A gap year in Shanghai and across China
Live with a Chinese host family, learn Mandarin and explore a whole new world, for a summer, half a year or a full gap year.
Gap year programs in Shanghai and China
Looking for an alternative gap year in Asia? Our gap year program in China is a cultural immersion program that lets you live abroad like a local, not a tourist. You stay with a Chinese host family in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen or another city, study Mandarin at a language school and spend your free time exploring one of the most exciting countries in the world.
Unlike a backpacking trip, this is long-term travel with a home base. You get a family, a routine, real friendships and a new language, all on a legal student visa with our Shanghai team behind you.
Who is a gap year in China for?
- A gap year after high school, before university
- A year out during or after university
- A break between studies to learn a new language
- Anyone aged 18 to 26 looking for a meaningful, long-term experience abroad
Choose your length
Short or long term, the program fits your plans.
Summer
A short adventure between school years: a taste of China and your first Mandarin.
Half a year
Enough time to settle in, make friends and really start speaking Chinese.
Full gap year
Become part of the family, reach real fluency and see China season by season.
Why spend your gap year in China?
Costs covered
Mandarin tuition, your flight and insurance are covered, and your host family provides accommodation, meals and a US$500 monthly education subsidy.
Something to show for it
Come home speaking Mandarin, with experience of another culture that stands out on any university or future application.
Travel with a home base
Explore China in your free time, and come back to a family who knows the best local spots.
Safe and supported
A student visa, screened host families and our Shanghai team behind you for your whole stay.
An affordable gap year abroad
Many gap year programs in Asia cost thousands before you even board the plane. Ours is built the other way around. Waupair China covers your Mandarin tuition, reimburses your flight and provides insurance. Your host family gives you your own room, meals and a US$500 monthly education subsidy. You can spend your gap year studying Chinese and travelling China without draining your savings.
Where you could live
Our host families live in China's biggest cities. Many also take their au pair along on holiday trips.
Travel China on your gap year
China is full of unique travel opportunities, and fast high-speed trains make weekend trips easy. Use your days off and public holidays like Golden Week and Spring Festival to see places such as:
- Xi’an
- The Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city walls.
- Guilin and Yangshuo
- Karst mountains, river cruises and cycling past rice fields.
- Chengdu
- Giant pandas, Sichuan hot pot and teahouse culture.
- Zhangjiajie
- The towering sandstone pillars of the national forest park.
- Yunnan
- Old towns like Lijiang and Dali, and snow mountains on the edge of Tibet.
Closer to home, weekends with your host family are full of days out:
Planning safe solo travel? Read our safety tips, and always check with us before leaving mainland China, as it may affect your visa.
How your gap year works
This is a language and cultural exchange on an X1 or X2 student visa. You study Mandarin at a language school and spend 30 to 35 hours a week with your host family's children, sharing your language and culture. The rest of your time is yours to explore.
Gap year in China: common questions
Do I need to speak Chinese for a gap year in China?
No. Most au pairs arrive as beginners. You study Mandarin at a language school with tuition covered, and your host family helps you practise every day.
How much does a gap year in China cost?
Far less than most gap year programs. Your tuition, flight and insurance are covered, your host family provides accommodation and meals, and you receive a US$500 monthly education subsidy.
Which visa do I need?
A student visa: X2 for programs of up to 180 days, X1 for longer stays. We register you at a language school and guide your application.
Is a gap year in China safe?
China is widely seen as a safe country for young travellers. Every host family is interviewed and checked, and our Shanghai team is there whenever you need help.
More answers on our FAQ page.
Ready for your gap year in China?
Applying takes a few minutes. No resume yet? Create a profile in one minute instead.