Housing near National Chung Hsing University: 2026 student guide

Campus Reviews Reveal Housing Needs

National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) is located in South District, Taichung City, and ranks 628th in the QS World University Rankings. Based on 4093 reviews collected from Google, its overall score is 4.5 stars. Students generally view the campus environment and transportation positively, but language requirements and course load also affect the experience of some international students.

“Coming here for HES at Chinese Language Centre NCHU. Definitely recommend to any HES students who plan to further their language study here. Very cool and calm, green atmosphere with easy transportation access to many places in the city. The CLC is considered slightly expensive than other university.” — Mujahid Mazlan, 5-star review (10 months ago)

This student highlights that the campus is “cool and calm, with plenty of greenery” and has convenient transportation to many places in the city. At the same time, he notes that the language center is slightly more expensive than other universities, meaning that accommodation budget needs to be considered together with tuition fees.

“Nice place to study, I found the level of studying quite different than at home. I think the load was way smaller, but cannot judge properly, because all the classes at the department were in Chinese, so I had not a real chance to really understand what is going on here.” — Jaro Vašák, 4-star review (6 years ago)

Courses are taught in Chinese, which poses a challenge for non-native speakers. If you plan to study long-term, living close to campus in an area that makes it convenient to attend after-school language tutoring or self-study will be more efficient.

“Its campus is big and beautiful. A perfect place for a slow walk, but not the best place to study especially for those cant speak Chinese.” — Jen Vo, 5-star review (4 years ago)

Another student affirms that the campus is spacious and beautiful, but also points out that for students who cannot speak Chinese, it is not the best place to study. Therefore, when choosing accommodation, you should also consider whether it is close to libraries, cafes, or collaborative study spaces.

“Visited on Saturday morning to go to the organic market held in the campus area.” — raknita, 4-star review (6 months ago)

An organic market is held on campus every Saturday morning, reflecting the integration of the off-campus community with campus life. Living within walking distance allows you to take advantage of these facilities more easily.

Overall: The main appeal of NCHU for international students lies in its quiet green spaces and convenient transportation, but the Chinese-language environment and relatively light course load mean that accommodation choices should focus more on convenience of living and social opportunities, rather than solely on reducing commute time.

Urban Background of Taichung’s South District

Taichung City is the largest city in central Taiwan, with a more relaxed pace of life than Taipei and a lower cost of living. South District is a traditional cultural and educational area. Besides NCHU, there are several high schools and parks, and the overall environment is quiet. The district is home to NCHU Affiliated Hospital, many supermarkets, food streets, and traditional markets.

Regarding public transportation, Taichung City buses have a dense network. From the campus side gate, it is a 300-meter walk to the “NCHU” bus stop, which provides direct access to Taichung Railway Station, the Qinmei shopping district, and other places. The southern terminus of the Taichung MRT Green Line, “Daqing Station,” which opened in 2021, is about 1.5 km from campus and can be reached by bicycle or a short bus ride. If you choose to live in a slightly farther community (such as the outskirts of South District or Dali District), the MRT + bus combination can still keep your commute within 30 minutes.

For international students coming to Taiwan for the first time, it is recommended to prioritize areas within a 15-minute walk of NCHU. Specific areas include apartments or shared suites along main roads such as Xingda Road, Xuefu Road, Zhongming South Road, and Guoguang Road. Here, daily shopping, dining, and medical care are convenient, and public security is good.

Budget Range Reference (All prices are indicative; please confirm with operators)

Since accommodation prices vary depending on the type of housing, furniture configuration, floor level, and rental duration, the following are only estimated ranges based on historical averages. For actual current prices, please consult landlords or student accommodation platforms directly.

• Budget tier (monthly rent about NT$6,000–9,000): On-campus dormitories (if open to international students) or off-campus shared rooms (shared bathroom and kitchen). Suitable for students who do not require much privacy and want to save money. Note that on-campus dormitories usually require advance application and have limits on the number of semesters you can stay.
• Mid-range tier (monthly rent about NT$9,000–14,000): Single studio (private bathroom) or shared studio (private bathroom but no kitchen). This type of housing is most common along Xuefu Road and Zhongming South Road, within a 10- to 15-minute walk to campus. Most include basic furniture, internet, and water heater.
• Comfort tier (monthly rent about NT$14,000–20,000 and above): One-bedroom apartments or small elevator units. Usually located in new residential buildings with facilities such as gyms and laundry rooms. Suitable for students who need more living space or are on short-term exchange.

