — registration (挂号), public vs international hospitals, payment, language, and what to bring. Written from first-hand experience.
Navigating the system
China Hospital Tiers Explained: What '3A' (三甲) Means for You
Public vs private, international departments, and China's Level I–III hospital grading with the A/B/C system — what '3A (三甲)' means and how foreigners should choose a hospital.
China Emergency Numbers: How to Call 120 for an Ambulance
120 is China's ambulance number. How to call it when you don't speak Chinese, what an ambulance and ER visit really cost, and a phrase card to save.
Top Hospitals in China for Foreigners: How They're Ranked & How to Access Them
How Chinese hospitals are ranked, the most respected general and specialty hospitals, which have international departments, and how foreigners can actually get an appointment.
Visas & travel
China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit for a Medical Trip (2026): How It Actually Works
Ten days in China with no visa — if you structure the trip correctly. The onward-ticket rule, why Hong Kong counts as a third region, eligible ports, the 24-hour registration rule, and the mistakes that get people turned around.
China Medical Visa Guide (2026): Visa-Free & M Visa Rules
Which visa do you need for medical or dental care in China? The 240-hour visa-free transit, 30-day visa-free entry, M/L/S visas, documents and entry tips — updated July 2026.
Insurance & payment
Dental Insurance for Expats in China (2026)
Most China employer plans quietly exclude dental. How expats really get covered — riders vs international policies, and the pay-first-then-claim trap.
Fapiao & Insurance Reimbursement for Medical Care in China (Foreigner's Guide)
How foreigners get reimbursed for medical and dental care in China: what a fapiao (发票) is, the exact documents insurers require, how to request them, and the mistakes that void claims.
How to Pay at Chinese Hospitals as a Foreigner (Cards, Alipay, WeChat)
Do Chinese hospitals take foreign credit cards? How the pay-first system works, setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay with an overseas card, cash, and deposits for admission.
How to Claim Insurance for Medical Care in China (Reimbursement Guide)
A step-by-step guide for foreigners to get reimbursed by home or travel insurers for care received in China — documents required, the pay-first model, translation, and common pitfalls.
Taking Your Medical Records & Imaging Home From China: What to Request
How foreigners get their medical records, scans and pathology from Chinese hospitals — what to request, getting imaging as digital DICOM, translation, and timing it before you leave.
Health screening
How to Choose a Health Checkup Package in China (Foreigner's Guide)
Basic vs comprehensive vs cancer-focused screening, how to choose by age and risk, the over-screening trap, and public vs private screening centres — a practical guide for foreigners.
Colonoscopy & Digestive Screening in China for Foreigners
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy in China for foreigners — sedated 'painless' options, how to prepare, whether it fits a short trip, getting pathology and reports, and aftercare.
Executive Health Screening in China: What's Included & How to Plan It
What an executive health screening in China includes, how to fit it into a business trip, choosing the right scope, and getting English results you can take home.
Health Screening in China for Expats: Annual Check-ups & What to Know
A practical guide for expats living in China on annual health screening — where to go, public vs private vs international options, the Z-visa health check, English service, and records.
Understanding Your Health Checkup Results From China (Foreigner's Guide)
How Chinese health checkup reports are structured, common abnormal flags, why reference ranges differ, getting results translated, and arranging follow-up or a second opinion.
Specialist care
Orthopedic Second Opinion in China: Knees, Hips, Spine & More
When to get an orthopedic second opinion from China, remote review vs in-person, the imaging and records to prepare, and how foreigners arrange it — for knee, hip, spine and joint cases.
Getting a Second Medical Opinion in China: Remote Review & In-Person
When a second opinion makes sense, how remote case review works versus in-person evaluation, the records you need to prepare, and how foreigners arrange a second opinion in China.
Chinese medicine
Acupuncture in China: What to Expect as a Foreigner
What acupuncture is like in China, what a session involves, safety and single-use needles, typical treatment courses, and how to find a licensed practitioner as a foreign visitor.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China: A Foreigner's Guide
What traditional Chinese medicine is in modern China, the main modalities, how TCM is integrated into the hospital system, what a consultation involves, and how visitors can experience it.
Trust & safety
How to Check if a China Medical Facilitator Is Legitimate
A seven-step checklist for vetting any medical or dental travel facilitator in China — domain age, legal entity, named people, working phone numbers, named clinics, and how they get paid.
Is Healthcare in China Safe and Good Quality? An Honest Look
An honest, balanced look at the quality and safety of medical and dental care in China for foreigners — what's genuinely excellent, what to watch for, and how to reduce the risks.
More guides
Braces & Invisalign in Guangzhou: An Expat Guide (2026)
Orthodontics in Guangzhou for foreigners — why it's a resident treatment, where to go, what it costs, and what happens if you leave China mid-treatment.
