Healthcare in China:
What you actually
need to know.
China operates the world’s largest healthcare system — 1,795 Class A tertiary hospitals, costs 50–70% below the US, and clinical volumes that build procedural mastery no single Western hospital can match.
1,795
Class A tertiary hospitals
Scoring ≥900/1000 in NHC tri-annual quality & safety audits
National Health Commission, 2024
50–70%
Cost savings vs. US
Total procedure costs including travel, at comparable quality
Industry research / VBP data
9.55B
Outpatient visits / year
Across China's healthcare institutions in 2023
NHC Annual Report 2023
400+
Robotic surgical platforms
Installed nationwide including da Vinci, 3T MRI & AI diagnostics
Industry data, end-2024
728.7k
SCI papers in 2023
~⅓ of all global scientific publications
Clarivate / NHC, 2024
48.4%
Of global 'hot papers'
China's share of the world's most-cited new research
Clarivate Analytics, 2024
China health system
The largest healthcare
system on earth —
now open to you.
China’s National Health Commission (NHC) regulates a tiered hospital network of over 1,000,000 facilities. At the top sit 1,795 Class A tertiary hospitals — each evaluated tri-annually against a 2022-edition standard requiring ≥900 out of 1,000 points across patient safety, clinical quality, operational management, and service experience.
These aren’t vanity rankings. NHC audits include unannounced inspections, patient outcome tracking, infection rates, surgical complication rates, and staff qualification verification. A Class A hospital that slips below standard loses its designation — and the revenue that comes with it.
For international patients, Panda Touring Care provides direct access to 11 of these institutions with English-speaking coordination, itemized pricing, and guaranteed 12-month follow-up.
Hospital classification
China’s hospital
tier system, explained.
Class A Tertiary 三级甲等
Comprehensive care centers serving regional and national populations. Score ≥900/1000 in NHC audits. Most advanced equipment and specialist teams. 1,795 nationwide.
1,795 hospitals
Class B Tertiary 三级乙等
Multi-specialty hospitals with strong inpatient care. Score 750–900 in NHC audits. Regional referral centers.
~3,200 hospitals
Secondary 二级医院
District and county hospitals offering general inpatient and outpatient services. Most common in mid-sized cities.
~10,000+ hospitals
Primary 一级医院
Community health centers providing basic care, preventive medicine, and chronic disease management.
~35,000+ hospitals
All Panda Touring Care partner hospitals are Class A Tertiary — China’s highest designation.
Cost comparison
China vs. US vs. UK:
the real numbers.
All China figures include Panda Touring Care coordination. US and UK figures are published averages for comparable procedures.
Figures are estimates based on published industry data and internal Panda Touring Care pricing. Individual costs vary by hospital, protocol, and patient complexity.
Common questions
Everything you’ve wondered about China health.
- What is the China health system?
- China operates a tiered public health system regulated by the National Health Commission (NHC). At the top are Class A (三级甲等) tertiary hospitals — the highest-tier facilities that score ≥900/1000 in tri-annual NHC audits. In 2023 China's health institutions delivered ~9.55 billion outpatient visits and ~302 million hospital discharges.
- How good is healthcare in China?
- China ranks among the world's leaders in healthcare output. In 2023, China-affiliated authors published ~728,700 SCI papers — roughly one-third of all scientific papers globally. China accounts for ~48.4% of 'hot papers' (Clarivate 2024). Clinically, China's top 100 hospitals performed 7.89 million surgeries in 2021 alone, building exceptional procedural mastery.
- How much does medical treatment cost in China compared to the US?
- Independent studies show total procedure costs — including travel and accommodation — run 50–70% below US averages. National volume-based procurement (VBP) has reduced device costs dramatically: average coronary stent price fell from ~¥13,000 to ~¥700; joint prostheses dropped ~80% in price.
- Can foreigners get medical treatment in China?
- Yes. All major Class A tertiary hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have international patient departments with English-speaking coordinators. Panda Touring Care handles appointment booking, medical visa (M-visa) support, interpreter services, and post-treatment follow-up for patients from over 47 countries.
- What is a Class A tertiary hospital in China?
- Class A tertiary (三级甲等医院) is China's highest hospital designation. These facilities must achieve ≥900/1000 in the NHC's comprehensive 2022-edition evaluation covering patient safety, clinical quality, management systems, and service efficiency. There are 1,795 such hospitals nationwide as of 2024.
- Is china health care system public or private?
- China has a predominantly public system. Non-profit public hospitals deliver the vast majority of inpatient and outpatient services, with the government subsidizing costs through national insurance (医保). International patients typically pay out-of-pocket or through international health insurance, and can access these same public Class A hospitals through Panda Touring Care.
- What advanced medical technology does China have?
- Over 400 robotic surgical platforms — including da Vinci systems — were installed nationwide by end-2024. Major Class A hospitals are equipped with 3T MRI, PET-CT, AI diagnostic suites, proton therapy centers, and GMP-certified cellular therapy labs. China is a global leader in gene therapy and regenerative medicine clinical trials.
- How do I get a medical visa for China?
- International patients require a Medical Visa (M-visa / 医疗签证). Requirements include a passport, formal hospital appointment confirmation, and medical records. Panda Touring Care provides hospital invitation letters and visa application guidance. Processing typically takes 5–15 business days depending on your country of residence.
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