How to choose a hospital in China
China has thousands of hospitals. For a visitor, three questions matter: which level of hospital, which department, and which route through it.
1. Grade 3A: the top level
Chinese hospitals are rated by the national health authorities. Grade 3A (三级甲等) is the highest level: large hospitals with a full range of departments, used for complex cases and training. China had 1,876 Grade 3A hospitals at the end of 2023.
We help patients at Grade 3A hospitals in major cities. Many of them have departments listed as national key clinical specialties.
2. The department matters more than the name
A hospital famous for one specialty may be ordinary in another. So we start from your condition and look for the departments with the strongest record in it, using public sources such as the national key clinical specialty list, hospital websites and the annual hospital rankings published by Fudan University, which are widely used in China. Then we narrow it down by city, waiting time and your budget.
We take no commissions or referral fees from hospitals. Our suggestion depends only on your medical needs.
3. Regular outpatient care or the international department
Many top hospitals in major cities offer two routes. You choose; we explain the difference for your case.
| Regular outpatient care | International department | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Standard public hospital prices | Usually several times higher |
| Doctors | Every department and specialist of the hospital | A smaller team, plus specialists invited from the main departments |
| Experience | Busy, with queues; shared wards for inpatients | Quieter, more private; often private rooms |
| Language | Chinese only | Some English-speaking staff |
| Insurance | You pay, then claim at home | Some accept direct billing with commercial insurers; many ask for an insurance card or a guarantee letter |
| Booking | Through hospital apps, a few days ahead | Usually by phone or email |
With an escort beside you, the language barrier of regular outpatient care largely disappears. Many patients choose it to see the hospital's leading specialists at standard prices. Others prefer the comfort and privacy of the international department. Both are fine; it is your decision.
How we suggest a hospital for you
- You tell us your condition and what you hope to achieve.
- We identify the departments best suited to it in our cities.
- We weigh waiting times, travel and your preferred route.
- We suggest one or two options, with the reasons.
The final decision is always yours. Whether a hospital accepts your case, and how you are treated, is decided by its doctors.
Our cities
Beijing · Shanghai · Guangzhou · Shenzhen · Hangzhou · Chengdu · Sanya · other cities on request Destinations
Not sure where to go?
Tell us your condition. We'll suggest the hospital and department, and explain both routes — free.