By TUDOR FINNERAN
Global Business Journalism reporter
As I near the completion of my first year of grad school at Tsinghua University, I am currently sitting at the desk of my rented apartment in Liudaokou, a bustling residential and commercial neighborhood in the Haidan district of northern Beijing about 3 km from the center of the campus.
To the north I have beautiful views of the mountains. On a clear day they make me want to run deep into the wilds and scale the ancient Great Wall. To the east there is a heavily Uyghur area known as Qing He and a recently revitalized new district heading toward Tsinghua’s greatest nemesis … Peking University.
To the west there is our campus and to the south is the center of the off-campus universe, the aptly named U-Center. It is a shopping mall that serves as a convergence point between 15 of the capital’s best universities, all conveniently located in the Haidian district.
I came to Liudaokou without knowing what I was getting into, and now, eight months later, it has all worked out surprisingly well – largely because of the tutelage and advice of Ms. Chengzhang Li, director of the journalism school's International Affairs Office, and my program staff.
Most international students are not so lucky.
I had caring Chinese and American members of the school community who were only a WeChat message away at any hour of the day. Now six months later, I know for a fact, that international students in other schools, and even at Tsinghua (but under different programs), have a rough ride as a foreigner in China.
This article will assist you in avoiding unnecessary hardships that detract from the truly awesome experience of studying and living in China. When preparing to study at the prestigious Tsinghua University (or another good university, or even Peking U, if you must …), one of the biggest decisions you'll face is where to live in Beijing.
Your choice of neighborhood will make or break your experience.
We must evaluate and analyze on a deeper and more fun scale to see through any language or legal barriers. Neighborhoods in China are just built different. I have been across a good amount of the nation so far – and whether it is a Tier 1 city or a Tier 5 city, humble homesteads stand next to luxury…
We are only students, so this balance is essential. We need relative access to factors like affordable housing, transportation, digital integration as well as roadmaps for easy WeChat use and then access to Western food… and then if lucky, English resources and international communities.
Now, I am going to be a bit cheeky and just say it.
Wudaokou (not Liudaokou where I live presently) surrounding Tsinghua's east and south gates is simply the best option for most international students… of Tsinghua, Peking, Beijing Foreign Language University, Renmin or wherever you chose to go.
Note this about your web searches for helpful housing tips: A lot of the information you see on Google and Wikipedia is stuck in 2005. It is inaccurate and despite this area being one of the most tech-centric hubs of the world, nobody has given the Western internet an update – so this article is even more essential to your housing search.
Wudaokou is a soft landing in an unfamiliar country. The proximity to Tsinghua's campus is also unbeatable. This stands in stark contrast to neighborhoods further afield like Zhongguancun and Haidian, which do well for affordability and transit, but can't match Wudaokou's well-rounded nature. To imagine it, you simply have to take London or New York and amplify the energy and population by ten.
How important are the comforts of home for you?
I avoid areas very far from campus that lack international amenities like Changping and Tongzhou. A current part-time student, Tian Tian, who lives in Chanping said this to me: “My undergraduate degree university was in this area, it is nice and green but a little boring.”
To me this sounds ideal for studies, proving it might be a consideration if you are in this minority of part-time graduate students in full-time employment.
Renee, another part-time local student who has lived in Tongzhou told us, “It is ancient, it is busy but it is far from the university – too far to live and travel each day.”
This renders it a no go when you factor in multiple lectures in the campus per day, or per week.
Upscale neighborhoods like Sanlitun are also marked lower in my books due to high costs that could –well, they do – stretch a student's budget.
My friend and current international student Hannan Gilliani, said: "I have lived in and around Wuadaoku for the last few years, during both undergraduate and graduate studies. Whilst it is an evolving area it has consistently served as a good term time home.”
So if you're an international student coming to study at Tsinghua, the advice is clear: Start your Beijing journey in Wudaokou, where you'll find an amazing few years ahead.
Top 10 Beijing Neighborhoods for International Students
1. Wudaokou
This area near Tsinghua University and Beida (Peking University) is known as the center for international students, with affordable housing, restaurants, bars, and shops catering to foreign students.
2. Zhongguancun
The "Silicon Valley of China", this tech hub has many universities like Beihang University. It offers modern amenities and housing options popular with Chinese and international students.
3. Haidian
A large district home to top universities like Renmin, Beida, and Tsinghua. It has a suburban feel with parks and residential areas favored by students.
4. Wangjing
An upscale neighborhood near universities like UCAS and BLCU, with high-rise apartments and amenities like malls and international schools.
5. Shuangjing
Close to universities like CUPL and BFSU, this area has affordable housing options and is well-connected by subway.
6. Guomao
The CBD area has luxury student apartments near institutions like UIBE. It offers a metropolitan lifestyle but at higher prices.
7. Andingmen
A historic neighborhood with quirky shops/eateries and proximity to Minzu University and other colleges.
8. Xidan
A central commercial area with malls and amenities, popular with students from institutions like Renmin University.
9. Sanlitun
The embassy area has an international vibe, nightlife, and housing convenient for students at universities like UIC.
10. Yayuncun
An affordable residential area near Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) favored by international students.
Accommodation consideration key
Metrics and factors to think about
The actual accommodation
🏠 Rental costs for apartments/rooms
🏫 Availability of student housing
🚶♀️ Proximity to Tsinghua campus
Bonus: Identifying a trustworthy international realtor. Only a few locations are open to renting to us foreign nationals – blame the past residents who run away rather than pay their final installments!
Transportation
🚇 Access to subway/bus routes
🚲 Bike lanes and walkability – charging station for scooter.
⏱ Commute times to university
WeChat Integration
📲 Adoption of WeChat services
🈴 Availability of English guides
💳 Ease of digital payments
Navigation
🗺 Signage in English/other languages
🌐 Accessibility for non-Chinese speakers
🧭 Availability of translation services
Communication
📶 Free WiFi hotspots
📡 Mobile data/coverage
📚 English language resources
Community
👥 Presence of international residents
🌎 Cultural organizations and events
☕ Expat-friendly amenities
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