Eye Exam in China for Foreigners: Where & How (2026)
How foreigners get an eye test in China — optical shops vs hospital ophthalmology, what it costs, getting your prescription and PD, and doing it in English.
Getting Glasses in Shenzhen: The Optical Markets Guide (2026)
How foreigners buy cheap glasses in Shenzhen — the Henggang optical markets, what a pair costs, the cross-border trip from Hong Kong, and doing it in English.
Getting Prescription Glasses in China: Cost & Where (2026)
How foreigners get cheap prescription glasses in China — the optical hubs, what a pair really costs, what to bring, how to check quality, and getting it done in English.
Dental Implant Recovery in China: What to Expect (2026)
A recovery guide for foreigners getting dental implants in China — the healing timeline, what's normal, what to eat, when to fly, and the signs to check.
How Long to Stay in China for Dental Work? (2026)
How many days — and how many trips — dental work in China takes, procedure by procedure: cleaning, veneers, crowns, implants, root canals and orthodontics.
How to Choose a Dental Clinic in China: What to Check (2026)
A practical 2026 checklist for foreigners choosing a dental clinic in China — clinic types, the dentist's qualifications, implant brands, prices, and red flags.
What Chinese Food Can You Eat After a Tooth Extraction? (2026)
A soft-food guide for foreigners recovering from a tooth extraction or wisdom teeth removal in China — which Chinese dishes are safe, which to avoid, how long.
HIV PEP in China: The 72-Hour Window, Explained for Foreigners
What PEP is, why the 72-hour clock matters in China, how foreigners actually reach a clinic in Shanghai, and what a concierge can and cannot do. Not medical advice.
PEP vs PrEP in China: Which One You Actually Need
PEP is after a possible HIV exposure (72-hour clock). PrEP is before, on a prescription, with quarterly labs. How foreigners use both in China without mixing up the products.
PrEP in China: The Legal Pathway for Foreigners
Oral PrEP (FTC/TDF, 舒发泰) is NMPA-approved in China. How foreigners start it through a clinic: HIV-negative test, kidney labs, prescription pickup. We do not sell or post pills.
STI Testing Outside Shanghai: Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu
Foreigners can get STI screening and PEP assessment outside Shanghai. How remote arrangement works in Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu — without fake ‘partner hospital’ name-dropping.
STI Testing in Shanghai for Foreigners: How It Actually Works
A practical, non-judgmental guide for foreigners who need STI screening in Shanghai — public vs international clinics, passport ID, English reports, and why a first negative is not an all-clear.
STI Testing Windows After a Possible Exposure
Why a same-week STI panel can be negative and still not mean you are in the clear — HIV, syphilis, hepatitis and others have different windows. Coordination, not a diagnosis.
Seeing a Dentist During the Canton Fair (2026): The Three-Day Gaps Nobody Tells You About
You're already in Guangzhou for the Canton Fair. Between the three phases sit two quiet three-day gaps — the ideal window for a dental check-up or a problem you've been putting off. Here's how to use them, and what to do if a tooth goes wrong mid-fair.
Canton Fair Survival Guide for First-Time Buyers (2026): Hotels, Transport, Payment, SIM Cards & Staying Healthy
An honest Canton Fair survival guide: which hotel area to book, how to get to the Pazhou complex, paying without cash, SIM cards, what to do in Guangzhou — and what to do if you get sick mid-fair.
CIIE Shanghai Visitor Guide (2026): Hotels Near the NECC, Transport, Payment, SIM Cards & Staying Healthy
A practical guide to visiting the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai: where to stay near the NECC Hongqiao, getting around, mobile payment, SIM cards — and what to do if you get sick mid-expo.
China Visa-Free Entry for a Dental Trip (2026): Which Passport Gets What
Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and most of Europe enter China visa-free for 30 days. The US does not. What each route allows, what the 240-hour transit requires, and how the stay length decides your treatment plan.
Why "Chinese Dentist" Videos Went Viral — And What They Don't Show You
YouTube and TikTok are full of foreigners filming Chinese dental hospitals that look like film sets. Here is what those videos actually document, what they leave out, and which treatments a visit can realistically cover.
Getting Around China as a Medical Traveller (2026): Payments, Taxis, SIM & Translation
The practical layer nobody explains: paying with a foreign card via Alipay, booking taxis, which translation app actually works in China, staying connected, and how hospital registration works when you don't read Chinese.
How to Plan a Dental Trip to China (2026): A Day-by-Day Template
How many days do you actually need in China for implants, crowns or a cleaning? Realistic day-by-day itineraries, how much buffer to leave before your flight, and which procedures need two trips.
