Medical tourism is a new type of travel model that combines medical services with leisure tourism. In recent years, it has become a popular choice for patients worldwide due to China's advancements in medical technology, cost-effectiveness, and abundant tourism resources. The following breakdown of the entire process of “Easily Embarking on Medical Tourism in China” is organized into five key stages: pre-trip preparation, selecting a medical institution, the medical treatment process, integrating tourism, and post-trip matters.
I、Pre-Trip Preparation: Clarifying Needs and Planning
The core of medical tourism is the combination of “medical care + tourism.” Before departure, two primary objectives must be clarified: addressing health issues (such as disease treatment, health checkups, or cosmetic surgery) and enjoying the travel experience (such as cultural exploration or natural landscapes). Specific preparation steps are as follows:
1. Assess Your Medical Needs
• Identify the type of treatment/service required: Is it a routine health check-up (e.g., cancer screening, genetic testing), specialized treatment (e.g., cardiovascular surgery, cancer radiotherapy, orthopedic rehabilitation), or cosmetic surgery (e.g., double eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, skin management)? Different needs correspond to different specialized departments within hospitals.
• Confirm your physical condition: If seeking disease treatment, prepare domestic/international medical records and test reports (e.g., imaging films, blood test results) in advance to facilitate rapid diagnosis by Chinese doctors; if you have chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes), bring your regular medications and inform the doctor.
2. Select target cities and medical institutions
China's medical resources are concentrated in first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and cities with specialized medical services (e.g., Chengdu for dentistry/aesthetic medicine, Xi'an for traditional Chinese medicine, Shenzhen for oncology). When selecting a city, consider the following factors:
• Medical credentials: Prioritize hospitals with international accreditation (e.g., JCI accreditation) or the international departments of tertiary hospitals (e.g., Peking Union Medical College Hospital International Department, Ruijin Hospital Special Needs Center in Shanghai) to ensure medical quality.
• Language and cultural compatibility: Large hospitals in first-tier cities generally offer multilingual services (English, Japanese, Korean, etc.), and some institutions provide translation accompaniment; if the destination has distinctive cultural elements (e.g., traditional Chinese medicine culture), institutions combining traditional therapies can be selected (e.g., Beijing Guang'anmen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine).
• Tourism Resources: Prioritize tourist cities to facilitate sightseeing during treatment breaks (e.g., Shanghai treatment + Disneyland visit, Chengdu treatment + Dujiangyan/Qingcheng Mountain tour).
3. Visa and Itinerary Planning
• Visa Types: For medical tourism in China, foreign patients must apply for an M visa (exchange/visit visa) or an S1/S2 visa (dependent/family visit visa) depending on the specific medical treatment. Some countries (e.g., South Korea, Russia) have medical visa exemption agreements with China; please check in advance.
• Document Preparation: Provide a passport, visa application form, hospital-issued “Invitation Letter” (specifying treatment items and duration), medical insurance proof (if applicable), and financial proof (covering expenses in China), etc.
• Schedule allocation: Treatment period (e.g., surgery requiring 3–7 days of hospitalization, followed by 1–2 weeks of rehabilitation) + travel time (recommended minimum of 3–5 days) to avoid a tight schedule that may hinder recovery.
II、Institution selection: Prioritize legitimacy and professionalism
Selecting a medical institution is critical for medical tourism, directly impacting treatment outcomes and experience. Key screening criteria include:
1. Qualification verification
• Verify if the hospital is a tertiary-level A-class hospital (China’s highest-level hospital) or has obtained JCI accreditation (a globally recognized standard for medical service quality).
• International medical departments/specialty clinics typically have dedicated wards and multilingual medical staff; prioritize such departments (e.g., Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai DeDa Hospital).
2. Service Compatibility
• Language Support: Confirm whether the hospital provides translation services (free or paid) or has bilingual medical staff; if a long-term stay is required, contact a translation agency in advance to arrange for accompaniment.
• Insurance Coverage: Some international health insurance plans (e.g., Allianz, MSH) may cover medical tourism expenses in China; confirm with the insurance company in advance. If self-funded, understand the hospital’s pricing standards (whether prices are clearly listed).
3. Reputation and Case Studies
• Review genuine evaluations through official websites, patient forums (e.g., TripAdvisor's medical section), and social media (WeChat official accounts/Xiaohongshu);
• Consult medical intermediaries (select reputable institutions to avoid “unlicensed intermediaries”), and request successful case studies (e.g., treatment outcomes for similar conditions, post-operative rehabilitation results).
III、 Medical Treatment Process: A Comprehensive Guide from Arrival to Hospital Visit
1. Pre-trip Appointments and Procedures
• Online Appointments: Book an expert consultation through the hospital’s official website, official app, or international medical platforms (such as Haodf Online or WeDoctor), specifying “international patient” for priority scheduling;
• Document Notarization: For certain treatments (e.g., surgery, assisted reproduction), notarized and consular-certified copies of documents such as marriage certificates and birth certificates are required (these can be processed at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your local area);
• Accommodation Booking: Choose a hotel near the hospital (for convenient follow-up visits). High-end patients may consider international apartments partnered with the hospital (e.g., the Pudong Kerry City Apartments partnered with Shanghai Jiayi International Hospital).
