China Medical Travel Guide - Beijing Medical Travel

News: On July 13, 2026, the world's first implantation surgery of the neural interface system for hand motor function compensation (NEO) was successfully performed at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University.

Commercial Insurance Direct Payment Service
(商保直付服务)

International patients with high-end commercial health insurance may access direct billing services when seeking medical treatment. If their insurer has a direct billing arrangement with the medical institution, patients can simply present their insurance card and passport for identity verification. They will not need to pay medical expenses upfront, as the hospital will settle claims with the insurance company directly.
(购买高端商业医疗保险的外籍患者，在医疗机构就诊时，如果所持商业保险与该医疗机构有直付合作，患者通过出示保险卡和护照核实身份信息后，可享受费用直接结算服务，患者无须自付医疗费用，由医院直接和保险公司进行理赔结算。)

MSH China, PING AN, AIA, Cigna & CMB, Allianz Partners, etc. are common commercial health insurance companies that have direct-billing cooperation with medical institutions. Please refer to the signed insurance company list of each medical institution.
(MSH万欣和、平安健康、AIA友邦保险、招商信诺、Allianz安联世合等均为常见的可直付商业保险公司，具体以各医疗机构签约名单为准。)

According to statistics, the common types of diseases among foreigners seeking medical treatment in China primarily fall into the following categories:

I. Complex and Severe Cases
Tumor-related diseases: China has mature technology in areas such as targeted therapy and proton therapy for tumors, with costs significantly lower than those in developed countries, attracting a large number of foreign patients for treatment.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Chinese doctors, with their extensive accumulation of clinical cases, possess remarkable expertise in complex cardiovascular surgeries and the treatment of neurological disorders, demonstrating outstanding advantages.

II. Specialized Traditional Chinese Medicine Category
"Acupuncture and moxibustion" must be translated as "acupuncture and moxibustion."

For neck and lumbar spine osteoarticular pain: Acupuncture, massage, and other traditional Chinese medicine therapies are highly effective for chronic pain of this type and are favored by patients in neighboring countries such as Russia and Southeast Asia.

Metabolic syndrome-related conditions: For symptoms such as hand and foot numbness, coldness, insomnia, and endocrine disorders, the holistic TCM diagnostic and treatment approach has gained recognition among many foreign patients.

III. Specialized Advantages
Rare Blood Disorders: Several newly approved treatment drugs in China have attracted patients with refractory and relapsed hematologic malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, from abroad to seek medical care in the country.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Diseases: Domestic hospitals employ minimally invasive oral diagnostic and treatment techniques, enabling one-time completion of surgeries such as complex impacted teeth and jawbone cysts, with significantly higher efficiency compared to overseas standards.

根据统计，外国人来华就诊的常见疾病类型主要集中在以下几类：

一、疑难重症类
‌肿瘤相关疾病‌：中国在肿瘤靶向治疗、质子治疗等领域技术成熟且费用远低于发达国家，吸引大量外籍患者前来就诊。
‌心脑血管疾病‌：国内医生凭借庞大的临床病例积累，在复杂心血管手术、神经类疑难病症处理上经验丰富，优势突出。
二、特色中医类
‌颈腰椎等骨关节疼痛‌：针灸、推拿等中医特色疗法对这类慢性疼痛疗效显著，深受俄罗斯、东南亚等周边国家患者青睐。
‌代谢综合征类病症‌：针对手足麻凉、失眠、内分泌失调等症状，中医的整体辨证调理方案受到不少外籍患者认可。
三、专科优势类
‌血液系统罕见病‌：国内获批的多款新型治疗药物，吸引了国外复发难治性多发性骨髓瘤等血液病患者专程来华就医。
‌口腔颌面外科病症‌：国内医院的微创口腔诊疗技术，可一次性完成复杂阻生齿、颌骨囊肿等手术，效率远高于海外。

According to statistics, the most common examinations performed by foreign patients in China mainly fall into the following categories:

I. Imaging examinations
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
In China, the waiting time for appointments is short, and the cost is only about one-tenth that of European and American countries. Many foreign patients travel specifically to China for this examination, and reports can be issued on the same day in some regions.
CT Scan:
In European and American countries, appointments often require waiting for several weeks, whereas in China, a full CT scan can be completed the next day after arrival, making it a frequent choice for foreign patients seeking medical care.

