Health and Hygiene

Prior to departing for China, it is recommended that you get accident and medical insurance coverage for any medical expenses that may arise during a trip.

Vaccine: In China, people from a yellow fever area are required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination. For those who plan to travel between counties, this must be taken in consideration when you travel from a yellow fever area and then plan to enter China.

Drinking water: Tap water is not safe. Although many locals do drink the tap water, it is recommended that you drink only bottled water or boiled water. Bottled water is available everywhere. Boiled water is available in all hotels and restaurants. In some remote areas, water purification tablets are recommended for travelers to carry and use when neither boiled water nor bottled drinks are available.

Food: Although food is prepared fresh and cooked or cleaned thoroughly, stomach upsets are possible so it is advisable to take some medicine with you. Avoid eating food being sold at roadsides and raw or undercooked food.

Common illnesses:

• Disagreeing with a new environment: When entering into a new area, most people find themselves disagreeing with the environment. People will usually have poor appetite, trouble sleeping, etc. It is advisable to eat more fruit and avoid greasy food. Vitamin B2 is good for this condition.

• Colds: Due to the weather changes, it is easy to catch cold. It is advisable to take different sets of clothes preventing getting cold. Once you are ill, take medicine as soon as possible. A good rest helps your recovery. Vitamin C and aspirin may help.

• Heatstroke: The summer in some areas of China is quite hot. You should take good sun protective measures; otherwise, you will suffer heatstroke. It is strongly recommended to drink more water during your travels.

• Diarrhea: Frequently affecting travelers, it is generally caused by a change of diet, or sometimes by contaminated food or water. It is wise to carry some anti-diarrhea capsules, such as Imodium. Should your symptoms persist, seek professional advice to stop the problem from becoming serious.

• Food poisoning: Consuming toxins or bacteria in contaminated food will cause food poisoning. Once you are vomiting and purging, go to a qualified hospital immediately.

• Respiratory illness: The symptom of this disease is coughing, shortness of breath and sometimes chest pain. The cause for this disease varies which will decide what kind of treatment you should take. The usual medicine for it is antibiotics.

• Altitude sickness: Some regions of China, including Tibet, Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan have very high altitudes. These can put strain on your health. People with heart disease or high blood pressure are advised not to travel in these areas in view of the serious physical problems that can occur.

Medical Service:

Basic medical service can be guaranteed in most Chinese cities, especially those with a large tourist market. However, quality of service may vary between geographic regions. The condition of medical facilities in the countryside is generally worse than in the city, where there are many critical care hospitals with advanced medical equipment and qualified doctors. Some of the superior hospitals have the capability to serve foreign patients in English. In Beijing, the United Family Hospitals and Clinics are well-known for providing quality medical care to tourists who do not speak Mandarin.

Other quality hospitals in China can also offer medical service in English, such as Beijing Xiehe Hospital, Shanghai Renai Hospital, Xian Xijing Hospital and Shenzhen Fuhua I.T.W.M Hospital. Some of the hospitals have a clinic specialized for foreigners, and the Information Desk may also offer triage and intake services in English.

Most four and five-star hotels in China have infirmaries that can provide immediate medical attention, but they are only equipped to deal with minor illness and injury. If this medical service is unavailable where you are staying, you can call the reception desk for assistance, as they may be able to arrange for a physician to come directly to the hotel. It is strongly recommended that you go to a superior hospital for any illness you believe may be serious.

If you join a tour group, your tour guide or travel agency may also be able to provide assistance with medical problems. If you feel ill, tell them as soon as possible so they may arrange for timely medical care.

Other health tips:

• Drink a lot of water. It could help you minimize the possibility of getting an illness.

• Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your mouth.

• Proper precaution should be taken against exposure to strong summer sun.

• Do not undertake intimate activities without protection. Always use condoms if you have sex in order to reduce sexually transmitted diseases.

• Plan your tour schedule carefully allowing for rest breaks so as to avoid becoming exhausted.

• Carry your own chopsticks and a metal bowl with a lid for train journeys and meals in small roadside restaurants.

• Fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly in purified water, then peeled or boiled.

• Toilets off the beaten tourist track tend to be primitive so it is useful to bring along your own sanitary necessities and moist towels when venturing outside your hotel.