What if you have an accident at home or on the street? Or sudden chest pain? How to call an ambulance if you don’t speak Chinese? Where do you find an emergency room where they speak English? Or where to go for urgent care?
How to call an ambulance in Beijing
There are two numbers you can call:
- 120 – Beijing Emergency Medical Center (local service)
- 999 – Beijing Red Cross
The Beijing Red Cross has an English-speaking service, which makes it the better number to call if you don’t speak fluent Mandarin. Ambulances are operated by the Beijing Emergency Medical Center, but are also affiliated with the Beijing Red Cross. So no matter, which number you call, you’ll likely get the same type of ambulance.
Since May 2016 ambulances are metered in Beijing, like taxis, to standardize the ambulance fees.
Another option is to call the Beijing United Family Hospital directly by calling their 24 hour emergency numbers Beijing +86 (10) 5927-7120 and speak to English speaking staff that will get an ambulance dispatched to you.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be quicker to get to a hospital by taxi than calling for an ambulance. You might want to call the emergency number of your hospital first to get medical advice on the condition. This way you can also let them know that you are coming and what the condition is.
Going to an emergency room in Beijing
There are a number of International hospitals and clinics in Beijing. While expensive, they offer a high standard of care and English speaking staff. But only hospitals have emergency rooms, while clinics provide outpatient services and may have an urgent care facility.
If the next International emergency room is too far away or you want to avoid the high cost, there are some Chinese hospitals with excellent reputation. Some have English speaking doctors on staff.
Here is a list of hospitals you can consider. Of course this list is not complete and no endorsement of any specific hospital. Also, please double-check any addresses and phone numbers, as I can’t guarantee that the info given below is always correct.
- Beijing United Family Hospital
Address: 2 Jiang Tai Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100016
Tel: +86 010-6433-2345 (24-hour Emergency Hotline)
Biggest international hospital in Beijing. The main hospital with an emergency room and urgent care facilities is located in the Lido area. - Peking Union Medical College Hospital, International Medical Services
53 Dong Dan North Road, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100730
Tel: +86 010-65294088, 010-65295283/4 (At Night)
Large general practice hospital with a clinic for foreigners, with some of the country’s most advanced facilities on-par with international standards, located in Wangfujing. - China-Japan Friendship Hospital International Medical Center
Address: 2 Yinghua East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029
Tel: +86 010-64223209
This was the primary hospital to serve athletes, coaches and other officials during the 2008 Olympics. - Peking University Third Hospital
Address: 49 Huayuan N Rd, Haidian, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 8226 6699
Modern, first-class hospital with 22 clinical departments and 945 beds, known for gynecology and obstetrics, sport’s medicine, cardiovascular and orthopedic departments, and reconstructive surgery.
In Chinese hospitals and emergency rooms you usually have to pay first before receiving any tests or treatment. In International hospitals you pay when you are checking out.
Emergency rooms in Beijing are by law required to admit anyone who is critically injured, even without pre-payment.
Where to find urgent care in Beijing
If you need to see a doctor for an urgent medical issue that doesn’t warrant a trip to the emergency room, consider urgent care.
- Raffles Medical, formerly known as International SOS
Address: Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building,16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang District
Tel: +86 (0)10 6462 9112
Open 7 days a week, currently from 8.00am to 8.00pm. They can stabilize a patient and perform minor procedures. - Beijing United Family Hospital
Address: 2 Jiang Tai Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100016
Tel: +86 010-6433-2345 (24-hour Emergency Hotline)
Be prepared for a medical emergency
- Find out what the best hospitals are close to where you live and work. Ask other expats, neighbors or co-workers. This may be a different hospital to where you go for routine care. If time is of the essence you do not want to be stuck in traffic but get to the nearest qualified hospital possible.
- Always have the phone numbers and addresses for hospitals handy, for example saved in your phone. Make sure to have the name and address of the hospital written in Chinese characters available for the taxi driver.
- Have the number of at least one Chinese speaking friend available, in case you have to go to a Chinese hospital without an English speaking doctor.
- Knowing CPR and first aid is always a good idea. Take a class at an international clinic or hospital.
Let’s all hope we will never have a medical emergency in Beijing – or anywhere. But we should be prepared! Please add your experiences and tips in the comments and share this post with others.
