Everything You Need to Know · From Arrival to Daily Life · Practical Tips for International Students
Just arrived in China? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know - from getting a phone card and bank account to essential apps and daily life tips. Bookmark this page and refer back anytime you need help navigating life in China!
Your first priority after landing in China - stay connected with a local SIM card.
China has three major carriers with excellent nationwide coverage:
| Carrier | Chinese Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| China Unicom | 中国联通 | Good Service |
| China Telecom | 中国电信 | Popular |
| China Mobile | 中国移动 | Largest |
All three offer similar service quality. Visit any nearby service center (营业厅) to get started.
💡 Request a brand new number! When visiting the service center, tell the staff: "Please give me a brand new number, never used before" (全新的号码). This helps you avoid spam messages and calls from the previous owner.
⚠️ Don't forget dorm internet! Dorm broadband (宿舍宽带) requires separate registration. Usually costs an additional ¥10/month for high-speed internet access.
Essential for daily transactions and linking to payment apps.
These banks are confirmed to accept foreign passport holders:
| Bank | Chinese Name | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of China | 中国银行 | Most Accessible |
| China Merchants Bank | 招商银行 | English Service |
⚠️ Important: Not all branches accept foreign applicants. Call ahead to confirm before visiting to save yourself a wasted trip!
Class 1 Debit Card (一类储蓄卡) - This is the standard, full-featured account you need. It supports:
💡 Heads up: Some banks may require you to open a temporary account first or make an initial deposit (around ¥50). This is standard procedure - don't worry!
Critical setup steps for seamless shopping and payments.
ℹ️ Link Your Chinese Phone Number! If you registered Alipay (支付宝) with an email address before coming to China, basic features will work. However, you'll encounter issues when shopping on Taobao (淘宝):
⚠️ Common Problem: The system often fails to recognize your Alipay (支付宝) account automatically, causing payment failures or redirect errors when checking out on Taobao (淘宝).
Navigate to Settings
Link Phone & Verify Identity
Add Payment Method
✅ Result: After completing these steps, you'll enjoy seamless one-click payments on Taobao (淘宝), Tmall (天猫), Taobao Flash Delivery (淘宝闪购), and other platforms with automatic Alipay (支付宝) login!
Navigate China's cities with ease - no wallet needed!
✅ Super convenient! No need to buy tickets - automatic fare deduction. Supported in almost every city across China!
Want to explore campus or the city freely? Bike sharing is your best option!
| Brand | Chinese Name | Color | How to Use | Foreigner-Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hellobike | 哈罗单车 | 🔵 Blue | Open Alipay → Scan QR code | ✅ Yes - Passport verification accepted |
| Meituan Bike | 美团单车 | 🟡 Yellow | Open Meituan App → Scan to ride | ✅ Yes - Phone number required |
| Qingju | 青桔单车 | 🟢 Green | Requires Didi App | ❌ No - Chinese ID card required |
🌟 Recommended: Hellobike (哈罗单车) Easiest to use via Alipay (支付宝), widest coverage, and most foreigner-friendly!
💡 First-time tips:
- Pay a deposit or link your Sesame Credit (芝麻信用) for deposit-free rides
- Always check brakes and tires before riding
- Park in designated areas to avoid fines
Stay healthy and know where to get help when you need it.
Cold medicine, fever reducers, band-aids, etc.
Recommended: Ali Health Pharmacy (阿里健康大药房) on Taobao (淘宝)
Open Taobao Flash Delivery (淘宝闪购) or Meituan (美团) delivery app:
✅ This saved me during a midnight fever emergency!
⚠️ Important: Foreigners typically cannot book hospital appointments directly through apps (like Alipay (支付宝) or WeChat (微信) hospital services).
Option 1: Call the Hospital
Option 2: Walk-in Registration
💡 Pro tip: Research top-tier hospitals (三甲医院) near your school in advance and save their contact numbers. These hospitals have the best facilities and are more likely to have English-speaking staff.
Critical documents and deadlines - don't miss these important steps!
⚠️ 2025 Policy Update! Even Chinese language students now need to provide graduation certificates!
📢 Important Note: Some agents may not be aware of the new regulations and might tell language students they don't need graduation certificates. Always verify requirements yourself to avoid entry denial or registration failure!
Visit the designated local health center (e.g., "International Travel Healthcare Center" (国际旅行卫生保健中心) in Hangzhou)
Who needs this:
After health check, bring all documents to the local Exit & Entry Administration (出入境管理局) to apply for your official residence permit (Study/X1 visa)
Return to pick up your residence permit sticker (essentially your "Chinese ID card" for the duration of your stay)
✅ Pro tip: Keep all receipts and take photos of all documents as backup. You'll thank yourself later!
These apps are absolutely essential - you'll use them every single day!
⚠️ Important: Google Play and Apple App Store don't work well in mainland China! You'll need to switch to the China region to download these apps.
Android Users: Tencent App Store (腾讯应用宝)
iPhone Users: Switch your Apple ID to China region
China's "super wallet" - absolutely essential!
More than just messaging - it's your social lifeline!
More accurate than Baidu Maps with frequent updates!
China's "Uber" - the go-to ride-hailing app!
Shop till you drop - everything you need!
Second-hand marketplace - perfect for students!
Don't feel like going out? Order delivery!
Fresh groceries delivered to your door!
One-stop shop for all your travel needs!
China's "Instagram + Pinterest"
Chinese AI assistants!
Like Google Drive or Dropbox
Adjusting to life in a new country can feel overwhelming at first, but trust me - life in China is incredibly convenient, vibrant, and exciting! 🌈
Once you've tackled these essentials, you'll be navigating daily life like a local in no time. Remember, every expat started exactly where you are now!
Have questions? Feel free to reach out! We'll be sharing more guides on student life, city exploration, and food recommendations soon. ❤️
Tags: #ChinaLifeGuide #LivingInChina #InternationalStudents #Alipay #WeChat #GaodeMap #ChinaTravel #VisaGuide #StudentLife #BikeSharingChina