Please visit:
BLCU Accommodation Rates if you want to have an idea of the cost of BLCU Dorms
BLCU Accommodation – Scholarship Students if you are a scholarship student
When preparing to go to BLCU, TJ and I did a quick check over which dorm buildings were good or at least were decent to stay in. It didn’t take long for us to work out that Dorm 17 is the most popular and most difficult to book, one of our classmates stayed at Dorm 17 only because he booked and paid it the semester before. [Note: cost of accommodation in each dorm varies]
Booking Dorms
The actual process of booking the dorm room involve:
- Calling up BLCU
- Explaining it to someone (in Mandarin)
- Making a payment (1 month)
- Showing them your proof of payment when you get there
I did it the ‘easier’ way by just rocking up and asking for a room. It seems like it’s a lot more like a first come first serve basis because they’ll always say they’re “fully booked” but somehow magically find a room when needed.
Dorm 17
These are the pros of Dorm 17 from my experience. Please take into account that I never actually stayed in dorm building 17
- It’s newer (clean)
- The fuyuans are nicer
- It’s “off campus”
- The rooms are bigger (questionable)
- Closer to Wudaokou and train station
- Private gate keepers
- Buzzing with international students
The downside of Dorm 17 would be that it’s the dorm furtherest away from Building 1 (the main study building), this means waking up extra early in the mornings to get to class or even buying a bike (highly recommended). I also question the rumour that Dorm 17 has bigger rooms because I discovered some super-huge dorm rooms in dorm building 4 (I snuck peeks while walking past open doors).
TJ and I were tossing up between Dorm 4 and Dorm 6, near the basketball courts. TJ arrived at BLCU before me and had settled in Dorm 4, so when I got there I checked out one of Dorm 4’s rooms, and decided to check out one of the rooms in Dorm 6 too. The major downside was that Dorm 6 didn’t have elevators.
Apartments
Before my final decision, I went around checking out the apartments nearby (some of which also do not have elevators). There were apartments still under renovation, rooms for rent, people looking for an extra roommate etc. My conclusion was that living off-campus would not be beneficial for someone staying short term (up to 6 months), so I went back to Dorm 4. By that time, a lot more international students had arrived and the available rooms in the building was running out fast!
At first, I didn’t understand why they always get you to check out the room before you agree to move in, but it didn’t take long for me to realise that EVERY room I went to was DIFFERENT. Most of the rooms are standard in size (sorry, I never took a photo), with bathroom/toilet in each room. TJ had a smaller room compared to mine because hers had a balcony (the balcony can be useful for laundry), but some other friends didn’t even have a balcony like TJ or the extra space I had.
I didn’t think the rooms at Dorm 17 were bigger than compared to my dorm room though, and I’m sure that there are bigger rooms than the one I had… You just need to know which ones they are!
Dorm 4
Pros of Dorm 4
- Very central (convenient)
- Hope internet café/restaurant downstairs (you can leech off it in the stairwell on the 1st & 2nd floor, sometimes the 3rd floor)
- They don’t lock the doors when it’s past curfew
- Some of the fuyuans are nice
- Newly installed security cameras
- Buzzing with international students
On a side note, the “24” on the ‘Hope’ sign doesn’t mean 24hrs a day! They’ll stay open for as long as people are there, but sometimes close quite early (1-2am).
The furniture found in each room is the same: wardrobe, 2 study tables, 2 beds, mini fridge and TV. I like the fact that there’s a lock on the wardrobe as well as the drawer of the study table. But don’t expect all furniture to be functioning 100%.
Dorm 8
And last of all, I just want to mention that I had a look at the single (单人) room in Dorm 8. Just seeing the room made me glad that I was in a shared room because it’s very small, and the room looks very lonely. But of course, there are downsides of a shared dorm too (bad roommate, no privacy etc).
P.S. If you decide to stay in Dorm Building 4, try and avoid the first floor!! There’s a rumour that there was a death in one of those rooms at the beginning of 2007. 
P.P.S. Beware, the elevators can jam up. You might not want to stay on the top floors, I was on the 3rd floor which seemed to be low enough to use the stairs when the elevators were off or out of function.
P.P.P.S. Scholarship students are put into Dorm 1 or 2… That means communal showers and toilets (squatting toilets)! O_O visit BLCU Accommodation – Scholarship Students for more information.
