Emergency & Hospital Guide

China's most prestigious hospital, founded by the Rockefeller Foundation in 1921. The internal medicine department is widely considered the best in the country. The International Medical Service (IMS) on the 5th floor of the outpatient building has English-speaking staff. This is where diplomats and expat executives go.

China's top military hospital — treats senior government officials and military personnel but is open to the public. The orthopaedics department is arguably the best in Asia. Huge 4,000-bed campus in Haidian. The International Medical Centre (separate building) offers English services. Slightly less foreigner-focused than PUMCH but equal or better clinical quality in surgical specialties.

The largest neurosurgery centre in the world by surgical volume. If you have a brain or spine issue, this is the hospital to come to — anywhere in Asia. The neurosurgery department performs over 15,000 operations per year. English is limited in the main hospital — bring a Chinese-speaking contact. The new campus in Fengtai district (relocated 2019) has modern facilities.

The undisputed leader in cardiovascular medicine in China. Performs more cardiac surgeries annually than any hospital in the world. If you are having a heart attack in Beijing, this is where you want to be taken (call 120 and insist). The International Medical Service provides English support for outpatients.

If you break a bone, tear a ligament, or suffer a burn in Beijing, come here. The hand surgery department is world-famous — pioneered replantation techniques. The burns unit is the national referral centre. Two campuses: Xinjiekou (main) and Huilongguan.

The urology department is indisputably #1 in China and among the world's best — pioneered prostate surgery techniques now adopted globally. Nephrology is equally dominant; the renal pathology service is a national reference centre. Located near Beihai Park in central Beijing, this hospital has an unusually strong international reputation among its core specialties. The VIP clinic has some English-speaking staff, but general outpatient is Chinese-only.

The haematology department performs the highest volume of haploidentical bone marrow transplants globally. The rheumatology department is the national training centre for autoimmune disease management. Located in Xicheng district near Financial Street. Has a dedicated International Medical Services programme with English-speaking coordinators.

Tongren's ophthalmology and ENT departments are both ranked #1 nationally. If you have an eye or ear/nose/throat problem in Beijing, this is where the locals will tell you to go — not PUMCH. The hospital treats over 10,000 outpatients daily across eye and ENT clinics. The VIP International Centre has English-speaking ophthalmologists. Located near the Temple of Heaven in Dongcheng.

If Fuwai is fully booked (common), Anzhen is Beijing's equally respected cardiopulmonary alternative. Performs over 8,000 cardiac surgeries annually — the treatment of congenital heart disease and aortic dissection here are internationally cited. Located in Chaoyang district. The International Medical Centre accepts foreign patients.

China's largest and most prestigious children's hospital. If your child needs specialist care in Beijing, this is the destination. The neonatal intensive care unit is one of the best-equipped in Asia. The hospital treats children up to age 18. Very crowded — VIP appointment essential. English is limited outside the International Department. Located near Fuxingmen in Xicheng.

One of China's two premier cancer centres (with Fudan Shanghai Cancer Centre). The gastrointestinal oncology department is a global leader in gastric cancer research — China accounts for nearly half of the world's gastric cancer cases, so the clinical volume and expertise are unmatched. For any cancer diagnosis in Beijing, this is the default referral centre. Multidisciplinary tumour boards include surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists in one consultation.

Beijing's default international hospital. English-speaking throughout, direct-bills most international insurers. Good for: routine care, paediatric visits, minor emergencies, obstetrics, health check-ups. Not ideal for: major trauma, complex neurosurgery, advanced cardiac surgery — they will stabilise and transfer to PUMCH or 301.

Huashan's neurosurgery department pioneered many techniques used globally. The hand surgery department was established in 1960 as China's first — if you have a hand injury in Shanghai, this is your destination. The dermatology department is the best in China and receives patients from across Asia. The International Medical Centre (IMC) on the 8th floor provides English services and fast-track appointments.

Ruijin's haematology department is legendary — the world-standard treatment for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) was developed here by Dr Wang Zhenyi. The burns department is the Shanghai regional centre. The International Medical Centre provides English services. Located in the former French Concession — convenient for many expats.

Zhongshan's liver cancer centre is one of the world's busiest and most cited. The hospital is named after Sun Yat-sen and carries his legacy of excellence. The cardiovascular department performs thousands of complex interventions annually. The International VIP Clinic provides English support for outpatients.

If you have a facial injury, dental emergency, or need reconstructive surgery in China, this is the national reference centre. The dental implant centre is among the busiest globally. The plastic surgery department handles complex craniofacial reconstruction as well as cosmetic procedures. English is limited — bring a local contact or use the international department at a general hospital for referrals.

Shanghai's primary international hospital. Multiple locations: Changning (main, 24h ER), Pudong (specialist clinics), Jing'an (dental). English-speaking. Direct-bills all major insurers. Good for: everything routine, minor emergencies, paediatric, prenatal. For major trauma or complex surgery, you will be referred to Huashan or Ruijin.

Founded in 1844 as the first Western hospital in Shanghai. The gastroenterology department is one of China's strongest — the GI endoscopy centre performs over 100,000 procedures annually. The rheumatology department is the Shanghai regional centre. Located in Pudong (main campus) and Huangpu. The International Medical Centre in Pudong provides English services and is less crowded than Huashan/Ruijin.

One of China's oldest modern hospitals (founded 1866 as the Shanghai Hospital for Seamen). Urology is the standout department — the prostate cancer centre is nationally famous. The burns unit is one of China's three national burn centres. Located in Yangpu near Wujiaochang. Less foreigner-friendly than Huashan or Ruijin — the VIP department exists but English capability is more limited.

