Staying Healthy in China

Most trips to China are healthy and uneventful, but a little preparation goes a long way. This guide covers vaccines, everyday health risks, medications and medical care for US travelers. It’s general information, not medical advice, so see your doctor or a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before your trip.

Vaccines for China

China does not require any vaccines for US travelers to enter. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends:

• All travelers: Be up to date on routine vaccines, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, chickenpox, flu and COVID-19.
• Hepatitis A and B: Ask your doctor. Hepatitis B is worth considering for most travelers who aren’t already immune.
• Typhoid: Recommended for travelers visiting rural areas, eating adventurously or staying with friends and family.
• Japanese encephalitis: Consider for stays longer than a month, or shorter trips with a lot of time in rural areas.
• Rabies: Consider for long stays, rural travel or work with animals.

Finish any vaccine series before you leave. Some vaccines can be hard to find in China.

Food and Water

• Don’t drink tap water in mainland China. Use bottled or boiled water, including for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
• Eat food that’s freshly cooked and hot. Busy restaurants and street stalls with high turnover are usually a good sign.
• Avoid undercooked seafood and unpasteurized dairy.
• Pack an anti-diarrhea medicine and oral rehydration salts, just in case.

Air Quality

Air pollution in many Chinese cities has improved, but some days can still be poor, especially in northern China in winter. Check the air quality index (AQI) with an app before you go out. On bad days, a properly fitted N95 mask helps; ordinary surgical masks don’t filter fine particles. Travelers with asthma, heart or lung conditions should bring their medication and limit outdoor activity on high-pollution days.

Altitude

Tibet and parts of western China are at high altitude. Lhasa sits at about 12,000 feet (3,650 meters). Climb gradually, rest for the first day or two, and talk to your doctor about altitude sickness medicine before you go, because local supplies can be unreliable. Note that foreign visitors also need a special permit to enter Tibet, in addition to a China visa.

Insects

Dengue fever occurs in southern China, especially in summer. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves in the evening and choose accommodation with screens or air conditioning. Malaria has been eliminated in China, but bite prevention still matters.

Medications

• Bring enough of your regular medications for the whole trip, plus a few extra days, in their original containers.
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions and, ideally, a letter from your doctor, especially for controlled medicines. Personal-use amounts are generally allowed.
• Don’t rely on local pharmacies for important medicines. Brands differ, and counterfeit drugs are a risk.
• Don’t have medications mailed to you in China. Packages can be held or charged high import duties.

Medical Care and Insurance

• Major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen have international clinics and hospitals with English-speaking staff. Care in smaller cities and rural areas is more basic.
• Expect to pay upfront. Many Chinese hospitals require a deposit before treatment and don’t accept US insurance directly.
• Buy travel health insurance with medical evacuation. Medicare doesn’t cover care outside the US, and many US health plans offer limited coverage abroad.
• Emergencies: Call 120 for an ambulance in mainland China (999 in Hong Kong). In big cities, a taxi or DiDi to the nearest major hospital is often faster.

Health Checklist Before You Go

• Visit a doctor or travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.
• Pack your medications, prescriptions and a small first-aid kit.
• Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation.
• Save the address of an international clinic in each city you visit.
• Download an air quality app.

Get Your China Visa With Visa Express

Most US citizens need a visa to visit China. Visa Express prepares and submits China visa applications for US citizens in all 50 states, with processing in as little as 6–8 business days. See our China visa requirements, fees and processing times, or read our guide to getting around China.