China poses no special disease risk for most travelers, but a little preparation goes a long way.
Vaccinations
No vaccines are required for entry (except yellow fever if arriving from an endemic country). Recommended routine boosters:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid (if eating adventurously or visiting rural areas)
- Routine: MMR, tetanus-diphtheria, flu
Medications — read this carefully
- Bring enough for the whole trip in original packaging with a copy of the prescription
- Some common medicines are restricted: anything with pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), codeine, or ADHD stimulants (Adderall is effectively banned) — check before packing
- A doctor's letter in English helps at customs
Your travel med kit
Painkillers, antidiarrheal (loperamide), rehydration salts, antihistamine, motion sickness tablets (winding mountain roads), band-aids, and any personal prescriptions. Common drugs are cheap at Chinese pharmacies, but brands differ.
Air quality and water
- Air quality has improved dramatically but winter smog still happens in the north — check an AQI app and carry masks on bad days (AQI 150+)
- Never drink tap water. Bottled water is ¥2–3 everywhere; hotels provide kettles
Altitude
Flying straight into high destinations (Shangri-La 3,200m, Lhasa 3,650m, Daocheng Yading 4,000m+) can cause altitude sickness. Ascend gradually, hydrate, and take the first day easy.