II. Digestive Endoscopy
Painless Gastrointestinal Endoscopy:
In countries like the UK, the waiting time for this examination can extend to several months. In China, most foreign-affiliated hospitals offer same-day appointments, completion, and results, making it one of the most frequently chosen diagnostic procedures for international patients.

III. Routine Physical Examination Items
Comprehensive Basic Physical Examination:
Includes height and weight measurements, blood pressure checks, blood screenings, chest X-rays, and other items. The total cost is only a fraction of that at private medical institutions in Europe and America, making it a popular additional option for many tourists visiting China.

IV. Specialized Supporting Examinations
Dental Imaging Examinations:
As one of the "three new essentials" for medical treatment in China, dental panoramic radiographs and oral CT scans are mandatory procedures for foreign patients before receiving dental treatments.
Ophthalmology Specialized Examinations:
The proportion of foreign patients undergoing various specialized ophthalmology examinations, such as fundus examinations and refraction tests, continues to rise in response to the demand for ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment.

根据统计，外籍患者在华做的最多的检查主要有以下几类：

一、影像类检查
‌核磁共振（MRI）‌：国内预约等待时间短、价格仅为欧美国家的1/10左右，不少外籍患者专程来华完成该检查，部分地区当天即可出报告。
‌CT检查‌：欧美国家预约常需等待数周，来华后次日即可完成全套CT检查，是外籍患者就医的高频选择。
二、消化内镜检查
‌无痛胃肠镜‌：在英国等国家该检查预约等待时间长达数月，国内多数涉外医院可实现当日预约、当日完成并出结果，是外籍患者选择最多的检查项目之一。
三、常规体检类项目
‌全套基础体检‌：包含身高体重、血压、血液筛查、胸部X光等项目，整体花费仅为欧美私人医疗机构的几分之一，是不少来华游客的附加选择。
四、专科配套检查
‌牙科影像检查‌：作为来华就医“新三件套”之一，牙科全景片、口腔CT等检查，是外籍患者接受牙科诊疗前的必做项目。
‌眼科专项检查‌：配合眼科诊疗需求，各类眼底检查、验光等眼科专项检查的外籍就诊占比持续提升。

The current valid types of medical visas for China in 2026 and related explanations are as follows:

1、 Conventional mainstream visa types
S2 visa:
This is currently the most commonly used visa type for foreigners seeking medical treatment in China. It belongs to the short-term private affairs visa category, with a stay period of no more than 180 days, and is suitable for the vast majority of foreign patients seeking medical treatment in China for a short period of time.
Visa free entry:
China implements a 15-30 day visa free entry policy for citizens of 75 countries and regions, and 65 ports support visa free transit, which can meet the entry needs of foreign patients with short-term mild illness and rapid medical treatment without the need for additional visas.

2、 Special policies for local facilitation
Hainan Boao Exclusive Urgent Medical Visa:
For patients who require long-term treatment, Hainan Boao has launched a 48 hour urgent approval medical visa, which can stay for up to 180 days and is suitable for complete treatment cycles such as tumor chemotherapy and orthopedic rehabilitation.

2026年现行有效的来华就医签证类型及相关说明如下：

一、常规主流签证类型
‌S2字签证‌：这是当前外国人来华就医最常用的签证类型，属于短期私人事务类签证，停留期不超过180天，适配绝大多数短期来华就诊的外籍患者。
‌免签入境‌：中国对75个国家和地区的公民实施15-30天免签入境政策，65个口岸支持过境免签，可满足短期轻症、快速就诊的外籍患者的入境需求，无需额外办理签证。
二、地方便利化特殊政策
‌海南博鳌专属加急医疗签证‌：针对需要长期治疗的患者，海南博鳌推出48小时加急审批的医疗签证，最长可停留180天，适配肿瘤化疗、骨科康复等完整治疗周期需求。

Emergency Call:

There are "120" emergency medical centers across Chinese main-land. in case of an emergency, you may dial ：
when you are in China: 120
when you are in outside of China: (+86+city code) 120 (such as in Beijing: +86-10-120)
to request pre-hospital emergency medical services. Almost all hospitals are equipped with emergency departments, which can provide emergency medical treatment for patients.