China Medical Tourism Market

How big is the China medical tourism market in 2026?

The market was valued at USD 11.3 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 12.1 billion in 2026. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2026 to 2036 and reach USD 24.5 billion by 2036.

Demand for medical tourism in China is moving from individual patients arranging their own care to organised, policy-backed journeys built around cosmetic treatment, specialist hospitals and the Hainan pilot zone. Easier entry and faster access to overseas-approved drugs are reinforcing that shift, and the market is expected to keep growing steadily through 2036. The travel base is widening: inbound trips by foreign nationals reached 22.91 million in the first half of 2026, up 20.4%, and visa-free entries of 17.82 million made up 77.7% of all foreign arrivals. [1] Within that flow, hospitals serving international patients recorded 1.28 million international patient visits in 2025, up 73.6% from three years earlier, and 413,000 of those were made by people who travelled to China specifically for medical care, according to Jiahui Health’s chairman. [3] The Boao Lecheng pilot zone in Hainan received 640,800 medical-tourism visitors in the first half of 2026, up 133%, of whom nearly 8,000 were overseas tourists. [2] Against that background, the market is estimated to grow by 7.1% in 2026, from USD 11.3 billion to USD 12.1 billion, on cosmetic, fertility and cancer care and on organised packages that combine treatment with travel.

Market Size & Forecast

Table 1: China Medical Tourism Market Size and Forecast (USD billion and CAGR percentage), 2025 to 2036

Market size and forecast	Value
2025 Value	USD 11.3 billion
Estimated market size in 2026	USD 12.1 billion
Projected market size by 2036	USD 24.5 billion
CAGR (2026-2036)	7.3%
Added revenue, 2026 to 2036	USD 12.4 billion

Access to new treatment will influence where the USD 12.4 billion added between 2026 and 2036 is earned. The Boao Lecheng zone has introduced more than 560 new products into China, has over 20 medical institutions offering international clinics, and partners with more than 180 international pharmaceutical and medical device companies from over 20 countries. [6]

Market Value and Growth

Table 2: Market Value and Growth for the China Medical Tourism Market (USD billion and CAGR percentage), 2025 to 2036

Market size and forecast	Value
2025 Value	USD 11.3 billion
2026 Value	USD 12.1 billion
2036 Value	USD 24.5 billion
2026 to 2036 CAGR	7.3%

Key Market Trends & Insights

• By treatment type: Cosmetic treatments are expected to account for 30.0% of the market in 2026, with fertility care and cancer treatment the other main areas of spending.
• Independent travelers are estimated to make up 55.0% of the market by traveler type in 2026, as they book transport and accommodation themselves and buy help only with particular arrangements.
• International tourists are anticipated to hold 70.0% by tourist type in 2026, ahead of domestic medical travelers.
• Foreign patient visits at Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang Hospital rose 130% in January 2026 against its monthly average since it opened in August 2024, while its total visits grew 73%. [5]

Geographic Highlights

• Beijing is associated with cancer care, Shanghai with fertility treatment and advanced hospitals, Guangzhou with cosmetic surgery and Shenzhen with fertility care.
• Travellers come mainly from South Korea, Japan, Russia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Analyst Perspective

“China is becoming a destination for specialist care as well as cosmetic treatment, and the patients who come are asking who handles each step, from the first enquiry to follow-up at home. Hospitals and facilitators that state their roles, prices and insurance arrangements plainly will win the international patients who compare several countries before they book.”

- Ronak Shah, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights.

How is the China medical tourism market segmented?

The China medical tourism market is segmented by treatment type, tourist type, service provider, traveler type, booking channel and age group. By treatment type, the market is sub segmented into cosmetic, dental, cardiovascular, orthopedic, infertility, ophthalmic and other treatments. By tourist type, it is sub segmented into domestic and international, and by service provider into public and private. By traveler type, it is sub segmented into independent, tour group and package traveler, and by booking channel into online, phone and in person. By age group, coverage comprises children under 18 years, adults aged 18 to 64 years, and older adults aged 65 years and above.

Why is cosmetic the leading segment by treatment type?

Cosmetic treatments are estimated to account for 30.0% by treatment type in 2026.

Table 3: Treatment Type Share for the China Medical Tourism Market (percentage share of revenue), 2026

Segment	Share (2026)
Cosmetic	30.0%
Other segments combined	70.0%

A patient considering cosmetic care compares the proposed procedure and the provider’s capabilities alongside the time needed for treatment and follow-up. The price of an appointment is only part of the decision: travel arrangements must fit the clinical schedule, and the patient needs to understand how advice will stay available after returning home. These requirements shape the whole journey around the treatment, so facilitators that explain the provider’s role and the travel support included before a booking help align the patient’s expectations with the service being bought. A clearly defined offer also makes it easier to arrange the right level of assistance.

