health matters

Before leaving home make sure that you have adequate health insurance, as treatment at local hospitals and foreign-owned clinics can be expensive and China does not have reciprocal healthcare arrangements with other countries.

Be sure to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, which are quite common in China. You should also check with your doctor about the need for vaccinations for tetanus, tetanus-diphtheria, polio, typhoid, flu, chickenpox, rabies and Japanese encephalitis (the last of these is only really necessary if you are planning to travel to rural areas). Don’t drink the tap water while in Beijing, although brushing your teeth with it is fine. All hotels will provide your room with mineral or boiled water.

In case of medical emergency, your hotel may have a doctor on call or be able to help you get to the nearest public hospital with English-speaking staff (or one of Beijing's international clinics). Take your passport with you and some cash, since some hospitals will not see you before you have paid 100-500 yuan. For international clinics, you'll probably need an international credit card.

Emergencies

Ambulance: 120
Police: 110
Fire: 119
Foreigner Section, Beijing Public Security Bureau (English spoken): 8402 0101
International SOS (provides medical evacuation services for many expats): 6590 9100


Pharmacies

Watson’s
Open: daily, 9.30am-9.30pm

Branches of this western pharmacy can be found in major shopping centres around Beijing, including Oriental Plaza, Full Link Plaza, China World Trade Center and Lido Place. In addition to well-known over-the-counter medicines, Watson's also carries toiletries.

Prescription drugs can also be bought at any of the foreign-run clinics in Beijing (see Private clinics below).


Hospitals

The following hospitals have wards for foreigners, and English-speaking doctors and nurses:
Peking Union Medical Hospital
53 Dongdan Beidajie
Dongcheng District
Tel: +86 (10) 6529 5284
24-hour emergency service

Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital
Heping Li
Heping Jie Dongkou
Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 (10) 6422 2952


Private clinics

Bayley & Jackson Medical Centre
7 Ritan Donglu
Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 (10) 8562 9990
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm
Medical personnel available after hours
Website

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinic
2 Jiangtai Lu
Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 (10) 6433 3960
Tel: +86 (10) 6433 2345 (Emergencies)
24-hour emergency service
Website