Medical & health in Shanghai

Hospitals, pharmacies, travel insurance and what to do when you actually get ill.

In Shanghai specifically

Shanghai has public hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments; bring your passport to register.
Shanghai also has international clinics with English-speaking staff and direct insurance billing.
Altitude is not a factor in Shanghai.

Hospital emergency departments treat foreign patients without pre-payment; you settle afterwards.
International clinics in major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) have English-speaking staff and high fees — travel insurance matters here.
Pharmacies sell most common medicines without prescription, but brand names differ from home.
Buy travel insurance that explicitly covers medical evacuation; a serious incident in a remote area can require an air ambulance.

Save the address of the nearest international clinic to your hotel before you need it.
Carry your insurance policy number and emergency hotline as a screenshot.
For minor issues, go to a pharmacy (药店) with a translation app — pharmacists advise on routine treatment.
For anything serious, go to the ER of the largest public hospital; bring your passport.

Waiting days with a fever because you do not know where to go.
Assuming your home insurance covers you abroad without a specific travel policy.
Going to a small private clinic with no English support for anything complex.

Can I get prescription medicine in China?: Common medicines are available over the counter; specific prescriptions may need a hospital consultation first. Bring a supply of anything you depend on, in original packaging with the prescription.
Do I need a health declaration on arrival?: Requirements have changed since 2023. Check the current rule for your route shortly before travel.