By city
Medical treatment in Chengdu for international patients
Practical guide for international patients seeking hospital care in Chengdu — how hospitals are organised, which have international departments, and how to prepare.
Why international patients come to Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province and the main medical hub for southwest China. It has a smaller concentration of top-tier hospitals than Beijing or Shanghai but is home to West China Hospital of Sichuan University, one of China's largest university hospitals by bed count and research output. For patients travelling from Central Asia, South Asia, or parts of Southeast Asia, Chengdu may be a more accessible destination than the eastern seaboard cities. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is also well represented in Chengdu and in the wider Sichuan region.
How Chengdu hospitals are organised
Chengdu's main tertiary hospitals operate standard outpatient departments in Chinese. The most established international patient pathway in the city is at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, which operates an International Medical Center (IMC) explicitly designated by the hospital and Sichuan provincial government as the designated medical care site for foreigners. The IMC has its own independent building combining outpatient, inpatient, and health management services, with 107 single-room and suite-style wards. It offers VIP outpatient clinics, specialist inpatient wards, and a dedicated International Medical Department for foreign patients.
This is the one hospital in Chengdu where an international department can be verified from the hospital's own official English-language website (wchscu.cn). Other hospitals in Chengdu also receive foreign patients — the Australian Consulate's hospital list for Chengdu includes several facilities — but their international department arrangements are less formally documented in English-language official sources. If you are considering a hospital other than West China Hospital, contact it directly to confirm what services it offers to foreign patients before you travel.
See the hospital selection guide for how to evaluate a hospital for your specific condition.
Getting to Chengdu and reaching the hospitals
Chengdu is served by Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), which opened in 2021 and handles most international long-haul flights, and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), which continues to handle a significant volume of domestic and some international routes. West China Hospital is located in the Wuhou District in the southwest of the city. From Tianfu Airport, journey time to the hospital is approximately 45–60 minutes by metro and bus, or longer by taxi in heavy traffic. From Shuangliu Airport, West China Hospital is approximately 20–30 minutes by taxi. Allow extra time for any hospital visit if you are arriving directly from the airport.
Practical notes on registration and administration
Registration, signage, and administrative systems at Chengdu hospitals are in Chinese. At West China Hospital's International Medical Center, coordination staff handle registration using your passport and assist with scheduling. Standard outpatient registration systems in Chengdu require a Chinese mobile number; the International Medical Center has a dedicated booking channel (the hospital's online appointment system at wchscu.cn/en/) for international patients.
If you are staying in Chengdu for several appointments or an inpatient stay, accommodation near the hospital (医院附近住宿) is available in the Wuhou District around West China Hospital. This reduces travel time and is practical if you are attending daily appointments or have limited mobility.
Language support
West China Hospital's International Medical Center is set up to serve foreign patients and has English-speaking coordination staff. The level of English fluency you encounter will vary across different staff members and departments. For clinical discussions — particularly for complex diagnoses, treatment planning, or surgical consent — a professional medical interpreter with knowledge of clinical terminology is valuable. Read about what a medical interpreter does and how to arrange one before you travel.
Chengdu is not as large an expat city as Beijing or Shanghai, and English proficiency in day-to-day settings outside the hospital's international department is more limited. Budget more time for communication tasks outside the hospital.
Preparing your documents before you arrive
All clinical work at Chengdu hospitals is conducted in Chinese. Translate your key medical records — referral letters, diagnostic reports, imaging results, surgical histories, and your medication list — before you travel. The International Medical Center at West China Hospital, like all Chinese hospital departments, needs Chinese-language records to assess your case and prepare for your appointment. See the full documents checklist. Allow at least four to six weeks before travel to gather your records and have them translated. Read about medical record translation for guidance on which documents matter most.
Frequently asked questions
Is West China Hospital the only option for international patients in Chengdu?
It is the hospital in Chengdu with the most clearly documented international patient infrastructure. Other hospitals in Chengdu do receive foreign patients, and private international clinics also operate in the city. If you need a specialist service that is not available at West China Hospital, or if you are comparing options, contact hospitals directly to ask whether they have an international patient service and whether they can handle your type of case. The Australian Consulate in Chengdu publishes a hospital list that includes several options.
Which airport should I fly into for treatment at West China Hospital?
Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) is closer to West China Hospital in the Wuhou District and has more established ground transport links to that part of the city. However, long-haul international flights increasingly arrive at Tianfu Airport (TFU). Check which airport your flight uses and plan accordingly. Both airports connect to the metro network, though journey times differ.
Can I combine a visit to Chengdu hospitals with travel to other parts of Sichuan?
That is a personal decision. Sichuan Province has many destinations of interest, and some patients extend their stay to recover in a quieter location after treatment. The practical question is whether travel between your hospital appointments is medically safe — you should discuss any travel plans with your medical team before making arrangements. High-altitude destinations in western Sichuan require particular care for patients with cardiac or respiratory conditions.
Do I need to send records to West China Hospital before travelling?
Yes. The International Medical Center at West China Hospital asks patients to provide medical records in advance so that the clinical team can assess the case and confirm that they can take it. This step is important — travelling to Chengdu without pre-arranging a confirmed appointment through the international department may result in delays. Send translated records as early as possible. TranslationChina translates medical records into Chinese for use in Chinese hospitals.