The China Helper
Your practical guide to studying, living and learning in China.
FREE PDF RESOURCES
Free China Study Resources & PDF Guides
Download free practical guides, checklists and learning materials to help international students prepare for studying, living and adapting to life in China.
STUDENT ESSENTIALS
Free China Starter Pack
Everything you need for your first month in China, in one free download. A starter bundle with arrival checklists, the apps you actually need, banking setup steps and a first-week plan, built for students landing in China.
CHINA ARRIVAL GUIDE
China Arrival Checklist
A practical checklist for international students preparing to move to China, including documents, payments, apps and first-month tasks.
LEARN CHINESE
50 Essential Chinese Phrases
Learn useful Chinese expressions for daily communication, shopping, transportation and everyday conversations.
CHINESE LEARNING
100 Essential Chinese Characters
A beginner-friendly guide covering meanings, pronunciation and examples for international students.
CHINA APPS GUIDE
Essential China Apps Every Student Needs
Discover important apps for payments, transportation, communication and daily life in China.
STUDY IN CHINA
China Student Visa Document Checklist
Every document for your X1 or X2 application, in one checklist, with notes on what needs translation, notarisation or the original copy.
CHINA ARRIVAL GUIDE
Monthly Budget Template (China)
Know what a month in China really costs before you book anything. An editable budget sheet for rent, food, transport, phone and study costs across major Chinese cities.
STUDY IN CHINA
University Application Timeline
Work backwards from the deadline and stop guessing. A month-by-month timeline for applying to Chinese universities, from shortlisting to scholarship deadlines and visa paperwork.
CHINA ARRIVAL GUIDE
First Month in China Checklist
Your first 30 days, broken into things you can actually finish. A four-week checklist covering registration, banking, housing, transport cards and campus admin, so nothing slips past week one.
STUDY IN CHINA
Scholarship Application Tracker
Track every scholarship, deadline and document in one place. A tracker sheet for Chinese government, provincial and university scholarships, with deadline and document-status columns.
Where to go next
- China Arrival Guides — SIM cards, bank accounts, police registration and your first month
- Daily Life Guides — housing, transport, food, healthcare and the apps you need
- Learn Chinese — pinyin, characters, phrases and HSK preparation
- Study in China — applications, scholarships and student visas
- All Articles — the complete guide library, newest first
Downloads: common questions
Do I need to pay or sign up?
No. The downloads on this page are free and no account is needed.
What format are the files?
PDF files you can keep on your phone or laptop and open offline.
Are the downloads kept up to date?
We refresh them as procedures change. Check back before each intake season.
Can I share these with classmates?
Yes — share this page with anyone preparing for China.
Where should I start if I am arriving soon?
Start with the China arrival checklist, then add the phrase sheet and the character sheet.