The Beijing Center

the beijing center for chinese studies

LIVING IN BEIJING

Admitted Students Information

Whether you wander through 800-year-old alleys at the city center or walk onto the field at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Olympic Park; Beijing offers a dynamic of old juxtaposed with new, unmatched by any other city in the world.

FEATURED NEIGHBORHOODS

The Hutongs

A walk around the hutongs, one of the oldest residential neighborhoods still standing in Beijing, will give you a good sense of everyday “old Beijinger” life. It is an interesting mix of residential living, creative restaurants, and hipster shops. It is a story of the life and changes of the generations that have lived in Beijing.

Things to see

  • Lama Temple-A temple and monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
  • Wudaoying-Across from the lama temple, filled will eclectic shops and restaurants
  • Ghost Street (Guijie)-A view of flashing red restaurant signs, spicy hot pot, and crawfish galore
  • Houhai Lake-Ride on boats in the summer and ice skate in the winter, and enjoy the shops in the surrounding neighborhood

Tiananmen Square & Wangfujing

Truly a place where ancient meets modern. The political center of China over many centuries, the awe of history, size and power ensures that walking around this area will never get old.

Things to see

  • Tiananmen Square-one of the biggest city squares in the world
  • The National Museum-Covers Chinese history from the Yuanmou Man of 1.7 million years ago to the end of the Qing Dynasty
  • The Forbidden City-served as the home of emperors and their households for almost 500 years
  • Mausoleum of Mao Zedong-Visit Chairman Mao’s embalmed body
  • Qianmen-great for inexpensive souvenir shopping
  • Wangfujing-Known for its pedestrian street of shopping, wander off the beaten path a little and find some “interesting” foods, although mostly aimed at tourists- sea urchins, silk worm, snake, and tarantula can be used to test your friends’ bravery

Sanlitun

The international commercial district, it is frequented by expats from all over the world and locals alike. When you are missing your favorite Western cuisine or Western brand, head here to not only find the comforts of your home country, but also to discover brands and cuisines from around the world. After a long day of shopping and eating, the nightlife is sure not to disappoint.

Things to see

  • Taikoo Li-Boasts shops such as Apple, Uniqlo, Adidas, H&M, and many more
  • The Bookworm-Much more than a bookstore, hosts a variety of events and speakers
  • Restaurant favorites-Taco Bar, Bottega Italian, JingA Brewery, The Local (American favorites), Migas Rooftop Bar, Moka Bros (healthy)
  • Worker’s Stadium-See a Beijing Guoan soccer game or catch your favorite band when they are in town

Guomao (Central Business District)

An incredible transformation from pasture land in the Ming Dynasty to the Central Business District in the capital city of the largest economy in the world. You are sure to see people walking around in suits, world-class shopping, and a building that look like pants? Indeed.

Things to see

  • China World Trade Center-Well known for being one of the largest up-market commercial mixed-use (hotels, shopping malls, offices, apartments) developments in the world.
  • CCTV Headquarters AKA “The Pants”-This piece of unique architecture is the bustling headquarters for China Central Television and an amazing place to view the city from above
  • Silk Market-Just down the road from Guomao you will find a variety of Chinese and Western brands. Not always the real thing, but always a real good bargaining time.

Wudaokou

Not too far from UIBE, and close to a large number of universities and research facilities, it’s a popular hangout for students from around the globe. A booming nightlife, it offers slightly cheaper prices than Sanlitun aimed at students.

Things to see

  • Universities-Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Language and Culture University all share this neighborhood
  • Restaurants-A large variety of restaurants, bars, and clubs that come along with being in a university area
  • MINISO-Imagine a high-end dollar store, with products that you actually want (can be found all over the city)
  • Dunkin’ Donuts-Need we say more?

TRANSPORTATION

Subway

Transportation in Beijing is made up of everything imaginable. From hoverboards to hybrid rickshaws to luxury cars and even the occasional donkey cart.

20+ Subway lines

  • 3 different lines near TBC’s campus: 5, 10, and 13
Beijing Subway Website

Public Buses

Convenient stops to your dorm, and cost less than 50 cents a ride

Beijing Bus Website

Rickshaws of all varieties

Offer a unique experience to get around Beijing’s central areas

Beijing Rickshaw Website

Bike rentals

Simply download hello app and you will be able to use bikes all over the city

Beijing Bike Rental Website

Taxis and Uber

Reasonably priced, but not recommended during peak commuter traffic. We recommend downloading an app similar to Uber called Didi Chuxing to call a taxi quicker.

Beijing Taxi App Website

ESTIMATED SEMESTER COST

We have created this Estimated Program Cost sheet to help you budget for your time in Beijing. Many students find living in China cheaper than living at their home university. Just like at home, spending habits vary by individual, meals, transportation, and shopping can vary greatly depending on personal preferences. You will notice that tuition is not included as it varies by home university. For specific tuition details, please contact your study abroad office.

Semester fees (invoiced by TBC)

  • Standard Housing-(double occupancy, dorm-style) $3,800
  • CISI International Health and Emergency Insurance-$300

TBC students receive a campus dining card with a complimentary credit of approximately $50 to sample campus dining.

Note: All fees are stated in USD. Full year students pay the semester fee each term.

Pimp Your Room (additional fee on top of standard housing fee)

  • Single Occupancy -（dorm-style, subject to availability) $3,000
  • Double Occupancy-(apartment-style, subject to availability) $400

Note: All fees are stated in USD.

Other Estimated Expenses

  • Airfare-$1,250
  • Daily meals*-$1,500
  • Personal (optional travel trips, souvenirs)-$1,000
  • Textbooks-$300
  • Local transportation (subway and taxi)-$200
  • Passport application fee (if applicable)-$110
  • Entry Visa Application to China-$140
  • Visa conversion to obtain internship annotation (if applicable)-$160
  • Utilities (electricity and water bills)-$80
  • Local cell phone, number, and usage costs (international calling can be much more, and students typically use web-based calling to call internationally)- $150

*TBC students receive a campus dining card with a complimentary credit of approximately $50 to sample campus dining.

*TBC students receive a stipend for utilities (RMB100 for water and RMB100 for electricity)

Note: All fees are stated in USD.