Study abroad in China
Visa, costs, healthcare and the best cities for exchange students in China.
Capital
Beijing (Pekín)
Languages
Mandarin (Pǔtōnghuà)
Academic Year
Semesters: Fall (September to January) and Spring (Feb/March to July). Separated by the massive Chinese New Year winter break.
Population
1,400,000,000+
Typical Budget
USD 400 - 1,000/month
Overview
A completely different world. It is not just about a different language or apps; it is a fundamental shift in how society, privacy, and daily life operate.
Country Overview
What student life feels like in China.
China is an entirely different universe. If you are coming from the West, forget everything you know about how a society functions. It is a highly collectivist, hyper-modern, yet deeply traditional society moving at a breakneck speed.
The digital wall (The Great Firewall) means you are entering an isolated internet ecosystem where Western social media and news simply do not exist. But the differences go far beyond the digital ecosystem: the scale of the cities is incomprehensible, the concept of privacy is radically different (with mass surveillance ensuring near-zero street crime), and the work/study ethic (like the '996' culture) can be intense. Surviving here requires massive adaptability, a willingness to be completely disconnected from your comfort zone, and a deep respect for a culture that does not bend to Western expectations.
The reward? A profound, raw understanding of the superpower defining the 21st century.
Country Framework
What shapes student life in China.
Use this page to understand the legal context, budget baseline, safety feel, and everyday rhythm before comparing cities or universities.
Safety Snapshot
One of the safest societies in the world against violent crime or theft due to the omnipresence of surveillance cameras and strict law enforcement. Zero tolerance for drugs (including random hair/urine tests on foreigners in clubs).
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.
Safety & Cost Indices
Source: Numbeo crowdsourced data. Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Crime Index
Low
World avg: 44.7
Safety Index
Very safe
World avg: 55.3
Cost of Living
Very affordable
USD 400 - 1,000/month
Crime factors measured
Big Cities vs Small Towns
Big Cities
- Beijing and Shanghai are the only two cities with consistent global university rankings and developed international student infrastructure — English-language admin, large expat communities, international food.
- Beijing has the highest concentration of top Chinese universities (Peking University, Tsinghua, RUC); Shanghai leans business and finance.
- Higher costs than second-tier cities, but government scholarships often cover accommodation.
- Fast-paced, international, and intense — the best environment for career-focused students.
Small Towns
- Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an, and Chongqing are massive by Western standards but function as 'smaller' student cities in the Chinese context — lower costs and more authentic local immersion.
- Less English spoken — daily life requires functional Mandarin, which accelerates language learning dramatically.
- Lower costs (accommodation, food, transport) make scholarships stretch further.
- Stronger local cultural identity — Chengdu's teahouse culture, Xi'an's history, Chongqing's food scene.
Culture
Social Norms
- The concepts of 'Guanxi' (network of relationships/connections) and 'Mianzi' (Face) govern all social interactions. Never make someone 'lose face' by criticizing, correcting, or embarrassing them in public.
- The 'Different World' shock: You will be stared at, especially outside of Tier-1 cities. Personal space is essentially non-existent in crowds, and waiting in line often involves physical pushing.
- Foreigners are treated with a mix of intense curiosity and strict bureaucratic control. You will be a 'laowai' (foreigner), an outsider, but often treated with incredible hospitality.
Daily Rhythm
Local pace07:00–08:30
Morning
Early risers. Breakfast is eaten outside — jianbing, baozi, or congee from street stalls. Morning exercise in parks is common among older residents. Students eat at campus canteens from 07:00.
11:30–13:30
Midday
Lunch is a full meal. Most Chinese take a mandatory wǔxiū (midday nap) 12:00–14:00 — offices and many shops shut. Canteen meals are cheap and filling.
14:00–18:00
Afternoon
Second work/study block. Afternoon classes common. Tea breaks informal. Hot weather cities (Chengdu, Guangzhou) move slowly in summer afternoons.
18:00–20:30
Evening
Dinner around 18:00–19:00. Families eat together daily. Night markets open from 18:00 — the main social eating window for students and young people.
