20 weekly hours of private Mandarin instruction with three dedicated teachers in the heart of Guilin. Begin any Monday of the year.
One-on-one instruction and complete immersion within a safe, friendly environment are among the most direct paths to learning Chinese.
Rather than vying for your teacher's attention, your daily one-on-one lessons with three unique CLI instructors give you an individualized opportunity to advance and validate your Chinese language skills hour by hour, day by day, and week by week.
Begin your stay any Monday of the year and immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture with CLI as your guide.
CLI turns Chinese study into a highly personal, supported, real-life experience in China.
From your first inquiry through your final day of coursework, CLI helps with the practical details that make immersion work: airport pickup, housing support, orientation, an introduction to Guilin, learning guidance, and 24-hour assistance when needed.
Each Immersion Program student studies with three unique Mandarin instructors. Your 20 weekly hours are divided according to your individual learning needs, with teachers coordinating across reading and writing, listening and speaking, and daily review.
CLI's lessons are designed to move quickly from the classroom into daily life. New vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural habits are reinforced through homework, in-class questions, games, and organic interactions throughout Guilin.
CLI's team is on hand for questions, logistics, and emergencies, helping students make the transition to China as smooth as possible. The goal is a learning environment where students feel supported academically, practically, and personally.
Founded in Guilin in 2009 and built through a long-running partnership with Guangxi Normal University, CLI combines established local experience with a close-knit learning center where students, teachers, pengyous, roommates, and team members take part in daily life together.
CLI's Immersion Program integrates all aspects of Chinese — reading, writing, speaking, grammar, listening, pronunciation, and vocabulary — into a completely unique learning experience.
Lessons and topics studied are tested daily in real-life situations to provide constant language growth and validation. Under the careful guidance of your three instructors, daily learning objectives are pursued and validated through an organized system of assessment.
Homework assignments, in-class questions, games, and organic real-life interactions throughout Guilin validate your progress every day.
Short-term students receive a formal Chinese language assessment once every two weeks to track measurable progress.
Opt in at any time by wearing your CLI wristband — you commit to speaking only Chinese, and CLI's team responds in kind. Remove it to opt out. Flexible and powerful.
While one-on-one is the primary mode, small group classes (3–5 students) can be arranged when enrollment, levels, and preferences align. Contact CLI to discuss.
Watch Stephanie's CLI testimonial for a firsthand look at what personalized Chinese immersion feels like within and beyond the classroom.
Stephanie Najjar · CLI Immersion Program Student
For a deeper look at how lessons are structured, how your three instructors coordinate, and how CLI adapts coursework to your level and goals, explore our full curriculum guide.
A typical weekday at CLI is built around four hours of one-on-one Chinese class, with plenty of time for self-study, exploration, and Mandarin practice throughout Guilin.
The schedule above is a sample weekday rather than a fixed timetable. CLI runs four daily class sessions: 8:20 to 10:20 AM, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and 4:10 to 6:10 PM. Immersion Program students are scheduled for two of these sessions, providing four total hours of one-on-one class each day.
In addition to four daily hours of instruction, CLI organizes weekly activities and monthly excursions designed to immerse students deeply into Chinese language and culture.
Join fellow CLI students and team members for bamboo boat rides down the Li River, hikes up Guilin's breathtaking karst mountains, photography excursions to the Longji Rice Terraces, cooking lessons with Chinese chefs, tea house visits, and more.
CLI also provides free travel arrangement assistance — ticket purchasing, safety tips, itineraries, and lodging recommendations — to students who wish to explore China's diverse cities and provinces on weekends and breaks.
From your pre-departure to-do list through your final day of coursework, CLI provides the academic, practical, and personal support that helps make your time in Guilin smooth, focused, and effective.
The core of the Immersion Program is 20 weekly hours of one-on-one intensive Mandarin training with three unique CLI teachers.
CLI's orientation introduces you to your new living and learning environment, including a welcome meal, a Guilin tour, and practical guidance for making the most of your studies. Preview the CLI Orientation Deck.
Your tuition includes airport pickup and drop-off. A CLI team member will meet you upon arrival and help make your transition to Guilin as smooth as possible.
Rent is fully covered by your program tuition. Choose from a private room at CLI, homestay, private apartment, or apartment with Chinese roommates, depending on program length and availability.
CLI hosts weekly activities and helps students experience Guilin and the surrounding region through language-rich cultural outings. Many activities are included in tuition; when an optional activity requires a ticket, entrance fee, or venue cost, students simply pay the direct cost charged by the provider.
For students who need a Chinese student visa, CLI provides guidance through the X2 student visa process. Review our Pre-Departure To-Do List and X2 visa application guide for details.
