Staying Healthy in China: A Practical Traveler's Guide

Tap water in China is not safe to drink, even in big cities. Locals don't drink it straight either; they boil it or buy bottled water. This is a habit, not a panic.

• Drink bottled water (cheap and everywhere) or boiled/filtered water. Hotels usually provide a kettle and free bottles.
• Hot water is a cultural default. Cafes, restaurants, trains and offices all offer free hot drinking water, and you'll see locals carrying flasks.
• Use bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth if you're cautious, though a quick rinse is low risk.
• Ice in reputable restaurants and chains is generally fine; at tiny street stalls, skip it if unsure.

Chinese food is mostly cooked hot and served fast, which is exactly what you want. The biggest risk is food that has sat around, not the cuisine itself.

• Favor busy stalls and restaurants with high turnover; fresh and hot beats fancy.
• Be a little careful with cold dishes, raw seafood and unpeeled fruit washed in tap water early in your trip while your stomach adjusts.
• Carry hand sanitizer; many restrooms lack soap.
• Ease into very spicy regional food (Sichuan, Hunan) rather than diving straight in.

For navigating menus, ordering and dietary needs, see our Chinese food and dining guide and the guide for vegetarian and dietary needs.

Pharmacies (look for a green cross) are common and well stocked. Staff rarely speak English, so use a translation app to show the symptom or the drug you need.

• Traveler's diarrhea is the most common complaint. Rest, hydrate with oral rehydration salts, and consult a doctor if it's severe or lasts more than a couple of days.
• Bring your own supply of any prescription medication, in original packaging, with a copy of the prescription. Don't assume your exact brand is available.
• Stock a small kit: pain reliever, anti-diarrheal, rehydration salts, motion-sickness tablets, plasters and any personal medicines.
• Carry plenty of tissues; many public toilets have none, and they double as napkins.

Major cities have excellent hospitals. For foreigners, the easiest route is usually a private or international clinic with English-speaking staff, or the dedicated VIP/international ("foreigner") wing of a large public hospital.

• Public hospitals are cheaper but crowded and Chinese-language; international clinics cost more but are smoother and English-friendly.
• Payment is often required up front or on the day, then you claim it back from your insurer, so keep all receipts.
• Save your hotel's address in Chinese and a few medical phrases in your phone.
• Air quality varies; if you're sensitive, check a daily AQI app and carry a mask for high-pollution days.

Buy travel insurance that covers medical treatment and, importantly, medical evacuation. A serious problem far from a major city can mean an expensive transfer, and that's exactly what good cover is for.

• Check that your policy covers your activities (hiking, high altitude in Tibet, etc.) and confirm current terms before you buy.
• On routine vaccinations: make sure your standard immunizations are up to date, and ask a travel-health clinic or doctor about any extras based on your itinerary and season.
• If you're heading to high altitude such as Lhasa, talk to a doctor about altitude sickness in advance.

Safety in the everyday sense is rarely a concern; see is China safe for tourists for the bigger picture.

When something does go wrong, the hardest part is the language gap, not the medicine. A local guide can call the right clinic, explain your symptoms to a doctor, sort payment and insurance paperwork, and steer you to food and water you can trust from day one.

On HeroGuide you post your trip and verified local guides and drivers bid on it, so you can pick someone who knows the nearest English-friendly hospital before you ever need it. Post your trip and get matched with a local guide.