Quick reference (2026). A decent studio near the centre runs about ¥2,300 – ¥4,500 / month. On-campus dorms cost ¥1,800 – ¥30,000 / year depending on the school. You must register your address via the Alipay mini-program within 24 hours of moving in, or face a ¥2,000 fine. The standard payment structure is 押一付三 (one month deposit + three months rent).
How much does student housing cost in 2026?
On-campus dorms
Single rooms are in high demand and usually need booking 3–4 months ahead.
| School | Room type | Price / year (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Zhejiang University (ZJU) | Single | ¥24,000 – ¥30,000 |
| Zhejiang University (ZJU) | Shared double | ¥18,000 |
| Hangzhou Normal Univ. (HZNU) | Single | ¥7,500 – ¥14,000 |
| Westlake University | Single | ¥1,800 – ¥2,200 (heavily subsidised) |
Off-campus private rentals
| Area | Shared room | Studio / 1-BR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiasha (university town) | ¥1,000 – ¥1,800 | ¥2,000 – ¥2,800 | HZNU, budget seekers |
| Xihu (near West Lake) | ¥2,000 – ¥3,000 | ¥3,500 – ¥5,500 | ZJU Yuquan, city life |
| Binjiang (tech hub) | ¥2,300 – ¥3,200 | ¥4,000 – ¥6,000 | Modern, newer buildings |
Types of student housing
On-campus dorms
Still the most convenient for international students. Rooms are tight, especially singles. Most charge by year; top schools like ZJU bill strictly by the day (≈¥60/day double, up to ¥100/day premium single).
Best for: First-year, convenienceOff-campus private
More freedom, but you must follow local lease norms — including 押一付三. The market is highly digital.
Best for: IndependenceBoutique homestays
Traditional "live with a family" agencies have largely disappeared. Students now turn to boutique homestays / Airbnb-style stays, mostly near West Lake, at ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 / month.
Best for: Short staysWhere to search
- Wellcee (唯心所寓): the best platform for "no agency fee" listings and international roommates.
- Ziroom (自如): beginner-friendly, partial English support, but adds a service fee covering bi-weekly cleaning and repairs.
- Avoid 58.com: locally popular but known for bait listings (fake photos). Strong Chinese needed.
First steps
- Check the "first year" rule. Some schools (e.g. China Academy of Art) require all international students to live on campus in year one. Read your admission letter first.
- Register digitally within 24h. In the Alipay app, search the police registration mini-program → "Residence Services" → "Temporary Residence Registration". Upload passport, visa and lease photos.
- Set up utilities. If off-campus, bind your apartment's water/electricity accounts to Alipay or WeChat — you'll use them daily.
- Secure the roommate agreement. If co-renting via Wellcee, make sure your name is on the lease for visa documentation.
Hangzhou vs Shanghai (students)
| Metric | Hangzhou | Shanghai |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rent cost | 21%–27% cheaper | Base |
| Comfortable monthly budget | ~¥5,000 | ~¥7,000 |
| Dorm availability | Slightly easier | Very tight (Jiao Tong / Fudan) |
Common mistakes
- Paying a deposit before viewing. On open platforms like 58.com, scams using fake photos are common. Insist on a live video tour if you can't visit.
- Underestimating upfront cost. With 押一付三, a ¥3,000/mo flat needs at least ¥12,000 cash up front, plus possible service fees.
- Signing without verifying the landlord's deed. Confirm the person renting to you actually owns the property.
- Ignoring the school-district match. Make sure your apartment's jurisdiction matches your school's district, or some admin steps get complicated.
FAQ
Can international students live off-campus? Yes, unless your university enforces a first-year on-campus rule. You still need a proper lease for police registration.
Is a dorm or private flat cheaper? A shared dorm room is almost always cheaper. A ZJU shared double is ¥18,000/year (≈¥1,500/month); a budget Xiasha shared flat starts at ¥1,000–¥1,800/month but adds internet, utilities and possible fees.
How do I register online? Open Alipay, search the local police registration mini-program, go to "Residence Services" → "Temporary Residence Registration", and upload passport, visa and lease.
University contact
- Zhejiang University — International Education College
Tel: +86 571 8820 8855 / +86 571 8795 1816
Address: Administration Building 322, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou
Web: intlstudent.zju.edu.cn