CLI team members are available around the clock for urgent situations, with practical support from arrival through departure.
Students who opt in can be matched with a local GXNU student for regular language exchange, cultural connection, and additional Chinese practice. There is no additional tuition cost to participate.
The optional CLI Language Pledge helps you create more Chinese-only time in daily life. Wear the wristband when you want to opt in, and remove it whenever you need to opt out. See the bracelet.
Choose the living arrangement that fits your learning style. All tuition options include rent, WiFi, heating, A/C, and weekly cleaning.
Live steps away from classes in CLI's newly renovated 5-story learning center. A perfect mix of privacy and community.
Live with a local Guilin family and experience Chinese culture up close. Join family dinners and weekend outings.
Enjoy your own fully furnished apartment in Guilin with extra privacy and space. Ideal for independent learners staying longer-term.
Share an apartment with local GXNU students and keep your Chinese going after class. A strong fit for learners who want daily practice at home.
Admissions are rolling. Build your estimate below, pick one of our most popular plans, or toggle to the full tuition table.
You'll confirm your preferred duration, housing, start date, and other details in the application.
Best for professionals on limited PTO, or travelers testing whether immersion is right for them.
Best for language learners aiming to make serious progress toward conversational fluency.
Best for students and future China specialists seeking working-level or highly advanced proficiency.
| Duration | Private Room at CLI | Homestay | Private Apt* | Apt w/ Roommates* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Study | ||||
| 2 Weeks† | $1,490 | $1,760 | — | — |
| 4 Weeks | $2,870 | $3,440 | — | — |
| 6 Weeks | $4,280 | $5,100 | — | — |
| 8 Weeks | $5,590 | $6,650 | — | — |
| 10 Weeks | $6,980 | $8,340 | — | — |
| 12 Weeks | $8,375 | $9,985 | — | — |
| Long-Term Study | ||||
| 3 Months‡ | $8,840 | $10,520 | — | — |
| 4 Months | $11,420 | $13,600 | — | — |
| 5 Months | $13,860 | $16,490 | — | — |
| 6 Months | $16,140 | $19,190 | $22,090 | $24,290 |
| 7 Months | $18,250 | $21,710 | $24,980 | $27,470 |
| 8 Months | $20,230 | $24,080 | $27,700 | $30,470 |
| 9 Months | $22,090 | $26,270 | $30,230 | $33,250 |
| 10 Months | $23,800 | $28,310 | $32,570 | $35,830 |
| 11 Months | $25,400 | $30,230 | $34,760 | $38,240 |
| 1 Year | $26,870 | $31,980 | $36,780 | $40,460 |
* Apartment options subject to availability and require a minimum 6-month program.
† 1-week terms, plus odd-numbered terms from 3 to 11 weeks, are available via the CLI Application Form; tuition for odd-numbered terms from 3 to 11 weeks equals the average of the weeks immediately before and after.
‡ On average, 4.35 weeks per month (e.g., CLI's 6-month program is 26 weeks).
CLI Meal Plan: $20/week in advance, or 30 RMB per individual meal. Home-cooked Chinese lunch served Monday through Friday.
A walkable city of karst mountains and warm locals, built for the kind of immersion where real progress happens.
Guilin sits on the Li River in southern China's Guangxi Province — small enough to navigate on foot, large enough to keep daily life interesting. You'll order food, ask for directions, and make small talk in Mandarin because that's simply how the city works.
With fewer foreign residents and less English spoken than China's megacities, Guilin keeps you in Mandarin from breakfast to bedtime. The language gap that stops many learners doesn't exist here — practice finds you.
Modern transit, clean air, friendly locals, and a cost of living well below Beijing or Shanghai make Guilin the kind of place where you can focus entirely on learning and living well.
The city itself is your most valuable study partner.
桂林山水甲天下
"Guilin's mountains and rivers are the best under heaven"
The Chinese word for friend — péngyǒu (朋友) — includes two moon characters (月) side by side. Through the passage of time, and with each moon, lasting friendships are built.
CLI matches you with a student from our local partner university who speaks standard Mandarin. Your pengyou will share meals with you each week, join you for activities, and offer three hours of weekly language support — all at no additional tuition cost.
This optional add-on is one of the most popular parts of the CLI experience. Simply indicate your interest on the application form.
Watch a recent student walk through the CLI Center in Guilin, then open the English translation to follow along.
Gain a feel for life at CLI through a recent student's short Instagram tour. Click or tap 'Load Video' to view.
You can begin your Immersion Program on any Monday throughout the year and study for as little as one week or as long as a full year.
