Chapter 8

Health & Safety

Stay healthy, stay safe. Mostly common sense, with a few China-specific things to know.

Back to Essentials

What to Bring

Items that are hard to find or expensive in China.

Medicine kit

Pack Your Own Kit

Sunscreen — small bottles, expensive. Most locals use hats/umbrellas.
Tampons — very hard to find. Bring your own or use a menstrual cup.
OTC meds: Ibuprofen, antihistamines, stomach remedies. Bring prescription meds with a doctor's note.

⚠️ Prescription meds: Some medications legal elsewhere are controlled substances in China. Check customs regulations and bring a doctor's note.

Emergency Numbers

What to do if something goes wrong.

Emergency

120 Ambulance

Ambulance: 120 | Police: 110 | Fire: 119

In a real emergency, a taxi/DiDi is often faster than waiting for an ambulance. For non-emergency care, go to a public hospital's international department or private clinics like United Family Healthcare. Get travel insurance that covers China.

Is China Safe?

The honest answer — and the one thing you must not skip.

Safety

One of the Safest

Violent crime is low. Walking alone at night feels safer than in most Western cities. Petty theft can happen in crowded tourist areas — standard awareness applies.

💡 Bottom line: For the average tourist, China is one of the safest countries you'll visit.

Final Health Tips

A few more things to keep in mind.

UV umbrella

UV Umbrellas & More

  • Sun: UV umbrellas are everywhere in summer — use one and blend in. You'll also spot people wearing 360° sun visors that look like something from a sci-fi movie — it's purely the Asian pursuit of pale skin, and they commit to it fully.
  • Hand sanitizer: Carry it. Public restrooms rarely have soap.
  • Water: Boiled, bottled, or filtered only. Never tap.
  • TCM: A doctor may prescribe traditional Chinese medicine alongside Western meds. You can politely decline.

The Chinese Cheat Sheet

Medical and emergency words you hope you won't need.

医院 Yee-ywenHospital
救护车 Jyo-hoo-chuhAmbulance
药店 Yaow-dyenPharmacy
不舒服 Boo shoo-fooNot feeling well
TungPain / Hurts
帮帮我 Bahng bahng wawHelp me!

You're Ready for China!

Now let MagicTrip plan the perfect trip — with all these essentials handled.

Plan My Trip ✦