Hi
I have apartment near BLCU for rent ( NO AGENCY!!!)
The apartment has:-
2 bedrooms (equal in size, IKEA furniture, air-conditioned, and closets)
1 living room (large sofa set, coffee table, dining table, air-condition x heater, telephone, TV and DVD player, and telephone intercom)
cubical toilet
kitchen (refrigerator, water tank, microwave, and mini-oven)
laundry room (washing machine)
Wireless internet
Hot water system
Rent is 5000RMB per month.
Hi Selena,
I plan to go to BCLU for the summer for the short term (30 hrs a week) intensive mandarin program. Some Questions:
Dorm 4 – Do they offer Singles rooms (private room).
If not which is the best Dorm with single rooms, recently renovated, desk, AC, refigerator, private shower. Close to the main building near the classrooms. I prefer a single room since my plan is to really focus on mandarin. A roommate would be nice but there are plus’ and minuses..
Thank You
@Dennis I don’t think Dorm 4 has single rooms, and I know for sure 8 and 17 have singles. But the best way is to ask them!
Best dorms(in my opinion) are 4, 6, 17. They may have renovated other dorms, but those three were pretty good at the time I was there.
Oh no! I’ll be a scholarship student… if we have communal toilets, I think I’ll just pay for accom! By communal, do you mean 1 per level, or…?
Also, where would I look to find out the accom prices? I keep calling the uni but they’re not picking up
Thanks for your help ; )
Hi Selina. This article of yours is very helpful. I am planning to study in BLCU together with my sister. So how much does a 1 month stay cost?
@Rebecca I hear it’s communal shower/toilets per level, make sure they put you on an all-female level! I’ve met someone who was mistakenly put on an all-male level! X_X
Also, I’ve just made a new entry on accommodation rates here:
http://www.selinalai.com/2009/07/beijing-language-culture-university-accommodation-rates/
@Jasper have a look at accommodation rates (link above), your question has too many variables for me to give a simple answer
Hi Selina,
I find your BLCU articles extremely useful. I’m actually doing a 4 weeks course starting next Monday and am currently struggling with the whole accomodation situation. Wondering if you can give me some advice please?
I was originally assigned to dorm 17 single room. The people from BLCU said it’s less than a 10 min walk? Is that true? Cause it’s 35C in Beijing right now and dorm 17 looks REALLY far on the map.
Then I requested to be put in the Conference Center because it’s in the middle of campus which means I can sleep 10 mins more before class? I know the rooms are smaller though, like hotel style?
If you were me, which one would you pick? Dorm 17 or Conference Center? Would I be able to meet new people at both places?
I’m leaving in 2 days and really need to decide now….THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. You can email me at kathylau821@gmail.com
@Kathy
The BLCU ppls are probably right, Dorm 17 is about 10mins to building 1 (depending on how fast you walk ;P) so it really depends on how willing you are to go the distance.
Let me first clarify that the BLCU Conference Centre is NOT a dorm, it’s meant to be for short stays (like a hotel) but there are students who use it for long term use. You can probably meet more people at Dorm 17 because it’s bigger, but the Conference Center is practically a dorm AND it’s China… there’s people everywhere! You’ll bump into all the international students regardless of where you live.
Personally I would go for the Conference Center because I’m lazy and I like my sleep. But you’re only there for 4 wks, I doubt it will make much difference.
Hi Selina, you’ve been doing such a great thing to share your impressions and experience. Thank you so much!
I want to ask if you knw about the exact prices of the single rooms in dorms 4, 8 and 17. And I’ve been reading in the forums that it is really hard to get a room sometimes because there are many students. How earlier you got there to get a room as you wanted? 3 or 4 days or a week?
Thanks a lot.
Irma
And Selina, one more question: I’ll be a scholarship student and I’ve heard that the dorms scholarship students can upgrade to are limited. Is that true?
I mean, if a scholarship student wanted to upgrade to the Conference center or to dorm 17, they dont pay you the amount of money they supply with you for the accommodation as a part of the scholarship.
Thanks again.
Irma
Hi, Selina!
