Full-Body Checkup Packages for Foreigners in Shanghai & Beijing
An affordable full-body checkup package for foreigners in Shanghai or Beijing costs about $250–550; an executive package runs $650–1,100, and a comprehensive package with whole-body MRI or PET-CT is $700–1,600. The two cities price in the same band — typically 50–80% below US private-pay rates — so the real decision isn't which city is cheaper, but which booking route you take: a public Grade IIIA health-management centre (the value route) or a private international hospital (the premium route).
For the most affordable full-body package in either city, book the health-management centre of a public Grade IIIA hospital — standard packages start around $250–400. Private international hospitals offer an all-English concierge experience at 2–4× the price for a comparable scope. Prices are the same in Shanghai and Beijing; pick the city by logistics (Shanghai) or specialist depth (Beijing).
What do checkup packages cost in Shanghai vs Beijing?
| Package tier | Shanghai (2026) | Beijing (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic full-body screen | $250–450 | $250–450 |
| Executive physical | $650–1,100 | $650–1,100 |
| Comprehensive (advanced imaging) | $700–1,600 | $700–1,600 |
| Whole-body MRI (standalone) | ~$500–900 | ~$500–900 |
| PET-CT (standalone) | $600–1,200 | $600–1,200 |
Both capitals sit at the top of the national range — a shade above Guangzhou or Chengdu — because they concentrate China's flagship hospitals. For the full national breakdown by procedure, see the 2026 cost guide.
What each tier includes
- Basic ($250–450) — full blood and urine panels, ECG, chest imaging, abdominal and thyroid ultrasound, vision/hearing, and a physician review. A genuine head-to-toe screen, done in one morning.
- Executive ($650–1,100) — everything above plus CT or targeted MRI, cardiac testing (echo, stress or calcium score), tumour-marker panels, gynaecological or prostate screening, and a longer physician consult. The tier most working expats choose — details in our executive physical guide.
- Comprehensive ($700–1,600) — adds whole-body MRI and/or PET-CT, optional gastroscopy and colonoscopy, and deep organ-specific panels. Usually spread over two days.
The affordable route vs the premium route
The single biggest price lever in both cities is where you book, not what's tested:
| Route | Typical basic package | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Public Grade IIIA health-management centre | $250–400 | Same labs and imaging as locals use, efficient station-to-station flow, limited English — ask for an English summary |
| Public hospital international/VIP department | $400–700 | Same hospital, quieter wing, bilingual coordination, physician-reviewed English report |
| Private international hospital/clinic | $800–1,500+ | All-English concierge experience, Western-style appointments, highest prices |
The value insight most first-timers miss: the health-management centre (体检中心) is a dedicated screening operation — you are not queueing in a general outpatient hall. Pair it with an arranged interpreter or a concierge and you get international-department quality of experience at close to local prices. Understand the hospital badge itself in our Grade IIIA explainer.
Shanghai or Beijing — which should you pick?
On price, it's a tie. Choose on fit: Shanghai has China's deepest concentration of international-patient departments, the most direct long-haul flights, and generous visa-free transit access — the easiest first visit; see the Shanghai guide. Beijing hosts many of China's national referral centres, so if a result might need a top specialist's opinion in the same trip, it's the stronger base; see the Beijing guide. Either way, a standard package fits a single morning, and a comprehensive package fits a 3–5 day trip with sightseeing to spare.
Three ways to keep it affordable
- Book the package, not the à-la-carte menu. Bundled packages price the same tests 20–40% below individual bookings.
- Go public-hospital health-management centre and pay separately for a physician-reviewed English report — still far cheaper than a private hospital's package.
- Schedule a weekday morning, fasting — same-day results for most items, no premium fees; see how to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full-body checkup package cost in Shanghai or Beijing?
As a 2026 planning range, both cities price in the same band: about $250–450 for a basic full-body package, $650–1,100 for an executive package, and $700–1,600 for a comprehensive package with advanced imaging such as whole-body MRI or PET-CT. That is typically 50–80% below US private-pay prices. Final pricing depends on the hospital, department, and exact tests.
What is the most affordable way to get a full-body checkup in Shanghai or Beijing?
The value route is the health-management (physical examination) centre of a public Grade IIIA hospital, where standard full-body packages start around $250–400. Private international hospitals and clinics in both cities offer a smoother all-English experience but typically charge two to four times more for a comparable scope. A middle path is a public hospital's international or VIP department.
Should I choose Shanghai or Beijing for my checkup?
Prices are effectively the same, so choose on logistics and needs. Shanghai has China's deepest bench of international-patient departments and the easiest visa-free transit access, making it the simplest base for a first visit. Beijing hosts many national referral centres, which helps if a finding might need a specialist opinion in the same trip. Both deliver the same package tiers.
What does a full-body checkup package in China include?
A basic package covers blood and urine panels, ECG, chest imaging, abdominal ultrasound, and a physician review. Executive packages add advanced imaging (CT or MRI), cardiac testing, tumour markers, and a longer consult. Comprehensive packages add whole-body MRI and/or PET-CT, optional endoscopy, and deep organ-specific panels. Exact contents vary by hospital, and packages can be customized.