Emergency Guide
When something goes wrong in China. Emergency numbers, what to do if you lose your passport, key phrases, and insurance essentials.
Emergency Numbers
Save these now. English-speaking operators are available in major cities for most services. Dialling these numbers is free from any phone.
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 110 | English operators in major cities. Ask for English if needed: "Yīngyǔ" (英语). For non-urgent reports, go to a station (派出所). |
| Fire | 119 | English assistance is limited — have a translation app or Chinese speaker ready. |
| Ambulance (Medical) | 120 | English operators in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou. Response time: ~15 min in city centres, 30+ in suburbs. |
| Traffic Accidents | 122 | Police attend to document all accidents. Do not move your vehicle (in China, moving it can affect liability determination). |
| Consular Protection | 12308 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs global consular hotline. English/French/Spanish. Also: +86-10-12308 from overseas. |
| Medical SMS / Backup | 999 | Alternative to 120 in some cities. Also accepts SMS for hearing-impaired emergencies in Beijing and Shanghai. |
| Poison Control | 010-8313-2452 | Beijing Poison Control Centre. Also covers national inquiries — staff may not speak English; have a Chinese speaker call. |
📱 Do this now: Take a screenshot of this table. Add the numbers 110, 119, 120, and 12308 to your phone contacts under ICE. In China, your phone can dial emergency numbers even without a SIM card, while locked, or with zero credit.
• • •
Lost or Stolen Passport
It happens more than you'd think. This is the sequence — follow it in order and you will get through it.
- Report to the police immediately. Go to the nearest police station (派出所, pàichūsuǒ). You need a Report of Loss (遗失证明, yíshī zhèngmíng). This is your legal temporary ID. Dial 110 to find the nearest station. You need a police report before your embassy can issue emergency documents.
- Contact your embassy. Apply for an Emergency Travel Document. Most embassies have 24-hour emergency lines. Typical turnaround: 1–4 working days. You will need: police loss report, passport photo (embassy can take one), flight details, and cash/card for the fee (usually ¥300–800).
- Cancel your cards. Call your bank immediately. Most international banks accept reverse-charge calls from China. If your phone was also lost, ask your hotel concierge or embassy staff to help.
- File a travel insurance claim. Most policies cover passport replacement costs and emergency travel document fees. They can also arrange emergency cash. Call their 24-hour assistance hotline — it is usually separate from the claims number.
- Use the police report to rebook. Airlines, high-speed trains, and hotels accept the police report of loss as temporary photo ID. Keep it on you at all times until you have your replacement document.
💡 Prevention: Keep a clear photo of your passport photo page and visa sticker in your phone. Keep paper photocopies in a separate bag from your passport. Email both to yourself. This alone halves the replacement time.
🏛️ Key Embassy 24-Hour Emergency Contacts
| Country | Emergency Line | Embassy Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 010-8531-4000 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Chengdu |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 010-8529-6600 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 010-5140-4111 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 010-5139-4000 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 010-8532-9000 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang |
| 🇫🇷 France | 010-8531-2000 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 010-6410-6970 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Qingdao, Shenyang |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 010-8531-0700 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Qingdao |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 010-6532-1115 | Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen |
• • •
Emergency Phrases
Show these on your phone screen if you cannot speak. Pinyin is provided if you want to try saying them.
Call an ambulance!
叫救护车！
I need a doctor who speaks English
我需要会说英语的医生
I have lost my passport
我的护照丢了
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
最近的药店在哪里？
I am allergic to [peanuts / penicillin]
我对（花生/青霉素）过敏
It hurts here / I have a fever
这里疼 / 我发烧了
I have diarrhoea / I have been vomiting
我拉肚子 / 我一直吐
Please take me to the nearest international hospital
请带我去最近的国际医院
I need to see an orthopaedic doctor (bone)
我需要看骨科
I need a receipt for insurance
我需要发票报销保险
• • •
Travel Insurance & Medical Coverage
China does not provide free emergency healthcare to foreign visitors. Travel insurance is not optional — it is essential. Without it, you pay everything out of pocket, in advance.
🛡️ Minimum cover you need: Medical evacuation/repatriation (¥500,000 minimum, ¥1,000,000+ recommended), emergency treatment, hospital admission, and lost baggage. Most international policies from World Nomads, SafetyWing, AXA, Allianz, and Cigna cover China. Verify adventure sports coverage — hiking at altitude, skiing, and cycling may require a rider.
📋 What to carry at all times
- ✓ Insurance card — printed and saved offline on your phone
- ✓ Insurance 24-hour assistance number — save separately from the claims number
- ✓ Passport photocopy (photo page + visa sticker)
- ✓ Blood type + known allergies — written in Chinese
- ✓ Emergency contact — next of kin, saved under ICE in your phone
• • •
Need hospital information? → Chinese Hospital Guide
Need to get somewhere fast? → Didi Ride-Hailing Guide
Essential phrases in printable format → Chinese To-Go Cards
Updated August 2026