Wudaokou / Zhongguancun

Wudaokou, in the heart of Haidian District, is an optimal location for affordable housing. Though quite far from the city center, the distance adds to its charm. Accommodating student budgets, restaurants and bars tend to be cheaper. As well, there are several trendy clothing and electronics markets. Wudaokou is also home to Beijing's music scene, including indie kids, metal heads, goths, and punks.

Accommodation
A standard, fully furnished two bedroom apartment with 24 hour security near Beijing Language & Culture University begins from CNY 2000. Large three to four bedroom apartments range from CNY 4,000 to CNY 5,000.

Shopping & Amenities
The famous Wudaokou clothing market is an ideal place to shop on a budget. In addition to large supermarkets and English language bookstores located in the area, the nearby Zhongguancun electronics market can serve all of your electronic needs. Hua Lian is a new shopping mall located right next to the subway station.

Entertainment & Leisure
Laid back, cheap, and smoky, the bars and clubs in Wudaokou showcase and nurture the local musical talents. D-22 is a leader in hosting live music events in China. The Summer Palace and Botanical Gardens are nearby excellent ways to escape the city.

Education
Wudaokou is the hub for tertiary school education with Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Language & Culture University, and Remin University all nearby. There are also a variety of private schools and tutors offering group or one-on-one Chinese classes.

Transport
Regardless of whether you are traveling by bus, subway, or car, Wudaokou is a good 45 minutes or more from the city center. The Wudaokou subway stop, on Line 13, connects to Line 2 at Xizhimen is the west and Dongzhimen in the east.

Health Care
Arrail Dental Clinic offers 24 hour dentistry, general checkups, and the treatment of gum disease. The nearest international hospitals are the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital in the Northern Area and Beijing United Family Clinic in Shunyi.