Interning in China: Where to Find Your Dream Placement

Interning abroad is a life-changing experience whether you’re earning college credit or just in it for the adventure! By taking your work experience international, you’ll be able to build your professional network and demonstrate your global competence — just what future employers are seeking!

Thinking about building your resume as an intern in China? You made an epic choice!

By working in one of the world’s largest economies and exploring one of the oldest countries on Earth, an internship in China is the ideal place to transform your future! Shanghai and Beijing might be the obvious cities to check out first, but you don’t have to limit yourself in the world’s most populous country.

Over 100 cities across the country have more than one million people, meaning there are endless opportunities for internships in China in almost any field you can imagine. Maybe you’re interested in hospitality and tourism, business and international trade, or even fashion and the arts — whatever your interests, with a little research you can find just the right program!

Keep reading to help you narrow your choices and choose your new home base as you put your plans in motion to intern in China.

7 best places for internships in China

1. Beijing

Beijing is a top contender for internships in China.

In the capital city, you can visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City the same day that you explore the Beijing National Stadium (also known as the Bird’s Nest) and the 798 ArtZone. These are just two examples of how life in Beijing is defined by the juxtaposition of age-old tradition and cutting edge vision. With a lifestyle that seamlessly integrates ancient and modern, you can literally have it all in this complex and dynamic mega-metropolis!

Whether you’re interested in internships in China in well-established industries such as IT and tourism or growing fields such as health and pharmaceuticals, Beijing is an ideal location to launch the adventure of a lifetime. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself winding down hutongs (narrow alleys with traditional houses) on your way to a hi-tech job located in the Zhongguancun area (China’s Silicon Valley).

Working in this dynamic city will put you in proximity to world-class universities, seven World Heritage Sites, and shop-til-you-drop experiences around every corner. As an intern in China, you can’t go wrong by choosing Beijing!

Recommended programs in Beijing:

ImmerQi - China Internship Program
Fashion Design Internship in Shanghai or Beijing with World Internships
View ALL internship programs in Beijing

2. Shanghai

As one of the most populous cities in the world, Shanghai stands out as the youngest and most globally interconnected city in the country. It boasts a cosmopolitan reputation and serves as the busiest port and financial hub for Asia’s largest economy. With all of these modern amenities, there’s no shortage of ancient monuments and cultural sites. In fact, Shanghai embodies the balance of innovation rooted in deep cultural heritage.

As an intern, you can choose from Fortune 500 companies to startups, or from trailblazing fashion to art history, and everything in between. With over 25 million people and robust manufacturing, tourism, and finance industries, the Lujiazui skyline is the limit. Whether you’re strolling down the Bund or rushing to a client meeting in the Pudong Business District, during your internship in China, you’ll be surrounded by a vibrant city that can’t help but impress.

Recommended programs in Shanghai:

3. Shenzhen

As an intern in China, you’re guaranteed to be working in some of the sleekest, most advanced cities in the world.

Designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 1980, Shenzhen embraced market capitalism that opened the floodgates to foreign investment and unprecedented economic growth. As a result, Shenzhen became known as the “next Silicon Valley” with a reputation for tech innovation, robust financial markets, advanced logistics, and an arts and culture scene pushing all the boundaries.

In case you’re worried that there’s nothing more than hi-tech, high finance, and high design in Shenzhen, rest assured that there’s plenty of nature located in and around the city. Islands and parks or the Pearl River Delta will be your playground as much as the fanciest sky bars and most creative art galleries.

No longer Hong Kong’s inexpensive neighbor to the North, Shenzhen has developed a sophisticated scene (for both work and play) to rival any city in the world. With all this to offer, it’s no wonder Shenzhen is one of the fastest-growing cities and an ideal place to find internships in China!

Recommended programs in Shenzhen:

Accounting & Finance Internship in China
Shenzhen Internship Program with CRCC Asia
View ALL internship programs in Shenzhen

4. Guangzhou

Soak up the history in Guangzhou!

In Guangzhou, you’ll be able to experience authentic Cantonese culture from food to opera and everything in between. There’s a mix of ancient and modern everywhere you look — traditional temples next to contemporary architecture and fine dining next to delicious street stalls. There’s plenty to do in the city, but if you need to get out of town, you can always climb the Baiyun Mountains, known as the city’s “lung” for providing much needed greenery to the industrial area.

As a major port town on the maritime Silk Road, Guangzhou has been playing a critical role in international business for thousands of years. Today, the city is a thriving metropolis in Southern China and is home to the country’s largest trade fair that brings travelers from across the globe to this manufacturing hub on the Pearl River. With so much global connectivity, you can find an internship in China in almost any field including business, education, and hospitality.