Note: In Taiwan, rental agreements typically require a deposit of two months’ rent and one month’s rent in advance, with a one-year contract. Short-term (one semester) housing is scarce and requires advance negotiation with the landlord or choosing student apartments that already accept short-term rentals.

Trade-offs between Walking and Public Transportation

Choosing accommodation within walking distance (within 1 km of campus) has the following advantages:

• Daily commute time is reduced to 10–15 minutes, making it convenient to return to your room between classes to rest or pick up materials.
• Easier to participate in evening campus activities, clubs, and language exchanges without worrying about last bus times.
• Walking distance to the campus organic market, gym, and library improves quality of life.

The disadvantages are relatively higher rent, and older apartments may have poorer sound insulation and air conditioning equipment compared to newer ones.

Choosing accommodation that requires bus/MRT commuting (2–3 km from campus, e.g., the edges of South District, Dali District):

• Rent can be 20–30% lower, and the same budget can get a more spacious and newer living environment.
• Commute time is about 20–30 minutes, and you need to consider the bus frequency (about every 15–30 minutes).
• Daily shopping may require relying on the bus or purchasing your own bicycle/electric scooter (motorcycles require an international driver’s license).

Suggestion: For the first semester, prioritize accommodation within walking distance. After becoming familiar with Taichung’s urban layout, you can adjust based on personal preferences. If you are sure you will be studying long-term (more than two years), buying a second-hand bicycle (about NT$1,500–3,000) can greatly expand your options.

Accommodation Screening Logic: How to Compare Nearby Options

Although there is no designated list of candidate properties, you can screen them yourself by following these steps:

1. Set a maximum commute time (15 minutes walking or 20 minutes by bus): Use a map service to search for “rental” or “studio” within a 1.5 km radius of NCHU and mark all available properties.
2. Check basic facilities: Confirm whether the unit includes air conditioning, water heater, refrigerator, bed frame, and desk. Summer in Taiwan is hot; a room without air conditioning is nearly uninhabitable.
3. Assess environmental noise and safety: Choose a house on a secondary road rather than a main road, and avoid night markets or market stalls that cause nighttime noise. Check if there is a convenience store downstairs or 24-hour security (ask the landlord).
4. Compare total costs: Rent + electricity fees (electricity costs are high in summer in Taiwan; if you have an independent meter, the rate is about NT$5–7 per kWh) + water fees + internet fees (some landlords collect them). Do not look only at the monthly rent.
5. Contact senior students or student clubs: Many international students share sublease or roommate information on Facebook groups (e.g., “NCHU International Students”), and prices are often 5–10% lower than market rates.
6. Visit the property in person: Pay special attention to bathroom drainage, signs of wall seepage, the number of power outlets, and window ventilation. Visit once during the day and once at night to check neighbor noise and lighting brightness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students apply for NCHU on-campus dormitories?

On-campus dormitories give priority to local students and exchange agreement students. For regular degree-seeking international students, availability depends on the number of spots that year. It is recommended to contact the university’s Office of International Affairs immediately after admission to inquire, while also preparing an off-campus rental backup plan. Dormitory prices are about NT$6,000–8,000 per month (indicative) and include utilities, but you must abide by curfew and roommate rules.

What shopping facilities are available near the university?

On the south side of campus, Xingda Road has a PX Mart (supermarket) and many food stalls. On the east side, Guoguang Road has a traditional market (with a Saturday morning organic market). A 5-minute bicycle ride will take you to a hypermarket. By public transportation, it takes about 20 minutes to reach the Taichung Station shopping district or the Qinmei Eslite Green Parkway. In short, daily necessities shopping is very convenient.

How can I verify the authenticity of rental prices?

Prices on Taiwan’s mainstream rental platforms such as 591 House Trading, LeHouse, and Facebook rental groups are mostly posted directly by landlords. It is recommended to contact at least three landlords to get quotes for the same room type, and ask whether management fees and garbage disposal fees are included. Before signing the contract, ask to see the property title deed (to verify the landlord’s identity) and confirm that the lease contract complies with the “standardized contract” regulations. All prices are indicative; the final amount is subject to confirmation with the landlord/operator at the time of signing.

data-date: 2026-07-01

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