Yangshuo · 阳朔A day in the countryside
Cycle past fields, stop in a village, and take in the limestone peaks around Yangshuo.
Chinese Language Institute Our home since 2009Guangxi, China · 中国桂林
桂林
Guilin
A remarkable place.
A more natural way
to learn Chinese.
Why Guilin
Full immersion.
Room to breathe.
Guilin offers the ideal balance between city life and local charm. People here take their time, are friendly and welcoming, and are enthusiastic language partners.
It’s a full-fledged city, with mountains between the buildings and quieter countryside close by. CLI’s founders chose Guilin after studying and traveling throughout China. We’ve been at home here since 2009.
All the city you need
Restaurants, cafés, gyms, universities, modern malls, and reliable public transportation. Guilin has the everyday conveniences that make it easy to settle in.
More room in your budget
Affordable meals, transport, and everyday essentials make a longer stay more manageable. There’s room to enjoy the city while you focus on your Chinese.
Chinese becomes part of life
English isn’t widely spoken, so Mandarin quickly becomes part of your routine. Order lunch, ask for directions, or stop to chat with someone in your neighborhood.
Take a look around
A city you can
make your own.
Busy streets, lakeside paths, and mountains that are always in view. Get a feel for the place you’ll call home.
Everyday immersion
Life here
speaks Chinese.
What you learn in class finds its way into the rest of your day. Over time, these small exchanges make speaking Chinese feel normal.
Your usual, in Chinese.
Choose a small restaurant, try a local dish, and order for yourself. Soon you know what you like. And the person behind the counter knows you.
一碗米粉yì wǎn mǐfěnA bowl of rice noodles
A reason to start talking.
Ask what’s in season, check the price, and choose something new. A simple errand becomes practice in asking questions and understanding the answers.
这个多少钱？zhège duōshao qián?How much is this?
The conversation gets longer.
First, a greeting. Then a question about the fruit, the weather, or where you’re from. With a few familiar faces around town, you have more reasons to keep talking.
明天见！míngtiān jiàn!See you tomorrow!
Everyday encounters in GuilinChinese, beyond the classroom
A typical weekday
In class
Four hours of one-on-one Chinese, tailored to your level and goals.
Around town
Time for review, a market visit, or meeting your Chinese language partner.
After hours
Dinner, an activity at CLI, or a walk by the lakes with new friends.
Your class times vary. There’s space in the day for both focused study and life in Guilin.
A student’s Guilin
“After a couple weeks, I was having slow conversations with taxi drivers, long chats with people in shops, and waking up thinking in Chinese!”
Beyond the city
And then there’s
the weekend.
Follow the Li River. Cycle through villages. Head into the hills. There’s plenty to explore when the week’s lessons are done.
桂林山水甲天下
“Guilin’s scenery is the most beautiful under heaven.”
Yangshuo · 阳朔
Longji · 龙脊A different view of Guangxi
Walk between mountain villages and rice terraces in the Longsheng area. Give yourself a full day to explore.
Right in Guilin · 桂林Stay close. See a little more.
Find a new walking route, visit a park, or climb to a city viewpoint with friends. You don’t need to leave town.
CLI organizes weekly activities and monthly travel excursions. Join an outing, travel with classmates, or ask our team for ideas.
Activities at CLI
One-on-one learning. A community around you.At home with CLI
Your place
in Guilin.
The combination of one-on-one instruction and complete immersion within a safe, supportive environment is among the most direct paths to learning Chinese.
At CLI, you study with three Mandarin instructors who get to know your goals. Beyond class, shared meals, local friends, and a team that knows Guilin help you make the most of being here.
Step inside the CLI Center“I fell in love with Guilin and CLI’s immersive approach to learning Chinese.”
朋友People make the place
Start with a pengyou.
Find your people.
CLI matches you with a student from our local partner university who speaks Mandarin. Your pengyou—Chinese for “friend”—shares meals, joins activities, and offers three hours of weekly language support.
The optional Pengyou Program is included at no additional tuition cost.
More about life at CLIA comfortable home
Settle in your way.
Live in a private room at CLI, join a local homestay family, or choose an apartment. Housing options depend on your program length and availability.
Explore housing optionsSupport from the start
A team to help you find your feet.
Airport pickup, housing support, orientation, an introduction to Guilin, learning guidance, and 24-hour assistance when needed. We help with the practical details that make immersion work.
See what’s includedPlan your stay
A few things
worth knowing.
Getting here, getting settled, and making Guilin your home for a while.
Ask our teamWill I manage as a complete beginner?
Yes. 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. Our team helps you get settled, and daily life gives you plenty of chances to practice what you’ve learned.
How do I get to Guilin?
Guilin has an international airport and high-speed rail connections to other Chinese cities. Airport or train station pickup and drop-off are included in CLI’s Immersion Program. Send us your arrival details, and we’ll help you make a smooth start. Ask us about your route.
What should I budget for daily life?
Guilin’s everyday living costs are generally lower than those in China’s largest cities. Your CLI tuition includes housing; meals, personal spending, and independent travel depend on your preferences. Some optional activities involve a ticket or entrance fee. Read our cost-of-living guidance.
What’s the weather like?
Guilin has hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters. Spring and summer can be rainy, so bring an umbrella, comfortable shoes, and layers. In autumn, the city’s osmanthus trees add their fragrance to the streets. Guilin—桂林—means “osmanthus forest.”
Can I explore beyond Guilin?
Yes. Weekends are generally free for independent travel, rest, or joining CLI excursions. Yangshuo, the Li River, and the Longji rice terraces are popular outings. Travel times vary by destination and transport; our team can help you work out a realistic plan.
When can I come, and how long can I stay?
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. Explore program lengths and tuition. If you’re planning a university term, take a look at Study Abroad in China.
Your China journey starts here
Come learn Chinese.
Make yourself at home.
Begin your stay any Monday of the year and immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture with CLI as your guide.
Chinese Language InstituteAt home in Guilin since 2009. Back to top ↑