Recommended programs in Guangzhou:

5. Xi’an

One of the oldest cities in China (it’s actually the starting point of the overland silk road and one of the country’s four ancient capitals), Xi’an is so much more than a gateway to visit the famed Terracotta warriors. Located in the Northwest, ancient traditions are alive and well in this lively city. You can walk the ancient city walls, visit countless temples and pagodas, experience the chest-thumping sensation of a performance at the drum tower, and wind your way through endless street food (and souvenir) options in the Muslim quarter.

If history isn’t your thing, one of the best parts of Xi’an is that you can also access all of the modern conveniences you expect in a city, including a robust public transportation system, mega malls, and plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes. Obviously, an internship isn’t all play and no work! Given the core industries of the city, if you choose Xi’an for your home as an intern in China, you’re most likely to find the right fit in fields such as engineering, tourism, and technology.

Recommended programs in Xi’an:

6. Hong Kong

A former British colony and now a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong is like nowhere else in China, heck, the world! It truly is a global crossroads — a city that flourishes as a hub of global economic and cultural life with a public transportation system to match. Located on a series of islands off mainland China to the South, the population density is a sight to behold.

To manage so many people in such a tiny area, Hong Kong built up rather than out. Skyscrapers abound, making for one of the most jaw-dropping skylines in the world. With its cosmopolitan history and financial dominance, the city has a diverse culture that balances traditional Chinese norms with dynamic global influences. Working in this complex and creative culture can take you anywhere from international trade and communications to more niche programs in the arts and engineering.

With English as an official language in this Cantonese-speaking region, China internships are abundant and attractive in fields as far ranging as international trade to nonprofit management. From elite nightclubs and luxury shopping options to the funkiest dive bars and neighborhood markets where you can stretch a dollar, the sky (or your imagination) is the limit in Hong Kong!

Recommended programs in Hong Kong:

7. Chengdu

Don’t act like you’re interning in Chengdu for anything other than the pandas.

Known as the Panda Capital of the World, Chengdu offers you the opportunity to get up close and personal with the national animal of China. This vibrant and growing city is located in an area known as the "Land of Abundance" and “Country of Heaven,” and has more to offer than meets the eye. Beyond being home to some of the cutest, cuddliest creatures on Earth, Chengdu is also an economic powerhouse and the capital of the western province of Sichuan.

Not only will you be surrounded by a playground of mountains and lakes in the gateway to western China, you’ll have access to a state of the art city that makes it a top destination for tourists and business travelers alike. With more than 250 Fortune 500 Companies in the city limits, global business is an everyday affair. China internships are abundant in sectors such as machinery, automobile, medicine, food, and information technology that are booming in Chengdu.

With big business comes development, which in Chengdu includes a world-class food scene. In fact, UNESCO recognized Chengdu as a “creative city of gastronomy” for its Sichuan culinary heritage. You’ll want to try all of the local delicacies; just make sure to bring something cooling to drink, as the food here is famous for its use of spicy chilis and peppercorns. If you’re searching for internships in China, Chengdu might be just the right place to live and learn about the culture, history, and future of inland China!

Recommended programs in Chengdu:

Hospitality, Sports, Tourism &Hotel internship in China
Business & Marketing Internships
View ALL internship programs in Chengdu

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You’re ready for an internship in China!

view of suspension bridge in China at night

Get ready for bright city lights, amazing food, and unrivaled work experience as an intern in China!

Not every corner of China will be as glamorous and trendy as Shanghai, as globally connected as Hong Kong, or as bustling as Beijing. To truly begin to understand the cultural heritage and living traditions of the Middle Kingdom, you’ll want to explore beyond the tourist hotspots and visit some of the smaller cities and rural areas too.

We’re not suggesting you skip the Great Wall, but we are encouraging you to immerse yourself in the diversity that thrives in this vast county! Don’t miss the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and unlock the mysteries that await you on your internship in China.

Have we convinced you yet? Are you ready to jumpstart your career and make connections that will change your life? The good news is that internships in China are abundant! With a bit of research about what to know before you go, you can find the right program in almost any field.

Whatever job you choose, keep in mind that guanxi (relationships) and the concept of “face” are important values that dominate professional culture. Paying attention to how these operate and being willing to adapt to these cultural norms will put you on the path toward a successful experience and friendships that will last a lifetime!

Is it time to transform your life? All that’s left is to decide where you want to call home and dive into your new life abroad.