Thank you very much for such an informative article! Actually it’s the only one I’ve found covering the BLCU accommodation topic.. so double thanks
And could you please tell if the non-graduate students are asked to pay the acom. fee monthly or for one semester? I’m coming for a one-year course, but wanted to stay at the dorm just for the first month, and after that rent a room or apartment… So can I just pay for September and then leave?
Thank you for help, again ))
Polina
@polina I tried unsuccessfully to pay for only a month, they want you to pay the semester up front. BUT I know that some how, some people have been able to just pay for a month… maybe it’s depending on the fuyaun that you get?
Dear Selina,
I know that there is Housing Service center & Conference Center, what is the difference? Is it most of the students live at Housing Service Center? My friend is going there on 4-Aug. But she is still not able to book a single room at Conference Center, they always say no room for the time being. What can she do?
Thank you very much!!!
@Emily the Housing Service Center refers to the Student Dorms and the Conference Center is more like a hotel.
Has your friend tried the Dorms? There’s probably dorm rooms still available, if not she could temporarily go to a nearby hotel.
Dear Selina,
Many thanks for all the info you’re making available for students going to the BLCU.
I’ll be a scholarship student next academic year and I wonder if it would be possible to upgrade the type of accomodation in order to have a single room.
Best regards.
Dear Selina,
Ditto Peter’s question (and one of Irma’s, too): I’m going on a Chinese Government Scholarship which includes “accomodations”, so I’m hoping I can get the cost of the scholarship students’ dorms applied toward the cost of (say) staying in dorm 17. Any advice on how to do this (and preferably be able to start the process from overseas)?
Thanks a bunch!
Mike
For those interested, I’ve just made a post accommodation for scholarship students:
http://www.selinalai.com/2009/07/beijing-language-culture-university-accommodation-scholarship-students
i love photo blogs, there is a saying that a picture speaks a thousand words and this saying is also true for blogs that mostly displays photos.
Dear Selina,
My name is Evi and I find your BLCU-work sooo explicit,congrads!!
I’ve just read all the posts and questions about the accomodation.It would be extremely useful and remove my anxieties if you could answer me back to the following:
1. I am already accepted for the 4-week programme that starts on June 24.Do u think it’s better for me to call them in advance about the accomodation?Because i thought it would be better firet go there see the dorms and decide but i go there and give the worst room or nothing? i’m planning to stay in a single room,will it be very difficult to find a decent,single room?
2. As you’ll probably know they say that i have to be there 1,2 or 3 days before the classes start booking the room,pay fees +take the placement test.i will book my air ticket the following week i will arrive in Beijing at 15:00 (a) Will it be a good time until i arrive to BLCU to arrange all these? (b) What about the money? i mean will i have to chang my currency in yuan at a bank in the airport as sooon as i get there because normally i’ve to pay the taxi in yuan and the room in BLCU
3.How did u get to BLCU when u arrived at the airport will it be easy with a taxi or there is another way?
That’s ALL for now i hope u see my msg and answer me back.
i know my msg it’s HUGE so i tank u in advance!!!!!EVI
Hi Evi,
1) If you’re anxious, nervous and worried then you’re better off booking a single room. If you decide to go there then find accommodation, there’s a chance that there will be lots of other people looking and you might not get the room you want. I wouldn’t be too worried about not having a place to stay, worse case scenario you can rent outside?
2) a. Yeah it’s enough time to arrange everything, but just remember that EVERYONE else is doing that so it’ll be busy. My friend went a week earlier but couldn’t enroll until 2-3days before start of class so she used the time to familiarise herself with campus.
b. There’s banks and ATM’s on campus so money isn’t an issue. You might have to wait in a long que though… Just remember ATM’s have a withdraw limit (abts 2500RMB depending on which ATM)
3) I was in Beijing pior to the Olympic Games so I missed out on the new airport and subway lines etc. I think it’s just easier to take a taxi since it’s much faster, convenient and safer.
Hope that helps~
Hi !
Since I’m going to BLCU for a 6 months Erasmus trip starting next September, I find your blog really cool, it helps me relax somehow =)
I was just wondering: I will arrive at Beijing on August 26th and I’d like to know if I can go to Building 17 at that time or if I’ll have to take a hotel or something until the 1st September? I ask that because on the papers I received, it’s written that “The university will not provide any service for students who arrive in advance.” Does it include dormitories?
