Coming to China
Health, safety & emergencies
Emergency numbers — save these now
These five numbers work from any phone — no SIM required — and are free to call. Save them before you need them.
| Number | Service | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Police | Theft, crime, personal safety — also the first call if you are unsure which number to use |
| 120 | Medical ambulance | Medical emergencies; dispatches the nearest appropriate hospital |
| 119 | Fire brigade | Fire, gas leaks; also performs some rescue operations |
| 122 | Traffic police | Road accidents and vehicle incidents |
| 12308 | Consular emergency (MOFA) | Helps locate your own country's embassy or consulate in China |
Dispatchers speak Chinese. If you don't speak Mandarin, say: "Wǒ bù huì shuō Hànyǔ, yǒu méiyǒu huì Yīngyǔ de rén?" ('I don't speak Chinese — is there anyone who speaks English?'). Alternatively, ask a hotel staff member or a bystander to call on your behalf — this is normal and appreciated. Keep the Chinese-script address of your current location saved on your phone at all times.
Pharmacies, hospitals, and paying upfront
Chain pharmacies (大药房) are on almost every city block. You can buy OTC medications including ibuprofen and paracetamol without a prescription — show a photo of the tablet or its name on your translation app. For anything more serious, there are three main options for foreigners.
| Option | Language | Cost range | Wait | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public hospital — general ward (公立普通门诊) | Chinese only | ¥20–¥80 consultation fee | 2–4 hours | Minor illness if you have translation help or a local companion |
| International ward at major public hospital (国际部 e.g. Peking Union, Huashan Shanghai) | English doctors available | ¥300–¥800 | 30–60 min | Most non-emergency cases; best value for English-language care |
| Private international clinic (和睦家 United Family / 百汇 Raffles) | Full English | ¥1,000+ per visit | Near-immediate | Complex cases, direct insurance billing, English-speaking nursing staff |
Most Chinese hospitals require you to pay each department fee before treatment and then claim reimbursement later. Bring a high-limit credit card. Quality travel insurance with medical-evacuation cover is strongly recommended for any stay beyond a few days. Two shortcuts locals use: Meituan (美团) delivers OTC medicine to your door in about 30 minutes. Xianyu (闲鱼) marketplace lists '陪诊' (hospital escort) services — a local accompanies you, handles registration queues and payment windows — for a few hundred yuan.
Medications you cannot bring into China
- ADHD stimulants: Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse — classified as narcotics under Chinese law; do not bring regardless of home-country prescription
- Cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine: Sudafed, DayQuil, NyQuil — import is illegal as a controlled precursor substance
- Any CBD product — zero tolerance; no medical exemption recognised
- Codeine-containing cough syrups — scheduled controlled substance in China
You can bring: insulin, EpiPen, blood-pressure medication, SSRIs, contraceptives, and asthma inhalers. Keep them in the original packaging with a doctor's letter or prescription, and bring no more than a 3-month personal supply.
Air quality: what to expect and how to protect yourself
China's national average PM2.5 in 2025 was 29.6 µg/m³ — roughly six times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. Air quality varies sharply by region and season: northern cities (Beijing, Xi'an, Harbin) are significantly worse in winter (November–March) due to coal heating. Coastal southern cities (Shenzhen, Xiamen, Zhuhai) consistently rank among the cleanest air in China.
Download the IQAir (AirVisual) app before arrival — it gives real-time local PM2.5 readings. When the reading exceeds 150 µg/m³, wear an N95 or KN95 mask; standard surgical masks filter very little PM2.5. N95 masks bought in China typically cost ¥5–15 each and are available at pharmacies and convenience stores.
Scams: financial risk is real, violence is rare
Violent crime against foreigners in China is genuinely rare. The real risk is financial scams — non-violent, but potentially expensive and psychologically uncomfortable. Once you recognise the patterns, they are easy to avoid.
- A well-dressed young woman (occasionally a man) approaches solo travellers near Tiananmen Square, the Shanghai Bund / Nanjing Road, or other landmarks with a friendly opener: 'I am practising my English' or 'Would you like to see a student art exhibition nearby?'
- She leads you to a tea house or gallery — no prices are shown beforehand
- A large bill arrives: ¥500–¥3,000+ per person. Accomplices may be present to block exits or pressure you into paying
- Rule: any stranger who proactively approaches you in a tourist area with an invitation is almost certainly running this script. Decline politely and walk away without engaging further
- Black taxis (黑车): drivers who approach you at airports, train stations, or tourist sites offering rides — always use DiDi or a metered official taxi; never get into an unmarked car
- Fake monks: robed individuals who approach you and hand you 'blessed' beads or trinkets, then demand payment or aggressively solicit donations
- Counterfeit money swap: someone offers a cash exchange and switches genuine notes for fakes during the handoff — always use Alipay or WeChat Pay for large transactions
Policy Policies change often — re-check the official source before you travel.