Skip to content
Qiao
Qiao
China student guide

First week in China for international students

Practical, direct guidance for international students. This public page helps you understand the task; Qiao turns it into a personalized checklist and reminders in the mobile app.

Open Qiao for my personal planBrowse all guides
Practical guide

First week in China for international students

During your first week in China, you will usually need to handle university registration, dorm check-in, phone number setup, mobile payments, transport basics and sometimes local document tasks. Exact steps can depend on your city, university and visa type.

Who this guide is for

New international students who have just arrived in China or are building a first-week plan before travel.

This is a practical student guide, not legal advice. Always confirm final requirements with your university, official documents or local authorities.

Step-by-step explanation

Start with university instructions

Use official registration materials as the source of truth for dates, locations and required documents.

Settle your dorm basics

Confirm check-in, room access, bedding needs, internet rules and who to contact for housing questions.

Get connected

A working phone number and data connection make transport, payments and communication much easier.

Map useful places

Save canteen, supermarket, clinic, bank, pharmacy, transit stop and student service locations around your campus.

Documents or things to prepare

1

Passport and university documents

2

Dorm address

3

Charged phone and power bank

4

Emergency contacts

5

Some backup payment method

6

Basic Chinese phrases for check-in and directions

Common mistakes

Trying to solve every task on day one.
Not saving the campus gate or dorm address.
Ignoring official registration instructions.
Relying on one payment method before local setup is complete.

What depends on your city or university

  • Police/address registration and visa-related tasks depend on local instructions.
  • Transport apps and routes depend on your city.
  • Dorm and campus access rules depend on your university.
  • Banking requirements can vary by branch and student status.

Qiao tip

Qiao tip

Use the public guide to understand the task, then open Qiao to personalize it by city, university, arrival date and Chinese level.

Ask Qiao in the app

Qiao can turn this guide, your city, university, arrival date and Chinese level into a personal first-week plan.

Open Qiao