A warm subtropical coastal climate — hot, humid and green

Shenzhen has a humid subtropical climate with a long, warm summer and a short, mild winter. Summer (May–October) is hot, very humid and wet, with a typhoon season from roughly June to October that can bring heavy rain and occasional disruptions. Winter is brief, mild and mostly dry, rarely cold. Sea breezes soften the heat, and the city stays green all year.

Sort the paperwork first, then start exploring

1. Confirm where and when to register, as stated in your admission notice
2. Check into your dormitory or complete accommodation registration
3. Complete the document checks, medical examination and insurance your university requires
4. Set up your campus card, SIM card, bank card and everyday payment apps
5. Locate the campus clinic, the international student office and emergency contacts

A cashless, well-connected city — set up payments first

Shenzhen's public transport is excellent: a dense metro, extensive buses and shared bikes, all cashless. Almost everything — canteens, shops, taxis, even small stalls — runs on WeChat Pay or Alipay, so set up mobile payment on day one. The city is modern and convenient, with a strong café and coffee culture and late-night food options. Because it is a city of migrants, English is more common than in many Chinese cities, which can make the first weeks easier.

The priciest of the five cities — plan your budget carefully

Shenzhen's rents and general living costs are the highest among the cities covered here, though still below some other global tech hubs. On-campus dormitories are by far the best value and are arranged by the university — apply early. Off-campus housing in Nanshan is expensive; nearby districts such as Bao'an or Longgang can be cheaper but add commuting time.

A migrant city where almost everyone is from somewhere else

Shenzhen has little of the dynastic history of Xi'an or Nanjing, and that is precisely its character. It is a city of newcomers — people from every province of China and a growing international community — which makes it unusually open to outsiders. The Cantonese heritage of the wider Pearl River Delta is present in the food and in nearby Guangzhou and Hong Kong, China, but Shenzhen's own culture is contemporary: design weeks, art districts such as Dafen Oil Painting Village and OCT-LOFT, museums, a busy seafront, and a strong "get things done" energy. For students, the proximity to industry means internships, hackathons and guest lectures are woven into study.

Cantonese roots, a nationwide menu and 24-hour convenience

Shenzhen sits at the edge of Cantonese (粤) food culture, so dim sum (点心 / 饮茶), roast meats, rice-noodle rolls and seafood are all easy to find and excellent. But because the population comes from everywhere, the city's food range is one of the widest in China — Sichuan, Hunan, northeastern, northwestern and international restaurants are all common. Halal (清真) restaurants exist, and food delivery runs late. Expect higher prices than inland cities, but also more late-night and international options.

Festivals shape the academic year: 春节 (Spring Festival, usually late January–February) shuts campuses for weeks, so book travel home early; 国庆 (National Day, 1 October) brings a week-long holiday and crowded transport; 中秋 (Mid-Autumn) and 端午 (Dragon Boat) are quieter, the latter marked by dragon-boat races on local waters. Freedom of belief is protected; Shenzhen has mosques, churches and temples serving its diverse population. For any prayer or worship space, confirm arrangements with your international student office rather than assuming.

Set up the everyday toolkit in your first days

• WeChat (微信) — chat and group notices, plus WeChat Pay; universities push announcements here and you scan to pay in canteens and taxis.
• Alipay (支付宝) — Alipay Pay and transit codes for metro/bus; both apps accept major international cards for visitors, but keep some cash as backup.
• 高德地图 / 百度地图 (maps), 滴滴出行 (ride-hailing), 12306 (train tickets), 美团 / 饿了么 (food delivery).