China's Top Departments: Gastroenterology at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Ranked #1 nationally on the Fudan list, Renji Hospital's Department of Gastroenterology performs over 260,000 endoscopic procedures annually — roughly 1 in 7 of all procedures in Shanghai. Pioneered treatments now written into international clinical guidelines. Here's what international patients should know.
If you're dealing with a digestive system condition — whether it's a gastrointestinal tumor, chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or a complex case that other centers couldn't resolve — Renji Hospital's Department of Gastroenterology should be at the top of your list. Ranked #1 nationally on the Fudan University Hospital Ranking for multiple consecutive years, this is the department that pioneered treatments now written into international clinical guidelines.
Founded in 1984 by the late CAS Academician Prof. JIANG Shaoji and Prof. XIAO Shudong, Renji's gastroenterology institute was one of the earliest dedicated digestive disease research centers in China. Today, it spans three campuses with 166 inpatient beds, a 4,600 m² clinical endoscopy center, and a 1,600 m² research laboratory.
The numbers are staggering: over 700,000 outpatient visits annually (the highest in China), and over 260,000 endoscopic procedures per year — roughly 1 in 7 of all endoscopic procedures performed in Shanghai. The department has received over 200 National Natural Science Foundation grants, published 500+ SCI papers in journals including Cell, Lancet Oncology, Gut, and Hepatology, and won 4 National Science and Technology Progress Awards.
At ChinaMed Select, we regularly help international patients connect with Renji's gastroenterology team — particularly for GI cancer screening, autoimmune liver disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Here's what you should know.
Signature Strengths
GI Tumor Early Detection & Treatment — Pioneering Prevention
Renji has some of the most advanced capabilities in China for detecting and treating gastrointestinal cancers at their earliest, most curable stages:
- Pioneered folate therapy for atrophic gastritis and berberine (黄连素) for colorectal cancer prevention — both now widely adopted across China
- Independent digestive pathology lab combined with cutting-edge endoscopic technologies: NBI (narrow-band imaging), magnification endoscopy, laser confocal endomicroscopy, and autofluorescence endoscopy
- Minimally invasive endoscopic treatments for early GI cancer: EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection), ESD (endoscopic submucosal dissection), and POEM (peroral endoscopic myotomy) — significantly improving cure rates while avoiding major surgery
What this means for you: If you have a family history of GI cancer, or if you've been diagnosed with precancerous conditions like atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia, Renji's team can offer advanced screening and early intervention that may prevent cancer from developing — or catch it at a stage where endoscopic treatment (not open surgery) is sufficient.
H. pylori Treatment — China's Only Internationally Guideline-Recognized Regimen
Renji developed a quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori that is the only Chinese-developed anti-H. pylori regimen included in international guidelines. The department is also a national leader in gastric cancer prevention.
If you have persistent H. pylori infection that hasn't responded to standard treatment, or if you're concerned about your gastric cancer risk, this team has the deepest experience in China.
Autoimmune Liver Disease — Internationally Recognized
Led by Prof. MA Xiong, one of the world's leading authorities on autoimmune liver disease, the department:
- Was one of the earliest centers in China to diagnose and treat autoimmune liver diseases
- Treats over 10,000 patients annually with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and overlapping syndromes
- Developed diagnostic criteria that have been cited and adopted in international guidelines
- Also covers drug-induced liver injury, fatty liver disease, and severe liver disease
If you have an autoimmune liver condition — especially one that's been difficult to diagnose or treat — Renji's expertise is internationally recognized.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Dedicated IBD specialty clinic and National IBD Regional Diagnosis & Treatment Center
- Pioneer of biologic agents combined with immunosuppressive "step-down" therapy in China
- Prof. SHEN Jun serves as International Office Director of the BRICS IBD Alliance
Small Bowel Disease & Obscure GI Bleeding
Renji pioneered thalidomide therapy for small bowel vascular malformation bleeding — a treatment now strongly recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) international guidelines. The department also has mature capabilities in capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy.
