Vaccination Requirements

Currently there are no required immunizations for travel to China, but check with your local consulate to make sure this policy has not changed. Depending on how long you are staying in China and whether you will be spending your time in urban or rural areas, there are different vaccinations that are recommended by travel health specialists. Discuss your travel needs with a doctor that specializes in travel medicine. Universities often have travel clinics that provide a less expensive way of getting your vaccinations. The most useful vaccinations for China are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus/diptheria, Japanese encephalitis, and typhoid fever. Some doctors also recommend getting a rabies shot and taking malaria pills.
For up-to-the-minute information on vaccination requirements and disease information, call the International Traveler's Hotline in Atlanta at (404) 332-4559, which is sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This service regularly updates its recorded message for each country.

Hospitals

Most hospitals in China do not have English-speaking staff on hand, so if you are in need of medical attention, remember your phrase book or bring a Chinese friend along.

Beijing

Beijing AEA International Clinic
Ta Yuan Diplomatic Office Building 2-1-1
14 Liangmahe South Road, 1/F
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100600, China
(010) 6462-9112 or (010) 6462-9100 (24-hour number)
Fax: (010) 6462-9111

AEA International Clinic has foreign doctors available 24 hours a day, and stocks over-the-counter and prescription medications. This clinic also has dental service.

Friendship Hospital Foreigners' Service
95 Yongan Lu, Xuanwuqu
Beijing, China
(010) 6301-4411, ext. 441 or 442

Friendship Hospital Foreigners' Service has established hours for regular care, but will provide emergency medical attention 24 hours a day.

International Medical Center (IMC)
Lufthansa Center, Suite 106
Number 50, Liangmaqiao Road
Beijing 100016, China
(010) 6465-1561 or (010) 6465-1563 (24-hour number)
Fax: (010) 6465-1984

The IMC clinic has English-speaking doctors available around the clock and also stocks over-the-counter and prescription medications. It is best to make an appointment at this clinic rather than to drop in.

Other reputable hospitals include the following:

Beijing Union Medical College
1 Shifuyuan, Wangfujing
Beijing, China
(010) 512-7733, ext. 217

Sino-German Policlinic
Landmark Tower B-1
Beijing, China
(010) 6501-1983

Xiehe Hospital (also known as Capital Hospital or as PUMC)
53 Dongdanbei Dajie, 6th Floor
Beijing, China
(010) 6529-5296 or (010) 6513-5002

Chengdu
No. 3 Hospital
Shihui Jie
Chengdu, China

Guangzhou
No. 1 People's Hospital
602 Renmin Beilu
Guangzhou, China
(020) 333-3090

Shanghai
Changzhen Hospital
415 Fengyang Road
Shanghai, China
(021) 6327-5997

Huashan Hospital
12, Wulumuqi Road (M)
Shanghai, China
(021) 6248-9999

Ruijin Hospital
192, Ruijing Road (the 2nd)
Shanghai, China
(021) 6437-0045

Zhongshan Hospital
180, Fengling Road
Shanghai, China
(021) 6471-3400

Pharmacies

Although English-speaking personnel may not be available, the following pharmacies stock some Western medicines:

Dongdan Drug Store
97 Dongdan Beidajie
Beijing, China
(010) 6525-1904

Watson's Drug Store
Holiday Inn Lido Hotel
Beijing, China
(010) 6436-7651

Wangfujing Drug Store
267 Wangfujing Street
Beijing, China
(010) 6525-2322