Travel Essentials

Emergency Numbers in China for Travelers

Save China’s key emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for fire, 120 for ambulance and 122 for traffic accidents, plus 12367 for immigration help.

Updated September 20264 min read

If you are traveling in China, these are the main numbers worth saving:

  • 110 — Police
  • 119 — Fire
  • 120 — Ambulance / medical emergency
  • 122 — Traffic accidents
  • 12367 — Immigration and exit-entry service hotline

The first four are emergency numbers.

12367 is different: it is for immigration and exit-entry questions rather than general emergencies.


110 — Police

Call 110 if you need urgent police assistance.

Examples include:

  • Theft
  • Robbery
  • Assault
  • Serious threats
  • Other immediate police emergencies

When calling, try to explain:

  • What happened
  • Where you are
  • Whether anyone is injured

If possible, have your hotel, attraction or street name available in Chinese.


119 — Fire

Call 119 for:

  • Fire
  • Smoke
  • Serious fire hazards
  • Rescue situations involving fire services

Give the location as clearly as possible.

If you are in a hotel, shopping mall or station, also alert nearby staff.


120 — Ambulance

Call 120 for an urgent medical emergency.

Examples include:

  • Serious injury
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe breathing difficulty
  • Suspected heart attack
  • Other situations requiring emergency medical transport

China's official guidance identifies 120 as the emergency medical number across the Chinese mainland.


122 — Traffic Accidents

Call 122 if you are involved in or witness a traffic accident that requires traffic police assistance.

Be ready to provide:

  • Location
  • Vehicles involved
  • Whether anyone is injured

If someone also needs urgent medical help, call 120.


12367 — Immigration Help

Call 12367 for questions related to:

  • Entry and exit
  • Visa-free policies
  • Immigration procedures
  • Accommodation registration
  • Arrival Card
  • Exit-entry administration

It is operated by China's National Immigration Administration.

The service runs 24 hours a day and supports English; additional languages are also available through interpreter-assisted service.

12367 is not a replacement for 110, 119 or 120 in an emergency.


What If You Do Not Speak Chinese?

Stay calm and keep your message simple.

Useful information includes:

  • Your location
  • Hotel name
  • Street or attraction
  • What happened
  • Whether someone is injured

A map app can help you show or read the location.

Keep the Chinese name and address of your hotel saved on your phone.


Useful Chinese Words

You do not need to memorize these, but saving them can help.

报警
Call the police

警察
Police

救护车
Ambulance

医院
Hospital

火灾
Fire

我不会说中文。
I don't speak Chinese.


What If You Lose Your Passport?

If your passport is lost or stolen, report the loss to local police as soon as possible.

You may then need to contact:

  • Your embassy or consulate
  • Local exit-entry authorities
  • 12367 for immigration-related guidance

China's official foreign-resident guidance specifically advises reporting a lost passport to the local police station immediately.


Should You Call 12345?

12345 is a government public-service hotline in many Chinese cities.

It can help with non-emergency matters such as:

  • Public services
  • Local government inquiries
  • Transport or city-service questions

It is not the number to use for an immediate police, fire or medical emergency.

For urgent situations use:

  • 110
  • 119
  • 120
  • 122

Emergency Checklist

Before your trip:

  • Save 110, 119, 120 and 122
  • Save 12367
  • Save your hotel name in Chinese
  • Save your hotel address
  • Save your travel-insurance contact
  • Save your embassy or consulate details

What We Recommend

You probably will not need any of these numbers.

But they take less than a minute to save.

The easiest rule to remember is:

110 police — 119 fire — 120 ambulance — 122 traffic

and:

12367 for immigration questions.


Official Sources

This guide was checked against information published by:

  • The State Council of the People's Republic of China
  • Beijing Municipal Government
  • National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China

Emergency and public-service procedures can vary by location. Follow instructions from local authorities when necessary.