21:00–01:00
Night
Nightlife concentrated in Shanghai and Beijing. KTV (karaoke) is the dominant student social activity, running late. Most residents asleep by 23:00.
Food Culture
University Canteen (Shítáng)
USD 1.50 - 3.00Chinese campuses have massive, heavily subsidized dining halls. It's the cheapest and often most delicious way to eat.
You will need to load money onto your university ID card ('Yikatong') to pay here.
Waimai (Food Delivery - Meituan / Ele.me)
USD 3.00 - 6.00Delivery in China is absurdly fast, cheap, and efficient. You can order anything from bubble tea to a full banquet.
Learn the basic characters to locate your dorm building, as delivery drivers will call your phone.
Hot Pot (Huǒguō)
CNY 60–150 / EUR 8–20Simmering broth at the table into which you dip raw meats, vegetables, tofu, and noodles. A deeply social meal experience central to Chinese student culture.
Go during lunch on weekdays — many hot pot chains offer weekday lunch sets at 30–40% off the dinner price.
Dumplings (Jiǎozi / Bāozi)
CNY 10–30 / EUR 1.30–4Boiled or steamed dumplings filled with pork, vegetables, or shrimp. Baozi are steamed buns. Both are ubiquitous, cheap, and essential Chinese comfort food.
Frozen jiaozi from a supermarket cost almost nothing and cook in 8 minutes — your best budget meal option.
Scallion Pancake (Cōng Yóu Bǐng)
CNY 5–15 / EUR 0.65–2Crispy, flaky flatbread layered with sesame and green onions, cooked on a griddle. A popular breakfast street food sold from small carts near campuses.
Street carts near campus gates offer the cheapest and most authentic versions — aim to arrive before 9am when supplies run out.
Noodles (Miàn)
CNY 15–40 / EUR 2–5China has hundreds of regional noodle dishes: Lanzhou beef noodles, spicy Dan Dan mian, hand-pulled knife-cut noodles, and cold sesame noodles are all common student staples.
Look for hand-pulled noodle restaurants near campus — fresh noodles for under CNY 25 are a much better deal than packaged instant noodles.
Dos and Don'ts
Do
Download and install a PREMIUM VPN (like Astrill or LetsVPN) weeks BEFORE traveling. The 'Great Firewall' is impenetrable otherwise.
Accept the surveillance and the lack of privacy. Your face will be scanned to enter your dorm, to pay for items, and your WeChat is monitored.
Install WeChat (Weixin) and Alipay. Literally, society does not function without these apps. Cash is viewed with suspicion.
Register your address at the local police station within 24 hours of arriving — the university does this for dorm residents automatically.
Get a Chinese +86 SIM card from China Mobile or China Unicom with your passport immediately on arrival — required to register for all local apps.
Learn the campus building names and your dorm address in Chinese characters — delivery drivers and ride apps use them.
Use the university canteen (shítáng) for meals — subsidised, delicious, and the fastest way to meet local students.
Carry your passport or residence permit at all times — police spot-checks do occur, especially in Beijing and Shanghai.
Purchase Ping An insurance immediately on arrival if not already arranged — required by Chinese immigration for X1 visa holders.
Don't
Do not leave a tip. Tipping culture does not exist in China and will cause severe confusion or even offense.
Do not expect Western-style customer service or 'the customer is always right' mentality. Rules are rules and bureaucrats will not bend them.
Do not engage in sensitive political discussions (Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, the Party), especially online in WeChat groups or in large crowds.
Do not attempt to use Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, or Instagram without a VPN — they are blocked and you cannot download VPN apps inside China.
Do not consume or carry drugs of any kind — enforcement is severe, sentences are long, and foreigners are not exempt.
Do not travel internationally on an X2 single-entry visa and attempt to return — you will need a new visa.
Do not drink tap water — use the boiled water dispensers (开水间 kāishuǐjiān) available in every Chinese dormitory building.
Do not ignore the mandatory medical check for X1 visa residence permit conversion — it must be done at a designated state clinic.
