Once the medical side is settled, a rehabilitation trip becomes a logistics project. Here is the checklist our international patients actually use.

Before you book flights

  • Remote assessment first. Never book travel before the medical team has confirmed you are fit to fly and has recommended a program tier.
  • Documents: passport valid 6+ months, recent medical records, imaging on CD or digital files, current medication list with generic drug names, and any operative reports.
  • Visa: most patients use a tourist or business visa for short stays. For longer programs we issue invitation and supporting documents for a medical visa. Rules vary by nationality — see Visa & Travel.

Flights and arrival

Shanghai has two international airports (Pudong PVG and Hongqiao SHA). Book a flight arriving in daylight if possible — our driver meets you at arrivals with a name board, and the transfer to the hospital in Jing'an District takes roughly 45–70 minutes depending on the airport and traffic.

Accommodation

  • Inpatient programs: single-room accommodation is included in the Gold, Platinum and Diamond tiers.
  • Outpatient programs: the Emerald stroke tier includes 4-star hotel accommodation; the pelvic floor program does not include accommodation, and our team will suggest hotels near the hospital.
  • Family: we help book nearby hotels or serviced apartments for accompanying relatives.

Money and connectivity

  • International bank cards work in most ATMs; mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay) now accepts foreign cards and is worth setting up before departure.
  • Buy or arrange a data plan — eSIMs with China data work well. The hospital provides Wi-Fi.
  • Bring any regular medication in original packaging with the prescription, plus enough for the whole stay plus margin.

What to pack

  • Comfortable, easy-to-change sportswear and non-slip shoes — you will train daily.
  • Assistive devices you already use (brace, cane, orthosis) so the team can assess them.
  • A short video of your current walking and hand function on your phone — surprisingly useful for the baseline assessment.

During your stay

Your care coordinator handles scheduling, translation and daily logistics. Weekly re-assessment keeps the plan aligned with your progress, and before discharge you receive a written report, a home exercise program and a remote follow-up schedule.

Ready to plan? Start with the patient journey overview, then send your medical records — the rest we handle together.