Planning a medical trip abroad can feel overwhelming. China's top hospitals combine high surgical volumes with significantly lower costs than Western equivalents — but navigating the process requires preparation. This guide walks you through every step.
Step 1: Define your medical need
Start with a clear diagnosis from your home doctor. Bring imaging files (MRI, CT, X-ray) in DICOM format if possible — Chinese hospitals can work with these directly. A written referral letter, even if informal, is useful.
Step 2: Choose your city and hospital
China's top medical cities each have distinct strengths:
- Beijing — PUMCH and Peking Union lead in general surgery, rheumatology, and rare diseases
- Shanghai — Ruijin and Huashan excel in cardiology, neurology, and oncology
- Chengdu — West China Hospital handles the highest colorectal and hepatobiliary volumes in Asia
- Chongqing — Southwest Hospital (Army Medical University) is the world leader in laparoscopic liver surgery
ChinaCare's coordinator team can help match your condition to the right centre.
Step 3: Send your records for review
Before booking flights, share your imaging and pathology reports with the hospital team remotely. Most top hospitals can provide a preliminary assessment within 3–5 business days. This confirms you are a suitable candidate and provides a cost estimate before you commit.
Step 4: Understand your visa situation
Citizens of many countries can enter China visa-free for up to 10 days. This covers most outpatient procedures and short consultations. For longer stays, you will need to arrange a visa independently through your local Chinese embassy. ChinaCare does not provide visa services or immigration advice.
Step 5: Arrange accommodation
Stay close to your hospital. Most of China's major hospital districts have budget hotels and serviced apartments within walking distance. Your coordinator will recommend options based on your mobility needs post-procedure.
Step 6: Plan your finances
Major hospitals accept international credit cards at the billing desk, but it is wise to carry some Chinese yuan for incidentals. Medical fees are paid directly by you to the hospital — ChinaCare does not collect or handle hospital payments. ChinaCare's coordination fees are invoiced separately for its own services only.
Step 7: Prepare for the visit
Pack:
- Passport and any printed visa documentation
- DICOM files on a USB drive or accessible via cloud
- List of current medications (with generic names)
- Travel insurance documentation
- Comfortable clothing for hospital stays
Your coordinator will meet you at the airport and handle registration, queuing, and interpretation from arrival onwards.
ChinaCare coordinates care across 8 cities and 16 hospitals. Contact us to discuss your case.