Lifestyle & Travel
Great Wall hiking
Mutianyu has fewer tourists than Badaling, cable car option, and stunning mountain scenery. Bus from Beijing ~1.5h. Student entry CNY 40.
Learn more
Shanghai nightlife and Bund walk
The Bund promenade is free and spectacular at night. Rooftop bars in Lujiazui from CNY 50. One of Asia most vibrant urban experiences.
Learn more
Guilin / Yangshuo rice terraces & river cruise
Li River karst landscape is among the most surreal in the world. Bamboo raft rides from CNY 100. Budget hostels in Yangshuo from CNY 50/night.
Learn more
Chengdu giant panda base visit
See giant pandas in their research environment. Entry CNY 58 student. Morning feeding is the highlight — go early before tour groups arrive.
Learn more
Xi'an terracotta warriors
One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Student entry CNY 75. High-speed train from Beijing or Shanghai 4-6h.
Learn more
Sichuan hotpot experience
Sichuan hotpot is a cultural institution — communal, spicy, extremely cheap. Full dinner for CNY 50-80/person including drinks. Unmissable food experience.
Learn more
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Floating pillar mountains that inspired the Avatar film. Glass bridge, Tianmen Mountain cable car. Student park entry CNY 158 (3-day pass).
Learn more
Night market food crawl
Chinese night markets offer extraordinary street food for CNY 3-15 per item. Try baozi, jianbing, scallion pancakes, lamb skewers. Budget dinner: CNY 30.
Learn moreFestival Calendar
hype
October 1st to 7th
Golden Week (National Day)
Nationwide
Avoid traveling to tourist sites during this week. Literally hundreds of millions of domestic tourists are moving at the same time.
chill
Spring and autumn
University sports days and campus festivals
Major campuses
Campus events are often easier entry points to Chinese student life than expat bars or generic language exchanges.
medium
January-February
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
Massive illuminated ice sculptures covering 600,000sqm. Student entry CNY 280 for the main park. Temperatures -20C — dress accordingly.
medium
June (lunar calendar)
Dragon Boat Festival
Nationwide (best in Foshan, Guangdong or West Lake, Hangzhou)
Traditional dragon boat races, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and riverside celebrations. Free to watch from riverbanks.
chill
April 4-6
Qingming Festival
Nationwide
Tomb-sweeping festival — but also kite flying, spring outings, and willow-branch festivals in parks. Culturally important experience for exchange students.
Travel Tips
- Download WeChat and Alipay before anything else — most restaurants, markets, and transport require QR code payment. Link a bank card immediately.
- VPN is essential for Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and most Western apps. Install and test your VPN before you land in China.
- Register your accommodation address at the local police station within 24h of arrival — mandatory for all foreigners, including students.
- HSR (high-speed rail) is the best way to travel between cities — faster than flying once you count airport time. Book on 12306.cn.
- Learn 10-20 basic Mandarin phrases — English is limited outside major tourist areas and university campuses.
Benefits & Scholarships
Personalize this layer
Add where you currently study in your profile to separate incoming support from outgoing scholarships.
Support is clearer once we separate incoming help from outgoing mobility money.
Useful either way
Support and discounts that still matter even if you are not in a strict incoming or outgoing case.
Descuento en trenes y museos
Tu credencial universitaria local te da un 50% de descuento en la mayoría de los sitios históricos (Ciudad Prohibida, Muralla) y una tarifa reducida al año en trenes para regresar a 'tu ciudad de residencia' durante las vacaciones.
Gobierno / Atracciones
Chinese Government Scholarship / CSC
CSC funding can cover tuition, accommodation, insurance, and a living stipend for selected degree students. Exchange students should check whether their home-university partnership has a separate route.
China Scholarship Council / Ministry of Education
Official sourceCampus canteens and dormitory pricing
The largest China budget advantage is campus infrastructure: subsidised canteens, dormitories, libraries, sports grounds, and student buses make daily life much cheaper than expat districts.
Host university
Official sourceVisa Requirements
Difficulty: ModerateX2 Visa (Short-term Student)
For one-semester programs. Requires an admission letter (JW202). Often issued as single-entry (you cannot leave the country to travel to Thailand or Japan and re-enter without applying for a new visa).
