Canadian Medical Travel Coordination
Medical Treatment in China
for Canadian Patients
China is home to the world's only government approved medical tourism pilot zone in Hainan Province, which recorded 865,300 medical visits in 2025. Maple Med Global, a Toronto based Canadian medical travel coordinator, helps Canadians plan cancer care, cardiac care, and access to therapies not yet registered in Canada.
Last updated: June 2026
Quick Facts
Visa for Canadians
Visa-free entry for up to 30 days. Mainland China permits tourism, business, family visits, exchange, and transit through December 31, 2026; the mainland scheme does not list medical treatment as a permitted purpose, so confirm with the Chinese consulate or obtain a regular visa before mainland treatment. Hainan Province permits visa-free entry for up to 30 days and explicitly lists medical treatment as a permitted purpose, which is the cleanest route to the Boao Lecheng pilot zone. Passport validity must be at least six months on entry.
Official language and hospital languages
Mandarin Chinese. English support is concentrated in international and joint venture hospitals, the international patient departments of leading specialty hospitals, and the Boao Lecheng pilot zone. In large public specialty hospitals English support is limited; interpreter services should be arranged in advance.
Currency
Renminbi (RMB), with the yuan (CNY) as the basic unit. Alipay and WeChat Pay are dominant and now allow foreign visitors to link an international credit card. International cards are accepted at many large hotels but not universally.
Flights from Canada to China
Direct flights from Canada land mainly in Shanghai (PVG) and Beijing (PEK). For the Boao Lecheng pilot zone in Hainan Province, the closest international airport is Haikou (HAK), generally reached with one connection from Canada.
from Toronto (YYZ)
to Shanghai (PVG)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: About 13 to 16 hours
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD From 1,500 / peak CAD 2,000 to 2,800
from Vancouver (YVR)
to Shanghai (PVG)
Direct: Yes
Flight time: About 11 to 13 hours
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD From 1,060 / peak CAD about 1,500
from Calgary (YYC)
to Shanghai (PVG)
Direct: No, one stop
Flight time: About 16 to 17 hours total
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD From 1,250 / peak higher in peak
from Montreal (YUL)
to Shanghai (PVG)
Direct: No, one stop
Flight time: About 18 to 19 hours total
Round-trip: Off-peak CAD From 1,500 / peak higher in peak
Fares are indicative and shift with season and booking lead time. Off-peak coverage is generally late autumn and January; peak coverage is July, August, and Chinese New Year.
Where to Stay
Shanghai is the main hub for international patients seeking treatment in mainland China, with hotels concentrated in Pudong (close to Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center and Pudong International Airport) and the Bund area (central, well served by transit). The most comfortable months for recovery in Shanghai are mid March to late May and mid September to mid November. June through early September is hot and humid and includes typhoon season, which can disrupt flights. In Beijing the best windows are April, May, September, and October. In Hainan the warmer southern climate is most pleasant from November through March, with typhoon risk between June and October.
3-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 55 to 125
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Per week, 7 nights
CAD 385 to 875
4-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 85 to 165
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Per week, 7 nights
CAD 595 to 1,155
5-star hotels
Average nightly
CAD 150 to 280
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Per week, 7 nights
CAD 1,050 to 1,960
Safety and Travel
The Government of Canada's official travel advisory for China is set at Exercise a high degree of caution, the second of four risk levels. Shanghai, Beijing, and the Hainan medical zone are major, well policed centres. The most common visitor issues are pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and tourist scams disguised as tea house or art gallery invitations leading to inflated bills. Serious crime against foreign visitors is rare.
Travel medical insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended. For the current advisory, see the Government of Canada travel advisory for China
Featured Treatments in China
China's most distinctive medical travel proposition is government backed access to internationally approved therapies that are not yet available in mainland China, delivered through the State Council approved Boao Lecheng pilot zone in Hainan. By April 2025 more than 470 medicines and medical devices approved abroad had been imported for use in the zone, benefiting over 110,000 patient visits.
Access to Internationally Approved Drugs and Devices Not Available in Canada
The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan Province is China's only special medical zone. Approved by China's State Council in 2013 and administered by a statutory body of the Hainan Provincial People's Government, medical institutions in the zone may import, for clinical urgency, drugs and devices approved by other countries' regulators but not yet registered in mainland China. Treatment streams the zone publicly covers include oncology, cardiology, fertility care, rare disease therapies, and rehabilitation.
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Particle Therapy for Cancer (Proton and Carbon Ion Radiotherapy)
Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center is China's first hospital offering both proton and carbon ion radiotherapy and the third such facility in the world. Carbon ion therapy is not currently offered in Canada. According to the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group there are 17 active carbon ion therapy centres worldwide as of December 2025. Particle therapy can be appropriate for selected deep-seated, radiation-resistant, or anatomically complex tumours.
Learn more about oncological care with Maple Med Global
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Cardiovascular Surgery at High-Volume Centres
Beijing's Fuwai Hospital, China's National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, is described in the European Heart Journal as the world's largest cardiovascular science centre. The World Health Organization profiles Fuwai with an annual caseload of 15,000 cardiac surgeries and 50,000 interventional procedures. High procedure volume is associated with better outcomes in complex cardiac cases.
Learn more about cardiology services with Maple Med Global
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Costs and Canadian Wait Times
Pricing in China depends on the specific procedure, hospital, and case complexity. The treatment below is one where China offers a distinctive option compared to what is currently available in Canada.
Proton or carbon ion therapy, full course
China: CAD About 50,000 to 75,000
Canada: Carbon ion therapy is not available in Canada. Conventional radiation oncology wait: 4.2 weeks (Fraser Institute 2025)
Final quotes are confirmed per case.
Leading Internationally Accredited Hospitals in China
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Beijing United Family Hospital, Beijing, JCI accredited
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Shanghai United Family Hospital, Shanghai, JCI accredited
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Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital, Shanghai, JCI accredited
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Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, JCI accredited
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Raffles Hospital Shanghai, Shanghai, JCI accredited
This list is informational. Hospital selection for each patient depends on diagnosis, complexity, and treatment plan.
Frequently asked questions
For general questions about Canadian health insurance coverage abroad, complication insurance, follow-up care after returning to Canada, and trip planning, see our General FAQ
Plan Your Treatment in China with Maple Med Global
Maple Med Global is a Canadian medical travel coordinator based in Toronto. We organize end to end care in China for Canadian patients, including hospital selection, second opinions, treatment scheduling, travel logistics, and post operative follow up in Canada after you return.
Or call/text us at +1 (647) 492-2777
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