Tea Ceremony
Slow rituals, warm hospitality and quiet conversation reveal a more reflective side of daily life.
Discover CultureExplore China
Find the City That Changes Your Story
China is not one destination. It is a landscape of skylines, ancient capitals, tea fields, creative neighborhoods, family homes and weekend journeys waiting to become part of your life.
Featured Cities
Six Gateways Into Modern China
Each city gives international students a different way to experience China: global, historic, poetic, relaxed, ancient or future-facing.
Shanghai
Global Skyline, Creative Energy
Shanghai is often the city that surprises students first: international, stylish, efficient and full of neighborhoods that move from historic lanes to futuristic towers within minutes.
- Landmarks: The Bund, Lujiazui, Yu Garden, French Concession
- Food: Xiaolongbao, scallion noodles, riverfront dining, bakeries
- Transportation: Metro, high-speed rail, airports, bike sharing
- Universities: Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Tongji, ECNU
- Lifestyle: International, fast, design-led, cafe-rich
- Climate: Humid subtropical with warm summers and mild winters
Beijing
Ancient Capital, Big Ideas
Beijing brings China's past and present into one daily rhythm, where students can visit imperial landmarks, study near leading universities and return to quiet neighborhood life.
- Landmarks: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
- Food: Peking duck, zhajiangmian, hot pot, hutong snacks
- Transportation: Metro, high-speed rail, capital airports, city buses
- Universities: Peking University, Tsinghua, BLCU, Renmin University
- Lifestyle: Historic, intellectual, cultural, spacious
- Climate: Four seasons with dry winters and warm summers
Hangzhou
Tea, Technology and West Lake Calm
Hangzhou feels poetic without being old-fashioned. It blends West Lake, tea villages, green hills and one of China's strongest technology ecosystems.
- Landmarks: West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Longjing tea fields, Grand Canal
- Food: West Lake vinegar fish, Dongpo pork, Longjing tea, local noodles
- Transportation: Metro, high-speed rail, airport, lake cycling routes
- Universities: Zhejiang University, China Academy of Art, ZJUT
- Lifestyle: Calm, creative, scenic, balanced
- Climate: Humid subtropical with soft springs and warm summers
Chengdu
Warm Living, Parks and Pandas
Chengdu is famous for comfort: teahouses, parks, friendly neighborhoods, spicy food and a slower pace that helps many students feel at home quickly.
- Landmarks: Panda Base, Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Street, People's Park
- Food: Hot pot, mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, Sichuan snacks
- Transportation: Metro, high-speed rail, Tianfu airport, buses
- Universities: Sichuan University, UESTC, Southwest Jiaotong University
- Lifestyle: Relaxed, social, food-focused, welcoming
- Climate: Mild and humid with cloudy winters and warm summers
Xi'an
Ancient China You Can Walk Through
Xi'an gives students a powerful sense of history without feeling frozen in time. City walls, food streets, universities and ancient sites shape an unforgettable daily backdrop.
- Landmarks: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- Food: Biangbiang noodles, roujiamo, dumplings, Muslim Quarter snacks
- Transportation: Metro, high-speed rail, airport, city wall cycling
- Universities: Xi'an Jiaotong, Northwestern, Xidian, Shaanxi Normal
- Lifestyle: Historic, grounded, affordable, student-friendly
- Climate: Four seasons with hot summers and cold, dry winters
Shenzhen
Young, Coastal and Future-Facing
Shenzhen is one of China's youngest major cities, known for technology, design, coastal parks and an optimistic pace that attracts ambitious young people.
- Landmarks: Shenzhen Bay, OCT Loft, Nanshan, Dapeng Peninsula
- Food: Cantonese cuisine, seafood, dim sum, global restaurants
- Transportation: Metro, high-speed rail, airport, Hong Kong connections
- Universities: Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen University
- Lifestyle: Innovative, coastal, international, energetic
- Climate: Subtropical with warm winters and hot, humid summers
Chinese Culture
Culture Becomes Real When You Live It
International students discover Chinese culture most deeply through homes, neighborhoods, meals, seasonal traditions and conversations with people who live them every day.
Calligraphy
Brush, ink and movement connect language learning with patience, beauty and tradition.
Discover CultureFamily Meals
Food becomes a language of welcome, care and belonging around the family table.
Meet FamiliesFestivals
Traditions feel different when you prepare, celebrate and understand them from inside a home.
View MomentsNature and Wildlife
Beyond the Skyline
China's natural world gives students room to breathe: lakes, mountains, bamboo forests, river valleys, national parks and wildlife experiences that make weekends feel cinematic.
Panda Base
Chengdu offers one of China's most beloved wildlife experiences in a calm, green setting.
Ask an AdvisorWest Lake
Hangzhou's lake paths, bridges and tea hills make nature part of the city itself.
Ask an AdvisorKarst Landscapes
Southern China reveals rivers, mountains and villages that feel completely different from the megacities.
Ask an AdvisorCoastal Parks
Shenzhen shows how urban life can meet sea air, cycling routes and weekend escapes.
Ask an AdvisorTravel Experiences
Weekend Trips Become Part of the Program
High-speed rail, city metros and domestic flight networks make it possible to experience more than one version of China during your stay.
High-Speed Rail
Travel between major cities comfortably and see how connected modern China has become.
Historic Landmarks
Walk city walls, temple grounds, gardens and ancient streets with context from local families and coordinators.
Regional Food
Every city changes the menu, from Sichuan spice to Shanghai dumplings and Xi'an noodles.
Nature Escapes
Lakes, hills, rivers, bamboo forests and coastal paths add balance to busy city life.
Student Community
Shared trips help international students make friends and build confidence outside the classroom.
Family Weekends
Some of the best trips happen with host families who show students places tourists often miss.
Interactive Map
Explore China by City Personality
Use the featured destinations as a starting point. The future VIPAUPAIR map will help students compare climate, lifestyle, universities, food and host family availability.
How to Choose
Start with the life you want to live.
Choose Shanghai for global energy, Beijing for history, Hangzhou for balance, Chengdu for warmth, Xi'an for ancient China, or Shenzhen for innovation and coastal life.
- Best for modern first impressions
- Shanghai and Shenzhen
- Best for history and culture
- Beijing and Xi'an
- Best for relaxed daily life
- Hangzhou and Chengdu
Your China Journey
One City Can Become the Beginning of Everything.
Live with a Chinese host family, discover a city from the inside and build memories that change how you see China and yourself.
- No application fee
- Personalized city guidance
- Visa support
- 24/7 assistance