The People’s Republic of China, commonly known as China, is a country in East Asia. It is one of Asia’s largest countries by area and, after India, the world’s second-most populous country. By the end of 2025, China’s population was about 1.405 billion. Its capital is Beijing.
Mandarin Chinese, or Putonghua, is the national common language, while many regional languages and dialects are also spoken, including Cantonese, Hunanese, Min, Gan, Wu, and Hakka. As for religion, China officially recognizes five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism.
As one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, China has an immensely rich history and many famous tourist destinations. A few of these include the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Classical Gardens of Suzhou, and the Bund.
Aside from the above-mentioned landmarks, visitors also come to the country for its food. China has a rich cuisine, and many Chinese dishes are loved and well known across the globe, including Peking duck, fried rice, hot pot, dim sum, char siu, and many more.
Before the pandemic, China hosted nearly half a million international students. In 2018, the Ministry of Education reported 492,185 international students from 196 countries and regions studying in China. Some factors that have attracted international students to the country include generous scholarships as well as the comparatively affordable tuition offered by many Chinese higher education institutions. Here are the best cities in China for international students!
Top Cities to Study in China for International Students
1. Shanghai
The city of Shanghai is first on the list of best cities in China for international students and is considered one of the country’s major commercial, financial, and industrial centers. It is also a highly populated place, with about 24.85 million permanent residents at the end of 2025. On another note, Shanghai is absolutely perfect for international students who prefer city life. It is not only a top tourist spot, but the location is also great for those who are actively looking for new career opportunities.
With that being said, international students in Shanghai may be able to pursue approved internships or work-study opportunities if they meet university and immigration requirements. However, students cannot simply take off-campus jobs without proper approval and residence permit authorization. The city is big on commerce and finance, and it is also known for its strong universities. Some of these include Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University, and Donghua University. Additionally, Fudan University, a public research university that is a reputable and highly selective institution in China, ranked #26 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
2. Beijing
China’s capital city, Beijing, is well balanced as both a cultural and historical place and a bustling modern hub. At different times in history, Beijing was also known as Beiping, which translates to “Northern Peace.” Moving on to the city’s attractions, these include the Forbidden City, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to this, Beijing is close to famous sections of the Great Wall of China, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of the World.
For international students who plan on moving to Beijing, it is a great choice of city in China as there are a handful of prominent universities to choose from, like Tsinghua University, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Beihang University, and Beijing Institute of Technology.
According to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, Beijing’s Tsinghua University ranked 12th worldwide, while Peking University ranked 13th. For prospective students who plan on entering a field focused on engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and similar areas, the Beijing Institute of Technology is another strong option.
3. Hangzhou
Hangzhou is another great city for international students in China and is the capital of Zhejiang province in eastern China. It is also sometimes dubbed “Shanghai’s Backyard” because it is relatively near Shanghai. There are many must-see areas in Hangzhou, including the UNESCO-listed West Lake Cultural Landscape, Yue Fei Temple, and Lingyin Temple.
When it comes to the city’s most outstanding centers of learning, these include Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou Normal University, and China Academy of Art. Students who are interested in taking up a media and communication-related study program may consider the Communication University of Zhejiang, while Zhejiang University and China Academy of Art are also major options in the city.
4. Shenzhen
In Guangdong province, Shenzhen is a coastal city adjacent to Hong Kong and one of the core cities of the Greater Bay Area. It is a vibrant location that is popular for its recreational spots, such as shopping malls, parks, and more. In addition to this, Shenzhen is a top city in China for international students who wish to study in the country. As of the end of 2024, Shenzhen had about 17.99 million permanent residents.
Students from overseas who are about to move to Shenzhen should consider the following institutes of higher education: Shenzhen University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK-Shenzhen), and the Southern University of Science and Technology. Shenzhen University, for instance, is a respected public university that ranked #452 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #156 in the U.S. News 2025-2026 Best Global Universities rankings.
5. Chengdu
Chengdu is another top city for aspiring international students who want to study in China. It is the capital of Sichuan province, which is often known as the “Land of Abundance.” As of 2025, Chengdu’s permanent resident population surpassed 21.47 million. In this city, there are also several places frequented by tourists, but perhaps the most notable one is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. More than that, visitors will likely be glad to know that Chengdu has appeared on China’s Happiest Cities list for 17 consecutive years in the annual survey sponsored by Oriental Outlook.
On the topic of universities, there are quite a few options in Chengdu, such as Sichuan University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Southwest Jiaotong University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, and Chengdu University.
Furthermore, Sichuan University is one of Chengdu’s major university options. The institution offers programs across a wide range of fields, including medicine, engineering, humanities, law, management, and science. Moreover, Zhu De, one of the founders of the People’s Republic of China, and Jiang Zhujun, a Chinese national hero, are commonly associated with the university’s history.
We hope that this article on the best cities in China for international students was helpful. For more information about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
