What things actually cost
Itemized prices for checkups, imaging, endoscopy and more at Chinese public and international hospitals, with sources and dates.
Every figure below is sourced and dated. Chinese hospital pricing changes, so check the date and verify before you commit. These are public hospital prices unless noted.
Diagnostics
| Test | Public hospital (CNY) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Complete blood count | ¥25–40 | $4–6 |
| Liver function panel | ¥60–120 | $8–17 |
| Kidney function panel | ¥50–100 | $7–14 |
| Thyroid function (TSH, FT3, FT4) | ¥120–200 | $17–28 |
| Tumour markers (per marker) | ¥50–130 | $7–18 |
| ECG | ¥30–60 | $4–8 |
| Abdominal ultrasound | ¥120–300 | $17–42 |
| Chest X-ray | ¥80–150 | $11–21 |
| Low-dose chest CT | ¥300–600 | $42–84 |
| MRI (single region) | ¥400–1,200 | $56–168 |
| PET-CT | ¥7,000–9,500 | $980–1,330 |
| Gastroscopy (without sedation) | ¥400–800 | $56–112 |
| Gastroscopy (sedated) | ¥900–1,800 | $126–252 |
| Colonoscopy (sedated) | ¥1,200–2,500 | $168–350 |
Health checkup packages
| Tier | What it includes | Price (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Blood panel, ECG, abdominal ultrasound, chest X-ray, vitals | ¥500–1,200 |
| Standard | Above plus thyroid ultrasound, tumour markers, expanded bloodwork | ¥1,200–2,500 |
| Comprehensive | Above plus CT, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, cardiac screening | ¥2,500–5,500 |
The international department premium
Public hospitals with an international department charge more. Typically three to ten times the standard clinic for registration, and 1.5× to 3× for tests.
| Item | Standard clinic | International department |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | ¥10–50 | ¥300–1,000 |
| Specialist consultation | included | ¥800–3,000 |
| Ward, per day | ¥200–500 | ¥1,500–5,000 |
| Tests and imaging | government price | 1.5×–3× |
What you get for the premium: English-speaking staff (not guaranteed in every department), advance scheduling, shorter waits, and — at partner hospitals — international insurance direct billing.
What you do not automatically get: a better doctor. The same specialists usually work both clinics. Lab turnaround is the same.
Total cost of a trip
A three-day checkup trip from Southeast Asia:
| Item | CNY |
|---|---|
| Standard checkup | ¥1,500 |
| Round-trip flights | ¥2,500–4,500 |
| Hotel, 3 nights | ¥900–2,400 |
| Meals and local transport | ¥400–800 |
| Visa (if needed) | ¥200–1,000 |
| Total | ¥5,500–10,200 |
How China compares
| Procedure | China | Singapore | Thailand | USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MRI (single region) | $56–168 | $400–900 | $250–500 | $1,000–3,000 |
| PET-CT | $980–1,330 | $1,500–2,500 | $1,200–2,000 | $2,500–8,000 |
| Colonoscopy (sedated) | $168–350 | $800–1,500 | $400–800 | $1,500–4,000 |
| Knee replacement | $7,600–11,800 | $15,000–25,000 | $12,000–18,000 | $35,000–50,000 |
| Cardiac bypass | $11,800–20,200 | $25,000–40,000 | $20,000–30,000 | $70,000–120,000 |
The honest framing
China is not the cheapest place for a basic checkup. It becomes competitive when you need advanced imaging, endoscopy, specialist work, or surgery. That is where the gap opens up.
And price is only half the story. For many patients, the deciding factor is not cost but waiting time — the difference between three weeks and three months.
Notes on these figures
- Converted at approximately 1 USD = 7.1 CNY.
- Public hospital prices are government-guided, so they are broadly consistent nationally.
- Actual charges depend on the hospital, department tier, and your specific tests.
- Private and international hospitals set their own prices and can be substantially higher.
- We do not accept payment from any hospital to appear in these figures. These are market ranges, not quotes.
Informational only — not medical advice. We do not recommend hospitals or treatments. Prices are as of October 2026 and subject to change. Always request an itemized written estimate directly from the hospital before committing to treatment.