Before You Board: A Practical China Pre-Arrival Guide for International Students
Moving to China for university is exciting, but the weeks before departure can also feel overwhelming. Once your admission and visa are confirmed, you still need to think about accommodation, payments, mobile services, essential apps and the first administrative steps after landing.
The process becomes much easier when you understand the correct order.
Before departure, prepare your housing options, mobile-payment accounts, internet access and essential documents. After arriving, get a Chinese SIM card, complete your university registration, open a bank account and then connect your local card to WeChat Pay and Alipay.
Take Your University Housing Deadline Seriously
If you plan to stay in a university dormitory, pay close attention to the application date.
Many Chinese universities have limited on-campus housing, and receiving an admission offer does not always guarantee that a room will be available. Apply as soon as the accommodation system opens, check whether an advance payment is required and make sure you receive an official confirmation.
Before accepting a room, find out whether it is private or shared, whether the bathroom is shared, whether bedding is included and whether cooking is permitted. Some dormitories may also have visitor rules, entry hours or restrictions during university holidays.
Even when a dormitory is your first choice, it is sensible to research off-campus accommodation as a backup.
Understand Your Off-Campus Housing Options
International students searching for accommodation in China may encounter platforms such as Beike, Lianjia, Ziroom and Wellcee. Each offers a different rental experience.
Beike and Lianjia follow a more traditional agency model. They usually provide a large selection of properties, and an agent can arrange viewings, communicate with landlords and help explain the rental process. This can be useful for students who want more support, although an agency commission may apply and the experience is mainly designed for Chinese-speaking users.
Ziroom provides managed and furnished rentals. Maintenance, cleaning support and online rent payments may be included, depending on the property. The process can feel more standardised, but the overall cost may be higher and additional service fees may apply.
Wellcee is a direct-rental platform where students can communicate with landlords, existing tenants and potential roommates without paying an agency commission. This can help students reduce their initial moving costs, particularly when they are already paying tuition, deposits and travel expenses. The platform is also designed for an international audience, although students should still verify the property, ask detailed questions and read the contract carefully before making a payment.
Check out how to find roommates in China.
Check the Details Before Paying
Do not choose a room based only on photographs or the advertised monthly rent.
Confirm the exact address and travel time to your campus. Ask about the security deposit, payment schedule, management fees, utilities and internet costs. You should also understand the contract length, what happens if you leave early and how the deposit will be returned.
Make sure you know who is signing the contract. You may be dealing with the legal landlord, an agent, a current tenant or someone offering a sublease.
International students should also confirm whether the landlord can cooperate with the local accommodation-registration process. Your university can provide guidance on the procedure required in your city.
When viewing a property remotely, request a live video tour. Avoid transferring a large amount of money simply because someone claims that other students are waiting for the room.
Check out our step-by-step guide for renting in China.
Get to know the answers of frequently asked questions by foreigners in China.
Check out real rental prices of your city:
Prepare WeChat Pay and Alipay Before Departure
China relies heavily on mobile payments, so download WeChat and Alipay before travelling.
Create your accounts, complete any available identity verification and connect a supported international bank card. This can provide a temporary payment option before you are able to open a Chinese bank account.
However, do not depend on only one payment method. An international card connected to Alipay or WeChat Pay may not support every transaction, and payments can occasionally be declined by the platform, merchant or card-issuing bank.
Visa and Mastercard may be accepted directly at some airports, hotels and larger businesses, but they are not a reliable everyday payment method at smaller shops, restaurants and local services. A safer approach is to prepare three payment options:
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An international card linked to Alipay or WeChat Pay
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Sufficient cash for your first few days
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A Chinese bank account and local bank card after arrival
Cash may not become your main payment method, but it is an important backup if your mobile payment is temporarily unavailable.
Get a Chinese SIM Card After Landing
A Chinese SIM card should be one of your first priorities after arriving.
A local phone number may be required for banking, verification codes, delivery apps, ride-hailing, university communication and customer service. It will also make it easier to contact landlords and roommates.
China’s main mobile operators are China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. Your university may offer SIM-card services during registration or recommend a nearby official branch. Bring your passport and compare the packages carefully. Check the monthly data allowance, contract period, cancellation conditions and network coverage around your campus.
It is also useful to arrange temporary roaming or another internet option for your arrival day, as you may need to contact your university or accommodation before purchasing a local SIM card.
Complete University Registration Before Opening a Bank Account
Once you have a Chinese phone number, follow your university’s registration instructions. You may need to confirm your student status, complete medical or insurance procedures, register your accommodation and prepare documents for residence-related formalities.
These university documents may also be required when opening a Chinese bank account. Keep your passport, admission letter, student documents and accommodation information organised. Carry the originals and prepare both printed and digital copies.
Open a Chinese Bank Account
Ask your university whether it recommends a particular bank or branch. Some scholarship or university payments may be connected to a specific bank.
A passport and real-name Chinese mobile number are commonly required. Depending on the bank and branch, you may also need student-status documents, accommodation information or additional identification details.
Once your account is active, connect your Chinese bank card to WeChat Pay and Alipay. This will usually provide a more complete local payment experience than relying only on an overseas card.
Download Essential Apps
Your phone will be central to everyday life in China, so prepare the most important apps before departure.
WeChat is used for communication, university groups, landlords, classmates and local services. Alipay is important for mobile payments and other daily functions.
For navigation, download AMap, also known as Gaode Maps, or Baidu Maps. Do not rely on Google Maps as your main local navigation tool, as Chinese mapping apps generally provide more useful public-transport routes, business information and local addresses.
Save the Chinese-language addresses of your university, accommodation and registration office before flying. Showing a Chinese address to a driver is often more reliable than showing only an English name.
A translation app with text, voice and photograph translation will also be helpful. Pleco can be useful as a Chinese dictionary.
Other apps such as DiDi, Meituan, Taobao and Railway 12306 can be downloaded later. Your main priorities before arrival should be WeChat, Alipay, a local map and a translation tool.
Some international online services may not be readily accessible in mainland China, so review your internet needs and prepare an appropriate solution before departure, following local regulations and your university’s guidance.
Pack the Essentials, Not Everything
Most ordinary household items can be purchased easily after arrival. Prioritise a reliable power adaptor, personal medication, important documents and items that may be difficult to replace.
Keep medication in its original packaging and carry a prescription or doctor’s letter where relevant. Bring several passport-sized photographs, as physical photographs may still be requested for university forms or administrative procedures.
Your passport and essential original documents should remain in your hand luggage. Save digital copies on your phone, email and cloud storage, and prepare several printed copies. It is also helpful to carry the Chinese addresses of your university and accommodation, emergency contacts and a small amount of cash.
Still Planning to Apply to China?
Students planning to apply for undergraduate study in China should check whether their target university or programme requires the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, or CSCA.
Required subjects may vary by university and programme. Students who prefer structured preparation can consider Crossline Education, which provides CSCA training in Chinese, mathematics, physics and chemistry, alongside broader Study in China services and an international student community.
Always confirm the latest admission and exam requirements directly with your intended university.
Your Final Pre-Arrival Checklist
Before leaving:
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Apply for university accommodation or prepare a backup
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Download WeChat, Alipay and a Chinese map
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Link an international bank card
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Prepare sufficient cash
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Arrange internet access
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Organise your documents
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Pack medication, photographs and a power adaptor
After arriving: Chinese SIM card → university registration → bank account → local mobile payments
You do not need to prepare for every possible situation. The goal is to have the essentials ready, understand which steps depend on one another and know where to ask for help.
