Get Around CN
Emergency help

Emergency Help in China

Fast emergency numbers, embassy guidance and practical steps for foreigners in China.

Read this first

If there is immediate danger, call local emergency services first. Embassy and consular staff can help with lost passports, serious accidents, arrests, deaths and contacting family, but they usually cannot replace local police, ambulance or fire services.

Last verified: 2026-05-21

Emergency numbers

Call the right local number first

These numbers are intended as fast-reference information. Availability of English-speaking operators can vary by city and situation.

Police

Crime, public safety incidents, assault, theft, threats or urgent police help.

110

Ask your hotel, host or a nearby Chinese speaker to help explain the situation if language is difficult.

Fire

Fire, smoke, rescue situations or immediate fire department help.

119

Leave the building first if it is unsafe.

Ambulance / Medical Emergency

Serious illness, injury, accident, fainting, chest pain or urgent medical transport.

120

Keep your hotel address or current location in Chinese ready.

Traffic Police

Traffic accidents, road incidents or vehicle-related emergencies.

122

If you used Didi or a taxi, keep screenshots of the trip and plate number.

Maritime Search and Rescue

Emergency situations at sea or on waterways.

12395

Useful for coastal, ferry, boating or maritime incidents.

Immigration Service Hotline

Immigration, exit-entry, visa, border inspection or accommodation registration questions.

12367

The China Immigration Service Hotline provides 24/7 support and multilingual options according to official NIA information.

What to do first

  1. Move to a safe place if you are in danger.
  2. Call the correct local emergency number: police 110, fire 119, ambulance 120, traffic police 122.
  3. Show your location in Chinese. Use your hotel booking, Amap/Baidu Maps address, Didi trip page or a screenshot.
  4. Contact your hotel, host, tour operator or employer if you need Chinese-language help.
  5. Contact your embassy or consulate for consular emergencies such as a lost passport, arrest, serious accident or death.
  6. Keep evidence: screenshots, receipts, police report numbers, hospital records, taxi/Didi details and contact names.

Embassy and consulate help

Foreign visitors should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of their own country in China for consular emergencies. Embassy and consular services vary by country, but they may help with:

  • lost or stolen passports;
  • serious illness, injury or hospitalization;
  • arrest or detention;
  • victims of crime;
  • death of a citizen;
  • contacting family or emergency contacts.

They usually cannot pay your bills, act as your lawyer, override Chinese law, or replace police/ambulance/fire services. Always call local emergency services first if there is immediate danger.

Useful official starting points

  • U.S. citizens: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China emergency contacts.
  • British nationals: GOV.UK China travel advice and consular help.
  • Australians: Australian Embassy in China emergency services page.
  • Other nationalities: search for your country name + “embassy in China emergency contact” and use official government domains only.

Lost passport or stolen documents

  1. Report theft or loss to local police and ask how to obtain a police report or loss report.
  2. Contact your embassy or consulate for emergency travel document instructions.
  3. Keep copies of your passport, visa/entry stamp, hotel booking and flight details.
  4. If you cannot check into a hotel or travel because of missing documents, ask your embassy/consulate and local police for the correct next step.
  5. Do not rely on screenshots alone for official replacement procedures; follow your embassy or consulate guidance.

Useful emergency phrases

Show these phrases to hotel staff, police, hospital staff or a nearby Chinese speaker if you cannot explain the situation.

Please call the police.
请帮我报警。
Qǐng bāng wǒ bàojǐng.
Please call an ambulance.
请帮我叫救护车。
Qǐng bāng wǒ jiào jiùhùchē.
I need help.
我需要帮助。
Wǒ xūyào bāngzhù.
I lost my passport.
我的护照丢了。
Wǒ de hùzhào diū le.
Please help me contact my embassy.
请帮我联系我的大使馆。
Qǐng bāng wǒ liánxì wǒ de dàshǐguǎn.
This is my hotel address.
这是我的酒店地址。
Zhè shì wǒ de jiǔdiàn dìzhǐ.

Emergency articles

1 published emergency guide.

1 guides
1 / 1
Emergency Help in China | Get Around CN