Ⅰ Visa | Policy
Do you need a visa for China?
Learn about the latest policy now.
Ⅵ Health | Safety
Ⅱ Travel Essentials
A list of items that are easy to overlook and overlooked but you’ll definitely need while traveling in China
Ⅲ Travel Resources
Must-have apps in china for traveling and travel resources sharing.
Ⅳ Domestic Transportation
Intercity and intracity public transportation. And self-diving tour tips
Ⅴ Pay | Tax
Payment service and tax refund policy for overseas visitors.
Ⅵ Health | Safety
Medical Treatment and Purchasing Medication Call the police for help Emergency Contact Tap Water Extreme Weather Warnings Tips for Female Travelers Medical treatment flowchart International
Ⅶ Culture | Law
Laws & Regulations and a complete Guide to travel culture and etiquette in China.
Medical treatment flowchart
International Departments of Public Hospitals
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital International Medical Services
- Ruijin Hospital Shanghai International Medical Care Center (English service, higher cost, accepts credit cards)
- ……
Foreign-Funded/Joint Venture Clinics
- ParkwayHealth (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou)
- United Family Healthcare (covering major cities)
- ……
01
Hospital Selection
The average response time for emergency departments in China’s Grade 3A hospitals is 8 minutes (faster than the US average), but for non-emergency situations, it is recommended to choose the international medical department to enhance the consultation experience.
- Grade 3A Hospitals (三甲医院): This is the highest ranking for hospitals in China, indicating a high level of specialization and resources. The comparison of emergency response times is provided as a point of interest.
- International Medical Departments: These departments within public hospitals are specifically geared towards international patients, offering English services and often direct billing with international insurance providers, albeit at a higher cost.
- Foreign-Funded/Joint Venture Clinics: These tend to have a more Westernized approach to healthcare, often with English-speaking doctors and staff familiar with international medical standards. They are generally more expensive than public hospitals.
02
Pharmacies
24-Hour Foreigner-Friendly Pharmacies:
- Modern Pharmacy :
Neptunus Pharmacy (海王星辰) - State-owned Brand:
China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation Pharmacy (国大药房) - Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialty : Tongrentang (同仁堂)
Precautions for Purchasing Medication:
- Prescription Drugs (Rx symbol): Require a prescription from a Chinese licensed physician (some pharmacies accept photographed foreign prescriptions + passport registration).
Examples: Antibiotics (Amoxicillin阿莫西林), antihypertensive drugs (Amlodipine络活喜).
- Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC symbol): Green label (Category B) can be purchased in supermarkets, red label (Category A) limited to pharmacies.
Examples: 999 Cold Remedy999感冒灵(contains caffeine, prohibited in some countries).
Frequently used helpline numbers
- Emergency Ambulance：120
- National Public Health Hotline：12320（press "2" for English service）
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Consular Protection Hotline：12308 (24-hour medical coordination)
In China, people of all ages really trust the police. They’re seen as the ultimate safety net, and folks feel secure knowing they’re there. So, if you run into any trouble while you’re traveling here, don’t be shy – reach out to the police just like a local would! They’re usually really helpful and will make you feel safe.
That’s the police number!
110
In some cities, they can even help you in English – listen for a prompt to press “9” or say “English”
Threats to personal safety, sudden illness/serious accidental injury, lost children/elderly with dementia, fire/explosion/chemical leak, etc.
01
In Emergencies，Dial 110 Immediately
02
Report to the Police Station as Soon as Possible (Within 24 Hours)
- LOSS
Loss of documents (passport/visa), loss of valuables, encountering fraud (funds not recovered), etc. - STANDARD PROCEDURE
Dial 110 to report the incident, then go to the police station to make a statement.
Required materials: Original passport + photocopy, evidence materials (printed/electronic), details of the amount involved (e.g., transfer records).
If the amount of fraud is ≥ ¥3000, a criminal case can be filed. Request the police to issue a 《受案回执》 (Case Acceptance Receipt) stating the case number for subsequent investigation and embassy assistance.
If there are language issues, you can contact your hotel or local friends for translation assistance, or call the +86-10-12308 Ministry of Foreign Affairs hotline to request translation coordination.
Loss of passport
In the event that you lose your passport, you should report your loss in a timely manner. You should also apply for a new passport, and go through the procedures of reissuance for a visa or residence permit.
