How to Handle a Medical Emergency in China: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners

Medical emergencies don't announce themselves. And the worst time to figure out what to do in China is while it's happening.

This guide covers the decision tree: what to do first, who to call, where to go, how to communicate, and what not to waste time on.

Who This Is For

Any foreigner in China who needs a fast, clear reference on handling a medical emergency — whether for themselves or for someone they're with.

If you're reading this before you travel, great. If you're reading this in the middle of something urgent, skip to the action steps.

First: The Action Steps

If someone's life is in immediate danger:

Call 120 — China's national ambulance number. It works from any phone, including foreign phones, without a local SIM.
If calling 120, stay calm and give: your location (address or landmark), the nature of the problem, and the patient's condition. Dispatchers in major cities often have basic English — if they don't, say the address clearly and stay on the line.
Don't move an injured person unless they're in immediate physical danger from their environment.

If the situation is serious but not immediately life-threatening:

Get to the nearest large public hospital emergency department (急诊室, pronounced jí zhěn shì).
Bring a passport if available. If not, go anyway — emergency departments do not turn away patients.
Show staff the problem. Gesture. Use Google Translate or Baidu Translate camera if you have connectivity.

China's Emergency Numbers

| Number | Service | |--------|---------| | 120 | Ambulance / Emergency Medical Service | | 110 | Police | | 119 | Fire Department | | 122 | Traffic accident |

Save 120 in your phone before you travel.

How Ambulances Work in China

Calling 120 dispatches an ambulance from the nearest hospital or emergency center. Response times vary significantly by city and area — in dense urban centers, you may get a response in under 10 minutes. In rural areas or less developed cities, response can be much slower.

For life-threatening emergencies in major cities: call 120 first.

For serious but not immediately life-threatening situations, you may get to the hospital faster by taxi or Didi than waiting for an ambulance — particularly if you're close to a major hospital. This is a judgment call.

Do not drive yourself or have someone unfamiliar with the area drive you in a panic. Get Didi or a taxi and tell the driver: 去最近的医院急诊 (Qù zuìjìn de yīyuàn jí zhěn) — "Take me to the nearest hospital emergency department."

At the Emergency Department

Chinese public hospital emergency departments are open 24/7. Major hospitals have separate emergency triage areas.

What to expect:

Registration desk — show passport if you have it
Triage nurse — they'll take vital signs and assess urgency
Wait time depends on triage category — life-threatening cases are seen immediately, non-urgent cases wait
Treatment in the ED, then either admitted to a ward or discharged

Communication in the ED:

Major hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen usually have some English capability on night shifts, but it's not guaranteed
Show the problem if you can
Use Google Translate voice or camera for communication
If you're with someone else, they can use their phone to translate while you assist the patient

What to Communicate (in Order of Priority)

What happened (accident, sudden illness, symptoms)
Any allergies — especially medication allergies
Current medications
Medical history that's directly relevant (heart condition, diabetes, blood thinners, etc.)

If you have a medical ID card or any documentation with this information, show it.

For known chronic conditions, it's worth preparing a short card in Chinese that summarizes your condition, medications, and allergies before you travel.

The International Department vs Standard Emergency

Many large hospitals have an international department or VIP service. In a genuine emergency, do not waste time trying to reach the international department first. Go straight to the emergency department.

The international department is useful for planned, non-urgent care. In an emergency, the standard ED is where you go.

Paying for Emergency Care in China

Chinese hospitals typically require payment or a deposit before treatment continues beyond initial stabilization. This is different from many Western countries.

What to have ready:

Credit/debit card (Visa and Mastercard work at most hospital payment desks in major cities, though not always universally)
Alipay or WeChat Pay if set up
Cash RMB as backup

For insured patients: contact your travel insurance company as soon as the situation allows. Most have a 24/7 emergency line. They can advise on documentation requirements for reimbursement and, in some cases, can communicate directly with the hospital.

If you have no payment method: The hospital will stabilize you. Sorting out payment can happen after the immediate crisis. Don't let payment confusion stop you from seeking emergency care.

Fit / Risk / Bad-Fit Summary

Who this guide fits:

Travelers or foreign residents in China who want a clear emergency plan before something happens
People whose family members are traveling to China and want them to have a reference

Key risks to watch:

Delayed response due to not knowing 120 is the number to call
Confusion at registration slowing down triage (have passport handy)
Medication allergy not communicated clearly in translation
Assuming private international clinics are the right route for actual emergencies (they're not equipped for trauma or critical care)

This is not a substitute for:

Actual medical judgment by qualified personnel
Your travel insurance emergency hotline (call them as soon as the immediate crisis allows)
Proper medical follow-up after an emergency

After the Emergency: What to Do Next

Keep all hospital documents, receipts, and treatment records — you'll need them for insurance claims
Contact your travel insurance company to report the event and start the claims process
Inform your home-country doctor if the condition requires follow-up care when you return
If you're admitted to a hospital, contact your country's nearest consulate or embassy — they can assist with logistics, interpreters, and communication with family

→ What Happens After Your First Hospital Visit in China as an International Patient

What ChinaEasey Can and Cannot Help With

ChinaEasey is not an emergency response service. We don't dispatch help or operate a 24/7 emergency hotline.

What we can do: help you prepare before travel (emergency contacts, hospital options, coordination logistics) and support non-emergency planned medical trips.

If you're planning to travel to China and want to have a real support structure in place, talk to us before you go.

→ Ask if your case fits