PUMCH (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) Guide for International Patients (2026)
Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH, 北京协和医院) is consistently ranked China's top hospital for complex and rare diseases. Every year, thousands of international patients — overseas Chinese, expats living in Beijing, and medical tourists — seek care at PUMCH. But navigating China's largest public hospitals without language support or local knowledge is genuinely hard. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before, during, and after your PUMCH visit.
In this guide
1Essential Information
Full name: Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) / 北京协和医院
Main campus: 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing (East campus — where most outpatient clinics are located)
Getting there: Subway Line 5, Dengshikou Station, Exit B (~5-min walk); or Line 1, Dongdan Station, Exit A (~10-min walk)
Outpatient hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00. Some departments hold Saturday clinics — check in advance.
International Medical Department (IMD): Located in the East campus. IMD offers English-speaking doctors, a quieter environment, and longer consultation times, but charges significantly more than standard clinics.
2PUMCH's Strongest Departments
PUMCH is a comprehensive hospital but excels in certain specialties that attract the most international patients:
- Endocrinology — ranked #1 nationally; diabetes, thyroid disease, pituitary & adrenal disorders
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology — high-risk pregnancy, gynaecological oncology, infertility
- Rheumatology & Immunology — lupus, vasculitis, connective tissue diseases
- Gastroenterology — IBD (Crohn's / ulcerative colitis), complex GI conditions
- Haematology — blood disorders and blood cancers
- Neurology — rare neurological conditions
- International Medical Department — English-language general and specialist consultations
3Standard Clinic vs International Medical Department
This is the most common question from international patients. Here is an honest comparison:
Standard Clinic (普通门诊) - Registration fee: CNY ¥50–300 depending on doctor seniority - Requires appointment in advance (booked via 京医通 app or official WeChat) - Waiting time: 1–3 hours is common - Consultation time: 5–15 minutes - Doctors speak Chinese; bring an interpreter or use our escort service
International Medical Department (IMD / 国际医疗部) - Registration fee: CNY ¥300–500 - Appointments are easier to book (less competition) - Waiting time: usually under 1 hour - Consultation time: 15–30 minutes - Some doctors speak English; dedicated international patient coordinator - Overall cost significantly higher (all services are billed at IMD rates)
4Booking Your Appointment
Option 1: 京医通 (Jing Yi Tong) App — the main official booking platform for Beijing public hospitals. Available on iOS and Android; requires a Chinese phone number for registration. Opens 7 days in advance at 07:00 Beijing time. Popular specialists sell out within seconds — early-morning availability checks are essential.
Option 2: PUMCH Official WeChat Mini-Programme — search for '协和医院' in WeChat; some appointment slots are available here that are not on 京医通.
Option 3: International Medical Department booking — call the IMD directly or have a Chinese-speaking contact book on your behalf.
Option 4: Specialist clinics (特需门诊) — available for most senior PUMCH specialists. More expensive (CNY ¥300–500) but far easier to book and gives longer consultation time.
5What to Bring
Chinese doctors expect to see your complete medical history. Coming unprepared is the single biggest cause of wasted visits.
- Valid passport (required for first-time registration and ID verification)
- Previous medical records — originals preferred, including diagnoses and treatment history
- All imaging discs (CT, MRI, X-ray) — you MUST bring the actual disc, not just a printed report
- Recent lab results (within 3 months) — blood panels, hormone levels, tumour markers etc.
- Pathology reports (for cancer patients — originals essential; tissue blocks even better)
- Complete medication list — drug name, dose, and frequency (packaging or prescription)
- Insurance documents (if using international health insurance)
6On the Day: What to Expect
Arrive early. Get to the hospital 20–30 minutes before your appointment to complete self-check-in at the automated kiosks in the lobby.
Finding your clinic. PUMCH's East campus has multiple buildings. Floor maps are displayed in the lobby; volunteer guides are also available. Ask at the information desk if in doubt.
Consultation. Consultations are brief (5–15 min in standard clinics). Come with your top 2–3 questions written down. If you need an interpreter, your escort will interpret in real time.
After the consultation. The doctor will issue prescriptions, test referrals, or inpatient admission orders. Payment is made at cashier windows or self-service kiosks before proceeding to each service.
Getting results. Most blood results are available the same day (online via app). Imaging results may take same-day to next-day depending on the test. Pathology can take 3–7 days.
7Language Support Options
If you do not speak Mandarin, you have three practical options:
1. Patient escort with interpretation — A bilingual escort accompanies you throughout, interprets during the consultation, and provides an English summary after. This is the most cost-effective approach for standard clinic visits.
2. International Medical Department — English-speaking doctors and coordinators, but at a much higher cost.
3. Personal translator — Bringing a Mandarin-speaking friend or colleague. Note that medical terminology is specialised; a non-medical interpreter may miss important nuances.
For high-stakes specialist consultations, we recommend a trained patient escort rather than a general translator.
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