110
Police
- Personal safety threats
- Theft, fraud, harassment
- Lost passport or valuables
- Need police assistance
我要报警。 I need to call the police.
TRAVEL PREP
Emergency Help
Save emergency numbers, hotel addresses, and simple Chinese phrases before your first trip to China.
Most problems are not life-threatening, but language, addresses, internet, orders, or documents can still cause stress. This page helps you know who to call, what to say, and what to prepare before anything goes wrong.
1. Emergency Numbers (Mainland China)
120
Ambulance
- Serious injury
- Sudden illness
- Breathing difficulty
- Chest pain, fainting
- Need an ambulance
我需要救护车。 I need an ambulance.
119
Fire
- Fire
- Smoke
- Danger in buildings
- Need fire rescue
这里着火了。 There is a fire here.
122
Traffic Accident
- Taxi / ride-hailing / car accident
- Collision on the road
- Need traffic accident handling
发生交通事故了。 There has been a traffic accident.
Note: The numbers above are for mainland China. If you travel to Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan, emergency numbers may be different. Please check in advance.
2. Who to Contact First
Serious Emergency
For injury, theft, threats, fire, or traffic accidents, call the emergency number first.
Not Life-Threatening
For non-urgent issues, contact one of these first.
- Hotel front desk
- Travel companion
- Booking platform support
- Local staff
- Driver / Guide
Tip: The hotel front desk is often the most helpful first contact for foreign travelers.
Contact your embassy or consulate for lost passport, serious legal issues, or major emergencies.
3. Prepare This Information Before You Ask for Help
Try to have these 6 pieces of information ready.
Where you are
What happened
Any injury?
Your hotel name
Hotel address (in Chinese)
Your phone number or companion’s contact
Recommended to save in advance:
- First hotel address (Chinese)
- Hotel phone numbers
- Passport photo
- Travel insurance info
- Emergency contacts
- Embassy / Consulate contacts
4. Useful Chinese Phrases (Save & Show)
请帮帮我。 Please help me.
我不会说中文。 I don’t speak Chinese.
请帮我联系酒店。 Please help me contact my hotel.
这是我的酒店地址。 This is my hotel address.
请帮我去这个地址。 Please help me get to this address.
我需要救护车。 I need an ambulance.
我要报警。 I need to call the police.
我的护照丢了。 My passport is lost.
我的手机丢了。 My phone is lost.
请帮我联系我的使领馆。 Please help me contact my embassy or consulate.
5. Common Problems — What to Do
Lost Passport Check nearby places. Report to police if lost. Contact your embassy.
Keep a passport photo and your embassy or consulate contact saved offline before departure.
Sick or Injured Call 120 if serious. Ask hotel for help. Bring your passport and insurance.
For non-urgent symptoms, ask your hotel to help find a nearby clinic or hospital.
Phone Lost / No Power Go back to last location. Contact hotel or companions. Use backup devices and find a place to charge.
Keep hotel phone numbers and emergency contacts written down or printed, not only on your phone.
Lost or Can’t Find Entrance Show Chinese address to staff. Ask hotel for help. Check the map again and confirm the correct entrance.
For attractions, the ticket entrance and scenic area entrance may be different. Confirm the exact gate.