X1 Visa (Long-term Student)
For year-long programs or full degrees. You enter with the X1 visa and MUST transform it into a 'Residence Permit' at the local Public Security Bureau within 30 days of arrival. This requires a comprehensive local medical check.
Application Checklist
3 steps-
1
Do not book flights until your Chinese university physically mails you the original admission documents (JW201 or JW202 form) via DHL/Fedex. Consulates require original hard copies.
-
2
For the X1 visa, bring your original medical records, though you will almost certainly be forced to undergo another full medical check (blood test, ultrasound, ECG) at a designated state clinic upon arriving in China.
-
3
Always, ALWAYS register your residential address (even if in a temporary Airbnb/Hotel) at the local police station within 24 hours of entering the country. If you live on campus, the university does this for you.
Regional Variations
Health & Healthcare
How It Works
China has a large public hospital network but the experience for international students is challenging — hospitals operate on a ticket-queue system with no clear triage, doctors see hundreds of patients per day in open consultation rooms, and everything is paid upfront via WeChat Pay or Alipay before the doctor sees you. University-affiliated hospitals (校医院 xiào yīyuàn) on campus are smaller, faster, and the best entry point for routine issues. Tier-1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) have international clinics with Western-trained English-speaking staff, but at prices 10-20x higher than public facilities.
Student Needs
All students on X1 and X2 visas are required by Chinese immigration to hold Ping An Overseas Student Insurance (~USD 120/year for basic plan; ~USD 200/year for comprehensive), which covers hospitalisation, outpatient visits, and emergency repatriation. Purchase before or immediately on arrival. For English-language care in Beijing, United Family Hospital (北京和睦家医院) and in Shanghai, Parkway Health are the standard international choices — expect USD 150-300 per consultation. For minor issues, university hospitals charge under USD 5 and accept WeChat Pay.
Emergency vs Clinic
Call 120 for ambulance/medical emergency and 110 for police. Emergency departments at public hospitals will treat all patients but expect no English and upfront payment. For non-emergencies, use the campus university hospital first. International hospitals are much more comfortable but expensive — carry your Ping An insurance card and a translator app.
Public Coverage Notes
Ping An student insurance is mandatory and covers basic hospitalisation and outpatient care at designated public hospitals.
Non-mandatory upgrade: supplement with a global health insurance plan (Cigna Global, Allianz Care) if you anticipate needing English-language care regularly.
Emergency
110 (Policía), 120 (Ambulancia)EXTRA: Culture Shock & Apps
High Culture Shock Expected
This destination may feel different from Western campus routines. The apps and advice below are high-impact setup items for everyday student life.
WeChat IS China. It is your wallet (WeChat Pay), your messaging app, your food delivery, your taxi, your utility bills, and your social ID. Chinese society literally does not function without it.
The second payment giant. Many stores and services ONLY accept Alipay. Since 2024, foreigners can link Visa/Mastercard directly — this was a game-changer.
The Great Firewall blocks Google, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and most Western news. Without a VPN you are completely cut off from the Western internet.
China's Uber. Has an English interface. Extremely cheap rides. Essential for late nights when the subway is closed.
The dominant food delivery app. Deliveries arrive in 20-30 minutes and cost USD 3-6 for a full meal. Also handles hotel bookings, movie tickets, and more.
The official Chinese railway ticketing app. Book high-speed train tickets (Gaotie) directly. Your passport number serves as your ticket — just scan it at the gate.
Google Maps does not work in China (blocked + inaccurate GPS data). Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode) are the local alternatives with accurate transit routing.
China's Amazon on steroids. You can buy literally anything and it arrives in 1-2 days. Dorm essentials, bedding, electronics — all cheaper than in stores.
Cities to Explore
Beijing
The imperial, political, and cultural heart of China. It offers an unapologetically raw, traditional northern Chinese experience mixed with a massive tech…
Open City Guide
Shanghai
China's most international, fast-paced commercial hub. A glittering skyline, deep colonial history, and a much softer entry point for foreigners.
Open City Guide