Quick answer
The numbers to know are 120 (ambulance), 110 (police), and 119 (fire), plus 12301 (national tourism hotline, English available). For everything minor, chain pharmacies and hospital outpatient departments handle travelers daily; general outpatient consults typically cost CNY 50–300, and international departments at tier-3 hospitals CNY 600–1500. Last verified: 2026-10-11. This page is general travel health information, not medical advice — in a real emergency, call first and let professionals direct care.
Why this matters in 2026
China's emergency infrastructure in tier-1 cities is fast and modern — urban ambulances commonly reach central addresses in 10–20 minutes, tier-3 hospitals run 24-hour emergency departments, and AEDs hang at metro stations, airports, and malls. The friction for foreigners is not capability but language and payment flow: dispatchers speak Mandarin, and hospitals expect payment or insurance details up front. Knowing the numbers, the phrase to show a bystander, and how the hospital tier system works turns a scary moment into a manageable process.
Key facts at a glance
- 120: medical emergency / ambulance, nationwide
- 110: police; 119: fire; 122: traffic accidents
- 12301: national tourism service hotline — English-speaking operators, useful when language blocks 120
- Hospital tiers: tier-3 (三甲) is the top level; tier-3 hospitals have emergency departments and often international clinics
- Costs to be seen: general outpatient CNY 50–300; tier-3 international department CNY 600–1500; emergency care billed per service
- Ambulance fee: roughly CNY 100–300 plus a per-kilometer charge, paid at the hospital
The emergency call, step by step
Step 1: Call 120 — or get a local to
Dial 120 from any phone, including foreign SIMs and hotel landlines. If your Mandarin is thin, show a bystander the phrase 请帮我叫救护车 (please call an ambulance for me) — people at the scene routinely take over the call, and China's bystander response to strangers in trouble is genuinely good.
Step 2: Give the location
Landmarks beat street addresses: the nearest metro station exit, hotel name, or big intersection. Dispatchers need city, district, and landmark — "Jing'an District, Nanjing West Road, at the Starbucks opposite Metro Exit 2" is exactly the format that works.
Step 3: Hold the line
The dispatcher may ask basic questions — conscious, breathing, age. Answer in simple words or numbers; if communication stalls, put 12301 on speaker to interpret. Stay on the line until told to hang up.
Step 4: At the hospital
Emergency departments (急诊) run 24 hours, no appointment. Expect payment or a deposit before major procedures — typically CNY 1000–5000 by card or Alipay, claimed back through travel insurance afterward. Ask the front desk for the bilingual invoice (发票) and diagnosis certificate (诊断证明) your insurer will require.
Situations and the right response
1. Fainting or collapse on the street
Call 120, clear the area, do not move the person unless in danger. AEDs are mounted at metro stations, airports, and large malls — the wall box is labeled AED with Chinese characters and is designed for bystander use with voice guidance.
2. Bleeding wounds
Direct pressure with the cleanest cloth available; pharmacy first-aid kits cost CNY 30–80. Minor cuts: clean, bandage, done. Deep or dirty wounds: hospital — tier-3 emergency departments handle stitches any hour; ask whether a tetanus booster is due (say 破伤风).
3. Burns
Cool running water for 10–20 minutes, then hospital for anything beyond a small superficial burn. Pharmacies sell burn gel for minor cases (CNY 15–40).
4. Heat stroke risk in summer
35–40 °C summer days in Chongqing, Wuhan, and Nanjing are the usual culprit: move to shade or AC, cool the body, rehydrate. Confusion or fainting is an emergency — 120.
5. Everything minor
Headache, blister, mild cold: chain pharmacy (老百姓, 大参林, 益丰, items CNY 10–40) or outpatient clinic. The pharmacy is the local first stop for a reason.
