Shanghai Hospitals for International Patients
Shanghai's strongest public hospitals belong mainly to the Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University systems. For foreigners, the practical route is the same as in Beijing: real-name booking with your passport, original imaging sent in advance, and an interpreter at the consultation — the hospitals do not provide one.
By China MedPass · Updated · How we write
What China MedPass does in Shanghai
Shanghai is one of China MedPass's four core cities, alongside Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu, and we have our own coordinators there. They book through each hospital's official system, arrange remote consultations with Shanghai specialists, and accompany you at the hospital as your interpreter.
- A dense cluster of Grade 3A teaching hospitals with national-level departments.
- The easiest international access in mainland China, through Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) airports.
- A good fit when your specialty's strongest centre is in Shanghai, or when you want one base for both treatment and onward travel.
Leading Shanghai hospitals and what they are known for
Chinese hospitals are strong department by department, not across the board. We match the department to your clinical question rather than the most famous name.
Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Neurology · Neurosurgery · Dermatology · Infectious disease
International patient guide →Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
Cardiology · Liver cancer & hepatobiliary surgery · Respiratory medicine · Cardiac surgery
International patient guide →Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Hematology · Endocrinology & metabolism · Burns · General surgery
International patient guide →Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Breast cancer · Gastrointestinal cancers · Lung cancer · Thyroid and head & neck cancer
International patient guide →Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Gastroenterology · Rheumatology & immunology · Reproductive medicine
International patient guide →Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital
Plastic & reconstructive surgery · Oral & maxillofacial surgery · Dentistry · Orthopedics
International patient guide →Shanghai Children's Medical Center
Pediatric cardiology & heart surgery · Pediatric hematology & oncology · General pediatrics
International patient guide →China MedPass is independent and is not an official representative of these hospitals. We take no commission from hospitals or doctors.
How booking works for foreigners
From our coordination work in public hospitals (as of September 2026). Release windows and fees differ by hospital; our local coordinators check the rules of your hospital.
- Booking is real-name: we need the patient's passport details (name exactly as on the passport) before appointment slots are released.
- Each hospital releases slots on its own schedule — in Beijing we see anything from about 7 to 15 days ahead — so we check the rules of your hospital before you fix travel dates.
- Slots cannot be held. A booking exists only once registration succeeds, which is why payment comes before we book.
- Nobody can promise a named specialist. We show you which suitable specialists see patients on your dates, you choose, and registration confirms it.
- Public hospitals do not provide interpreters — international departments included. China MedPass interprets at every consultation.
- Specialists usually need the original imaging (DICOM files), not screenshots or report photos. Send your records in their original language; we translate them so terms and values stay accurate.
- There is no quiet season. Plan early and avoid National Day (1–7 October) and the Spring Festival period, when specialist clinics largely close.
Hospital fees are passed on at cost with the hospital's receipt, and we are paid before we advance any hospital fee. See how a remote consultation works and our cost guides.
Getting to Shanghai
- Direct international flights into Pudong (PVG); Hongqiao (SHA) mainly serves domestic and regional routes.
- Frequent high-speed trains link Beijing and Shanghai in under five hours on the fastest services, so a two-city plan is practical when a case needs both.
- Check the visa rules for your passport before booking: short visits may qualify for visa-free entry; longer treatment needs a medical visa. We can provide a factual visa support letter.
Shanghai hospitals FAQ
Do you have staff in Shanghai?
Yes. China MedPass has its own coordinators in Shanghai, who book appointments and accompany patients at the hospital.
Should I choose Shanghai or Beijing?
Decide by department, not by city. Beijing has the widest range of national-leading departments; Shanghai leads in several fields and is easier to reach internationally. Send us your records and we will say where the strongest option for your question is.
Do Shanghai hospitals have English-speaking staff?
The hospitals do not provide interpreters, including their international departments. China MedPass interprets at the consultation.
Can I have a remote consultation with a Shanghai specialist first?
Yes. For most complex cases we suggest a remote consultation first, so you only travel when a visit is clearly worthwhile.
Can you guarantee a specific Shanghai doctor?
No. We show which suitable specialists see patients on your dates and you choose; the booking is confirmed only when registration succeeds.
Planning care in Shanghai?
Send your records in their original language. We tell you honestly which city and hospital fit your case, and what it would involve.
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