Medical emergencies are frightening anywhere, and more so in a foreign country. Knowing the system before you need it turns panic into a plan.
The numbers to know
120 is China’s national medical emergency number — free from any phone. Operators in smaller cities may speak limited English; state your location clearly, ideally by showing the Chinese address. 110 is police and can assist in reaching services. In major international hotels and office buildings, staff are trained to call and guide ambulances.
Where you will be taken
Ambulances normally go to the nearest emergency-capable hospital, which may not be the most international one. If you have a choice and can travel safely, ask for the hospital’s emergency department rather than an urgent care clinic for serious problems. Tourists with travel insurance should notify their insurer’s assistance line as early as possible — most provide 24-hour English support and can direct you to contracted hospitals.
What to expect
Emergency care starts with payment or a deposit at registration — typically a few hundred yuan, refundable against insurance claims. Keep your passport or a photo of it handy. Large hospitals run emergency departments 24/7 with imaging and laboratories on site.
Save these in your phone today: 120, your insurer’s assistance line, your embassy’s number and the Chinese address of your hotel written in characters.