## One of China's Medical Tourism 'New Three' That Totally Blew My Mind: Eye Exams and Glasses Foreign visitors head to Chinese hospitals for eye exams, then straight to glasses markets. Prices are a fraction of what they'd pay back home, frames are trendy, and you can pick them up same-day. One blogger called it 'the first time buying glasses without feeling ripped off.' This trend reveals something important: medical tourism doesn't have to start with heart bypasses or organ transplants. Low-barrier, high-value, quick-turnaround services—dentistry, eye care, health checkups—are the perfect funnel to build trust. ### Why Are Eye Exams So Popular with Foreign Tourists? - **Huge price advantage**: Back in the US or UK, a pair of glasses can easily cost $200–$800 (¥1,400–¥5,600). In China, the same quality lenses and frames might run you just $50–$200 (¥350–¥1,400). A quick search on Trip.com or Dianping shows the massive difference, and it's an instant sell. - **Fast turnaround**: Go to a hospital for an exam in the morning, hit the glasses market (like Guangzhou's Glasses City or Danyang Glasses City) in the afternoon, and pick up your new specs the same day. None of that 'wait a week or more' nonsense you get back home. - **Endless style options**: China's glasses markets have a jaw-dropping selection of frames—from classic to viral influencer styles. Foreign visitors go wild picking them out. Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) is full of guides on choosing frames and bargaining like a pro. - **Trust factor**: Chinese hospital eye clinics use top-notch equipment and have skilled doctors. Booking an appointment via WeChat or Alipay is super convenient. ### What Are the 'New Three' of Medical Tourism? Besides eye exams and glasses, there are two other low-barrier, high-value services: 1. **Dentistry**: Cleanings, fillings, implants—prices are a third or less of what you'd pay in the West. A quick search on Meituan shows teeth cleaning packages starting at just $10 (¥70). 2. **Health Checkups**: Premium packages with CT scans, MRIs, and cancer screenings cost a fraction of what you'd pay back home. 3. **Eye Care**: Glasses, laser eye surgery, and more—as described above. ### How to Jump on This Trend If you're a foreign visitor wanting to try medical tourism in China, here's how: 1. **Pick a city**: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Hangzhou all have excellent hospitals and glasses markets. 2. **Book an appointment**: Use WeChat or Alipay to search for a hospital's official account and schedule an eye clinic visit. 3. **Get the exam**: Go to the hospital for a refraction test, eye health check, etc. Costs range from $10–$70 (¥70–¥500). 4. **Buy glasses**: Take your prescription to a glasses market—like Guangzhou's 'Glasses City' or Danyang's 'China Glasses City.' 5. **Pick up**: Most shops can finish your glasses the same day, or offer rush service. Medical tourism doesn't have to be about heart surgery or organ transplants. These 'New Three'—dentistry, eye care, and health checkups—are the first step in helping foreign visitors truly trust China's healthcare system. --- *Peng, a mom of two with 15 years of China travel expertise. Sharing real travel and medical experiences.*