This is a step-by-step guide on what to do when you come to a local Chinese hospital. We will outline each process you need to go through to avoid confusion and make things easier. 

Patients who want to see an experienced doctor are suggested to arrive at the hospital earlier to wait in line. Most hospitals have appointment booking services, through the hotline or online platforms.

Register

After arriving at the hospital, the patient should first register (guahao) at the admission desk and pay an admission fee. Materials needed for registration include the patient's passport and maybe a piece of paper with the name of the specific department.

The patient will get a hospital card (binglika) if he/she has not been to the clinic before. The hospital card is needed during future visits.

See the doctor

The patient will enter a consultation room to see the doctor when his/her number is called. The doctor will do a few checks with instruments after inquiring the patient on his/her illness.

Get the medicine and pay fees

After the doctor gives you a prescription (chufang), the patient needs to pay the fee and then can get the medicine from the hospital pharmacy (yaofang). The patient shows the chemist the prescription and will be given what he/she needs.

A hospital's pharmacy is usually located at the lobby of the out-patient building.

Do further tests and pay fees

Further tests may be prescribed if the doctor thinks the patient has an infection or more serious problems. The patient could go to the section where the examinations are carried out with a receipt after paying for the examination.

If the examination results come out quickly, the patient can consult the original doctor without waiting in line.

If the results come out another day, the patient has to register again.

Hospitalization or surgery

If hospitalization and/or surgery is required, the doctor will check when a bed and surgery are available. Then the patients need to pay all the potential costs.

The patient may share a ward with several other patients. But a VIP ward with a private or semi-private room may also be available.

 

List of major foreign-funded hospitals and public hospitals in Shanghai

 

You can also use online reservation service before going to the hospital.

Note: You may need some basic Chinese

Suishenban app

Scan the QR code to download the Suishenban app. After opening the app, register, then tap "Healthcare" on the home page and select "Make an appointment". 

If it's your first visit, tap "Patient" and then "Add a patient" to register your personal information. Once completed, save your information.

Select the hospital, department, and doctor, then tap "Make an appointment" to confirm the appointment time and details.

After confirming your information, tap "Confirm." The system will send a verification code to your mobile phone. Enter the SMS verification code to complete the verification process, after which your appointment will be confirmed.

Updated May 26, 2026

Sources: City News Service, Government Online-Offline Shanghai, govt.chinadaily.com.cn