Pharmacies & Seeing a Doctor
How pharmacies work in China, what you can buy without a prescription, and how to get proper medical care at an international hospital department.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · policies change — confirm the official sources before travel
China’s pharmacies are everywhere, well-stocked and cheap — but the names, the rules and the brands are all different. This guide covers the pharmacy basics plus how to get proper medical care when you need it, from a mild cold to an actual emergency.
Key points
What works in practice
Write the symptom in Chinese with a translation app and show the screen — do not mime
Photograph your regular medicine’s packaging before leaving home; the generic (active ingredient) name matters more than the brand
Rehydration salts (口服补液盐) and paracetamol equivalents are cheap and everywhere — stock up on day one if traveling with kids
International departments take walk-ins with your passport; you pay upfront and get English records for insurance
For dental pain, use private dental clinics in big cities — they are modern and usually have English-speaking staff
If buying medicine to take home, check your own country’s import rules — a Chinese pharmacist cannot advise on them
Mistakes to avoid
Assuming brand names transfer — they mostly do not; ask by active ingredient
Waiting out something serious to “make it to the next city” — care here is affordable, use it
Skipping insurance because “nothing will happen” — a hospital night is cheap by Western standards, but evacuation is not
Expecting English in pharmacies — translation apps, not language skills
Frequently asked
Can I get antibiotics without a prescription?
Officially no — antibiotics require a prescription. In practice, many pharmacies sell basic ones after asking about your symptoms. Use them with the same care you would at home.
Are medicines fake?
At nationwide chain pharmacies, counterfeits are rare and the chains are reliable. Avoid tiny backstreet shops that do not display a license.
What about my prescription medicine from home?
Bring it in original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Personal-use quantities are generally fine at customs; controlled substances have stricter rules — check before flying.
How do I see a doctor without speaking Chinese?
Use the international department of a big public hospital, or a private clinic such as United Family. Your hotel can book and often accompany you for the first visit.
What does care cost?
A pharmacy visit runs ¥20–100. An international clinic consultation is a few hundred yuan. Public hospital emergency care is surprisingly cheap — the international departments cost more but translate everything.
Questions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.