Step 1 · Choose a Hospital

Choosing the right hospital is the single most important decision you’ll make. Get this right and everything after — booking, communication, results — gets dramatically easier.

What to look for

1. Accreditation matters. Prioritize Grade III-A (三级甲等, “three-A”) hospitals — the top tier in China’s hospital rating system. International accreditation such as JCI is an extra signal of patient-safety standards that many foreign patients prefer.
2. Match the specialty, not just the brand. A hospital can be world-famous overall but weaker in your specific condition. Check the hospital’s strengths for your diagnosis.
3. English-language service. Ask whether the hospital has an International Medical Department (国际医疗部 / International Center) — this is the channel built for foreign patients, with English-speaking staff and interpreters.
4. Specialist’s case numbers. For surgery and complex care, the doctor’s volume matters. A surgeon who has performed 5,000 of a procedure is very different from one with 50.

A practical shortlist process

1. Identify the right department for your condition (see our specialty pages).
2. Shortlist 3–5 hospitals in your target city that are Grade III-A with an international department.
3. For each, check: accreditation, strengths in your specialty, and whether they accept international patients.
4. Compare: location, cost ballpark, and communication options.
5. Contact the international department to confirm they can handle your case and request a quote.

Red flags to avoid

• ⛔ Hospitals that only accept payment through unverified third parties with no paper trail.
• ⛔ No willingness to give a written cost estimate or treatment plan.
• ⛔ Pressure to decide quickly or pay upfront with no records.

💡 Tip: Most top hospitals’ international departments will respond in English by email. Start there — it’s simpler than navigating a Chinese hospital app.

Next: Once you’ve shortlisted hospitals, learn how to book an appointment.