The city has a dry climate throughout the year with very little rainfall. It’s a good idea to bring masks, as air pollution can occasionally be an issue.

The area around the university is calm and peaceful, offering a relaxed atmosphere for study. While there aren’t many entertainment spots nearby, small local restaurants and bars are great for casual meals with friends. For trendy cafés or international dining, it takes about an hour to reach the city’s eastern district.

Public transportation is well-developed—buses and subways can take you almost anywhere for about 5 RMB (around 100 yen). Taxis are also affordable and can be easily booked through mobile apps.

When it comes to food, Chinese cuisine is both delicious and inexpensive, with meals available for around 500 yen. Food delivery services are also cheap and convenient. Western-style restaurants tend to be pricier (1,000–2,000 yen), but there are plenty of Japanese and Korean options to enjoy as well.

What I felt during my time studying at Peking University was that many students value weekends and holidays as important opportunities for learning as well. Because weekdays are filled with classes and assignments, I often spent Saturdays and Sundays in the library or at on-campus cafés reviewing Chinese and working on reports.

That said, life was not all about studying. One of the pleasures of studying abroad was going out with fellow international students to enjoy Peking duck or hot pot, or visiting famous sights in the city such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. At times, I would also relax in my dormitory to refresh myself. Balancing serious academic work with firsthand experiences of Chinese culture and everyday life is, to me, one of the greatest attractions of studying at Peking University.