Tied with Beijing Cancer Hospital as China's best cancer centre. Breast cancer outcomes here are benchmarked against the best Western centres. The radiation oncology department has the latest proton therapy centre (opened 2024). The hospital's integrated approach — surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists co-managing every case — mirrors MD Anderson or Memorial Sloan Kettering. The International Medical Centre has English-speaking oncologists.

World-famous for performing the first successful severed limb replantation in 1963. The orthopaedic trauma department remains a global leader — surgeons come from abroad to train here. If you break a bone in Shanghai, this hospital or Jishuitan (Beijing) are the two names you need to know. The endocrinology department has Asia's largest diabetes centre. Located in Xuhui near Shanghai Stadium.

Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and originally established with Project HOPE (USA). The paediatric cardiac surgery programme is the largest and best in China — children with congenital heart disease are flown here from across the country. The hospital has a more international orientation than most Chinese children's hospitals, with English-speaking paediatricians in several departments. Located in Pudong near Lujiazui.

South China's most comprehensive and prestigious hospital. The nephrology department is one of the best in the world — patients fly in from across Asia. The organ transplant programme (kidney, liver) is among China's largest. The International Medical Centre has English-speaking staff and a separate fast-track pathway.

One of the top five eye hospitals in the world by research output and surgical volume. If you have a serious eye problem anywhere in southern China — retinal detachment, corneal injury, complex cataract — come here. English is limited but the quality of care is world-class. Expect long queues for general clinic; VIP appointments are faster.

Formerly the First Military Medical University hospital, now civilian. The haematology department is the strongest in southern China for complex blood disorders — the BMT programme is one of the oldest and most experienced in the country. The digestive endoscopy centre is nationally recognised for endoscopic submucosal dissection. Located in Baiyun district near the university campus. The International Medical Centre has English-speaking staff and is significantly less crowded than Sun Yat-sen 1st.

The undisputed global leader in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) — a cancer common in southern China and Southeast Asia. The treatment protocols developed here are used worldwide. The centre treats over 120,000 cancer patients annually. For any cancer diagnosis in southern China, this is the default referral alongside Shanghai and Beijing cancer centres. The International Medical Service has English-speaking oncologists who can communicate treatment plans bilingually.

Guangzhou's strongest cardiac centre — the cardiovascular surgery department performs complex congenital heart repairs that rival Beijing and Shanghai centres. Located in Yuexiu district near the city centre. The hospital has dedicated foreign patient liaison staff and the VIP International Medical Centre provides English services. For heart or lung issues in Guangzhou, this hospital competes directly with Sun Yat-sen 1st for top quality.

This is the hospital of Dr Zhong Nanshan — China's most famous doctor, who led the national response to SARS (2003) and COVID-19 (2020). The respiratory medicine department is the undisputed #1 in China. The National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Disease is based here. If you have a serious respiratory condition in southern China, this is where the experts are. The International Medical Centre accepts foreign patients. Located in Yuexiu near the Pearl River.

Southern China's premier women's and children's hospital serving over 5 million outpatient visits annually across four campuses. The paediatric intensive care unit is the busiest south of Shanghai. The neonatal department has among the highest survival rates for extremely preterm infants in China. The main Zhujiang New Town campus has the strongest English capability in the three central Guangzhou campuses. International insurance direct-billing available at the VIP clinic.

Shenzhen's most foreigner-friendly public hospital. Operated by HKU with significant English-speaking staff, Hong Kong-trained doctors, and international-standard protocols. Uses an appointment-based system (no chaotic queues). The International Medical Centre (IMC) provides dedicated English service. Direct-bills some international insurers. For complex subspecialty cases, they can refer to HKU Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong.

The largest single-campus hospital in the world by clinical capacity (4,300+ beds). If you are in western China and have a serious medical problem, Huaxi is the undisputed destination. The stomatology/dentistry department is the best in the country — patients fly in from across Asia. The International Medical Centre provides English services. Located in the city centre near Jinli Ancient Street.

The premier hospital in northwest China performing over 18,000 gastrointestinal endoscopies annually — a pioneer in endoscopic submucosal dissection techniques now used worldwide. This is the hospital to visit in Xi'an for any serious condition. English is very limited in the main hospital; the VIP department has some English capability.

Led China's COVID-19 response nationally through director Li Lanjuan. The infectious disease department is a national-level centre with strong international collaborations. The liver transplant programme is one of the busiest in China. The International Healthcare Centre provides English services for outpatients.

Founded by Canadian missionaries in 1892 and now affiliated with Nanjing University. One of China's oldest Western-medicine hospitals with a modern high-rise campus. The rheumatology department is the Jiangsu province referral centre. Has a foreign affairs office that can arrange English-speaking consultations.

The largest hospital in Chongqing with over 3,200 beds. The emergency department is well-equipped for trauma (mountain city with frequent accidents). For serious conditions in Chongqing, this is the correct hospital. English is very limited — strongly recommend bringing a local contact or using the expat liaison service.

Yunnan's leading hospital. Uniquely positioned near Southeast Asia — treats altitude sickness, tropical diseases, and conditions from the Mekong region. The dermatology department specialises in UV-related conditions (Kunming is at 1,890m elevation with strong sun). The International Outpatient Clinic has some English-speaking staff, but capability is limited — bring the WeChat translation function.

Xiamen's busiest general hospital near the city centre. Good for routine care and non-complex emergencies. For serious conditions requiring super-specialist care, patients are often transferred to Shanghai (Ruijin/Zhongshan) or Guangzhou (Sun Yat-sen 1st). Xiamen United Family Hospital (opened 2025 in Siming district) is a better option for English-speaking visitors seeking routine care.