The plane lands. You step into the airport. Everything is in Chinese. You have no local SIM card, no cash in hand, and no real idea what happens next.
Take a breath. That feeling is completely normal. Every single international student who came before you felt it too. The good news is that the first week follows a predictable sequence, and if you know what is coming, you can handle it without any real stress.
This guide walks through each day and task, roughly in the order things need to happen.
Before You Leave the Airport
Customs and immigration: Have your passport, admission letter, JW201/JW202 form, and physical examination form ready in your carry-on. Immigration officers may ask to see them. The actual process is straightforward: scan your passport, get fingerprinted, walk through.
Get cash: Find a currency exchange counter or ATM in the arrivals hall. Withdraw or exchange roughly 500 to 1,000 CNY (about $70 to $140 USD). This covers transportation to your university and essentials for the first day or two.
Connect to WiFi: Chinese airports offer free WiFi (scan a QR code at the airport kiosk, or look for the network “Airport-Free-WiFi”). Use this to message your university contact, check your pickup instructions, or call a taxi.
University pickup: Many universities arrange airport pickup for new international students. If yours does, look for someone holding a sign with your name or the university name. If your university did not arrange pickup, you have two options:
- Airport train/metro to the nearest station to your campus, then a taxi. Cheapest option.
- Airport taxi (follow the official taxi queue, not anyone who approaches you in the arrivals hall). Show the driver your university address in Chinese characters on your phone.
Save your university’s Chinese address (in Chinese characters) on your phone before you fly. Taxi drivers often do not read English addresses.
Day 1 to 2: Settle Into Your Dormitory
When you arrive at your university:
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Check in at the international student dormitory office. They will assign your room, give you a key or card, and explain the basic rules (curfew times, quiet hours, visitor policies).
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Inspect your room. Note what is included and what you need to buy. Most rooms come with a bed, desk, wardrobe, and basic furniture. You will likely need bedding, a pillow, and basic supplies. Read our full dormitory life guide so you know what to expect.
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Buy essentials. There is usually a campus convenience store and a welcome fair where vendors sell bedding sets, hangers, power strips, and basic kitchen items. Prices are reasonable. If you did not find what you need there, Taobao delivers within 1 to 3 days.
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Rest. Jet lag is real. Do not try to do everything on the first day.
Day 2 to 3: Chinese SIM Card and Phone Number
A Chinese phone number is required for almost everything: bank account, WeChat, Alipay, campus WiFi, food delivery apps, even some building access systems.
Get this done within the first two days. Your university may organize a group SIM card setup. If not, visit the nearest branch of one of these carriers:
| Carrier | Best For |
|---|---|
| China Mobile (中国移动) | Largest network, best coverage nationwide |
| China Unicom (中国联通) | Good balance of price and coverage |
| China Telecom (中国电信) | Strong in some regions |
Our full guide on getting a Chinese SIM card walks through the exact process, what documents you need, and which plans are best for students.
Day 3 to 4: Open a Bank Account
Your CSC stipend goes into a Chinese bank account. No bank account means no stipend. Universities usually organize a group bank visit during the first week. If that does not happen, go to the campus bank branch or the nearest Bank of China branch.
You need your passport, your student visa or residence permit (some banks accept the X1 visa stamp temporarily), and a Chinese phone number.
The full process is covered in our bank account guide. After you open the account, the next step is setting up WeChat Pay and Alipay so you can actually pay for things.
Day 3 to 5: University Registration
The international student office will schedule your formal registration. This usually involves:
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Submitting documents: Original passport, admission letter, JW201/JW202, scholarship certificate, physical examination form, degree certificates, transcripts, language certificates. Bring everything. They will photocopy what they need.
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Student ID and campus card: You receive a student card that gives you access to campus facilities (library, canteen, gym, dorms). Some universities issue a separate meal card.
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Insurance verification: CSC scholars are covered by Chinese Government Scholarship insurance. The university will confirm this during registration. Keep the insurance details; you may need them if you visit a hospital.
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Course selection (if applicable): Master’s and PhD students usually follow their supervisor’s guidance. Bachelor’s and Chinese language prep students select courses during registration week.
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Paying any fees: CSC covers tuition and dorm, but some universities charge small fees for bedding, campus card deposit, or course materials. These are usually under 500 CNY.
