Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province and, with a population of over 13 million, is the undisputed centre of Central China. Historically, the city emerged from the merger of the three towns of Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang, which are separated by the confluence of the Han River and the mighty Yangtze River. Today, Wuhan is a massive hub for high-speed rail, industry and high technology. Thanks to its huge concentration of universities, it is regarded as one of the cities with the highest number of students worldwide, which ensures an extremely vibrant, youthful and affordable nightlife and cultural scene.

Academically, WHU covers almost all subject areas, but enjoys a globally outstanding reputation in certain disciplines: geodesy (surveying), geographic information systems (GIS), hydraulic engineering, chemistry and Law are among the very best in the country. WHU maintains partnerships with hundreds of universities worldwide. There is a growing range of degree programmes taught in English (e.g. in Software Engineering, International Business or E-commerce) as well as highly sought-after Chinese language programmes.

The campus in the Wuchang district is regarded as one of the most beautiful in China. It is situated directly on the picturesqueEast Lake and nestles against the wooded Luojia Mountain. The architecture captivates with its unique blend of traditional Chinese roofs and early 20th-century Western architectural styles. Every March, the spectacular cherry blossom display on the campus attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. For students, this is a very special, albeit hectic, time of the semester. For international students, WHU offers the chance to get to know the ‘real’, ultra-modern China away from the coastal metropolises of Beijing and Shanghai – all within a top-class academic environment.

Wuhan offers an excellent quality of life on a relatively modest budget. As an exchange student, you can go a very long way here. Most exchange students live in the international halls of residence (International Student Dorms) right on the WU campus. At the equivalent of 100 to 200 euros a month, these are very affordable. If you’d prefer to live off-campus in a shared flat or a small flat, you’ll pay between 200 and 350 euros, depending on the location (usually in the Wuchang or Hongshan districts).

Thecanteens at Wuhan University are legendary, huge and dirt cheap. A wholesome, freshly cooked meal often costs just 1.50 to 3.00 euros. Off-campus too, in the narrow streets around the campus, you can enjoy a fantastic meal for 3 to 5 euros. The state-of-the-art metro and buses rarely cost more than 50 cents per journey. One important thing to bear in mind when staying in Wuhan is that you won’t get very far in everyday life outside the campus with English alone: in the supermarket, when taking a taxi or at a street-side restaurant, hardly anyone speaks English. However, the locals are extremely warm, often curious and very patient with foreigners. Life in China revolves entirely around the smartphone. You can’t do almost anything without the following app: WeChat (WeiXin) – a messaging service, translation tool and payment system all in one.

People from Wuhan are regarded in China as direct, loud, but incredibly hospitable. The city has a thriving street food culture. ‘Guo Zao’ – eating breakfast outdoors – is famous. The quintessential national dish, which you’ll find on every corner, is Re Gan Mian (Hot Dry Noodles): spicy, dry noodles with a thick sesame and peanut paste, spring onions and pickled vegetables. Perfect for a student’s budget. An important factor in your well-being is the weather. Wuhan is one of China’s so-called‘furnace cities’. Summers (June to September) are extremely hot and tropical and humid. Winters, on the other hand, are short, but can feel surprisingly damp and cold due to the lack of central heating in many older buildings. Suitable clothing for both extremes is therefore a must!