Why is international the leading segment by tourist type?

International tourists are expected to hold 70.0% by tourist type in 2026.

Table 4: Tourist Type Share for the China Medical Tourism Market (percentage share of revenue), 2026

Segment	Share (2026)
International	70.0%
Other segments combined	30.0%

A patient travelling from abroad needs more than an appointment: language support, payment arrangements and a route for records and follow-up all have to be settled before departure. Jiahui Health offers international insurance direct billing, remote consultation and multilingual patient coordination for this reason, [3] and its overseas patient inquiries nearly doubled year on year in the first half of 2026. [3] Providers that describe these services and the person responsible for each step give international patients a clearer basis for comparing China with other destinations.

Why are independent travelers the leading segment by traveler type?

The independent segment is estimated to account for 55.0% by traveler type in 2026.

Table 5: Traveler Type Share for the China Medical Tourism Market (percentage share of revenue), 2026

Segment	Share (2026)
Independent	55.0%
Other segments combined	45.0%

An independent traveler manages the wider journey and so leaves room to buy help with particular arrangements. A traveler may book transport and accommodation personally while asking a provider or facilitator to coordinate appointments, and that support has to fit a schedule the provider does not fully control, especially if a consultation changes the timing of the stay. Separately priced assistance lets patients choose which responsibilities they keep and which they hand over. Organized groups and packages bring medical scheduling and travel support into a more coordinated offer, with the scope depending on the treatment and the traveler’s circumstances, and in either approach a clear statement of who handles changes turns a set of reservations into a workable medical journey.

How does service provider shape the medical journey?

Service-provider coverage includes public and private providers. The report considers the clinical provider and the travel-support role separately. Appointment coordination, records handling and the scope of any travel assistance need clear points of contact.

How does booking channel shape access to services?

Booking-channel coverage includes online, phone and in-person arrangements. These channels support enquiries, appointment coordination and confirmation of the services included. Clinical decisions remain with the treating provider.

How does age group shape service arrangements?

Age-group coverage comprises children under 18 years, adults aged 18 to 64 years, and older adults aged 65 years and above. These are report coverage categories. Travel assistance and accompanying-person arrangements vary with the individual patient and the planned visit.

What are the drivers, restraints and opportunities in the China medical tourism market?

In the China medical tourism market, easier entry for foreign visitors and faster access to new treatment support a 7.3% CAGR through 2036. At the same time, language, payment and visa hurdles restrain faster expansion. [4][5]

Driver: International access supports medical travel. Wider visa-free access and a faster route for new treatments make China easier to reach and more attractive for specialist care. Eligible nationals of 57 countries transiting to a third country or region can use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy through 65 designated ports, subject to confirmed onward tickets and permitted-area conditions, and in June 2026 China approved the world’s first CAR-T therapy for a solid tumour, which Jiahui Health’s chairman said attracted international patients. [3]

Restraint: Language and payment hurdles limit access. Language barriers, payment system limitations and visa difficulties keep many foreign patients from choosing China, a senior medical consultant told Caixin in February 2026, so the hospitals that can solve these problems gain the most from the growth in inbound travel. [5]

Opportunity: Coordinated services support overseas patients. Foreign-funded hospitals and direct insurance billing can make the cost of care predictable for overseas patients. United Family Healthcare has direct-billing agreements with dozens of insurers worldwide, so patients do not pay large deposits upfront, and the 2026 Government Work Report pledged to expand opening-up trials for wholly foreign-owned hospitals. [4]

How do destination forecasts compare?

Table 6: Destination Growth Outlook for the China Medical Tourism Market (CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036 — FMI estimates

Destination	CAGR (2026-2036)
Beijing	7.3%
Shanghai	7.3%
Guangzhou	7.3%
Shenzhen	7.3%
Hainan	7.3%

Source: Future Market Insights estimates.

The destination markets profiled below are each projected to grow at an estimated 7.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036. These forecasts are FMI estimates.

What is the medical tourism outlook for Beijing?

The medical tourism market in Beijing is projected to grow at an estimated 7.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

What is the medical tourism outlook for Shanghai?

The medical tourism market in Shanghai is projected to grow at an estimated 7.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

What is the medical tourism outlook for Guangzhou?

