How to book a hospital appointment in China: hotline, WeChat and app routes

A City News Service article on the Shanghai government English site, dated 19 August 2025, says appointments can be made in person, via hotline, or through the hospital's WeChat account.

Routes the Shanghai pages list

A guide on the Shanghai government English site, updated 26 May 2026, says most hospitals have appointment booking services, through the hotline or online platforms.

A handbook on the Shanghai government English site, dated 17 November 2025 and sourced from the China Scholarship Council, says that for online registration, you can book in advance via the hospital's official WeChat account, app, or through medical health services on Alipay and WeChat.

A student's guide on the Shanghai government English site, dated 29 October 2024, says many hospitals offer online appointment registration via their website, WeChat, or other platforms.

The handbook says that for on-site registration, you go to the registration office in the outpatient hall.

Identity on booking

The handbook says hospitals generally require real-name registration.

The handbook says to bring your ID and other necessary documents to identify your verification.

The Suishenban app in the Shanghai guide

The Shanghai guide says to scan the QR code to download the Suishenban app.

The guide says that after opening the app, you register, then tap "Healthcare" on the home page and select "Make an appointment".

The guide says that if it is your first visit, you tap "Patient" and then "Add a patient" to register your personal information.

The guide says to select the hospital, department, and doctor, then tap "Make an appointment" to confirm the appointment time and details.

The guide says that after confirming your information, you tap "Confirm", and the system will send a verification code to your mobile phone.

The guide says you may need some basic Chinese.

The Beijing route

The Beijing Municipal Government English medical guide for foreigners says to enter the "International Service Beijing" mini program on WeChat/Alipay, click "En" to switch to the English version, and make an appointment according to your needs.

One hospital's app and mini program in Beijing

A Beijing Municipal Government English page on the International Medical Services of Peking Union Medical College Hospital says international patients can download the official app of the hospital and make an appointment on the IMS English interface.

The Beijing page says that alternatively, Chinese friends can assist by adding your information to their patient list and making the appointment on your behalf.

The Beijing page says the hospital's WeChat mini program can be reached by scanning its QR code, searching for the hospital's name in WeChat, or clicking the appointment registration entry in the hospital's official WeChat account.

A WeChat mini program in Guangzhou

A news item on the Guangzhou International portal, updated 10 January 2024, says the health commission's mini program on WeChat has added the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card as one of the valid documents.

The Guangzhou item says that after creating an account, you choose a hospital, department and doctor for your appointment, and you will need to pay the registration fee.

The Guangzhou item says the service is available in 17 medical institutions in Guangzhou.

On arrival

The Shanghai guide says that after arriving at the hospital, the patient should first register (guahao) at the admission desk and pay an admission fee.

Questions people ask

What booking routes does the Shanghai article list?

The City News Service article says appointments can be made in person, via hotline, or through the hospital's WeChat account.

What does the Beijing guide say about the English version?

The Beijing guide says to click "En" to switch to the English version of the "International Service Beijing" mini program.

What does the Beijing page say about help from friends?

The Beijing page says that alternatively, Chinese friends can assist by adding your information to their patient list and making the appointment on your behalf.

Sources

Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general administrative information. It is not published by the bodies named above, and it is not medical advice. If it differs from the official pages, the official pages prevail, and figures and services may change after the check date.