Emergency Medical Guide for Foreigners in China: 120, Hospitals and What to Say

In a medical emergency in China, the most important number is 120. This connects you to ambulance and pre-hospital emergency medical services in mainland China.

For foreign residents and visitors, the first few minutes can be difficult because emergency dispatchers may not speak English and hospital systems may feel unfamiliar. Save the numbers below and prepare a short emergency note before you need it.

Emergency numbers in China

Number	Service	When to use it
120	Medical emergency and ambulance	Serious illness, injury, collapse, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms or major trauma
110	Police	Crime, public safety, violence, theft or when you need police assistance
119	Fire	Fire, smoke, rescue or fire-related danger
122	Traffic police	Traffic accidents and road incidents

If someone may be in immediate danger, call the relevant emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.

What to say when calling 120

Try to communicate three things clearly

Exact location
Main symptoms or injury
Patient age and condition

Useful phrases

English	Chinese	Pinyin
I need an ambulance.	我需要救护车。	Wo xuyao jiuhuche.
The address is...	地址是...	Dizhi shi...
The patient has chest pain.	病人胸痛。	Bingren xiongtong.
The patient cannot breathe.	病人呼吸困难。	Bingren huxi kunnan.
The patient is unconscious.	病人昏迷了。	Bingren hunmi le.
Please send help quickly.	请尽快派人来。	Qing jinkuai pai ren lai.

If you do not speak Chinese, ask a Chinese-speaking colleague, hotel staff, security guard, neighbor or passerby to help make the call.

For more phrases, see our Chinese medical phrases tool.

What to prepare before an emergency

Save this information on your phone and keep a copy with your passport

Full name and passport number
Date of birth
Blood type, if known
Allergies
Current medications
Chronic conditions
Emergency contact
Insurance provider and policy number
Preferred hospital, if any
Chinese address of your home, hotel or workplace

The Chinese address is especially important. Dispatchers need a precise location.

Should you call 120 or go directly to the hospital?

Call 120 if the patient may need ambulance transport, emergency stabilization, oxygen, monitoring or stretcher support.

Go directly to the nearest emergency department if transport is faster and safe, especially when you are already near a hospital.

Do not delay emergency care to search for the "best" hospital. For life-threatening symptoms, the nearest capable emergency department is usually the priority.

Symptoms that should be treated as urgent

Seek emergency help for

Chest pain or pressure
Severe breathing difficulty
Stroke symptoms, such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech trouble
Loss of consciousness
Severe bleeding
Major trauma or traffic accident
Severe allergic reaction
Seizure
Severe abdominal pain
Sudden severe headache
Serious burns
High fever with confusion, stiff neck or severe weakness

This list is not complete. If you are unsure and the situation looks serious, seek emergency care.

What happens at the emergency department

Emergency departments in China may be busy. The usual process may include:

Triage or initial assessment
Registration with passport or identity information
Emergency consultation
Payment for tests or treatment, depending on hospital workflow
Blood tests, imaging or procedures if needed
Observation, discharge or admission

In true emergencies, stabilization should come first. Administrative and payment steps may still happen during the process, especially once the patient is stable.

Payment and insurance

Bring a payment method if possible

Alipay or WeChat Pay
Chinese bank card
International credit card, especially at private hospitals
Cash as backup
Insurance card or policy details

If you have international insurance, call the emergency assistance hotline as soon as practical. Ask whether direct billing or a guarantee of payment is possible.

Keep all receipts, test reports, prescriptions and discharge records for claims.

Choosing emergency care in major cities

In Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, foreign patients may choose between public hospital emergency departments and private international hospitals. Public hospitals may be stronger for severe trauma, complex specialist care and major emergencies. Private international hospitals may be easier for English communication and insurance direct billing.

You can browse city hospital options here

After the emergency

Before leaving the hospital, ask for:

Diagnosis record
Test and imaging reports
Prescription details
Discharge summary
Official invoice or fapiao
Follow-up instructions
English summary if available

If the case was serious, arrange follow-up care before travel.

FAQ

What number do I call for an ambulance in China?

Call 120 for medical emergencies and ambulance services.

Is 911 used in China?

No. China uses separate emergency numbers. Use 120 for medical emergencies, 110 for police and 119 for fire.

Will the 120 operator speak English?

English is not guaranteed. If possible, ask a Chinese speaker nearby to help explain the location and symptoms.

Can foreigners use public hospital emergency departments?

Yes. Foreigners can use public hospital emergency departments, but passport registration, payment and language support may be challenging.

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general information only and does not replace emergency medical care or professional medical advice. In an emergency, call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.