Emergency Help
Emergency help guides for China, including police, ambulance, hospitals, traffic accidents, feeling unsafe, and key numbers to save.
If something feels urgent, this is the section to save before you need it. Not to scare you. Just so you have a first move ready when you are tired, stressed, or stuck without the Chinese words.
Most China trips are safe and ordinary. Still, the useful questions are the awkward ones: Who do I call? What do I say? What if nobody speaks English? What if my phone, passport, payment, or location sharing fails?
Main emergency numbers in mainland China
| Need | Number in mainland China | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 110 | Crime, threats, danger, urgent public-security help. |
| Ambulance | 120 | Medical emergencies and ambulance dispatch. |
| Fire | 119 | Fire, smoke, rescue situations. |
| Traffic accident | 122 | Traffic accidents. In some cities, 110 may also handle this. |
Do not rely only on emergency numbers. Save your hotel’s front desk number, your hotel address in Chinese, your embassy or consulate emergency contact, your travel insurance contact, and at least one family or friend contact outside China.
Pick the emergency situation
Emergency numbers
Save 110, 120, 119, and 122, plus the practical backup contacts you should prepare before landing.
Calling the police
What to say, what information to prepare, and how to ask hotel or public staff for help if English is difficult.
Medical emergency
A calm plan for ambulance, hospital, translation, insurance, allergies, payment, and medical documents.
Traffic accident
What to do after a taxi, ride-hailing, bike, scooter, or pedestrian accident, and what not to leave too early.
Feeling unsafe
A practical plan for unwanted following, late-night pressure, arguments, scams turning aggressive, or uncomfortable situations.
The first 60 seconds rule
- Move to a staffed public place if you can. Hotel lobby, mall service desk, station counter, airport counter, restaurant cashier, or police station.
- Say or show what happened in one sentence. Do not over-explain at first.
- Show your location. Use the map, hotel card, address screenshot, or nearby landmark.
- Ask someone local to call if language is a problem. Staff are often more useful than a random passerby.
- Keep records. Photos, receipts, ride order screenshots, plate numbers, hospital documents, and names matter later.
Save these before you fly
- Your hotel name, phone number, and address in Chinese.
- Your embassy or consulate emergency contact. This depends on your nationality.
- Travel insurance emergency contact.
- Passport photo page screenshot and offline copy.
- One trusted person outside China who can access your travel details.
FAQ
Should I call 911 or 112 in mainland China?
Do not rely on 911 or 112 as your main emergency plan in mainland China. Save the local numbers above and ask hotel or public staff for help if you cannot communicate clearly.
Will emergency operators speak English?
Sometimes, especially in larger cities, but it is not something you should depend on. Prepare simple Chinese phrases, your location, and a staff-assisted backup plan.
Is this section for Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan?
No. This section is written for mainland China. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan use different emergency systems.