Before you travel
How to book a hospital appointment in China
Explains China's 挂号 registration system, specialist vs general slots, why most booking channels need a Chinese phone number, and how international departments help.
The 挂号 (guahao) registration system
In China, booking a hospital appointment is called 挂号 (guahao) — literally "hanging a number." Registration is the entry point to every part of the hospital visit: you choose a department and a type of appointment, pay a small registration fee, and then see the doctor. After the consultation you pay separately for any tests, imaging, or prescriptions ordered.
Chinese public hospitals are open-access — there is generally no requirement for a GP referral to see a specialist. You choose the department and registration type yourself. This means patients must know which department to register with before they arrive, which can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with Chinese medical categories.
General registration vs specialist registration
There are two main tiers of outpatient registration:
- General (普通号, pǔtōng hào) — lower-cost appointment, shorter consultation time. Suitable for initial assessment or follow-up visits. The consultation may be with a resident or a junior attending doctor.
- Specialist or expert (专家号, zhuānjiā hào) — appointment with a named senior specialist or department chief. Higher registration fee. These slots are released on a rolling schedule and are competitive — popular specialists' slots are often fully booked within minutes of being released.
For complex conditions where you have come specifically to see a named expert, you need to secure a specialist slot in advance. Do not assume you can obtain one upon arrival.
How appointments are booked
Most Chinese hospitals have moved their appointment systems online. Common booking channels include:
- The hospital's official WeChat public account or mini-programme — appointments are typically released at a fixed time each day or week and are booked on a first-come-first-served basis
- The hospital's official app or website
- The national 12320 health hotline or regional health platforms
- On-site kiosks or the registration desk at the hospital itself (walk-in on the day, no guarantee of availability)
Critical point: most of these channels are Chinese-language only and require a Chinese mobile phone number to register and receive verification codes. If you do not have a Chinese SIM card and a Chinese-language capable device, you may not be able to use these systems independently.
How international departments handle this differently
If the hospital has an international medical department (国际医疗部), this is usually the right entry point for foreign patients. International departments typically:
- Accept appointment enquiries by email or via a dedicated phone line with English-speaking staff
- Handle the internal registration on your behalf
- Can pre-arrange a specialist appointment if you contact them well in advance with your case summary and medical records
- Offer longer consultation slots than the standard outpatient clinic
Contact the international department of your chosen hospital before you travel. Send them a summary of your medical history in Chinese. If your records are in another language, have them translated first — the department will need to assess whether they can handle your case and assign you to the right specialist.
A medical interpreter who accompanies you on the day can also help navigate the registration process, communicate symptoms clearly, and ensure you understand what the doctor has recommended. TranslationChina provides medical interpreting for outpatient and inpatient appointments.
Walk-in vs pre-booked appointments
Walk-in registration (现场挂号) is possible at most hospitals, but it carries risk. For general outpatient slots, same-day walk-in is usually feasible for minor matters. For specialist slots at major hospitals, walk-in often means waiting from early morning with no guarantee of a slot, as popular specialists are fully booked long in advance.
If you have flown from another country for a specific appointment, do not rely on walk-in. Secure your appointment in advance through the international department or a verified coordination service.
What to bring to the registration desk
When you arrive at a Chinese hospital for registration, you will need:
- Your original passport — hospitals register foreign patients by passport number
- Any previous medical records relevant to your visit, translated into Chinese
- Payment for the registration fee (small amount, typically paid by mobile payment or cash)
- If you have a pre-arranged appointment through the international department, bring the confirmation and any reference number they gave you
See the arrival checklist for a full list of what to prepare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a hospital appointment from outside China?
Yes, but only through the hospital's international department, a verified medical coordination service, or occasionally by email directly to a department. Standard online booking channels (hospital apps, WeChat mini-programmes) typically require a Chinese phone number and are in Chinese, making them inaccessible to most overseas visitors. Contact the international department of your target hospital by email well before your planned travel date.
How far in advance should I book?
As far in advance as possible for specialist (专家号) slots at well-known departments. Slots for senior specialists at leading hospitals in Beijing or Shanghai can be fully booked several weeks ahead. For the international department, contacting two to four weeks before travel is a reasonable minimum, though more complex cases requiring pre-assessment may need longer.
Do I need to choose the right department myself?
In the standard outpatient system, yes — you register directly into a department. The international department can usually help assign you correctly if you describe your symptoms and provide your records in Chinese. Getting the department wrong wastes your appointment slot, so it is worth the effort to have your records translated and send them to the hospital in advance.
Will the doctor at the international department speak English?
Some doctors in international departments have conversational or medical English. Many do not. The international department may provide a coordinator or nurse who speaks some English, but you should not rely on the treating doctor being fluent. For medically important conversations — diagnosis, treatment options, risks, consent — a qualified medical interpreter is strongly recommended. TranslationChina provides medical interpreters for hospital appointments.
What is a registration fee?
A small fee paid at registration to secure your appointment slot. The amount differs between general and specialist registration and between hospitals. It does not cover the consultation itself — you pay for that and for any tests, imaging, or medication separately after the appointment. At international departments the registration fee is higher than the standard outpatient rate.