Safety Hub

Emergency Contacts& Safety Guide China 2026

Screenshot or bookmark this page. Works offline. Emergency numbers, international hospitals, embassy contacts, and scam alerts — everything you need before something goes wrong.

Emergency Numbers

110

Police

报警 — for crime, accidents, help

119

Fire

火警 — fires and rescue

120

Ambulance

急救 — medical emergencies

122

Traffic Police

交通事故

12301

Tourist Hotline

National tourism complaint line

12333

Interpreter (SH)

Shanghai multilingual services

International Hospitals & Clinics

Shanghai

Parkway Health — Century Park Clinic

24hr expat clinic, foreign insurance accepted

+86 21 6445 5999

🗣 English staff

World Path Clinic

English-speaking GPs and specialists

+86 21 6445 3899

🗣 English staff

Huashan Hospital (International)

Large public hospital with international floor

+86 21 5288 9999

🗣 English staff

Beijing

International SOS Clinic

24hr international medical centre

+86 10 6462 9112

🗣 English staff

Peking Union Medical (International)

International VIP ward, leading specialists

+86 10 6915 1400

🗣 English staff

Beijing United Family Hospital

Full-service international hospital

+86 10 5927 7000

🗣 English staff

Guangzhou

Guangzhou International SOS

24hr expat clinic

+86 20 8760 0000

🗣 English staff

Chengdu

New Era International Clinic

English-speaking, foreign insurance

+86 28 8522 7766

🗣 English staff

Shenzhen

Shenzhen Luohu Hospital (Int'l)

International wing, basic to specialist care

+86 755 2513 0999

🗣 English staff

Embassy Contacts (Beijing)

For passport loss, arrest, hospitalisation, or death of a national. Most embassies have 24-hour emergency lines.

🇺🇸

United States

55 Anjialou Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇬🇧

United Kingdom

11 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇨🇦

Canada

19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇦🇺

Australia

21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇩🇪

Germany

17 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇫🇷

France

3 Dongsan Jie, Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇰🇷

South Korea

20 Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang District, Beijing

🇯🇵

Japan

7 Ritan Lu, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Consulate contacts vary by city. Search "[your country] consulate Shanghai/Beijing/etc" for local offices.

Essential Safety Tips

📱

Keep WeChat active

Police, hospitals, and services all use WeChat. Download it before arrival and keep data on.

🆔

Carry your passport copy

Police may ask for ID at any time. Carry a phone photo of your passport bio page and visa stamp.

🔐

VPN before you land

Google Maps, WhatsApp, Gmail are blocked. Download a VPN before you arrive — it can't be installed once in-country.

💳

Cash as backup

WeChat Pay and Alipay work for foreigners now, but some taxis and small vendors are still cash-only. Keep ¥200-500 on hand.

🏥

Get travel insurance

Local public hospitals are cheap but international hospitals can cost $300+/visit. World Nomads or Pacific Cross covers most eventualities.

🚕

Only use licensed taxis or Didi

Unlicensed black cars at airports and stations are a scam. Use the official Didi app or metered taxis only.

📞

Save emergency numbers offline

Bookmark this page or screenshot it. 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), 119 (fire) work without internet or translation.

🏦

ATMs: use bank-branded machines

ICBC, Bank of China, and China Construction Bank ATMs reliably accept foreign cards. Standalone kiosk ATMs often reject them.

Common Tourist Scams

Tea house scam

Friendly 'students' invite you to a tea ceremony — bill is ¥500-2000. Very common near tourist spots in Beijing and Shanghai.

Taxi meter fraud

Driver refuses meter or takes a 'scenic route'. Always insist on the meter or use Didi.

Art gallery scam

'Students' invite you to see their art exhibition, then pressure sell overpriced paintings. Common in Shanghai.

Fake monks

People in robes hand you prayer beads then demand donation. Real monks don't solicit on the street.

Gem / jewellery scam

Taxi driver offers to take you to their 'cousin's' jewellery shop with a special discount. Never.

Friendship bracelet

Someone ties a bracelet on your wrist without asking, then demands payment. Walk away.

Save this page for offline access

Add to Home Screen on iOS/Android or screenshot this page. Emergency numbers work without internet — 110, 120, and 119 are free from any SIM.