Endoscopy — Unmatched Volume & Breadth
- 260,000+ endoscopic procedures annually — approximately 1/7 of Shanghai's total
- One of the most comprehensive endoscopy service portfolios in China
- Advanced therapeutic endoscopy for complex cases
Meet the Experts
| Name | Title | What Matters for Your Care |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. FANG Jingyuan 🏅 | Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences | Director of Renji's Digestive Disease Center. Changjiang Distinguished Professor. Director of Shanghai Digestive Disease Institute. Director of NHC Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology. Leading China's most productive gastroenterology research program. If you have a complex GI condition, this is the academic leader at the top. |
| Prof. MA Xiong | Department Director | Chief physician, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Distinguished Professor. Internationally recognized expert in autoimmune liver disease. His diagnostic criteria are cited in global guidelines. |
| Prof. GE Zhizheng | Chief Expert | Chief physician, doctoral supervisor, Deputy Director of Shanghai Digestive Disease Institute. |
The department currently has 2 Changjiang Scholars, 2 National Distinguished Young Scientists, 13 doctoral supervisors, and 18 master's supervisors — one of the deepest academic teams in Chinese gastroenterology.
What International Patients Should Know
Language & Support
Renji Hospital is a major academic medical center in Shanghai with international patient services. English-language consultations can be arranged. However, gastroenterology involves detailed discussions about symptoms, diet, medication regimens, and endoscopic findings — working with a bilingual medical coordinator ensures precision in these conversations.
Appointment Process
- Appointments can be made via Renji Hospital's WeChat Official Account ("上海仁济医院就医服务号"), phone, or through a medical coordinator
- Subspecialty Clinics are available for: GI tumor screening, H. pylori, autoimmune liver disease, IBD, small bowel disease, and advanced endoscopy
- For complex GI conditions, the typical timeline from initial consultation to diagnostic workup is 1–2 weeks
- The department's massive endoscopy capacity means procedures can usually be scheduled quickly
Cost Estimates
| Service | Estimated Cost (CNY) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial gastroenterology consultation | ¥300–800 | $42–110 |
| Standard gastroscopy | ¥500–1,500 | $70–210 |
| Standard colonoscopy | ¥600–1,800 | $84–250 |
| Advanced endoscopy (NBI/magnification) | ¥1,500–3,000 | $210–420 |
| EMR/ESD (early cancer treatment) | ¥15,000–40,000 | $2,100–5,600 |
| Liver biopsy + pathology | ¥2,000–5,000 | $280–700 |
| Comprehensive liver function panel | ¥800–2,000 | $110–280 |
| Capsule endoscopy | ¥4,000–8,000 | $560–1,100 |
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on the complexity of your condition, procedures required, and whether therapeutic interventions are performed.
Getting There
| Campus | Address |
|---|---|
| East Campus (Main) | No.160 Pujian Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai |
| West Campus | No.145 Shandong Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai |
| South Campus | No.2000 Jiangyue Road, Minhang District, Shanghai |
- Main Switchboard: 021-58752345
Most international patients are seen at the East Campus (main campus), which houses the largest endoscopy center.
How ChinaMed Select Can Help
Gastrointestinal conditions range from routine to highly complex. ChinaMed Select ensures you're connected with the right subspecialty and fully supported:
- Expert Department Matching: We confirm that Renji's Gastroenterology is the right fit for your specific condition — whether it's GI cancer screening, autoimmune liver disease, IBD, or a complex endoscopic procedure
- Subspecialty Alignment: The department has the most comprehensive subspecialty coverage in Chinese gastroenterology. We match you with the right team — so you see the specialist who handles your exact condition
- Medical Record Preparation: GI consultations often require prior endoscopy reports, pathology slides, imaging, and lab work. We help you organize and translate everything so the team can review your case efficiently
- Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling directly, ensuring your consultation is with the appropriate subspecialty expert
- Certified Medical Translation: Gastroenterology involves detailed symptom descriptions, dietary histories, and complex endoscopy findings. Our medical translators ensure nothing is lost
- End-to-End Journey Support: From airport pickup in Shanghai to hospital navigation, interpreter arrangement, and post-procedure follow-up, we handle logistics so you can focus on your health
Plan Your Visit
- Appointments: WeChat Official Account ("上海仁济医院就医服务号"), phone booking, or through ChinaMed Select
- Main Campus: East Campus — No.160 Pujian Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai
- Main Switchboard: 021-58752345
Ready to explore gastroenterology options at Renji Hospital? Contact ChinaMed Select for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your GI condition, connect you with the right subspecialty team, and coordinate your entire journey — from medical record translation to post-procedure follow-up.