Foreign patients are flocking to China for affordable medical treatment. In 2025, visits to mainland hospitals by foreigners reached 1.28 million, up 73.6% from three years ago. China’s visa-free policies make it easy for many to come. The country offers 240-hour visa-free transit for 55 nations and full visa-free access for 48 others. One British woman, Amie, shared her experience after traveling to Beijing to treat a stomach problem. She faced long waits in the UK but completed her treatment in China in just 12 days. Her medical bill was only 2,800 yuan (US$400), much cheaper than UK private clinics where similar tests cost up to US$7,000. "I am really impressed. This is so efficient," Amie said. Foreign internet users compared costs. A regular heart test costs US$75 in China but between US$10,000 and US$20,000 in the US without insurance. Emergency care in China is about US$144, while ambulance fees alone in the US can be thousands. Even an X-ray in China costs just US$19, surprising many online. Foreigners also come for advanced medical care. Kevin, a Chinese-Canadian, took his daughter to Shanghai Ruijin Hospital in January for pancreatic surgery. Unlike hospitals in Canada, America, and Japan, where doctors recommended removing her spleen, Ruijin Hospital preserved it. The successful surgery cost about 160,000 yuan (US$23,000). Kevin praised the hospital’s world-class surgeons and overall care. The top medical services foreign patients seek are dental, eye care, and traditional Chinese medicine therapies like acupuncture and massage. A senior manager at a Shanghai hospital noted a sharp rise in foreign patients but reassured that local residents still have ample medical resources. China’s National Health Commission report confirms the trend, highlighting that although foreign visits have surged, most of the 10 billion hospital visits annually in China remain by locals.