Chongqing
Chongqing Municipality Major cityChina’s largest municipality — a mountain city of 30 million where rivers, cliff-side towers and the world’s busiest metro network meet famous hotpot. Chongqing University, Southwest University and several medical schools draw a large international cohort, and living costs are among the lowest of China’s major cities.
- Lowest big-city living costs in western China
- Direct flights to Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Gulf
- Chongqing Medical University is a leading MBBS base
Living here
Monthly budget
CNY 2,200–3,800 (USD 300–530) / month incl. dorm or shared flat
Dorm beds CNY 400–1,000/month; shared flats CNY 1,000–2,200/month — among the cheapest of major cities.
Getting around
Metro system in operation. Jiangbei International Airport with direct flights across Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
Halal food
Very good — the city’s halal scene centers on its historic Muslim quarter and Lanzhou-style noodle shops across every district.
Healthcare
Several national top-tier hospitals including the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, a major MBBS base.
Climate
Subtropical: humid, foggy winters and very hot summers (often 35°C+); mild springs.
A dense metro network with monorail and cross-river lines covers the main campuses; expect hills and stairs everywhere. Day-to-day English is limited outside campuses, but the international student community is large and well organized.
Factual fields as of 2026-09-21 — editorial estimate, not official figures.
Universities in Chongqing (9)
1 English-taught program tracked in this city — see them.