Luckily, most people return to their home country without ever having faced a real emergency during their time in Shanghai. But in the spirit of hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, it's good to have a few hope-you'll-never-use emergency phone numbers saved.
!Tip Making an emergency card (with basic personal information, essential phone numbers, medical information, etc.) that you carry on you is a great way to be prepared. It's also good for situations where someone else might need to make phone calls on your behalf.
Police (#110)
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In Tier I cities (Beijing, Shanghai, etc.) operators are able to provide translation services for English and other major languages. Simply ask for the language needed once you’re on the line.
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While this number is primarily for the police, operators are able to dispatch all types of emergency personnel to your location.
Ambulance (#120)
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Ambulances are somewhat akin to taxis in China, and you will likely be asked for payment upon arrival. You can also direct them to the hospital of your choice, so it helps to have the name and address (preferably in Chinese) of your preferred hospital on hand.
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Due to the high volume of emergencies, a limited number of ambulances, and traffic conditions, ambulances can sometimes take as long as a half hour to arrive. Take this into consideration when deciding between an ambulance and an alternative form of transport.
Fire Brigade (#119)
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The fire brigade does more than just handle fires and are often called on to handle automobile accident extractions, deal with fallen trees in the streets, and more.
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Translators are available, but service is limited. For foreigners, it may be easier to simply call the police (110).
Shanghai Call Center (#962288)
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This is a translation service for foreigners. Each operator can speak between 2 and 3 languages, and their staggeringly long list of supported languages includes English, Czech, and everything in between.
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This translation service isn’t just for emergencies. Operators can help with looking up addresses, routine misunderstandings, and other problems you might encounter.
Shanghai Lifeline (#400 821 1215)
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Shanghai Lifeline is a free, confidential, and anonymous talk line.
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Available 10am-10pm daily, 365 days a year.
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Volunteers are there to listen, support and refer.
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Learn more: https://www.lifeline-shanghai.com/
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