Foreigners flock to Chinese hospitals for 'medical tourism'

Visiting a top-tier Chinese hospital has become a new "must-do" for many foreign tourists, joining mobile payments and high-speed trains on their travel checklists, according to Phoenix Weekly.

On TikTok, the hashtag "Medical Tourism" is buzzing with foreigners sharing their experiences of seeking affordable and efficient healthcare in China.

Data shows a surge in inbound patients. In 2024, Shenzhen recorded 770,000 visits by overseas patients, while Shanghai's 13 designated hospitals saw a 15 percent increase in foreign patients, totaling nearly 270,000 visits.

The primary draw is cost.

Many foreigners are stunned by the price difference. A heart checkup that might cost US$10,000-US$20,000 in the US without insurance costs only about US$75 in China. An X-ray for $19 is cheaper than a toy doctor kit in a Western supermarket, one TikTok user exclaimed.

Efficiency is another major factor.

British influencer Amy shared her story of flying to Beijing after suffering from undiagnosed stomach issues for two years in the UK. On her first day in China, she was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer – a process that would have taken months of waiting for specialist appointments back home.

"I didn't even make an appointment," is a common opening line in these viral videos, showcasing the speed of China's medical system where same-day consultations and tests are the norm.

The new "tourism triad" for many visitors now includes dentistry, optometry, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

A US$15 teeth cleaning or a US$20 cavity filling is seen as a steal compared to prices abroad, where dental care is often not covered by insurance.

Despite concerns about resource allocation, experts note that international medical services are often run separately as "special needs" departments, accounting for less than 10 percent of hospital services and charging higher fees, thus operating as a revenue generator rather than a drain on public resources.