Three Airports You Might Land At
Most SSAnkang patients arrive at one of three airports: Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), or Hefei Xinqiao (HFE). The arrival flow is similar but the layout and walking distances differ. See our flight planning guide for routing.
Step 1 — Immigration (15–40 min)
Foreign passport holders use the dedicated foreigner lanes. Have ready: passport, completed arrival card (handed out on the plane), printed hospital invitation letter and visa. Average wait: 15 min off-peak, 40 min after a wave of long-haul arrivals.
Step 2 — Baggage Claim (10–25 min)
Your baggage carousel number is on the screens past immigration. Check that all medication and DICOM imaging discs are in your carry-on, not checked bags — this is critical and irreversible if a checked bag is delayed.
Step 3 — Customs (5 min if nothing to declare)
Walk through the green channel unless you brought goods to declare. Officers may ask the purpose of visit — say "medical treatment" and present the hospital invitation. If your medication includes controlled substances (opioids, certain anti-anxiety drugs), declare them with the original prescription.
Step 4 — Meeting Your Driver
Your SSAnkang driver waits in the public arrival hall holding a printed sign with your name and our logo. They wear a teal lanyard. They will:
- Verify your identity politely (asking your case manager's name, set in advance)
- Help with luggage
- Offer water and a phone charger
- Drive you directly to your accommodation (no detours, no shopping stops)
If You Cannot Find Your Driver
- Call the number printed on your travel itinerary (also saved as "SSAnkang 24h" in your case-manager messaging)
- Stay in the public arrival hall — do not leave the airport area
- Within 10 minutes you will receive a callback with the driver's exact location
The First 6 Hours
- Driver delivers you to accommodation, helps check in, sets up your phone with the hotel WiFi
- Light meal at the hotel (or quick walk-and-eat at a nearby noodle shop)
- Power nap (max 90 min — save real sleep for night)
- Brief 30-minute orientation call with your case manager: tomorrow's schedule, hospital arrival time, what to bring
- Early dinner, full sleep
Avoid These Day-1 Mistakes
- Do not exchange large amounts of cash at the airport — rates are poor; Alipay covers everything
- Do not buy a SIM card from airport kiosks; we provide one in your welcome pack or you bring an eSIM
- Do not skip dinner — keeping a normal meal schedule helps your body adjust to the time zone
