China

About China

China is vast, diverse, and full of contrasts. From ancient heritage and imperial palaces to futuristic skylines and mega-cities like Shanghai or Beijing, living in China means entering a fast-paced and complex society. You’ll discover a culture shaped by centuries of philosophy, Confucian values, and rapid modernization.

Life for a student in China can be exciting and sometimes disorienting — but always eye-opening. Expect delicious food, language challenges, very affordable daily life, and a unique perspective on how the world is changing.

Before You Go – Visa & Entry Requirements

For exchange students, you’ll need a Student Visa (X1 for stays over 180 days / X2 for shorter stays).

Required documents generally include:

  • Valid passport

  • JW201 or JW202 form (visa authorization, sent by your host university)

  • Admission letter from your Chinese university

  • Completed visa application form

  • Passport photo

  • Health certificate (for long-term stays – X1)

💡 After entering China with an X1 visa, you must convert it into a residence permit within 30 days at the local Public Security Bureau (PSB). Your university will guide you through this.

Official info:
https://www.visaforchina.cn/
https://www.chine-embassy.gov.cn/fra/lsfw/visas/

Money & Cost of Living

China uses the Renminbi (RMB), also known as the Yuan (¥). Daily life is very affordable compared to Europe or the US, especially outside of top-tier cities.

  • Rent: Dormitories cost around ¥1,000–¥2,000/month. Private apartments are more expensive — between ¥3,000–¥6,000 in Beijing or Shanghai, less in other cities.

  • Food: You can eat a full meal for ¥15–¥30 in the cafeteria or local restaurants. Street food is even cheaper and often delicious.

  • Transport: In big cities, subways cost around ¥2–¥6 per ride. Buses are even cheaper (~¥1). Taxis and bike-sharing are very accessible too.

💳 Important: Most payments in China are done through mobile apps (WeChat Pay or Alipay). Cash is fading away. You’ll likely need to open a Chinese bank account to use them — your university will help you.

Housing in China

Universities usually provide on-campus dormitories, often the easiest and cheapest option. You may share a room with 1–3 students.

If you want to live off-campus, you’ll need approval from the university, and landlords may be hesitant to rent to foreigners. Also, you must register your address at the local police station (mandatory!).

Useful platforms (for private rentals):

Traveling in China

With high-speed trains (CRH) and cheap domestic flights, China is easy to explore — just plan ahead!

  • 12306 China Railway is the official platform for train bookings (app or website — requires Chinese ID for online use, but agencies or WeChat mini-programs help).

  • Trip.com: A foreigner-friendly app for booking trains, flights, and hotels.

  • High-speed rail (G and D trains) is fast and reliable — e.g., Beijing to Shanghai in under 5 hours.

Must-visit places:

  • Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square

  • Shanghai: Skyline views, French Concession, modern life

  • Xi’an: Terracotta Army and ancient city walls

  • Guilin/Yangshuo: Magical limestone landscapes

  • Chengdu: Pandas and spicy Sichuan food

  • Hangzhou & Suzhou: Traditional gardens and lakes

Useful Apps in China

⚠️ Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and many Western platforms are blocked. Use local alternatives + a VPN.

  • WeChat (微信): Messaging, payments, reservations — everything.

  • Alipay (支付宝): Mobile payments and daily services.

  • Didi: Like Uber, for ordering taxis.

  • Baidu Maps / Amap (高德地图): Local GPS apps (Google Maps doesn’t work well).

  • Pleco: Best offline Chinese-English dictionary.

  • AirMatters: To monitor air pollution levels in major cities.

  • Ctrip / Trip.com: Book travel easily.

  • Meituan / Ele.me: Food delivery platforms.

  • VPN: Use ExpressVPN, NordVPN or Astrill — install and configure before arriving in China.

Daily Life & Tips

  • Language barrier is real: very few people speak English outside university or large cities. Learn basic Mandarin or rely on apps like Pleco or Google Translate (offline mode).

  • Food culture is huge: expect to eat out a lot. Be open to trying new dishes, but always ask about spice level and ingredients.

  • Air quality can be a concern in big cities like Beijing — check forecasts and wear masks on bad days.

  • Tap water is not drinkable — always boil it or buy bottled water.

  • Internet censorship means you should install a VPN before you leave.

Shangai

Beijin

Hong kong