What to Do in an Emergency in China as a Foreigner (2026)

Quick answer: China is one of the safest countries for tourists — violent crime against foreigners is rare. But things still go wrong: lost passports, sudden illness, scams, or accidents. This guide covers every emergency scenario you might face, with exact numbers to call and step-by-step instructions.

Emergency Numbers: What Each One Does

What if nobody speaks English? Say your location first (hotel name or nearest landmark), then the emergency word ("police" / "ambulance" / "fire"). If you're at a hotel, hand the phone to the front desk — they can translate. The operator will send help to the address on file for your phone number, which is why having a Chinese SIM or knowing your hotel address matters.

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Scenario 1: Lost or Stolen Passport

This is the most common real emergency for tourists. A lost passport means you can't check into hotels, board domestic flights, or leave the country. Here's the exact sequence:

Step 1: Report to the nearest police station (PSB) — immediately

Go to any police station (公安局, gōng'ānjú). Tell them "wǒ de hùzhào diū le" (my passport is lost). They will take a report and give you a loss certificate (遗失证明, yíshī zhèngmíng). This document is your temporary ID while you wait for a new passport.

Bring: A copy of your passport if you have one. If not, any photo ID and your hotel registration form.

This takes 1-2 hours. The certificate is free.

Step 2: Go to your embassy or consulate

With the police loss certificate, visit your embassy. Most foreign embassies are in Beijing (Chaoyang District) — but several countries also have consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenyang.

What you'll apply for: An emergency travel document (processed in 1-3 days) or a replacement passport (5-10 working days). Photo requirements vary by country — bring 2-4 passport photos or use the photo booth at the embassy.

Step 3: Get a new visa or stay permit

Once you have your new passport or emergency travel document, do not leave the country yet. You must go to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau (出入境管理局) to transfer your visa or get an exit permit. Your original visa was in your lost passport — it doesn't automatically transfer.

What to bring: New passport, police loss certificate, hotel registration form, passport photo.

This takes 3-7 working days. You cannot leave China before this is processed.

Timeline reality: Total passport replacement takes 5-10 working days minimum. If you're leaving in less than a week, call your embassy immediately — they can sometimes issue same-day emergency documents in extreme cases.

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Scenario 2: Medical Emergency — Hospital Visit

When to call 120 vs. go yourself

Call 120 if: You can't move, are bleeding heavily, lost consciousness, having a heart attack or stroke, or have a serious fracture.

Take a taxi/Didi if: You have a high fever, food poisoning, minor fracture, or any condition where you can still walk and talk. Ambulances in China are basic transport — not mobile ICUs. A Didi will get you there faster in most cities.

At the hospital

Go to the international department (国际部, guójì bù) if you're in a major city. Larger hospitals have a separate wing with English-speaking staff and shorter wait times. It costs more than the regular department but is still inexpensive by Western standards.

What to bring: Your passport (required for registration), cash or Alipay/WeChat Pay (you pay before treatment, not after), and your insurance card/policy number.

What it costs (without Chinese insurance)

You pay upfront and claim from your travel insurance later. Keep every receipt. Costs are surprisingly low:

The pharmacy step

After seeing the doctor, you pay at the cashier, then take your receipt to the hospital pharmacy to collect medication. Pharmacies inside hospitals are reliable. For minor issues, you can also visit standalone pharmacies (药店, yàodiàn) — most have a pharmacist who can recommend over-the-counter medication.

Useful phrases

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Scenario 3: You've Been Scammed

China is physically safe — you are extremely unlikely to be robbed or assaulted. But scams targeting tourists exist, and they're almost always non-violent financial cons.

The Tea Ceremony Scam

How it works: A friendly young person approaches you, speaks good English, and says they're a student practicing. They invite you to "experience traditional Chinese tea culture" at a nearby tea house. You sit down, tea is poured, and then you get a bill for ¥500-3,000 ($70-420).

What they say: "Just one hour, my teacher would love to meet a foreigner." "It's a local place, tourists never find it."

What to do: Politely decline. Say you have a train to catch. If you're already at the tea house and the bill arrives, refuse to pay the inflated amount. Call 110. The scammer almost always backs down when police are mentioned — they rely on tourists paying out of embarrassment.

The Art Student Scam

How it works: Someone claims to be an art student whose exhibition is "closing tomorrow" and invites you to see it. You're taken to a small gallery where you're pressured to buy "original artwork" that is actually mass-produced prints.

What to do: Same as tea ceremony — walk away. Real art students don't recruit foreigners off the street.

The Taxi Meter Scam

How it works: The driver "forgets" to start the meter, or claims the meter is broken, then demands an inflated fare at your destination.

What to do: Always use Didi (ride-hailing app) instead of hailing taxis. The app shows the fixed price before you get in and you can share your trip with a friend. If you must take a taxi, insist on the meter and watch it start. If the driver refuses, get out and get another one.

The "Help With Luggage" Scam

How it works: At train stations, someone grabs your luggage and starts carrying it — then demands a large "service fee" at your platform.

What to do: Keep your hands on your luggage. If someone grabs it, firmly say "no" and retrieve it. Official porters wear uniforms and have IDs — anyone in street clothes is not official.

General anti-scam rules

• If a stranger approaches you speaking English unprompted, be skeptical
• No legitimate business recruits customers on the street
• Pay with the app, not cash — it leaves a record and disputes are easier
• Trust your gut: if it feels wrong, walk away

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Scenario 4: Police Interaction

Police in China are generally helpful to foreigners, but language is the barrier.

When you might interact with police

• Reporting a crime or lost item — reasonable expectation of help
• Random ID checks — rare but legal; show your passport
• Traffic accident — the police will take a report; get a copy for insurance
• Hotel registration issue — if your hotel didn't register you properly, police may contact you; it's an administrative formality

What to do

Always carry your physical passport — not a copy. Hotels and police stations need the original to verify your entry stamp and visa. A photo or scan is better than nothing but won't be accepted for official procedures.

If you don't speak Chinese and need to report something, use a translation app or call your hotel front desk for help. Police stations in larger cities sometimes have access to a phone translation service — ask "fānyì" (翻译, translator).

When to call your embassy

Call your embassy if you are arrested, detained, or seriously injured. Your embassy cannot get you out of legal trouble, but they can ensure you're treated fairly and connect you with a local English-speaking lawyer.

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Scenario 5: Natural Disaster or Fire

Earthquake

China has active seismic zones, particularly in Sichuan, Yunnan, and western regions. If you feel shaking:

• Indoors: Drop, cover, and hold on. Stay away from windows. Do not use elevators.
• Outdoors: Move away from buildings, power lines, and bridges.
• After: Check for gas leaks. Follow instructions from hotel staff. Expect phone networks to be congested.

Fire

Call 119. If you're in a hotel, activate the fire alarm and follow evacuation signs (绿色, green). Most Chinese hotels have fire evacuation maps on the back of your room door — look at it when you check in.

Typhoon (coastal areas, May-October)

Southeast China (Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Shanghai) faces typhoon risk from May to October. During a typhoon warning:

• Stay indoors. Do not go to the beach or waterfront.
• Trains and flights will be cancelled — check with your airline/hotel before heading to the station.
• Stock water and snacks. Supermarkets close early during typhoons.
• Follow the local government's WeChat account for real-time updates in Chinese.

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