Emergency & the 120 Number: What to Do If It's Urgent

If it’s urgent, 120 is the number. Here is what to expect and how to protect yourself.

The 120 number

• 120 is the national emergency/ambulance number (equivalent to 911). Call it from any phone, mobile or landline.
• Operators and dispatch are increasingly able to handle basic English, but it’s safest to also show someone your address in Chinese (ask your hotel to write it for you).
• In hospitals, the Emergency Department (急诊 / ER) runs 24/7.

What happens in a Chinese ER

1. You (or 120) arrive at the Emergency Department (急诊科).
2. Triage by severity — life-threatening cases are seen immediately.
3. Basic treatment, then either: discharge with follow-up, admission, or transfer to a specialist unit.
4. You’ll pay a deposit for admission; the final bill is settled at discharge.

Heart attack / stroke — the time is critical

For chest pain, stroke symptoms, or severe injury, do not wait — call 120 or get to the nearest ER immediately. Major hospitals have integrated chest-pain / stroke centers (胸痛中心 / 卒中中心) with a fast “door-to-treatment” pathway.

Language in the ER

• ERs are fast and not as English-friendly as the international outpatient desk.
• Bring a written card with: your name, passport ID, allergies, current medications, blood type, and a one-line summary of what’s wrong — in English and, if possible, Chinese.
• If you have a companion/translator or the hospital’s international desk on call, use them.
• Ask for an English-capable nurse if available.

Insurance & the “report first” rule

• Most travel/medical insurance requires you to notify (报案) before or shortly after non-emergency treatment. In a true emergency, treat first, then report — the policy explicitly allows this (“急诊来不及打电话，先去看病，之后再补打”).
• Keep every document: ER admission form, all receipts, the invoice (发票), diagnosis, and discharge summary. You need them for the claim.
• If you have international insurance accepted at the hospital, ask whether it can bill directly (some hospitals do; most are reimbursement-based).

Before you travel (so this never catches you off guard)

• Save 120 and your hotel’s address in Chinese in your phone.
• Tell your insurer you’re coming and note the emergency reporting number.
• Keep a medical summary card (see Preparing for your trip).

⚠️ Verify before you travel. Emergency procedures and insurance rules vary. Confirm your insurer’s emergency line and the nearest top hospital’s ER directly before you go.

📮 Planning a trip and want the right emergency plan in place? Contact us →