Admissions are rolling, and accepted students typically receive an admissions decision within three weekdays. Summer programs and certain housing options can fill quickly, so we recommend applying early if your dates are fixed.
A typical weekday includes four hours of one-on-one Chinese lessons, usually divided between morning and afternoon class sessions. You'll study with three CLI teachers each week, and your lessons are customized around your level, goals, and learning style.
Outside of class, students have time for self-study, meals, activities, exploring Guilin, and practicing Chinese in daily life. Weekends are generally free for independent travel, rest, or joining CLI excursions.
CLI welcomes students of all levels, including complete beginners. Because the Immersion Program is built around one-on-one instruction, your teachers meet you exactly where you are.
Beginners often focus first on pronunciation (see CLI's pinyin chart), survival phrases, listening comprehension, and practical daily communication. More advanced students often choose to focus on general fluency, reading, business Chinese, test preparation, classical Chinese, or other personalized goals.
Tuition includes comprehensive pre-departure support, 20 weekly hours of one-on-one Chinese instruction, housing, airport or train station pickup and drop-off, orientation, weekly activities, welcome and farewell dinners, and ongoing student support.
Your tuition total depends on your program length and housing selection. International airfare, visa fees, personal spending, and optional meal plan costs are not included. Some special activities may also involve a ticket, entrance fee, or venue cost; when that happens, students pay the direct cost charged by the provider.
Students can choose from several housing options, depending on program length and availability. Options may include a private room at CLI, a homestay with a local family, a private apartment, or an apartment with Chinese roommates.
A private room at CLI is the most convenient option because you'll live in the same building as your classes. Homestays are a strong choice for students who want additional Chinese practice and a deeper look into local family life. Apartment options offer more independence for longer stays.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality, program length, and travel plans. Some students may be able to enter China visa-free for shorter programs, while others will need to apply for a Chinese student visa.
For students who need a student visa, CLI provides guidance through the X2 visa process and prepares the required invitation materials after acceptance. We recommend beginning the visa process early, especially if your start date is approaching or if you are applying from outside your home country.
Once you submit your arrival details, CLI will arrange pickup from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or the Guilin train station. A CLI team member or driver will meet you and take you directly to your accommodation.
Orientation is typically held on your first Monday and introduces you to the CLI Center, your teachers, your schedule, Guilin, and practical details for daily life in China.
CLI observes Chinese national holidays. If a holiday falls during your program and causes you to miss class time, you can make up the missed class days by adding days to the end of your program, taking make-up hours through CLI Online, or distributing extra class hours across your remaining weekdays.
We'll help you choose the option that best fits your schedule.
CLI's meal plan is optional. Students who choose the meal plan can enjoy homestyle Chinese lunches at the CLI Center during the week. Students can add the meal plan in advance for $20/week, or pay 30 RMB per individual meal.
Homestay students typically have some dinners with their host family. For other meals, Guilin has many affordable restaurants, cafés, noodle shops, and local markets within easy reach of CLI.
CLI can accommodate many dietary needs, including vegetarian, halal, and other common dietary requirements. You'll have a chance to share your dietary and medical information after acceptance so our team can prepare appropriately. Students with vegetarian diets may also find our Vegetarian in China guide helpful before arrival.
If you have severe allergies or strict dietary restrictions, please be sure to complete our Dietary & Medical Form during enrollment and let us know early so we can discuss the best housing and meal plan options for your situation.
Yes. Many students choose to obtain an official transcript from CLI's university affiliate, Guangxi Normal University, for coursework completed at CLI. If your university allows transfer credit or has a petition process for non-approved programs, CLI can provide documentation such as a certificate of completion, academic transcripts, syllabi, course descriptions, and credit-hour information.
Students who need a formal transcript from a Chinese university should also review CLI's Study Abroad in China program.
For a partial listing of universities from which CLI has hosted students since 2009, including universities that have accepted GXNU credits, see our 400+ institutions webpage.
CLI offers a limited number of partial scholarships each year for eligible Immersion Program students. Awards are based on factors such as program length, housing choice, financial need, and academic merit.
Students may also be able to apply for outside funding through scholarships, university grants, or study abroad funding programs. Useful places to start include Boren Awards, Gilman Scholarship, Gates Millennium, Rotary Foundation, FinAid.org, IEFA.org, and the FAFSA. We recommend exploring funding options early in your planning process.
The famous Chinese proverb claims that "Guilin's scenery is the most beautiful under heaven," and rightly so. CLI welcomes you to Guilin.
Apply NowHave a question about our programs, daily life in Guilin, or how to get started? Our team responds within 48 hours — often much sooner.
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