Study abroad in China and discover a country where ancient temples, gardens and palaces meet modern shopping centers, festivals and technology.
Your study abroad China experience can take you to:
- One of the longest and most historical manmade structures in the world, the Great Wall of China.
- The Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai, where you can marvel at the two massive, white jade statues of Buddha in the northern chamber and then enjoy lunch in a public restaurant in the eastern chamber.
Depending on your length of stay in China:
- When you study abroad in China for a summer study program you’ll get to see the blossoms of the Beijing Botanical Gardens.
- If you study for a semester abroad you can travel the Mi Lo River, where fiercely decorated boats race each other in the Dragon Boat Festival.
No matter where you go in this large country, your study abroad China experience will leave you wanting more!
Chinese University Study Abroad Options
There are many universities you can visit when you study in China, but some of the most popular and prestigious are located in China’s capital, Beijing.
Beijing is quickly becoming a modernized city, yet it still is home to hundreds of historical buildings and landmarks.
These attractions include:
- The Temple of Heaven, constructed in 1406 for Taoist worship.
- The Niujie Mosque, built in 996 during the Liao Dynasty.
- The Forbidden City, which served as the home for Chinese Emperors for almost five centuries.
Among these ancient attractions there are many schools in Beijing that are popular for study abroad students:
- Tsinghua University, which is located on former royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty and boasts over 44 departments and 11 schools.
- Another study abroad China program is located at Peking University, which is the first national university created in Chinese history and one that includes over 80 countries in its international exchange program.
There are still many other study abroad opportunities in Beijing and other Chinese cities. For more study abroad China information, see the Universities section, and for ideas to help pay for your experience see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.
Choose Your Mode of Transportation in China
No matter where you are and where you need to go, when you study abroad in China there are plenty of ways to get around:
- Since China is surrounded by the Yellow Sea and many other seas, ferries and liners run by companies such as the Sino Japanese International Ferry Company are often used to travel from one port to another.
- Another mode of travel within China is the subway, which is used to travel to downtown areas of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
- There is also an international railway service, the Jingjiu Railway (also known as the Beijing-Kowloon Through Express), that features high-speed trains and runs through most of China’s major cities.
- Of course, the cheapest and best ways to get around China within short distances are by bus, taxi and the old favorite, the bicycle. Bicycles can be found for rent in all major cities.
Even if you are just riding a bike through the countryside, you should always take study abroad health precautions to prevent you from an unexpected transportation disaster.
Exchange Rates for Chinese Currency
Chinese currency is known as the renminbi, which also means “the people’s currency.”
It’s important for you to know the exchange rate between US dollars and renminbi so you can go out in China and make purchases without any problems. Here’s what you need to know:
- Units come in yuan, jiao and fen. 1 yuan = 10 jiao. 1 jiao = 10 fen
- One US dollar = 7.6 yuan
- One-hundred US dollars = about 750 yuan
You can use an exchange rate site such as XE.com to compare other amounts of US dollars against Chinese renminbi. You should always look up exchange rates when you’re looking up study abroad information so you don’t get caught off guard when you’re across the other side of the world!
Next Study Abroad China Stop: Hong Kong
A study abroad China experience just would not be the same without a visit to Hong Kong, where you can:
- Board a traditional Chinese sailboat known as a Duk Ling and sail across Hong Kong’s waterways.
- View some of China’s most elaborate paintings from the Han, Ming and Qing dynasties in the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
- Climb the mountain of Victoria Peak, which is the city’s number one tourist attraction and the best place to see a spectacular view of the city and its harbors.
- Walk along Hong Kong’s popular Nathan Road for a unique shopping experience full of malls, galleries, museums and restaurants.
- Enjoy a fun-filled day the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
All of these will provide some much-needed excitement after a long day of studies.
Important Study Abroad China Information
When you study abroad in China you should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need:
