Planning guides
Cost of medical tourism in China — full 2026 reference
Comprehensive cost reference covering 30+ procedures across cardiac, oncology, orthopaedic, reproductive, dental, ophthalmic, and bariatric surgery — with country-by-country comparisons.
How prices are structured
Class A International Medical Department pricing for international patients is structured as all-in: pre-op workup, procedure, anaesthesia, inpatient admission, international-brand implants where applicable, standard medications, and 12-month telehealth follow-up. Excluded: airfare, accommodation outside hospital, optional add-ons (premium IOLs, custom implants), and home-country care.
Tier-1 vs tier-2 city differential
Tier-1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai) typically run 15–30% higher than tier-2 academic Class A centres (Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan) for the same standard of care. The differential reflects city-level cost factors. For complex procedures (CABG, complex cardiac, multidisciplinary oncology, complex paediatric, transplant), tier-1 access matters more than the price; for routine work, tier-2 saves significantly without quality loss.
Cardiac procedures
CABG (3-vessel): USD 22,000–35,000 vs USD 100,000–200,000 US. TAVI: USD 28,000–45,000 vs USD 80,000–150,000 US. Valve repair / replacement: USD 25,000–40,000 vs USD 90,000–180,000 US. Electrophysiology (AF ablation): USD 12,000–22,000 vs USD 40,000–80,000 US. See CABG procedure page for details.
Orthopaedic procedures
Total knee replacement: USD 9,500–14,000 vs USD 35,000–60,000 US. Total hip replacement: USD 10,500–15,500 vs USD 30,000–55,000 US. Lumbar microdiscectomy: USD 4,500–7,500 vs USD 25,000–60,000 US. Lumbar fusion: USD 12,000–22,000 vs USD 50,000–120,000 US. See knee replacement and hip replacement.
Reproductive medicine
Standard IVF + ICSI cycle: USD 5,500–9,500 vs USD 18,000–30,000 US. PGT-A add-on: USD 1,400–2,200. Egg freezing: USD 4,500–7,500 plus annual storage USD 250–450. See IVF procedure page.
Oncology
PD-1 inhibitor course (24 doses): USD 28,000–53,000 with domestic Chinese molecules vs USD 264,000+ Keytruda US. CAR-T (NMPA-approved): USD 200,000–350,000 vs USD 475,000+ axi-cel US. Proton therapy course: USD 35,000–55,000 vs USD 90,000–140,000 US. Heavy-ion course: USD 55,000–85,000.
Ophthalmology
Bilateral SMILE: USD 1,800–2,800 vs USD 4,200–6,500 US. Bilateral LASIK: USD 1,400–2,400. ICL implantation: USD 4,200–6,800 vs USD 9,000–14,000 US. Cataract surgery (per eye, premium IOL): USD 2,000–3,500 vs USD 4,000–7,500 US. See refractive procedure page.
Dentistry
Single implant (Straumann / Nobel): USD 1,200–2,200 vs USD 3,500–6,000 US. All-on-4 per arch (international-brand): USD 14,000–22,000 vs USD 25,000–45,000 US. Full mouth (both arches): USD 28,000–38,000 vs USD 50,000–80,000 US. See All-on-4 page.
Bariatric surgery
Sleeve gastrectomy: USD 9,500–14,000 vs USD 18,000–28,000 US. RYGB: USD 11,500–16,500 vs USD 24,000–35,000 US. SADI-S: USD 13,000–18,000. See bariatric procedure page.
What's not included
Not included in the listed price ranges: international airfare, accommodation outside hospital (typically USD 60–180/night for partner hotels), local ground transport, optional excursions, premium / custom implants beyond the standard included brand, home-country physiotherapy or follow-up, M-visa application fees.
Frequently asked
- Are these prices truly all-in?
- Yes for the inpatient and procedural side. Excluded: airfare, accommodation outside hospital, ground transport, premium upgrades. The hospital quote line-items what's included so you can compare apples-to-apples with home-country quotes.
- Why so much cheaper than the US?
- Lower facility and labour costs at Class A hospitals; centralised pharmaceutical procurement keeps drug prices low; international-brand implants are often procured at lower negotiated prices; most cost differential is supply-side, not quality compromise.
- How do I get a personalised quote?
- Submit your case via the booking page with recent imaging and medical records. Within 5 business days you receive a written line-item quote from a Class A partner hospital. The cost calculator gives a quick estimate before that.
Related procedures
Total knee replacement (TKA) in China
Class A orthopaedic centres in China perform total knee arthroplasty with international-brand implants (Zimmer, Stryker, DePuy) at roughly one-third of US private-pay pricing.
Cardiology · Cardiac surgeryCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in China
CABG at Fuwai Hospital and other Class A cardiac centres — globally-leading volume, modern off-pump and minimally invasive techniques, all-in cost approximately one-fifth of US private rates.
Reproductive medicineIVF + ICSI in China for international patients
Standard IVF + ICSI cycle at Class A reproductive medicine centres (PKU Third, Renji) for international patients — USD 5,500–9,500 all-in including stimulation medications, vs USD 18,000–30,000 US private rates.
OphthalmologyLASIK / SMILE / ICL refractive surgery in China
Bilateral SMILE, LASIK, and phakic ICL at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Aier Eye Hospital, and other Class A ophthalmology centres — substantially lower cost than US/EU private rates with the same equipment platforms.
DentistryAll-on-4 dental implants in China
Full-arch and All-on-4 implant rehabilitation at academic dental hospitals (PKU Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth) — international-brand implants (Straumann, Nobel Biocare), USD 14,000–22,000 per arch vs USD 25,000–45,000 US.
Bariatric surgerySleeve gastrectomy / bariatric surgery in China
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Class A bariatric centres — multidisciplinary workup, structured 12-month follow-up, USD 9,500–14,000 all-in vs USD 18,000–28,000 US private rates.
Oncology · Radiation oncologyProton therapy and heavy-ion therapy in China
Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Hospital (SPHIC) operates one of the largest dual proton + carbon-ion centres in Asia. Proton therapy USD 35,000–55,000 vs USD 90,000–140,000 US.
Further reading
PD-1 Inhibitors in China: Tislelizumab, Sintilimab, Camrelizumab vs Keytruda
China has approved four major domestic PD-1 inhibitors with strong clinical evidence in multiple tumour types. The cost gap with Keytruda is enormous — but so are the indication differences. Here is the careful comparison.
Medical TourismTier-1 vs Tier-2 Cities for Medical Tourism in China: Trade-offs Most Patients Miss
Beijing and Shanghai are the default for international medical tourism in China, but Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Wuhan offer Class A care at lower cost. Here are the trade-offs that matter clinically.
Sleep MedicineSleep Apnoea Diagnosis: Polysomnography Costs Compared (US, UK, Australia, China)
Obstructive sleep apnoea is undertreated in most countries because the diagnostic gateway — polysomnography — is expensive and slow. China changes that math.
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