What's It Like to Come to China for Medical Treatment?

A story from a patient from England, and some things you might want to know

Robert is in Xi'an for the third time.

The first time was 2019. He came for that knee MRI he'd been waiting five months for back in England. The second time was 2023, for a follow-up. This time, he's here with his wife for her check-up.

"Back home, I waited so long for that scan, I almost forgot why my knee hurt in the first place," he said. "Here, five days and it was all done. And I got to see the Terracotta Warriors, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The lamb paomo was pretty good, too."

Before You Leave
Tell us what tests you need or what symptoms you have. We'll help with:

• Matching you with the right hospital and specialists
• Giving you an estimate of time and cost
• Helping with medical visa paperwork
• Sending you a guide on what to pack, what to expect

After You Land
Someone's waiting at arrivals with your name on a sign. Car to the hospital, or to your hotel first if you're tired. Your call.

At the Hospital
A colleague stays with you the whole way: registration, payments, seeing the doctor, getting tests done, picking up results. You don't need to speak Chinese.

After It's Done
Want to stay a few days? We can help with that too. Terracotta Warriors, the ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Fancy Mount Hua or the Qinling Mountains? That can be arranged.

The Children's Art on the Walls — Over a hundred drawings by kids, hanging in the waiting areas. Better than staring at a screen.

The Pianos in the Corners — Four pianos in the hospital buildings. Someone's always playing. Nothing professional, but it fills the silence.

The Community Kitchen — Free to use on the inpatient floors. Pots, pans, basic ingredients all there. An Irish wife went there every day to make mashed potatoes for her husband. "When he eats this, he feels less homesick," she said.

Don't speak Chinese — Someone translates. They know medical terms. If you want to talk to the doctor alone, they step aside.

Not used to the food — Cook for yourself in the kitchen, or try one of the Western restaurants nearby. Your colleague can point you to places that sell what you're used to.

Need a quiet space for prayer or meditation — Just tell us. We'll arrange it.

Coming alone — From the moment you land until you leave, someone's there. Not hovering. Just there when you need them.

• Robert sends a photo every Christmas. Last year he was jogging in Manchester: "This knee's got another ten years in it."
• A Canadian patient walked the City Wall after spinal surgery. "Three weeks ago I wondered if I'd ever walk again."
• An American patient got good news on her follow-up. Bought three jin of date-stuffed walnuts in the Muslim Quarter to take home to her neighbors.
• A German patient hesitated outside the OR. His colleague said: "You flew nine thousand kilometers for this surgery. Not the time to hesitate." He smiled. Went in. Came out and said: "You were right."

"Why travel so far?"

The hospital near you is fine. But you wait. Three months. Six months. While you wait, you wonder if whatever's inside you is growing.

Here, you don't wait.

And while you wait for results, you can watch the sunset from the ancient City Wall. Eat a bowl of lamb paomo in the Muslim Quarter. See the army that's been underground for two thousand years.

Then go home with your results, your photos, and that feeling of: It's done.