上海 · China

Shanghai

Shanghai is China's financial engine and most international city — the best student city for business careers and internships, and the easiest Chinese megacity for foreigners to live in. Plan on the highest living costs in the country.

$500–900

student / month

$70–160

traveller / day

March–May and October–November (mild, blossom or autumn light; skip humid July–August)

best time to visit

The Shanghai Bund skyline and Pudong towers at dusk

Highlights

What the city is for

The Bund & Pudong skyline

Colonial riverfront on one bank, neon tower forest on the other — walk it at dusk, then cross by ferry for ¥2.

Yu Garden & the old city

Ming-dynasty gardens, teahouses and the bazaar quarter — arrive at opening time before the crowds.

Water towns

Zhujiajiao and Qibao: canal streets and stone bridges within an hour of downtown.

The student quarter

Yangpu district (Fudan, SJTU areas) and the French Concession cafés that double as study rooms.

Shanghai has no Great Wall and no imperial palace — its theatre is commerce. The skyline on the Huangpu changes by the year, the metro is one of the world’s largest and cleanest, and the city treats international residents as routine rather than spectacle. Students come for Fudan, SJTU and the internship economy; travellers for the skyline, the food and the art deco streets.

City FAQ

Common questions

Is Shanghai good for international students?

Arguably the easiest soft landing in China: English signage, foreign-card-friendly payments, huge international community, and internship access unmatched anywhere else in the country.

How much does a student spend per month in Shanghai?

US$500–900 covers most students: dorm US$100–180/month, canteen and street food, metro, and a social budget. Add more for French Concession apartment living.

Ready to make your move?

Start with a free consultation today. No commitment — just a clear answer on what your next step looks like.

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