Health and safety in China: the parts that actually matter
China is a low-crime country for travellers, and violent crime against visitors is rare at any hour. The real risks are ordinary and mostly financial: a stomach bug from unfamiliar food, altitude sickness in the west, summer heat in the Yangtze valley, and the way medical payment works if something does go wrong.
That last one is the thing to plan for. Foreign visitors generally pay at a Chinese hospital upfront and claim the cost back from travel insurance afterwards. There is no reciprocal arrangement for most nationalities. That makes a policy the one line item genuinely worth not skipping.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Emergency numbers | 110 police, 120 ambulance, 119 fire. English-speaking operators are not guaranteed, so have your hotel address written in Chinese. |
| Where to go | Large cities have international departments or international clinics at major hospitals, with English-speaking staff and higher fees. Local hospitals are far cheaper but expect you to manage in Chinese. |
| Paying | Pay first, claim later. Keep every receipt and the itemised bill; insurers ask for both. |
| Pharmacies | Everywhere, cheap, and useful for basic complaints. Bring prescription medicine in its original packaging with a doctor's letter. |
| Altitude | A real risk above 3,000m — Lhasa, Shangri-La, parts of Sichuan and Qinghai. Ascend slowly, discuss medication with your doctor before you travel, and do not fly straight to Lhasa and hike on day two. |
| Summer heat | Chongqing and the Yangtze valley reach 38-40°C in July and August. Plan indoor afternoons and carry water. |
| Air quality | Much improved in recent years, but winter in the north can still be poor. Sensitive travellers should check the daily index. |
Common questions
Do I need vaccinations for China?
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry from most countries. Routine boosters should be current, and hepatitis A and B are commonly recommended. If you are visiting rural areas or staying long-term, discuss rabies and Japanese encephalitis with a travel clinic. Check current advice for your own itinerary rather than relying on a general list.
Can I use my home health insurance in China?
Usually not directly. Most policies require you to pay on the spot and claim afterwards with receipts and an itemised bill. Some international policies have direct-billing arrangements with specific hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai; check before you travel, because it only helps if you are in one of those cities.
Is China safe for solo travellers?
Yes, and unusually so for its size. Street crime is low, public transport is safe at night in cities, and walking alone after dark is normal in urban areas. The usual precautions apply to tourist scams and pickpocketing in crowds rather than to violence. The bigger risks are traffic, heat and altitude.