Costs and pricing breakdown
- Ambulance dispatch: CNY 100–300 plus per-km charge
- General outpatient consult: CNY 50–300
- Tier-3 international department consult: CNY 600–1500
- Pharmacy basics (bandages, antiseptic, gauze): CNY 30–80
- Burn gel / antiseptic: CNY 15–40
- Emergency deposit expectations: CNY 1000–5000 before major procedures
- Travel insurance (2 weeks): USD 30–80 — the purchase that makes every number above survivable
Pitfalls to avoid
- Miming through 120 alone: hand the phone to a bystander or put 12301 on speaker — dispatchers need location facts fast.
- Vague locations: "near People's Square" is not a location; the nearest metro exit number is.
- Skipping insurance paperwork: photograph the invoice, diagnosis certificate, and itemized bill before leaving the hospital; reimbursement lives or dies on these.
- Treating a tier-1 suburb clinic as an emergency room: 24-hour emergency departments are at tier-3 hospitals — filter the map for 急诊.
- Relying on cash only: keep Alipay topped up; emergency deposits move fastest by mobile payment or card.
Alternatives and trade-offs
- Hotel front desk: 4-star and up hotels place emergency calls and direct taxis daily — at night, the concierge is your fastest bilingual help.
- International clinics (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou): English-speaking doctors, direct billing with major insurers, CNY 600–1500 per consult.
- Telemedicine: Ping An Good Doctor (平安好医生) offers remote consults, commonly around CNY 200, useful for advice decisions at odd hours.
- 12301 tourism hotline: not medical, but its English operators can bridge you to 120 or explain where the nearest 24-hour hospital is.
Local context and customs
Emergency response in Chinese cities runs on bystander mobilization: people will help call, guide the ambulance, and translate without being asked — accept it. Hospitals are busy, ticketed, and orderly in their own system: register at the window or kiosk, wait for your number, and expect the visit to move quickly once called. Bring your passport everywhere; it is the ID document that links to every registration desk. For long stays, save the characters 急诊 (emergency department) in your phone notes.
Verifying current information
- National Health Commission: http://www.nhc.gov.cn
- 12301: the tourism hotline itself, for real-time help
- Your embassy: lists vetted hospitals and clinics per city
- Your insurer: 24-hour assistance lines with China hospital directories
- CDC Travelers' Health: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Putting it all together
Save three numbers before day one — 120, 12301, and your hotel's front desk — plus the characters 急诊 and 请帮我叫救护车 in your notes app. Carry the insurance policy number. Know that the pharmacy handles the small stuff (CNY 10–40), outpatient the medium (CNY 50–300), and tier-3 emergency the serious, 24 hours a day. Last verified: 2026-10-11. This page is general information, not medical advice: when in doubt, call 120.
FAQ
What number do I call for an ambulance?
120, nationwide. For police 110, fire 119, traffic accidents 122. The tourism hotline 12301 has English operators who can bridge a language gap.
Can I call emergency services in English?
12301 provides English support and can interpret for 120. Bystanders commonly take over emergency calls — show them 请帮我叫救护车.
How much does an ambulance cost?
Roughly CNY 100–300 plus a per-kilometer charge, billed at the hospital. Travel insurance typically covers it.
Where do I go for emergencies?
A tier-3 hospital's emergency department (急诊) — 24 hours, no appointment. Filter map apps for 三甲医院 to find the nearest one.
How much does it cost to be seen?
General outpatient runs CNY 50–300; tier-3 international departments CNY 600–1500. Emergency care is billed per service, with deposits of CNY 1000–5000 before major procedures.
Do I pay first and claim insurance later?
Usually yes at local hospitals — pay, then claim with the bilingual invoice (发票) and diagnosis certificate (诊断证明). International clinics often bill insurers directly.
Is there a first-aid kit I can buy locally?
Yes — pharmacies stock home kits for CNY 30–80 with gauze, antiseptic, bandages, and tape.
What if I need a doctor at night?
Tier-3 emergency departments run 24 hours. For advice-only questions, telemedicine apps like Ping An Good Doctor operate around the clock. This page is general information, not medical advice.