Living in Beijing: A Student Guide

Why Beijing?

As the capital, Beijing combines historic depth with academic prestige. It's home to Tsinghua, Peking University, and many others, plus a huge international community.

Universities

• Tsinghua University — engineering, CS, architecture
• Peking University — humanities, sciences, medicine
• Beijing Normal University — education, humanities
• Beijing Institute of Technology — engineering

Cost of Living

Beijing is a tier-1 city. Budget around 3,500–5,500 CNY/month excluding tuition. On-campus dorms help keep costs down.

Getting Around

Beijing's subway is extensive and affordable. Buses and shared bikes fill the gaps. Winter can be cold and dry — plan accordingly.

Lifestyle

From the Forbidden City to the hutongs, Beijing mixes imperial history with modern energy. The food scene is legendary — try Peking duck and the many regional cuisines represented in the city.

Beijing's air quality has improved significantly in recent years, but check seasonal conditions.