What to Eat After Dental Work in China (2026): A Recovery Food Guide
You just had an implant placed in Chengdu or Chongqing — and you can't eat hot pot. A practical guide to soft food in China after dental treatment: what to order, what to avoid, and the Chinese phrases that get you fed.
Where to Stay Near China's Medical Districts (2026): A Recovery-First Guide
Choosing accommodation for a medical trip is a different problem from choosing a holiday hotel. What actually matters — kettle, soft breakfast, metro distance, quiet — plus the medical districts in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing.
China vs Hong Kong Dental Costs: How Big Is the Gap? (2026)
Cleanings, root canals, crowns and implants in mainland China vs Hong Kong, side by side — why the gap is so wide, and how the day trip actually works.
Teeth Whitening in China: Cost & What Works (2026)
Teeth whitening in China: in-office cold-light costs, take-home options, real listed partner prices, what whitening can and can't fix, and how to choose a clinic.
Dental Care in Zhuhai for Foreigners (2026)
Where foreigners get dental care in Zhuhai: English-speaking dentists, costs, the Macau and Hong Kong cross-border angle, and how to choose a clinic safely.
Dental Veneers in China: Cost, Types & Trips (2026)
A deep-dive on veneers in China: porcelain vs composite costs, the visit-by-visit process, smile-makeover planning, and what a trip realistically involves.
Dentures in China: Cost & Non-Implant Options (2026)
Replacing missing teeth without implants: what dentures and bridges cost in China, the visit-by-visit process, one-trip timelines, and how to choose well.
Gum Treatment & Deep Cleaning in China (2026)
Periodontal care in China for foreigners: standard vs deep cleaning, what gum treatment involves, reported costs, visit counts and how to choose a clinic.
Invisalign & Braces in China: Adult Orthodontics
What adult orthodontics costs in China: Invisalign and domestic aligner brands, traditional braces, how many visits treatment takes, and how to choose.
How a Medical Concierge in China Works: Step by Step
What to expect when using a medical travel facilitator in China: enquiry, quotes, appointment booking, interpreters, payment, fapiao and follow-up records.
Root Canal in China: Cost, Process & Trips (2026)
Root canal treatment price in China (2026): reported costs by tooth type, how many visits it takes, why the crown is priced separately, and how to choose a clinic.
Wisdom Teeth Removal in China for Foreigners (2026)
Simple vs surgical wisdom tooth extraction in China — where foreigners go, how long recovery takes, and when it's actually safe to fly home afterwards.
Dental Care in Guangzhou for Foreigners (2026)
How foreigners get dental care in Guangzhou — English-speaking clinics, which districts to choose, what to check before you book, and how to plan a visit.
Dental Care in China: What Reddit Really Says (2026)
Foreigners on Reddit call dental care in China shockingly cheap and solid at good clinics, but debate hygiene, English and quality. The honest consensus.
All-on-4 & Full-Arch Dental Implants in China (2026)
All-on-4 in China replaces a full arch on 4–6 implants for a reported fraction of US prices. Here's how it works, the two-trip timeline, and 2026 cost ranges.
Dental Care in Beijing for Foreigners (2026)
Where foreigners get dental care in Beijing: English-speaking dentists, costs, expat districts like Chaoyang and Shunyi, public vs international clinics.
Dental Care in Shanghai for Foreigners (2026)
Where foreigners get dental care in Shanghai: English-speaking dentists, costs, expat districts and vetted partner clinics, public hospital vs international.
Dental Care in Shenzhen for Foreigners (2026)
Where foreigners get dental care in Shenzhen: English-speaking dentists, costs, the Hong Kong dental-tourism angle, and how to choose a clinic safely.
Dental Tourism: China vs Mexico (2026)
China vs Mexico for dental work in 2026: reported costs, travel for US patients, English service, quality and which destination suits which patient best.
Dental Crown Cost in China: 2026 Prices for Foreigners
A zirconia crown in China costs from about ¥1,864 versus $1,000–2,500 in the US. See 2026 price ranges, visit counts, and how crowns compare to veneers.
Dental Implants in China for Foreigners (2026 Guide)
Dental implants in China cost foreigners a fraction of US prices, often for the same implant brands. Here's the 2026 cost ranges, clinic types, and trip plan.
Dental Tourism: China vs Thailand vs Turkey (2026)
Comparing dental tourism in China, Thailand and Turkey for 2026: reported costs, implant brands, travel, English service and which destination suits which patient.
English-Speaking Dentists in China (2026 Guide)
Find a good English-speaking dentist in China: compare public hospital stomatology, international clinics, and local clinics, plus city notes and how to vet.
Routine Dental Care in China for Expats (2026)
Routine dental care in China is good value for expats — cleanings, fillings and root canals far below US prices. Where to go, 2026 ranges and how to pay.
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