The payment (process) of rent in China might differ from your own country.
In Beijing, there are several payment methods, which could be negotiated with landlord.

Most common payment methods:

Pay three months' rent in advance
Pay one month equivalent rent as deposit, finally it can be refunded if everything in the apartment remains good status
Other payment methods:
Other payment methods could be negotiated with landlords such as:
Pay one-month rent in advance with three months equivalent deposit

Pay two months rent in advance with two months equivalent deposit.
Etc.
With different ways of payment, you may get various rents for your apartment. Most of landlords prefer to receive the rents as much as possible in advance. Therefore, if you would like to have more discount on your monthly rent, you can pay more rent in advance. Fox example, you can choose to pay 6-months rent in advance to get more discount on monthly rent. Everything will be determined by your negotiation with landlord.

If you need more information about rent payment method and/ or negotiation experience with landlords, please feel free to contact our housing specialists. It is our pleasure to facilitate you in your rental negotiation process.

Our suggestion is: trying to find out a nice and friendly landlord. Nice and friendly landlord will make your life easy while living in that apartment. With an uncomfortable relationship with landlord, your life will be more difficult in China.