Keep this page printed and folded in your wallet. Hopefully you'll never need it — but if you do, it covers everything.
Emergencies can happen when your phone has no battery, no signal, or is lost or stolen. Keep a printed copy of this card with your passport. It could be the most important thing in your bag.
| Service | Number | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Police | 122 | Road accidents, vehicle incidents |
| Tourist Helpline | 12301 | Tourism complaints, scams, disputes with services |
| Directory Enquiries | 114 | Find any local phone number in China |
| China Rail (12306) | 12306 | Train ticket help and enquiries |
| Weather Forecast | 12121 | Local weather information by phone |
Most embassies are located in Beijing's Sanlitun embassy district. Consulates are also in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and other major cities. Before you travel, note down:
To find your embassy: Search "[your country] embassy Beijing" — all embassies publish a 24-hour emergency line for citizens abroad. Write this number here:
Show these to anyone nearby if you need help — pointing is enough.
| What You Need to Say | Chinese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | 救命！(jiùmìng!) | Jyo-ming! |
| Call an ambulance | 叫救护车 (jiào jiùhùchē) | Jyow jyo-hoo-chuh |
| I need a doctor | 我需要医生 (wǒ xūyào yīshēng) | Wor shoo-yow ee-shung |
| Take me to the hospital | 带我去医院 (dài wǒ qù yīyuàn) | Die wor choo ee-ywen |
| I am having chest pain | 我胸口痛 (wǒ xiōngkǒu tòng) | Wor shyong-kow tong |
| I cannot breathe | 我喘不过气 (wǒ chuǎn bù guò qì) | Wor chwan boo gwor chee |
| I have been hurt / injured | 我受伤了 (wǒ shòushāng le) | Wor show-shung luh |
| I am allergic to… | 我对…过敏 (wǒ duì… guòmǐn) | Wor dway… gwor-min |
| I am diabetic | 我有糖尿病 (wǒ yǒu tángniàobìng) | Wor yo tong-nyow-bing |
| I take [medication] regularly | 我需要我的药 (wǒ xūyào wǒ de yào) | Wor shoo-yow wor duh yow |
| Where is the pharmacy? | 药店在哪里？(yàodiàn zài nǎlǐ?) | Yow-dyen dzai nah-lee? |
| I have travel insurance | 我有旅行保险 (wǒ yǒu lǚxíng bǎoxiǎn) | Wor yo lyoo-shing bow-shyen |
Go to the nearest police station and ask for a loss report certificate (报案证明, bào'àn zhèngmíng). You will need this for your embassy and insurance claim.
Your embassy can issue an emergency travel document. Bring 2 passport photos if you have them (pharmacies near embassies often offer photo services).
If you emailed yourself a photo of your passport before travelling, access it now. This significantly speeds up the replacement process.
Most travel insurance policies cover emergency document replacement costs. Call their 24-hour helpline as soon as possible.
Write down your country's embassy emergency number for Beijing and any cities you're visiting
Email yourself a photo of your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
Note your travel insurance policy number and 24-hour helpline
Save your hotel address in Chinese characters (ask at check-in) — show this to taxi drivers and police if needed
Carry a basic supply of any prescription medication, plus the generic drug name in case you need more
Download the Didi app — it can be used to call for help and navigate to hospitals
Print this card and keep it folded behind your hotel key card
Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac), then select "Save as PDF" or print directly. Navigation and buttons are automatically hidden for a clean, ink-efficient printout. Print portrait on A4, fold into quarters, and keep behind your hotel key card.