Qinhuangdao’s One Yuan Coffee House: Campus Community Hub

In college towns across China, students often search for more than just quiet study spaces—they want places to connect, create, and grow. Many find those spaces missing, especially ones that bridge campus life with broader social engagement. That gap is what Zhang Hongbao set out to fill.

Zhang Hongbao’s "One Yuan Coffee" project offers students a space where a cup of coffee costs just one yuan (about $0.14), providing access to over 30 events, volunteer opportunities, and cultural activities—all within a student-run, nonprofit coffee house.

A Classroom Turned Coffee Commons

The "One Yuan Coffee" shop occupies a repurposed classroom on the third floor of the Comprehensive Building at Qinhuangdao Building Materials College. Far from a standard café, it was redesigned by student volunteers with simple, artistic touches: oil-painted windows, a long bar with a coffee machine, and shelves stacked with books. There are mismatched tables, a notebook for thoughts, and a bookshelf full of readings. The vibe is relaxed, creative, and intentionally non-commercial.

More Than Coffee: A Multifunctional Youth Platform

Beyond serving espresso or pour-over, the space functions as a hybrid: part library, part museum, part salon. It hosts an on-campus visual archive of student work, a “human library” where guests share real-life stories, and a rotating calendar of salons on everything from career paths to social entrepreneurship. Students can also borrow startup advice, mentorship, and project funding through the attached “One Yuan Coffee Campus Public Welfare Fund,” which funnels all net profits back into student ventures.

The café is deliberately open-format: students lead operations, plan events, and curate content. With just one yuan per coffee, anyone can join discussions, read, play chess, or simply enjoy the aroma of freshly ground beans while engaging with peers and visiting professionals.

A Vision Rooted in Travel and Survival

Zhang Hongbao’s journey to creating this space began in 2007, after a near-death experience during a road trip to Tibet. That brush with mortality led him to abandon a stable job and spend over a year traveling across China—from Sanya to Harbin—supported only by friends. Along the way, he met grassroots activists and nonprofit workers who inspired his shift toward cultural philanthropy.

By late 2013, Zhang had developed 15 nonprofit concepts, including "Dragon Soul Station" and "One Yuan Coffee." The latter stood out for its simplicity and campus relevance. With support from both a local university and a private business, the first location launched in May 2014 at Qinhuangdao Building Materials College. Despite financial hardship—surviving on instant noodles, hitching rides, and at times possessing just one yuan for bus fare—Zhang refused corporate buy-in to preserve the project’s nonprofit integrity.

Impact and Expansion

In under a year, the coffee house hosted over 30 events and drew interest from students at other universities, including Beijing Normal University, Hunan University, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen University, Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, and Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao. Corporate sponsors have also approached Zhang for partnerships.

Students credit the space for personal growth. “It changed how I see myself and my future,” wrote one student. Another noted, “Here, we learn things schools don’t teach—how to connect, reflect, and act.” Managers say they’ve gained leadership skills, built networks, and discovered new ambitions beyond the classroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "One Yuan Coffee" project?

The "One Yuan Coffee" project is a student-led nonprofit coffee shop at Qinhuangdao Building Materials College where every cup of coffee costs one yuan. It functions as a community hub for events, reading, music, and discussions, and serves as a platform for youth social innovation and public welfare projects.

How much does coffee cost at One Yuan Coffee?

Each cup of coffee at One Yuan Coffee costs one yuan (approximately $0.14 USD). This low price is designed to be accessible while generating funds that support student-led initiatives.

What activities take place at the coffee house?

The coffee house hosts over 30 types of activities annually, including salons, cultural exhibitions, a human library, career discussions, reading clubs, and entrepreneurial workshops. It also provides a library, art displays, and a space for recorded student interviews.

Who runs the coffee shop?

The café is operated by student volunteers. Daily management, event planning, and programming are handled by the students themselves, with guidance from founder Zhang Hongbao and support from the college.

Where is the One Yuan Coffee project located?

The original and main branch is located on the third floor of the Comprehensive Building at Qinhuangdao Building Materials College in Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province. It has inspired similar projects at other universities across China.

How is the project funded?

The project is funded through the sale of coffee at one yuan per cup, with all net profits going into the "One Yuan Coffee Campus Public Welfare Fund." This fund supports student entrepreneurship, public welfare programs, and the expansion of the initiative to other campuses.

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