Day 4 to 5: Set Up WeChat and Digital Payments
WeChat is not optional in China. It is the single app you will use more than any other. Messaging, group chats with classmates, paying at shops, ordering food, calling taxis, booking train tickets, sharing location, and dozens of other daily tasks all go through WeChat.
If you have not installed it already, do it now. You need a Chinese phone number to create a new account (or to verify an existing one). Some WeChat features require identity verification tied to a Chinese bank card.
Alipay is the second payment app. It has become increasingly friendly to foreign users and now supports international credit cards for basic transactions, but full functionality requires linking a Chinese bank account.
Check our WeChat Pay and Alipay guide for setup instructions, common problems, and workarounds.
Day 5 to 7: Police Registration and Residence Permit
This is mandatory and has a legal deadline. You must register at the local police station within 24 hours of your arrival address. In practice, your university usually handles this collectively, but you need to know the requirement.
Police registration (临时住宿登记 / Registration Form of Temporary Residence):
- If living on campus, the dormitory office typically handles this for you
- If living off campus, you must go to the local police station with your landlord and your lease agreement
- You receive a registration slip. Keep this document. You need it to apply for your residence permit.
Residence permit (居留许可):
- Required within 30 days of entry for X1 visa holders
- Application is at the local Entry-Exit Administration office (sometimes called the Public Security Bureau or PSB)
- Documents needed: passport, JW201/JW202 form, admission letter, physical examination verification, police registration slip, passport photos
- Processing takes 7 to 15 working days. Your passport stays with the PSB during processing. They give you a receipt as temporary ID.
Our detailed guide on visa, registration, and residence permits covers every step, common mistakes, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Day 5 to 7: Campus Orientation and Exploring
Most universities run a formal orientation program during the first week. Attend it. Even if it feels slow or basic, orientation usually covers:
- Campus tour (key buildings: library, canteen, hospital, gym, international student office)
- Introduction to academic regulations
- Safety briefings
- Welcome events and social mixers
Beyond orientation, use the first week to explore your campus and the surrounding neighborhood:
- Find the nearest supermarket, convenience store, and restaurant street
- Locate the campus clinic or nearby hospital
- Test the campus WiFi and figure out mealtime hours at the canteen
- Walk to the nearest metro station so you know the route
Week 1 Checklist
By the end of your first week, you should have:
- Dormitory key/card and room settled
- Chinese SIM card with data plan active
- Chinese bank account opened
- WeChat installed and verified
- WeChat Pay or Alipay set up (at least basic level)
- University registration completed, student ID in hand
- Police registration done (registration slip in your possession)
- Residence permit application submitted (or appointment booked)
- VPN working on your devices (if not, see our best VPN guide)
- Campus food, transport, and key facilities located
Want more tips like this? Join the CGS World Telegram community where accepted students share real-time advice on settling in.
Common First-Week Mistakes
Waiting too long for the bank account. Some students put this off for weeks and then wonder why their stipend is delayed. Do it within the first five days.
Not bringing enough cash for the first 48 hours. Mobile payments require a bank account and Chinese phone number. Until those are set up, cash is your only option at local shops.
Ignoring the residence permit deadline. Overstaying your 30-day window can result in fines and complications with future visa renewals. Take it seriously.
Relying only on English. Even in tier-1 cities, most local services, bank tellers, phone shop staff, and campus facilities operate in Chinese. Having a few key phrases ready (or using a translation app like Google Translate with the offline Chinese pack downloaded) makes everything smoother.
FAQs
Q: What if my university does not arrange airport pickup? A: Take the airport express train or line to the nearest city station, then a taxi or metro to campus. Have the Chinese address of your dormitory ready on your phone to show the driver.
Q: What if I arrive before the registration period starts? A: Contact the international student office ahead of time. Many universities allow early check-in to the dormitory. You may not be able to complete formal registration early, but you can settle in and explore.
Q: What if I cannot find halal food on campus? A: Most large Chinese universities have at least one halal canteen or a halal window in the main canteen (look for 清真 signs). In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Wuhan, halal restaurants are easy to find off campus too. Check our food guide for details.
Q: Can I use my foreign bank card in the first few days? A: Visa and Mastercard work at ATMs of major banks (Bank of China, ICBC) and at some international chain stores. They do not work at most local shops, canteens, or street vendors. Most transactions in China are cashless via WeChat Pay or Alipay, which require a Chinese bank account. Bring enough cash to cover the gap.
This guide is part of our pre-departure series for incoming CSC scholars. See the full packing list and check our essential apps guide next.