Health planning for a China trip
This page is general travel planning information and is not medical advice. For anything concerning your own health, medication or fitness to travel, consult a qualified medical professional, and confirm current official requirements for medications and entry before you travel.
Editorial planning notice: information, prices, eligibility, availability, laws, network access, safety conditions and provider terms can change. Independently verify current official and provider information before traveling, booking, buying or relying on any option.
Medication you bring with you
Rules on which medications may be brought into the country, in what quantity and with what documentation, vary and change, and some substances that are routine elsewhere are restricted. This applies to certain common prescription categories.
Carry medication in original labelled packaging with a copy of the prescription and, where relevant, a letter from your prescriber. Verify current official rules for your specific medication before travel rather than relying on general guidance.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are widespread and many everyday medicines are readily available, sometimes without the prescription that would be required elsewhere. Brand names differ, so knowing the generic name of what you need is far more useful than the brand you use at home.
Staff may speak limited English; a written note naming the generic drug is effective.
Hospitals and clinics
Major cities have international clinics and hospital departments accustomed to treating foreign patients, typically with English-speaking staff and higher fees. Public hospitals are considerably cheaper but the process is unfamiliar and largely conducted in Chinese.
Payment is frequently required upfront, including at international facilities, with reimbursement claimed afterwards. Keep all receipts and documentation.
Insurance
Travel insurance with adequate medical cover is worth arranging, and worth reading rather than skimming. Pay attention to coverage limits, whether the policy pays providers directly or reimburses you, and any exclusions relevant to your plans or existing conditions.
Coverage terms vary by policy and insurer; confirm the specifics with your provider.
Air quality and everyday health
Air quality varies substantially by city and season and can be poor enough to warrant adjusting outdoor plans, particularly for those with respiratory conditions. Current readings are widely published.
Tap water is generally not intended to be drunk untreated; bottled and boiled water are readily available. Standard food and hand hygiene precautions apply as they would anywhere.