Practical travel information on Health in Běijīng - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Health & safety

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While you're there

While you're there

Medical services

Běijīng has some of the best medical facilities and services in China. Ask your embassy for a list of English-speaking doctors and dentists, and hospitals that accept foreigners.

Bayley & Jackson Medical Center (Bìlì Jíchén Yīláo Zhōngxīn; 8562 9998; www.bjhealthcare.com; 7 Ritan Donglu) Full range of private medical and dental services; attractively located in courtyard near Ritan Park.

Beijing Union Medical Hospital (Běijīng Xiéhé Yīyuàn; 6529 6114, emergencies 6529 5284; 53 Dongdan Beidajie; h24hr) Foreigners’ and VIP wing in the back building.

Beijing United Family Hospital (Běijīng Hémùjiā Yīyuàn; 6433 3960, 24hr emergency hotline 6433 2345; www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com; 2 Jiangtai Lu; 24hr) Can provide alternative medical treatments along with a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient care, as well as a critical care unit. Emergency room staffed by expat physicians.

International SOS (Běijīng Yàzhōu Guójì Jǐnjí Jiùyuán Yīliáo Zhōngxīn; clinic appointments 6462 9112, dental appointments 6462 0333, emergencies 6462 9100; www.internationalsos.com; Suite 105, Wing 1 Kunsha Building, 16 Xinyuanli; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri) Expensive, high-quality clinic with English-speaking staff.

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Pharmacies

Identified by green crosses, pharmacies selling Chinese (zhōngyào) and Western medicine (xīyào) are widespread. Some pharmacies offer 24-hour service; typically this means that you can get your medicine through a window during the night, after the pharmacy itself is officially shut.

Branches of Watson’s (Qūchénshì; Chaoyangmenwai Dajie 1st fl, Full Link Plaza, 19 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie; Dongchang’an Jie; CC17, 19, CC21, 23, Oriental Plaza, 1 Dongchang’an Jie) purvey some medicines, but are more geared towards selling cosmetics, sunscreens and the like.

Wangfujing Medicine Shop (Wángfǔjǐng Yīyào Shāngdiàn; 6524 0122; 267 Wangfujing Dajie; 8.30am-9pm) has a large range of both Western and Chinese medicine.

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