Staying in a Hospital in China: What Foreign Patients Should Know

Chinese hospitals can provide advanced medical care, but the practical side of an inpatient stay may be different from what international patients are used to. Knowing what to bring, how admission works, and who is expected to help with daily needs can make the experience much easier.

1. Admission may involve paperwork and a deposit

In many Chinese hospitals, you will first need to complete admission procedures at an inpatient admission office. The exact process varies between hospitals, but you may be asked to show your passport, hospital registration details, the doctor's admission notice and relevant medical records.

Some hospitals also require an inpatient deposit before or shortly after admission. The amount depends on the hospital, your condition and the expected treatment.

International patients should ask in advance which payment methods are accepted. Do not assume that every international credit card will work everywhere. Depending on the hospital, payment may be easier with Alipay, WeChat Pay or a Chinese bank card.

2. Bring your own basic daily necessities

A standard hospital room in China should not be treated like a hotel room. Some hospitals provide certain items, but many everyday personal supplies are the patient's responsibility.

Useful items to bring include:

• toilet paper
• tissues and wet wipes
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• towel
• slippers
• water bottle or cup
• phone and charger
• comfortable clothes and underwear
• personal hygiene products

3. Caregivers and family involvement are common

One important difference for many foreign patients is the role of family members or caregivers. In some Chinese hospitals, a companion may help with practical tasks such as buying food, collecting medicine, making payments, accompanying the patient to tests or helping with basic daily activities.

Some wards provide a folding chair or simple sleeping arrangement for a caregiver, while others restrict overnight stays. Rules vary by department and hospital.

4. Nurses may not provide every type of daily assistance

Doctors and nurses are responsible for medical treatment and nursing care, but foreign patients should not automatically assume that hospital staff will handle every non-medical daily task.

Patients who have limited mobility, are recovering from surgery, are elderly or need help with eating, washing or moving around may need assistance from a family member or a hired caregiver.

If you are travelling alone for treatment, ask about this before admission rather than waiting until you are already in the ward.

5. Ask how meals work

Meal arrangements differ widely. Some hospitals have inpatient meal services, while others rely more on hospital cafeterias, convenience stores, family members or delivery services.

On your first day, ask the nurse how patients order meals and whether food is delivered to the ward.

If you have diabetes, food allergies, religious dietary requirements, swallowing difficulties or another special diet, tell the medical team clearly.

6. Tests may be in another part of the hospital

Being admitted does not mean every examination will take place in your room. You may need to go to another floor, building or diagnostic department for MRI, CT, ultrasound, ECG, blood tests or other examinations.

Before leaving the ward, confirm:

• where the examination will take place
• what time you should arrive
• whether you must fast
• whether you should stop any medicine
• whether a caregiver should accompany you
• whether you need to bring paperwork or a hospital card

Large Chinese hospitals can have several connected buildings. Ask staff to write down the building name, floor and room number if you are unsure.

7. Keep your own copies of important medical records

Keep a personal record of your treatment, especially if you expect to continue care outside China.

Before discharge, try to obtain copies of:

• laboratory results
• CT and MRI reports
• original imaging files when available
• pathology reports
• medication lists
• operation or procedure records
• discharge summary
• follow-up instructions

If you need the original images rather than only the written report, ask how the hospital provides them. Depending on the hospital, images may be supplied digitally, through an app or portal, or on physical media.

8. Discharge can involve several separate steps

When your doctor says you can leave, you may still need to complete billing, settle the final balance, receive any refund from your deposit, collect medicines, obtain discharge documents and arrange follow-up appointments.

Do not leave the hospital until you know what medicines to take, when to return, what warning signs require medical attention and where to go if you have a problem after discharge.

Ask about English documentation before you leave

If you will continue treatment abroad, ask whether the hospital can provide an English medical report, diagnosis certificate or discharge summary. English documents are not automatically issued by every hospital.

9. If you do not speak Chinese, prepare for communication

English ability varies greatly between hospitals and departments. Major hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other large cities may have doctors who speak English, but you should not assume that every nurse, cashier, technician or administrative employee will.

Keep important information on your phone in both English and Chinese where possible, including your diagnosis, allergies, regular medicines and emergency contact.

10. Hospital rules vary, so confirm the details locally

China has thousands of hospitals, and procedures are not identical. Admission deposits, visiting hours, caregiver rules, meal arrangements, payment systems and record collection can all vary.

Use this guide as a practical preparation checklist, then confirm the exact rules with the hospital where you will be treated.