The steps to be taken are:
- Report the loss in person at the local police station, where a certification letter will be issued;
- Apply for a new passport at embassy or consulate in China;
- Once the new passport has been received, visit the police station of your place of residence to update your accommodation registration;
- Make a visit to the police stations of the local public security organs in the places of your residence to apply for the reissuance of your visa or new residence permit within 10 days.
Change of passport
If your passport is going to expire, you should consult with the embassy or consulate in advance regarding the time needed for passport extension or renewal to ensure that that you will be able to complete the passport extension process or obtain a new passport before the expiry of your visa or residence permit.
The following is also required:
- Within 24 hours of receiving your new passport, bring your old and new passports to the local police
- Within 10 days of receiving your passport, visit the police stations of the local public security organs in the places of residence and apply for the reissuance of your visa or the renewal of your residence permit and other related matters;
- Within 24 hours of obtaining a new visa or residence permit, visit the police stations of the local public security organs in the places of residence to update your accommodation registration.
Note: The above information is from “Welcome to China” an only for reference.
- Getting lost on the street or urgently needing translation
You can seek help from uniformed police officers nearby (especially in scenic areas/transportation hubs).
03
Non-Emergency Matters for Police Consultation
- Lost property inquiries
Provide detailed information about the location where the item was lost and its characteristics. Recovery probability is higher in areas with surveillance coverage (such as subways and shopping malls). You will need to leave your contact information to await notification.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese landline number in China, it is necessary to add the China country code (+86) and the city area code before the landline number.
Example: +86-10 (Beijing Area/Telephone Code) -XXXXXXXX
01
Telecommunications
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile phone number in China, it is necessary to add the China country code (+86) before the other party’s mobile number.
Example: +86-XXXXXXXX
How to make an international landline call to Beijing from abroad?
86-10 (Beijing Area/Telephone Code) -XXXXXXXX
How to make a landline call to Beijing from within China?
010 (Beijing Area/Telephone Code) -XXXXXXXX
You can also use specialized query websites to look up area codes.
You can use search engines like Google and enter keywords such as “China area code” to find the relevant codes.
02
Emergencies
- Police: 110
(English support available in some cities – select “9” or say “English” according to the voice prompt). - Emergency Medical Rescue: 120
- Fire Department: 119
- Road Traffic Accident Police: 122
- National Public Health Hotline
12320
(press “2” for English service). - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Consular Protection and Services Hotline
+86-10-12308
(24-hour service in Chinese and English).
Please save the contact number of your country’s embassy.
China’s emergency numbers can be dialed without a SIM card.
110 for police, 120 for medical emergencies, 119 for fire
TAP WATER
Foreign visitors should boil tap water or buy bottled drinking water.
Drinking the tap water directly is not recommended
We think it’s a great idea to bring your own reusable travel mug – one that can handle hot drinks!
♦We’ll send whatever you order straight to your hotel in China.
♦No need to stress about packing all sorts of bits and pieces – save that luggage space!
♦We want to make settling into China as smooth as possible for you.
Extreme Weather
Warnings
Search for the “China Weather Warning” mini-program on WeChat (with English interface):
real-time push of four-level color warnings (blue/yellow/orange/red).
Pay attention to typhoon paths in southern China (Guangdong/Fujian) during the summer
China is generally a super safe place – it’s actually in the top 20 safest countries in the world! We honestly can’t think of a single city where a woman traveling solo would be in any real danger. That said, here are some cities that go the extra mile in making women feel especially welcome and secure.
Super Safe
and
Female-Friendly cities
TOP 5
City Empowered by Digital Technology
- Subway lines equipped with smart maternal and infant navigation (real-time display of available nursing rooms and bottle warmer status).
- Alipay “Women’s Night Escort” service: after 9 PM, taxi rides automatically encrypt trip information and send it to the 110 police platform.
- Over 90% coverage of 24-hour police patrols in the main urban area, with convenience stores approximately every 200 meters.
City Empowered by Digital Technology
- Chunxi Road business district established the largest single “Her Space” in Asia (combining free makeup room/self-service vending machine for feminine hygiene products/anti-wolf alarm).
- Three-dimensional police service room in the business district.
Waterfront Safety City
- Anti-wolf spray refill stations every 150 meters at seaside bathing beaches (police-networked mode).
- The first women-friendly mountain trail in China (Fushan Green Trail equipped with SOS location tree markers).
Three-Dimensional Protective City
- “Gender-separated viewing platforms” implemented in popular scenic spots such as Hongyadong.
City of Humanistic Care
- “Free luggage storage for women” policy implemented on the entire island of Gulangyu.
- 26 parking spaces exclusively for breastfeeding mothers built.
