Is Shanghai a good choice for IVF treatment?

Yes. Shanghai has several nationally top-ranked reproductive medicine centers with success rates comparable to leading international clinics. The city's international environment also makes the extended stay required for IVF cycles more comfortable for foreign patients.

Can I use the 144-hour visa-free transit for medical treatment?

The 144-hour visa-free transit is designed for short stays and may not be ideal for most medical treatments. For planned medical travel, we recommend applying for a proper visa. Carevia can assist with documentation for your visa application.

How does the cost of treatment in Shanghai compare to other Chinese cities?

Shanghai's medical costs are generally 10-20% higher than cities like Guangzhou or Chengdu, reflecting its premium positioning. However, costs remain 50-70% lower than comparable treatments in the US or Europe.

What makes Shanghai different from Beijing for medical tourism?

While Beijing excels in sheer depth of specialist expertise and government-affiliated hospitals, Shanghai offers a more international-friendly environment, more JCI-accredited facilities, and particular strengths in reproductive medicine and proton therapy. The choice depends on your specific medical needs.

Medical Tourism Destination

Shanghai上海

China's international medical hub with world-class cancer care and pediatric expertise

Shanghai combines a cosmopolitan international environment with some of China's most advanced medical facilities. The city is particularly strong in oncology, reproductive medicine, pediatric care, and minimally invasive surgery. Its well-established international patient services, along with numerous JCI-accredited hospitals, make it the most accessible Chinese city for medical tourists.

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40+Top-tier hospitals

6+JCI-accredited facilities

#1Most international-friendly

30M+Annual outpatient visits (top hospitals)

Medical Expertise

Why Choose Shanghai for Medical Care

Oncology & Proton Therapy

Shanghai hosts the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, one of the few facilities in China offering proton therapy. Major cancer hospitals provide comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment.

Reproductive Medicine & IVF

Shanghai has several nationally top-ranked IVF centers with high success rates. Services include IVF, egg freezing, genetic screening (PGT), and fertility preservation.

Pediatric Medicine

Home to China's leading children's hospitals, Shanghai offers specialized pediatric surgery, oncology, cardiology, and rare disease treatment with family-friendly international patient services.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Shanghai excels in liver disease treatment, hepatobiliary surgery, GI cancer treatment, and advanced endoscopic procedures, with nationally recognized transplant programs.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Shanghai's cosmetic surgery market is among the most sophisticated in China, with hospitals offering advanced facial reconstruction, body contouring, and microsurgical techniques.

Dental Care

A growing number of international-standard dental clinics offer implants, veneers, orthodontics, and full-mouth rehabilitation at a fraction of Western costs.

Travel & Logistics

Planning Your Trip to Shanghai

International Airport

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Flight Connections

Extensive direct international routes to cities across Asia, Europe, Americas, Middle East, and Oceania. Pudong is a major Asian transit hub.

Suggested Stay Duration

5-14 days for most treatments; IVF cycles may require 2-3 weeks; dental procedures often 7-10 days

Visa & Entry

Standard Chinese visa required. 144-hour visa-free transit available for citizens of 54 countries arriving at Pudong or Hongqiao airports.

Accommodation

Shanghai offers extensive international hotel chains, serviced apartments, and hospital-adjacent accommodation. Many facilities are in walkable urban districts.

Language Support

Shanghai has the highest English proficiency among Chinese cities. Most top hospitals have international departments. Carevia provides medical interpreters for all appointments.

Ideal Patients

Who Should Consider Shanghai

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International patients who prefer an English-friendly, cosmopolitan environment

Couples seeking IVF or reproductive medicine services

Patients needing proton therapy or advanced cancer treatment

Families with children requiring specialized pediatric care

Those seeking dental implants, cosmetic procedures, or comprehensive health checkups

Recommended Hospitals

Top Hospitals in Shanghai

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Grade III Grade A

Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shuguang Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a century-old, Grade III Class A comprehensive TCM hospital in Shanghai. It is a research-oriented TCM hospital jointly supported by the provincial and ministerial governments, ranking among the top ten comprehensive hospitals in Shanghai, and is a National Civilized Unit. It has been awarded the title of "Shanghai Civilized Unit" 19 times consecutively (the only one in the Shanghai health system), and has repeatedly received honors such as National Advanced Collective in the Health System and National Advanced Unit in Hospital Culture Construction. In 2001, it became the first TCM hospital in China to pass ISO9001 quality management system certification. Since 2010, the hospital has received an A-level rating in the Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center's performance evaluation of municipal hospital directors 11 times, and has ranked first in the national performance evaluation of Grade III public TCM hospitals four times in five years.

Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Grade III Grade A

Shanghai Tongji Hospital

Founded in 1991, Ganquan Hospital bore the responsibility and mission of Tongji University to revitalize Tongji Medical School. In 2000, at the beginning of the new century, it merged with Tongji University and was renamed Tongji University Affiliated Tongji Hospital. The name "Tongji Hospital" once again stood tall on the land of Shanghai, embarking on a new journey. In 2010, Tongji Hospital was transferred to the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and placed under the jurisdiction of the Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center, jointly managed by Tongji University and the Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center. Today, carrying the century-old medical dream of Tongji University, Tongji University Affiliated Tongji Hospital, under the witness of history, has repeatedly awakened the spirit of Tongji. Under the leadership of Tongji University and the Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center, it has worked together, striving hard, and climbed one medical peak after another.

Shanghai Tongji Hospital

Ready to Plan Your Medical Trip to Shanghai?

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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