Why should I choose Chengdu over Beijing or Shanghai for medical treatment?

Chengdu is ideal if you're seeking TCM treatments, rehabilitation services, or if cost is an important factor. Treatment and living costs are 30-40% lower than Beijing or Shanghai. The city's relaxed pace and pleasant environment also make it excellent for recovery. For highly specialized surgical procedures, Beijing or Shanghai may have deeper expertise.

What is special about TCM treatment in Chengdu?

Chengdu has been a center of Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. The city is home to Chengdu University of TCM and its affiliated hospital, one of China's top TCM institutions. Treatments combine ancient techniques with modern diagnostics for conditions like chronic pain, digestive disorders, and post-surgical recovery.

Is Chengdu suitable for a longer medical stay?

Yes, Chengdu is one of the best Chinese cities for extended medical stays. The cost of living is low, the food is world-famous, the pace of life is relaxed, and the city offers plenty of cultural activities. Many patients combine TCM or rehabilitation programs with leisure experiences like visiting the panda base.

How accessible is Chengdu for international travelers?

Chengdu's new Tianfu International Airport has expanded international connectivity significantly. The city offers 144-hour visa-free transit and is well-connected to most Asian hubs. While English is less common than in Shanghai, Carevia provides full interpreter support for your entire stay.

Medical Tourism Destination

Chengdu成都

Southwest China's healthcare center with strengths in Traditional Chinese Medicine and rehabilitative care

Chengdu is the leading medical center of western China, known for its strong healthcare system, rich TCM heritage, and relaxed pace of life that supports recovery. The city offers excellent value for money with lower living and treatment costs compared to eastern coastal cities. Chengdu is particularly strong in Traditional Chinese Medicine, rehabilitation, orthopedics, and digestive system treatments.

Start Planning Your Trip View Hospitals

20+Top-tier hospitals

#1TCM hub in western China

35%+Lower costs than coastal cities

72hrVisa-free transit available

Medical Expertise

Why Choose Chengdu for Medical Care

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Chengdu is one of China's most important TCM centers, with leading hospitals offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, tuina massage, and integrative treatment protocols for chronic conditions, pain management, and post-surgical recovery.

Rehabilitation Medicine

The city's rehabilitation facilities are among the best in western China, providing comprehensive programs for stroke recovery, orthopedic rehabilitation, and chronic disease management.

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

West China Hospital's orthopedic department is nationally ranked, offering joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, spinal procedures, and sports injury treatment.

Gastroenterology

Chengdu hospitals have strong expertise in digestive diseases, including advanced endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease treatment, and hepatobiliary surgery.

Health Checkups & Wellness

Chengdu offers comprehensive health checkup packages at significantly lower costs than coastal cities, combined with wellness programs incorporating TCM and the city's renowned relaxed lifestyle.

Travel & Logistics

Planning Your Trip to Chengdu

International Airport

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)

Flight Connections

Direct flights to major Asian cities, select European and Middle Eastern destinations. Good domestic connections to all Chinese cities.

Suggested Stay Duration

7-21 days for most treatments; TCM and rehabilitation programs may benefit from 2-4 week stays

Visa & Entry

Standard Chinese visa required. 144-hour visa-free transit available at Chengdu airports for eligible nationalities.

Accommodation

Very affordable compared to coastal cities. Comfortable hotels and serviced apartments near hospital areas, with many options in the peaceful Qingyang and Jinniu districts.

Language Support

Mandarin and Sichuan dialect spoken locally. English proficiency is limited outside international hotels. Carevia provides professional medical interpreters throughout your stay.

Ideal Patients

Who Should Consider Chengdu

Start Planning Your Trip

Patients seeking Traditional Chinese Medicine or integrative treatment

Those needing rehabilitation services in a comfortable recovery environment

Budget-conscious medical travelers seeking excellent value

Patients combining medical treatment with cultural tourism (pandas, Sichuan cuisine, tea culture)

Those seeking orthopedic procedures at nationally ranked departments

Recommended Hospitals

Top Hospitals in Chengdu

View All Hospitals

Grade III Grade A

Chengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital

Chengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital (Chengdu First People's Hospital, Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), established in 1926, is a tertiary-level Class A comprehensive hospital integrating medical treatment, teaching, and scientific research. It is Chengdu's first municipal-level public hospital, one of the first batch of national key integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine hospitals, and one of the first batch of flagship integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine hospitals in Sichuan Province. The hospital has adopted a "321" intensive management model, operating two campuses: one on Wanxiang North Road in the High-tech Zone and the other on Hongxing Road in Qingyang District, with a total of 2,400 beds. It currently has 2,869 employees, including 524 senior professionals and 765 doctoral and master's degree holders. The hospital boasts 5 national-level talents, including experts enjoying State Council special allowances, and 56 provincial and municipal-level renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Its disciplinary clusters are prominent, including 8 national-level advantageous traditional Chinese medicine specialties, 3 national-level flagship departments for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and 67 provincial and municipal-level key specialties. It has jointly established the world's fifth medical simulation center with Harvard Medical School and the Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Research Institute with Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, promoting high-level disciplinary development.

Chengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital

Grade III Grade A

Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital

Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, founded in 1941, was originally the "Sichuan Provincial Public Hospital," an affiliated hospital of the former National Central University Medical School. It was renamed Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital in 1952 and was among the first batch of national Grade III Class A hospitals in 1989. In 2002, it merged with the Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences (formerly the Sichuan Branch of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) to become Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital. In 2013, it partnered with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China to jointly establish a medical school, becoming an affiliated hospital of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. The hospital currently has 4,500 beds and multiple treatment and teaching/research units.

Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital

Grade III Grade A

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

West China Hospital of Sichuan University was founded in 1892, and the West China School of Clinical Medicine of Sichuan University originated from the medical school of West China Union University in 1914. It has now grown into a national-level center for the diagnosis and treatment of complex, critical, and severe illnesses in western China, a renowned institution of higher medical education in China, and a national-level base for first-class medical scientific research and technological innovation, with comprehensive strength ranking among the top in China and advanced internationally. It was among the first batch of national medical center construction units and a pilot hospital for high-quality development jointly built by the national and provincial governments. It houses the National Medical Center for Mental Illness and two national regional medical centers.

West China Hospital of Sichuan University

Ready to Plan Your Medical Trip to Chengdu?

Let Carevia help you find the right hospital, coordinate your treatment plan, and arrange every detail of your medical travel to China.

Start Planning View All Hospitals

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?

Our medical travel coordinators can help you plan your trip.