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China Visit Guide

Living · Schools

International schools by city

Framing guide to the international school landscape in China's main expat postings. For full school profiles — curriculum detail, fees, admissions contacts, and facilities — use the school directory links below.

Verified May 2026China Visit Guide editorial

Fee ranges and admissions criteria change annually. The data in individual school profiles was verified May 2026 — confirm all details directly with the school before committing to a move. International school places in Beijing and Shanghai are significantly over-subscribed at the most established institutions; apply early.

How to think about international schools in China

For expatriate families, the school decision often drives the city and district decision, not the other way around. A family committed to the IB Diploma Programme will look for IB schools; a British family wanting A-levels will look for British-curriculum schools; a family following a peripatetic career may prefer a consistent curriculum across postings.

China's international schools are restricted by regulation to enrolling children holding foreign passports — Chinese nationals cannot enroll at licensed international schools as a rule (bilingual schools operate differently; see the bilingual vs international comparison guide). This also means that if your child is a Chinese citizen through one parent, they may face restrictions depending on how dual citizenship is handled in your specific case — take specialist advice before assuming a particular school will accept your child.

The full school directory lists individual schools with curriculum, fee ranges, and contact information.

Beijing

Beijing has the largest concentration of international schools of any mainland Chinese city, predominantly clustered in the Shunyi district and the Chaoyang district. School places are competitive — demand from the diplomatic, corporate, and academic expatriate community consistently outstrips supply at the most established institutions. Apply at least a year ahead for primary places at the most popular schools.

Shanghai

Shanghai's international school market is the most diverse in China, with campuses in Puxi (Jing'an, Changning, Minhang) and Pudong. Fee ranges are wide — from around ¥130,000/year at smaller schools to ¥300,000+ at the largest and most established. Competition for places is intense at the top tier. The Minhang and Hongqiao areas in western Shanghai have clusters of schools serving families in that area.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou has a smaller international school market than Beijing or Shanghai. The main international schools serve the Tianhe and Zhujiang New Town districts. The Pearl River Delta's proximity to Hong Kong means some families commute for Hong Kong schooling, though this is only practical in specific border areas.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen's international school provision has grown rapidly with the city's economic development. Shekou International School is the oldest and best-established; newer schools including Dulwich College Shenzhen have entered the market. The Nanshan and Futian districts have the highest density of international school options.

Chengdu

Chengdu's international school options are fewer than the eastern megacities but adequate for the size of the expatriate community. Chengdu International School and Western China International School are the main options; YCIS has a Chengdu campus. Fee levels are somewhat lower than equivalent schools in Beijing or Shanghai.

Suzhou

Suzhou's international school market is concentrated in the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) district, alongside the hospital and expat-housing infrastructure. Dulwich College Suzhou and Suzhou Singapore International School are the main options. Many SIP-based families are Dulwich or SSIS families.

No school profiles currently in the directory for Suzhou. See the full directory.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou's international school market is limited but growing with the city's economic expansion. Hangzhou International School is the main established option. Families with particular curriculum requirements may face difficult trade-offs or consider Shanghai as a schooling alternative while living in Hangzhou.

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Verified May 2026

China Visit Guide editorial