By city
Medical treatment in Shanghai for international patients
Practical guide for international patients seeking hospital care in Shanghai — how hospitals are organised, which have international departments, and how to prepare.
Why international patients come to Shanghai
Shanghai is home to a large cluster of Grade III-A teaching hospitals affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, and Tongji University. The city also has a long history of treating foreign nationals, partly because of its significant expatriate resident population. Areas of specialist concentration include haematology, oncology, endocrinology, dermatology, and cardiovascular medicine. Shanghai also has a wider range of private and joint-venture hospitals than most Chinese cities, giving patients some choice between different service models.
How Shanghai hospitals are organised
Major public hospitals in Shanghai operate standard outpatient registration (挂号) in Chinese. Most have moved to online and app-based booking systems that require a Chinese phone number. International departments offer an alternative pathway with dedicated coordination staff, longer appointment slots, and single-room inpatient accommodation where available.
Three major Shanghai public hospitals have named international departments that can be verified on their official sites:
- Ruijin Hospital (affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine) operates an International Medical Department (国际医疗部) with a dedicated outpatient appointment line. The department is based in buildings 9 and 10 of the hospital and provides inpatient and outpatient services across multiple specialties.
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University operates an International Medical Department (国际医疗部) with 14 dedicated consultation rooms and 70 single-room inpatient beds. The department was established in 2020 and includes dedicated imaging and laboratory support.
- Huashan Hospital (affiliated with Fudan University Shanghai Medical College) lists an International Medical Center (国际医疗中心) on its official site, with outpatient services and 24-hour emergency access at its Urumqi Road location.
These are examples. Other Shanghai hospitals also have dedicated foreign-patient services. See the hospital selection guide for how to match your case to a facility.
Getting to Shanghai and reaching the hospitals
Shanghai has two international airports: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), which handles most long-haul international flights and is located in the east of the city, and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), which mainly handles domestic and regional routes. Major hospital campuses are distributed across central districts including Huangpu, Jing'an, and Xuhui. From Pudong Airport, allow at least one hour by maglev-and-metro or taxi to central hospital areas; longer in heavy traffic. Plan your route to the specific hospital campus you are attending, as some hospitals have multiple campuses in different parts of the city.
Practical notes on registration and administration
All hospital signage and standard registration in Shanghai operates in Chinese. International departments handle registration using your passport, but you will still encounter Chinese-language forms and systems throughout your visit. Standard online booking systems require a Chinese mobile number; international department booking lines accept calls and email from abroad.
If you are staying in Shanghai for an extended course of treatment or multiple follow-up appointments, look for accommodation (医院附近住宿) in the same district as your hospital. Distances within Shanghai can be significant — a cross-city taxi journey in traffic can take 45 minutes or more.
Language support
Shanghai's international hospital departments offer coordination in English. Some departments also have staff with Japanese or other language capability — confirm with the specific department. As in all Chinese hospitals, language support is focused on coordination and administrative tasks; clinical conversations in complex specialties require clear, precise communication. A professional medical interpreter who understands clinical terminology reduces the risk of misunderstanding during consultations, consent discussions, and discharge planning. Read about medical interpreting before you travel.
Preparing your documents before you arrive
All clinical work at Shanghai hospitals is conducted in Chinese. To allow the hospital to assess your case, assign you to the right department, and avoid delays on arrival, you need Chinese-language translations of your key medical records — not just the originals. Prepare these before you travel. See the full documents checklist. Allow four to six weeks for obtaining records from your home hospital and having them translated. Read about medical record translation to understand what needs to be translated and why.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Ruijin, Zhongshan, and Huashan hospitals?
All three are large Grade III-A public teaching hospitals in Shanghai with established international departments. They are affiliated with different medical schools and have different departmental strengths. The right choice depends on your specific condition and which department is most relevant. We do not rank or compare hospitals — see how to choose a hospital for guidance on finding the right fit for your case.
Can I use private hospitals in Shanghai instead of public ones?
Yes. Shanghai has several private and joint-venture hospitals that focus specifically on international patients and typically offer more English-language support, shorter wait times for appointments, and a more Western-style consultation experience. Private hospitals are not graded under the same national system as public hospitals. Check the licensing status of any private hospital before attending. Insurance coverage at private facilities varies widely — confirm with your insurer before booking.
Do I need to send my records to the hospital before I arrive?
Sending translated records in advance is strongly recommended. Most international departments will want to review your case before confirming an appointment, and the specialist team needs your history and test results to prepare. Arriving without translated records can result in delays or additional testing. Read about preparing medical records for Chinese hospitals.
What airport should I fly into for Shanghai hospital visits?
Most long-haul international flights arrive at Pudong (PVG). From Pudong, the maglev train connects to the metro network, which covers most hospital districts. A direct taxi from Pudong to hospitals in Huangpu or Xuhui district typically takes 45–70 minutes depending on traffic. If you are connecting to a domestic flight or arriving from another Chinese city, Hongqiao (SHA) is closer to the western hospital districts.