Travel insurance for China: Don’t leave without reading this

If you get sick or have a medical emergency in China, you could be up for huge a bill.

The only way around this is by getting cover before you go.

In this article, I’ll share information about China travel insurance, health and safety tips, as well as links where you can get a quote and buy an insurance plan.

Do I need travel insurance for China?

If you’re not insured and you get injured, you could be up for thousands. Image by George Rudy on Shutterstock.

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for China.

However, it’s strongly recommended by government travel advisories all around the world.

This is because:

• Medical treatment can be very expensive in China
• Foreigners are involved in accidents and medical emergencies all the time in China
• Upfront payment is expected via local payment apps or cash (even with insurance).

Whether you’re in Shanghai or Shenzhen, or somewhere remote, having insurance can save you from having the holiday from hell.

It’s a small price to pay for your peace of mind as you travel.

What’s the best travel insurance for China?

I recommend VisitorsCoverage when traveling to China.

With VisitorsCoverage, it’s easy to find, compare and buy the best travel insurance for your trip.

A comprehensive plan is best for China. It’s especially recommended if you have any pre-existing conditions or if you’re elderly.

If you’re looking for basic coverage at an affordable price, a limited plan may suit you.

It really depends on your personal circumstances (such as your health), how long you’re going for, and how much money you want to spend to look after yourself.

What’s the cheapest travel insurance for China?

If you want basic coverage and limited benefits, you can choose a limited plan with VisitorsCoverage. This is also known as a fixed benefit plan.

Just keep in mind that the cheapest plan may not include things like pre-existing conditions.

Whenever I travel to China, I take out comprehensive insurance and I’m relatively fit and healthy. I never scrimp and save when it comes to my health.

To keep your premium low, you can also choose a higher deductible no matter the plan.

Cover for medical evacuation from China

You may have to leave China straight away.

Medical evacuation is insanely expensive. That’s why it’s important to check that your insurance policy includes this benefit.

Sometimes it’s referred to as medevac insurance.

What are medical facilities like in China?

The quality of medical care depends on where you are in China. Image by Junrong on Shutterstock.

China has international-standard hospitals and medical services in all the big cities.

Some hospitals in Shanghai and Beijing even have special departments for treating foreigners.

However, outside major cities, the standard of medical care and the range of medications is limited. Medical staff in rural areas may not be trained to the standard you’re used to, or be able to speak English.

The U.S. Embassy in China maintains a list of hospitals that have English-speaking doctors, which you can access here.

Ambulances are often slow to arrive, and from my experience living in China, it’s rare to even see them use sirens or get the right of way in traffic. It may not be the quickest way to get to the hospital.

And, when you arrive at the hospital, staff will likely demand upfront payment before treating you.

Health and safety tips for China

Take care while traveling in China. Image by Elizaveta Galitckaia on Shutterstock.

Now for some general health and safety tips.

I can assure you that China is a safe destination for travelers, and I suggest reading my “Is China safe?” article which goes into this more.

Having said that, it’s always worth taking extra care when you’re traveling overseas. Here are some tips to help you.

Food and drink

To minimize your chance of getting a tummy bug or food poisoning, eat thoroughly cooked food that has been prepared in hygienic conditions.

Never drink the tap water in China. It’s unsafe to drink, even in hotels. You should drink bottled water instead, which is available everywhere.

It’s OK to brush your teeth with the tap water – just don’t swallow it.

Animals

Stay away from both domestic and wild animals in China as you can get sick or even die if you’re bitten.

For example, you could get rabies from a pet dog or cat. And, people have died from bird flu in China, so stay away from live poultry too.

Insect-borne diseases

In southern China, take precautions against:

• Japanese encephalitis
• Malaria
• Dengue fever.

The warm summer months during the wet season are the worst, particularly in rural areas.

You can try and protect yourself from insects by using repellent and covering up.

The best thing you can do is see your doctor before you leave your country, as there are numerous vaccinations for China you can get.

Sexually transmitted diseases

If you’re going to have sex with a local, make sure you use protection. HIV/AIDS is a significant risk in China.

And, although prostitution in China flourishes, it’s actually banned and there are severe penalties if you get caught including fines and deportation.

Hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly throughout your trip.

Public toilets in China can be unhygienic, and there is usually no toilet paper or hand soap. You’ll need to bring your own paper and hand sanitizer.

You can refer to my China packing guide on what you should and shouldn’t bring with you.

Traffic

Chinese roads are busy and accidents happen all the time. It’s horrific!

I’ve seen numerous car accidents firsthand, and even kids getting hit by a car as they used the pedestrian crossing. So, please take extra care when crossing the road.

If you plan on riding an e-bike or e-scooter, make sure your insurance plan covers these kinds of vehicles. And always wear a helmet.

Pollution

High pollution in China is a big problem in many cities, particularly if you have pre-existing conditions or respiratory issues.

Consider buying a face mask that blocks out pollution, and stay indoors on the worst days.

You can check this page for the latest pollution levels in the cities you’re traveling to.

Altitude sickness

Some regions in China, such as Tibet and Qinghai in the west of the country, are at altitudes of over 3,000 m (almost 10,000 ft).

Altitude sickness is common among travelers to these areas.

Take plenty of rests especially if you have pre-existing conditions such as heart or respiratory problems.

COVID-19

There’s still a risk that you can get COVID-19 in China and become very sick, especially if you’re prone to respiratory illnesses.

Try to avoid very crowded places if you can (this can be hard in China!).

If you test positive for COVID-19 and your symptoms are mild, you should rest in your accommodation until you feel better.

However, there are no legal requirements to self-quarantine, so you’re free to keep sightseeing if you choose. Just make sure you wear a mask to help protect others.

Psst! A quick travel tip

Download a VPN before you arrive. Image by Gemmy on Shutterstock.

You may not have heard that the Chinese internet is censored.

So, when using Wi-Fi, you won’t have access to your favorite sites and apps like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Gmail, Google and heaps more, unless you get a virtual private network (VPN) on your phone.

You can read my review about the best China VPN. Or, you can skip the review and get the one I recommend based on my experience in China:

Just make sure you buy and download the VPN before you arrive.

Take care in China

Remember, while travel insurance for China is not compulsory, your government strongly recommends it (and so do I!).

If something bad were to happen to you, you could be up for thousands of dollars in upfront medical care bills.

Comprehensive insurance gives the best level of protection, and you can get a quote here:

Just make sure it includes everything you need, such as medical evacuation cover.

And finally, make sure you’ve got your other essentials sorted too:

• Visa – check if you’re eligible for visa-free travel
• Payments – download WeChat Pay or Alipay as credit cards are hardly accepted
• Data – get a China esim before you leave for the times you won’t have Wi-Fi access.

Have an amazing and safe time in China. And don’t forget your travel insurance!

Help in China

Here are some local phone numbers if you need urgent help.

Emergency assistance

• Medical – call 120
• Police – call 110
• Fire – call 119

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number as well.

Embassies

• United States: +86 10 8531 3000
• United Kingdom: +86 10 5192 4000
• India: +86 10 8531 2500
• Canada: +86 10 5139 4000
• Australia: +86 10 5140 4111
• Singapore: +86 10 6532 1115
• Indonesia: +86 10 6532 5486
• Germany: +86 10 8532 9000

You can look up your country’s embassy or consulate in China here.

FAQ about travel insurance for China

Main image credit: Humphery on Shutterstock.