2. Procedures upon arrival
• Entry and registration: Present your visa and hospital invitation letter at customs. Upon arrival at the hospital, register at the “International Medical Department,” submit your passport and medical records, and collect your medical card;
• Prepayment of medical expenses: Pay a deposit based on the scheduled procedures (credit cards, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are accepted). Some hospitals accept international credit cards (Visa/MasterCard);
• Translation and guidance: Contact the hospital's translation staff (or an intermediary) to assist with filling out medical records and communicating about your condition to avoid treatment errors due to language barriers.
3. Diagnosis and treatment phase
• Multidisciplinary consultation (MDT): For complex cases, the hospital can organize a consultation with experts from multiple departments, such as surgery, internal medicine, and imaging, to develop a personalized treatment plan.
• Examinations and Treatment: Routine tests (such as CT or MRI scans) typically yield results within 1–3 days. Surgery requires prior assessment of physical condition (e.g., infectious disease screening). Post-surgery rehabilitation can be arranged by the hospital’s rehabilitation department if needed;
• Medication and Follow-Up: After the doctor prescribes medication, it can be obtained from the hospital pharmacy (some medications may require a prescription to purchase from an external pharmacy). Confirm the follow-up appointment time (local or remote) before discharge.
4. Payment Settlement and Receipts
• Verify the cost breakdown (including treatment, examinations, accommodation, translation, and other additional fees) during settlement, and retain original copies of invoices, cost details, diagnostic certificates, etc. (for reimbursement upon returning home or for subsequent treatment);
• If using commercial insurance, contact the insurance company to submit claims materials (some hospitals offer direct payment services with insurance companies).
IV、Travel Integration: Balancing Treatment and Leisure
The advantage of medical tourism in China lies in the dual experience of “treatment + travel,” allowing flexible scheduling of tourist activities based on the treatment stage:
1. Pre-treatment/waiting period (e.g., physical examinations, pre-surgery preparations)
• Arrange for leisurely cultural experiences: such as visiting the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing; touring the Bund and the Yu Garden in Shanghai; visiting the Panda Base and the Wide and Narrow Alleys in Chengdu;
• Experience traditional Chinese medicine therapies (e.g., acupuncture, massage) as rehabilitation support (some hospitals offer traditional Chinese medicine departments).
2. Post-treatment recovery period (e.g., 1-2 weeks post-surgery)
• Choose low-intensity activities: stroll through urban parks (e.g., West Lake in Hangzhou, Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing), or enjoy hot spring resorts (e.g., Conghua Hot Springs in Guangdong, Gui'an Hot Springs in Fuzhou, Fujian);
• Avoid long-distance travel or strenuous exercise (e.g., mountain climbing, diving), and adjust your itinerary according to medical advice.
3. Later stages of rehabilitation (e.g., after discharge)
• In-depth tours: Combine natural landscapes (e.g., Lijiang in Yunnan, Guilin in Guangxi) or cultural and historical sites (e.g., the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu);
• Shopping and cuisine: Purchase local souvenirs (e.g., traditional Chinese medicine supplements, tea, handicrafts) and sample local cuisine (e.g., Beijing roast duck, Shanghai local dishes, Chengdu hot pot).
V、Follow-up Matters: Consolidating Effects and Long-Term Planning
1. Follow-up examinations and rehabilitation tracking
• For long-term rehabilitation (e.g., cancer chemotherapy/radiation therapy, joint replacement), arrange for remote follow-up with the hospital (via video consultations);
• After returning home, follow up regularly as per medical advice and retain medical records from Chinese hospitals (electronic versions can be transferred to domestic hospitals via the hospital system).
2. Feedback and Recommendations
• Leave honest reviews on the hospital’s official website and international platforms (e.g., Google Reviews) to assist other patients in making informed decisions;
• If you had a positive experience, recommend it to family and friends; some hospitals offer discounts for returning patients.
3. Cultural and Health Continuity
• Learn basic traditional Chinese medicine wellness practices (e.g., Ba Duan Jin, dietary therapy) to maintain healthy habits;
• Stay informed about developments in China’s medical tourism sector (e.g., new international medical tourism demonstration zones, policy incentives) to prepare for future trips.
Ⅵ、Summary
The core of China's medical tourism lies in the dual guarantee of “professional medical care + high-quality tourism.” The key is to plan your needs in advance, choose reputable institutions, and balance treatment with travel pace. As China's medical internationalization level improves (e.g., the policy advantages of the Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone), it will attract more global tourists in the future. Be sure to verify information thoroughly before departure to ensure a safe, efficient, and enjoyable journey!