If you don’t have an answer, it’s no problem, just thank you for reading ^^
Bye
Céline
Hello
Thanks for writing this, I’ve been trying to find in depth information EVERYWHERE but nothing really seems to help but you seem to know your way around blcu and their accommodation options. I’m starting at BLCU for the Fall 2010 Year long language program, I’ve been given the option of either conference centre or dorm 17, they both cost the same but I don’t know which is more appropriate for a long term program. Do you have any advice as to which I should choose and why? I don’t mind that I’d have to go further from dorm 17 as I have a bicycle, I’m more concerned about room size, comfort, facilites etc.
Kind Regards,
Jess
hi Selina,
Thanks for writing this article! it’s very nice of you to share your experience in BLCU. I’ve been trying to look for information regarding the accommodations offered in BLCU since they only give the room rates, though the room rates are important, I’m also concern about the comfort, the size.
you stared at Dorm 4, am I right?
Which room type? since there are 3 types of double rooms:
Double Room
Small Double Room (Without Balcony)
Luxury Double Room
Thank You so much.
Hello Selina,
thank you very much for this useful blog!!!
I would like to know : if I choose a double room and then I don’t feel comfortable with my room mate, or I simlpy would feel the need for more privacy, is there a way to change accomodation to another room, or to switch to a signle one?
Thanks again for your help!!
Hi Selina,
So glad I came across your blog, it’s been extremely helpful. I hope you don’t mind answering a few more questions:
-Hotel Option: I’ve heard from some people that staying in nearby hotels might be a viable option as well, especially since they give large discounts to those who pay in advance for a few months’ stay. Is this advisable and could you recommend any decent hotels within walking distance of the school?
-Apartments: What is the usual price range for a one bedroom private apartment, and shared 2-3bedroom apartment? Would you recommend going through an agent or is it fairly easy to negotiate rent/terms and conditions with landlords?
Thank you so much for your help, really appreciate it. =)
Actually, the opening hours of Hope cafè say 07:00-01:00…but they’re still closed when I go to class at 7:30 and one time I came in at 10 something p.m. and they said they were closing already…
Leeching internet off the bar is useful, but still buying it from Cernet is cheap enough that I prefer having it in my room
Great blog!
Hi !
Since I’m going to BLCU for a 6 months Erasmus trip starting next September, I find your blog really cool, it helps me relax somehow =)
I was just wondering: I will arrive at Beijing on August 26th and I’d like to know if I can go to Building 17 at that time or if I’ll have to take a hotel or something until the 1st September? I ask that because on the papers I received, it’s written that “The university will not provide any service for students who arrive in advance.” Does it include dormitories?
If you don’t have an answer, it’s no problem, just thank you for reading ^^
Bye
Céline
Hey! awesome information provided by the way! I’m a malaysian student interested to do a semester abroad at BLCU too.
By the way, did you go through an agency, or did you directly apply to BLCU?
@cheryl I went to BLCU on student exchange so my university arranged the study aspect of my stay
hi selina, i’m going to BLCU this feb and i can’t seem to book for the dorm. does booking a dorm start on the registration days or you can book like a week before classes begin? the sem starts next week and i’m kind of panicking because i still don’t have a place to stay and i can’t contact any of the dorm offices. thank you
@Jeff You have to put down a deposit to book the dorm. I arrived a week before enrollment and didn’t have too much trouble getting a dorm room. Worse case you could stay at a nearby hotel (or the one on campus) temporarily. You can even negotiate lower rates if you stay at the campus hotel long term.
Hi Selina,
I’m planning to go to BLCU for seven months on the next February. I was making a research on which was the best accommodation and I found out that is far more cheaper to rent an apartment rather then staying in a dorm. However I don’t know how to do it. I am not in China now, and I am going there only two days before the semester begins. So I should contact an agency from my country and I am worried to be cheated. Do you have any particular advice? I mean do you know any agency in particular that I could contact and that can be trusted?
Thank you a lot!
hi Sofia, you always have the option to stay in a hotel temporarily until you find an,apartment. there are lots of agencies in wudaokou so I suggest you look at a few before making a decision. Also consider asking fellow students for advise/recommendations, you might find some ppl looking for a housemate~
Hope I’ve helped. Good luck and enjoy your stay!