Colonoscopy & Gastroscopy Cost in China (2026): From $35
A gastroscopy at China's flagship public hospital costs about RMB 250 ($35) base fee. A sedated gastroscopy + colonoscopy combo runs roughly RMB 2,000–3,500 ($280–500) all-in. US cash price for a colonoscopy alone: $1,250–4,000+.
China runs the largest endoscopy volumes on earth — this is commodity screening infrastructure priced like it.
What endoscopy costs in China
| Item | Price (RMB) | USD | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastroscopy, base exam fee — PUMCH (Beijing) regular clinic | ~250 (excl. pathology/consumables) | ~$35 | People's Daily Health Client comparison report | 2026-07-08 |
| Sedated ("painless") gastroscopy + colonoscopy combo, tier-3 public, all-in with anesthesia and pre-checks | ~2,000–3,500 (reported range — confirm day-of quote) | ~$280–500 | Multiple consistent secondary sources; treat as directional, itemization varies by hospital | 2026-07-08 |
| Gastroscopy — PUMCH international department (English service) | ~6,000 | ~$845 | People's Daily Health Client | 2026-07-08 |
| Private international hospitals (Shanghai/Beijing) | We're verifying — ask us | — | — | — |
Two honest notes. First, the RMB 250 is the exam fee itself — biopsy pathology, polyp removal, and consumables bill on top, but the whole episode still lands in the hundreds of dollars, not thousands. Second, endoscopy wasn't part of the 2025 national radiology price reform, so prices vary more between cities than MRI or CT do — which is why we quote hospital by hospital.
The 24x spread inside one hospital
The most useful fact on this page: the same PUMCH gastroscopy is ~RMB 250 in the regular clinic and ~RMB 6,000 in the international department. Same building complex, same specialty. What you're buying at 24x is English-speaking staff, scheduling help, and a comfortable lounge — not a different scope. If you can handle the Chinese-language workflow (or have someone handle it for you, which is our job), the regular clinic price is available to any foreigner with a passport.
China vs US vs UK
| Market | Colonoscopy, typical cash price | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| China, public (sedated gastro+colon combo, all-in) | ~$280–500 | Sources above | 2026-07-08 |
| US | $1,250–4,000+ uninsured; FAIR Health medians $2,200–3,500 hospital outpatient, $1,200–2,200 surgery centers | GoodRx, Colonoscopy Cost Guide / FAIR Health | 2026-07-08 |
| UK, private | £1,849–2,690 (Practice Plus from £1,849; Nuffield £2,690) | MyTribe, Nuffield Health | 2026-07-08 |
Full US-side breakdown lives at colonoscopy cost without insurance.
How the sedated version actually works
- 1. Consult first. A gastroenterologist orders the scope; register with your passport.
- 2. Anesthesia pre-assessment. For sedated endoscopy this is a separate visit — ECG, bloods, anesthesiologist sign-off. Plan two visits, not one.
- 3. Prep. Bowel prep instructions come in Chinese; get them translated before you start, not the night of.
- 4. Procedure day. Both scopes under one sedation, typically 30–45 minutes. No driving after; bring a companion or book transport.
- 5. Results. Visual findings same day; biopsy/polyp pathology in about 3–7 days — the report is in Chinese, so budget for a proper translation.
Popular endoscopy centers book out days ahead; if you're flying in, endoscopy pairs naturally with a full-body checkup in the same week.
Why trust these numbers
The PUMCH anchor prices come from official media reporting on the hospital's own fee comparison; the combo range is marked as a reported range, not a verified tariff — and that's exactly why our quote service exists. Blanks say "we're verifying" instead of a guess. Found a discrepancy? Tell us — we correct within 48 hours and log it.
Get a real quote
Want a confirmed all-in price for sedated gastro+colonoscopy at 2–3 named hospitals, with prep instructions in English?
Get a quote — $9.90 — credited toward any later service.
This page is pricing and logistics information, not medical advice. Screening intervals and whether you need endoscopy are decisions for you and your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gastroscopy cost in China?
The base gastroscopy fee at Peking Union Medical College Hospital's regular clinic is about RMB 250 ($35), per official media reporting — before pathology and consumables. The same hospital's international department charges around RMB 6,000, roughly 24x, for the English-service version.
How much does a colonoscopy cost in China?
Bundled with a gastroscopy under sedation, expect roughly RMB 2,000–3,500 ($280–500) all-in at big-city public tertiary hospitals, including anesthesia and pre-checks. Confirm the exact figure with the hospital on the day — itemization varies.
What does 'painless' (无痛) endoscopy mean in China?
Sedation — typically propofol given by an anesthesiologist, so you sleep through it. It requires a pre-procedure anesthesia assessment on a separate visit, adds a few hundred RMB to the bill, and means no driving and an escort recommended afterward.
How does China's colonoscopy price compare to the US?
US cash prices run $1,250–4,000+ without insurance; FAIR Health medians are $2,200–3,500 at hospital outpatient departments. China's public all-in sedated gastro+colonoscopy at $280–500 is roughly 5–10x cheaper.
What if they find a polyp?
Small polyps are usually removed during the same procedure and sent to pathology — that adds pathology and consumable fees to the base price. It's one of the strongest arguments for doing the screening where the whole episode costs hundreds, not thousands.