The medical tourism market in Guangzhou is projected to grow at an estimated 7.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

What is the medical tourism outlook for Shenzhen?

The medical tourism market in Shenzhen is projected to grow at an estimated 7.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

What is the medical tourism outlook for Hainan?

The medical tourism market in Hainan is projected to grow at an estimated 7.3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

Who are the notable companies in the China medical tourism market?

Hospitals, digital intermediaries and travel facilitators have distinct roles in treatment, travel and follow-up. United Family Healthcare, Jiahui Health, Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang Hospital and the Boao Lecheng pilot zone are the providers and destinations covered in this report. A hospital controls the clinical offer, while a facilitator can explain the travel support and the point of contact after the visit.

Key Developments in the China Medical Tourism Market

• In August 2026, the Boao Lecheng pilot zone reported that more than 600 types of specially approved drugs, medical devices and special foods had become available in China for the first time, and it signed a China-ROK cooperation agreement on coordinated medical tourism development. [2]
• Jiahui Health recorded more than 100,000 international outpatient visits in 2025, its chairman told the WTO Public Forum in Geneva on 18 September 2026. [3]
• In April 2026, qualified overseas doctors were reported to be able to work in the Boao Lecheng zone through short-term licensing and institutional partnerships. [6]
• United Family Healthcare’s general manager said in March 2026 that the government had streamlined medical visa procedures for foreign patients. [4]

Key Players in the China Medical Tourism Market

• United Family Healthcare
• Jiahui Health
• Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang Hospital
• Boao Lecheng pilot zone

This Report Answers

• How large is the China medical tourism market in 2026?
• What is forecast for 2036?
• What is the added revenue between 2026 and 2036?
• Which treatment type leads the market?
• Which tourist type holds the largest share?

China Medical Tourism Market - Report Scope

Table 7: Report Scope for the China Medical Tourism Market (coverage fields and definitions), 2026 to 2036

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	Treatment Type (Cosmetic, Dental, Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, Infertility, Ophthalmic, Other Treatments); Tourist Type (Domestic, International); Service Provider (Public, Private); Traveler Type (Independent, Tour Group, Package Traveler); Booking Channel (Online, Phone, In Person); Age Group (Children under 18 years, Adults 18 to 64 years, Older Adults 65 years and above)
Quantitative Units	Revenue in USD billion and CAGR from 2026 to 2036
Market Definition	Medical tourism involving providers and travelers in China, including domestic and international medical travel and the arrangements needed to travel for care
Regions Covered	China, including pilot-zone examples such as Boao Lecheng in Hainan
Key Companies Covered	United Family Healthcare, Jiahui Health, Shenzhen Qianhai Taikang Hospital and the Boao Lecheng pilot zone
Forecast Period	2026 to 2036 (with 2025 historical baseline)
Approach	Combined primary interviews, secondary literature analysis, and top-down data triangulation
Countries Covered	China
Destinations Profiled	Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hainan
Geography Scope	China is the country market. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are city profiles; Hainan is a province profile that includes the Boao Lecheng pilot zone. These profiles are selected markets within China.

China Medical Tourism Market - Research Methodology

The market assessment combines primary interviews with industry participants and secondary research drawn from company disclosures, trade data and industry publications. Market size is built from supply-side and demand-side estimates and validated top-down, and segment shares and competitive positioning are checked through data triangulation before publication.

China Medical Tourism Market by Segments

By Treatment Type

• Cosmetic
• Dental
• Cardiovascular
• Orthopedic
• Infertility
• Ophthalmic
• Other treatments

By Tourist Type

• Domestic
• International

By Service Provider

• Public
• Private

By Traveler Type

• Independent
• Tour group
• Package traveler

By Booking Channel

• Online
• Phone
• In person

By Age Group

• Children under 18 years
• Adults aged 18 to 64 years
• Older adults aged 65 years and above

Research Sources and Bibliography

• [1] National Immigration Administration of China. China’s cross-border trips hit a record 369 million in the first half of 2026. 13 July 2026.
• [2] PDDC via PR Newswire APAC. Check out Hainan’s pioneering medical hub. 7 August 2026.
• [3] Jiahui Health highlights China’s growing role in global medical tourism at the WTO Public Forum 2026. 18 September 2026.
• [4] Global Times. Foreign-funded hospitals as bridges for global patients. 30 March 2026.
• [5] Caixin Global. China draws more foreign patients but medical tourism is still a niche. 5 February 2026.
• [6] CGTN. How Hainan is emerging as China’s medical tourism destination. 17 April 2026.