If you are staying in Chengdu for weeks or months, or just want peace of mind, a health check-up (体检, tǐjiǎn) is easy and affordable here. Hospitals and dedicated check-up centers offer standardized packages that cover blood work, urine tests, chest imaging, abdominal ultrasound, ECG, and vision screening. Results are usually ready within a few days.
This guide explains how packages work, how to choose one, and what to bring. It is general orientation; a check-up does not diagnose every condition, and any abnormal result should be discussed with a doctor.
What Is Usually Included
Packages range from basic to comprehensive. A typical mid-range package includes:
- Blood pressure, height, weight, and basic physical exam
- Complete blood count and basic blood chemistry (liver, kidney, blood sugar, lipids)
- Urine and stool screening
- Chest X-ray or low-dose CT in upgraded packages
- Abdominal ultrasound (liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen)
- ECG (heart tracing)
- Vision, hearing, and sometimes dental screening
Upgraded packages may add thyroid tests, tumor markers, gastroscopy, or eye fundus exams. Tell the center your age, gender, and any family history so they can suggest a suitable package.
How to Book and What to Expect
- Book ahead: Use the hospital or center's WeChat account, phone, or walk-in booking. Mention that you are a foreigner and ask whether English reports are available.
- Fast: Most blood tests require an overnight fast - no food, and limited water after about 10 PM the night before. Morning appointments are best.
- Bring: Your passport. Wear loose clothing. Avoid vigorous exercise the evening before.
- Flow: You move from station to station: vitals, blood draw, urine sample, imaging, ultrasound, and physical exam. A full package takes roughly 1.5-3 hours.
- Results: Printed or online reports, usually within 1-5 working days. Ask for a summary in English if needed.
Practical Information
- Where: Every major hospital runs a health management center (体检中心); there are also dedicated private check-up chains in commercial buildings.
- Transport: Check-up centers are easy to reach by taxi; hospitals are near metro lines.
- Opening hours: Most check-up centers run weekday mornings; fasting blood work is usually done in the early morning.
- Cost: A basic package often starts at a few hundred yuan, with comprehensive packages ranging into the low thousands. Compare packages; ask exactly which items are included.
- Tips: Book a morning slot. If you take regular medicine, ask whether you should skip it that morning. Keep your report and bring it to any follow-up doctor. This article is for orientation; always consult a doctor about abnormal findings rather than self-interpreting lab values.
Making the Most of Your Check-Up
A health check-up is only useful if you actually use the results. Book fasting blood tests in the early morning, wear two-piece clothing that makes ultrasound and ECG easy, and bring a small snack and water for afterward. If you are told a value is slightly out of range, do not panic: many results are age-specific, and a repeat test a few weeks later often confirms or rules out a trend.
- Bring a list of questions so you do not forget them during the short doctor review.
- Ask for a printed or emailed report; digital summaries are increasingly common.
- Women should note that some gynecological and mammography add-ons depend on age and cycle timing.
- Keep last year's report if you have one, so the center can compare trends rather than read a single snapshot.
