China Emergency Numbers 2026: Police, Ambulance, Fire, Tourist Help

What is the emergency number in China?

What is 12301?

The China Tourist Hotline (旅游热线). It is the only national hotline with reliable English speakers. Call for non-emergency tourist issues: lost passport, scam recovery, consumer complaints, language barriers. Available 24/7. The most useful number most travelers don’t know about.

How do I call an ambulance in China?

Dial 120. Be ready with: your exact address in Chinese (have it written down), the patient’s condition, and a contact number. Ambulance response time is 5-15 min in central cities but up to 30+ min in outer districts. The ambulance staff may not speak English; if possible, have a Chinese speaker call on your behalf while the ambulance is en route.

Are there English-speaking doctors in China?

Yes, in major cities. International clinics (Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai United Family, Parkway Health) have English-speaking staff and accept international insurance. They are 3-5x the price of public hospitals but the experience is Western. Public hospitals in central Beijing and Shanghai often have a "foreigners’ office" or international wing.

What if my passport is lost or stolen?

Three steps: (1) Report to the local police station and get a police report (报案证明). (2) Take the report to your home country’s embassy or consulate to get an emergency travel document. (3) Take the new document to the local Public Security Bureau (公安局) to get a replacement Chinese visa. The process takes 1-3 days. Your hotel concierge can guide you through it.

What if I get scammed?

Most tourist scams in China are low-stakes (overcharging taxi, fake antiques, "free" tea ceremony). For serious scams, go to the nearest police station in person. The 12301 Tourist Hotline can translate and help you file. Most major hotels have security staff who can mediate.

Is the 110 police number fast in China?

Yes in major cities — typically under 5 min in central districts. Response in smaller cities and rural areas is slower. Note that police are not the same as private security; if you need the police specifically, dial 110.

What is the medical emergency number in China?

120. The ambulance service is reliable in major cities. For minor medical issues, your hotel concierge can call ahead to a recommended clinic. For dental emergencies, international clinics in Beijing and Shanghai have on-call dentists.

What is the tourist police in China?

Larger cities have tourist police stations (旅游警察) near major attractions. The 12301 hotline routes you to one. They are equipped to handle tourist-specific issues (overcharging, lost items, language barriers) and have English-speaking staff in major cities.

What about natural disasters in China?

China has a good early-warning system. The China Earthquake Administration (CEAD) issues public alerts. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) issues typhoon and flood warnings. The WeChat "China Weather" mini-program has real-time alerts. Foreign embassies also send emergency notifications to registered citizens.