Study abroad in Beijing
Housing, transport, universities, language expectations and daily life for exchange students in Beijing.
Country
ChinaStudent Budget
USD 500 – 1,200/month
Transport Card
Yikatong (Beijing Transportation Card) / Alipay QR Code
Population
21,893,000
City Vibe
The imperial, political, and cultural heart of China. It offers an unapologetically raw, traditional northern Chinese experience mixed with a massive tech boom.
Who loves this city?
History buffs, Mandarin language purists, and students looking for the 'real' traditional Chinese academic atmosphere.
What makes it special
It’s where ancient history (Forbidden City, Hutongs) violently crashes into the future (Zhongguancun tech hub). It feels much more deeply 'Chinese' and less westernized than Shanghai.
Newcomer shocks
- The sheer, oppressive scale of the city. Blocks are massive, and walking between subway stations takes much longer than it looks on the map.
- The extreme weather: brutally cold, dry winters where your skin cracks, and sweltering summers.
- The direct, loud, and seemingly aggressive communication style of Beijingers, which is actually just their standard, warm 'Erhuayin' dialect.
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Weather & Packing
| Season | High / Low | Conditions | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C / -8°C | Dry, freezing | Very dry, static electricity is high. |
| February | 5°C / -5°C | Dry, cold | Occasional light snow. |
| March | 12°C / 1°C | Windy | Sandstorms from the Gobi desert can occur. |
| April | 20°C / 8°C | Dry | Pleasant spring weather. |
| May | 26°C / 14°C | Warm | Best time to visit the Great Wall. |
| June | 30°C / 19°C | Hot, humid | Summer heat begins. |
| July | 31°C / 22°C | Heavy rain/Thunderstorms | Oppressively humid. |
| August | 30°C / 21°C | Rainy | Late summer heat. |
| September | 26°C / 15°C | Clear and crisp | The legendary 'Golden Autumn'. |
| October | 19°C / 8°C | Cool, clear | Perfect weather. |
| November | 10°C / 0°C | Cold, windy | Central heating turns on mid-Nov. |
| December | 3°C / -6°C | Freezing, dry | Bundle up. |
Brutal winters (well below freezing), dry and windy. Government central heating turns on precisely November 15th.
Packing checklist
- A heavy-duty, wind-proof winter coat. Temperatures drop well below freezing.
- N95 masks for occasional bad air quality days (though smog has vastly improved in recent years).
- A high-quality VPN installed on ALL your devices before you land.
Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
37.3 / 100
Affordable · World avg ≈ 44
| Category | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room Rent | USD 400 – 750/month | Many students choose to live in on-campus international dormitories, which cost approximately USD 80-200 per month. |
Going out & dining
Supermarket basket
Source: Numbeo · Prices approximate, updated periodically.
Housing
Wudaokou (Haidian)
Varies by street, room type, and season.Students at Tsinghua, PKU, or BLCU.. Commute: Walk or bike (Mobike/HelloBike) to campuses.
Sanlitun (Chaoyang)
Varies by street, room type, and season.Interns, expats, nightlife lovers.. Commute: Subway Line 10 connection.
Where to search
Documents to prepare
Passport or national ID
Admission or exchange confirmation
Proof of funds or guarantor details if requested
Deposit funds and signed lease
Health insurance or local registration documents if required
Timing
Start with university housing as soon as the host opens applications.
Keep temporary accommodation for arrival if the private market is tight.
For one-semester stays, confirm minimum term and cancellation rules before signing.
Red flags
Never transfer money or deposits before signing a written rental contract and verifying the landlord's identity.
Always request a live video tour or physical viewing of the property to confirm it exists and matches the description.
Be extremely suspicious of listings priced significantly lower than the local market average for that neighborhood.
Safety
Safety Index
74.6 / 100
Generally safe
Crime Index
25.4 / 100
Low crime
Source: Numbeo · Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Extremely safe in terms of street crime. Zero tolerance for drug use. Heavy government surveillance.
Top risks
- Tea Scams on Wangfujing: Locals approach you to 'practice English' and lure you to a bar where you are charged thousands of dollars for tea.
- Winter air quality can occasionally affect respiratory health, though it has improved dramatically since 2020.
Security checks (X-ray bag scanners) are mandatory to ENTER any subway station.
Transport
🚇 Beijing Subway
One of the longest subway systems in the world. Security checks at every station (bag and liquid scanners).
Not typically applicable for single rides.
🚲 Shared Bikes (HelloBike, Meituan)
Ubiquitous. Scan the QR code with Alipay or WeChat to unlock.
Events & Activities
Hiking the Unrestored Great Wall (Jiankou / Mutianyu)
Autumn / Spring
Medium (if you hire a driver or join a tour)
Avoid the tourist masses at Badaling and experience raw, extreme hiking on ancient walls.
Nightlife in Wudaokou / Sanlitun
Weekends
Varies
Sanlitun is the international luxury scene; Wudaokou (e.g. Club Mix/Propaganda) is the cheap, gritty student nightlife.
Great Wall Hiking at Mutianyu
Year-round (best April–June, Sep–Nov)
¥65 (~€8) + cable car ¥100 return
Best-restored Wall section, 1.5h from Beijing — toboggan descent, fewer tourists than Badaling, spectacular mountain views
medium
Beijing International Film Festival
April
¥50–120 per screening
China's premier film festival — 3,000+ films, Q&As with directors; major international films shown with English subtitles
798 Art District Gallery Hop
Tuesday–Sunday year-round
Free (most galleries)
Former military factory complex turned leading contemporary art zone — 200+ galleries, studios, cafes in Bauhaus architecture
medium
Houhai Lake Bar District
Year-round (best summer)
¥30–60 (~€4–8) per drink
Lakeside hutong area with rooftop bars, live music and pedal boats — most atmospheric nightlife in Beijing
Student Perks
Museums & Culture
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
Requires booking via WeChat with your passport, sometimes 7 days in advance. 50% discount with a student ID.
VisitFood Savings
University Canteens (Mensa)
Check your local university campus for the student cafeteria which offers subsidized hot meals to students.
Get appVerify the student transit pass option for the Yikatong (Beijing Transportation Card) / Alipay QR Code to save on daily commuting costs. Fares & passes
Universities
Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)
Known as the 'Little United Nations'. If your goal is to learn Mandarin intensively, this is the single best place in the world to do it.
Peking University (PKU / Beida)
The 'Harvard of China'. China's most prestigious liberal arts and sciences university, with a stunning lakeside campus and the deepest academic tradition in the country.
Tsinghua University
The 'MIT of China'. The most prestigious engineering and tech university in the country, with a breathtaking imperial garden campus in Haidian district.
Social Life
What Students Usually Get Wrong
Student Associations
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Local Section
Coordinates orientation events, social trips, and integration parties for incoming international students.
Central Student Union / Student Representation
The official university student representation providing support, sports clubs, and cultural activities.
Meeting Places 2
Public Groups 2
ESN & International Students Facebook Group
Search for the local group to find flatmates, events, and buy second-hand furniture.
Local ESN Instagram / Linktree
Follow the local section page to access current WhatsApp group chats and event sign-up forms.
Forums & Advice 1
Erasmus+ Community
Official network for exchange students — forums, contacts, and city guides.
Reddit: r/beijing
Excellent for up-to-date info on VPNs, housing, and expat life.