My stay in Guilin was very useful for improving my Chinese because opportunities to speak Chinese are everywhere. I had an unforgettable experience and would recommend it to anyone.
A place to connect and learn Chinese.
Set along the Li River among limestone peaks, Guilin brings together friendly people, a lively local culture, and countless opportunities to use your Chinese. We look forward to welcoming you.
In Guilin, people are easy to talk to, the food is excellent, and some of China’s most celebrated scenery is everywhere to be found. Guilin is a place where you can dedicate yourself to learning Chinese and build lasting connections in the process.
Our team has studied Chinese in Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, overseas, and Guilin. These experiences helped shape CLI and our belief in the value of a smaller city: more opportunities to speak Chinese in daily life, a welcoming local community, and a city one can settle into. CLI has called Guilin home since 2009.
I fell in love with Guilin and CLI’s immersive approach to learning Chinese.
The comforts of city life. Restaurants, cafés, gyms, universities, shopping, and public transportation make it easy to find what you need and establish a routine.
A manageable cost of living. Your budget generally goes further here than in China’s largest cities. You can enjoy local food, get around town, and explore without a big-city budget.
Connected to the rest of China. Guilin’s international airport and high-speed rail connections make it a convenient base for a wider journey. Our Immersion Program includes airport or train station pickup and drop-off.
Population from China’s 2020 census; the wider Guilin prefecture is home to about 4.9 million. Guilin’s karst joined the South China Karst World Heritage listing in 2014. Program details are on CLI’s Immersion Program page. Guilin, 桂林, means “osmanthus forest.”
The city you’ll explore, the Chinese you’ll use, and the community you’ll be part of.
Start the morning with a bowl of Guilin rice noodles. After class, meet a friend at a café, head to the gym, or walk beside the lakes. Guilin has the conveniences of a modern city, with mountains and green spaces woven into daily life.
It’s this balance that makes the city such a rewarding place to spend time. You can enjoy a lively restaurant or a quiet riverside walk, explore a neighborhood market, and still have the countryside within reach.
Cost-of-living guidance
In Guilin, you have a reason to use Chinese each time you step outside. Order lunch, ask for directions, or chat with a shopkeeper. With fewer opportunities to fall back on English, the language you study in class becomes a practical part of everyday life.
A short exchange can lead to a longer conversation. As you get to know local people, you hear different voices, learn new expressions, and become more comfortable speaking for yourself. These small, repeated encounters are an essential part of immersion.
Your Immersion Program includes four hours of one-on-one Chinese each weekday, tailored to your level and goals. Between lessons, you have time to review, share lunch with teachers and classmates, or meet your Chinese language partner.
When classes end, Guilin gives you plenty of ways to keep learning. Try a new restaurant, join an activity at CLI, or spend the evening exploring with friends. What you learn in class helps you take part in the city around you.
Moving to a new country is easier when you have people to turn to. At CLI, your teachers get to know you, our team helps you settle in, and fellow students share the experience of learning a language and finding their way in a new place.
The CLI Center brings that community together. Come for your lessons, stay for lunch, or meet a friend between classes. We’re here to help you build confidence in your Chinese and make the most of your time in Guilin.
Step inside the CLI Center
From your first day in Guilin, we’re here to help you settle in and become part of the community.
Choose a private room at CLI, stay with a local homestay family, or explore an apartment option. We’ll help you understand the choices available for your program length and preferred way of living.
Housing options
We’ll meet you at the airport or train station, help you settle into your housing, and introduce you to life in Guilin. Throughout your stay, our team offers learning guidance, practical help, and 24-hour assistance when needed.
What’s included
Our optional Pengyou Program pairs you with a student from our local partner university. Your pengyou (朋友), or “friend,” offers three hours of weekly language support and a local perspective on life in Guilin. It’s included at no additional tuition cost.
Life at CLI
Weekly activities and monthly excursions give you more ways to get to know your classmates, our team, and the region. Try something new, visit a local site, and experience Chinese culture through time spent together.
Activities at CLIWeekends leave time to explore at your own pace, join a CLI excursion, or simply rest. If you’d like to travel farther afield, we can help you plan around your interests and the time you have. Ask our team.
Students share how daily life in Guilin shaped their Chinese learning experience.
My stay in Guilin was very useful for improving my Chinese because opportunities to speak Chinese are everywhere. I had an unforgettable experience and would recommend it to anyone.
Guilin is a wonderful place to study Chinese as it is local, slow-paced and extremely friendly. I’ve been to CLI 3 times now and every time I return my Chinese gets better and better. My listening and speaking improved dramatically over the course of the programme.
I was studying in Hong Kong when a friend who had done a 6-week course at CLI told me about his experience. After a quick visit at the school, I spontaneously decided to extend my stay in Guilin for two weeks. From day one you are fully immersed in learning, meeting friends, and enjoying the amazing Guilin cuisine. I will come again as soon as possible!
Read more of CLI’s 120+ reviews on GoOverseas. Or check out CLI’s video testimonials.
Guilin’s scenery has inspired travelers for more than a thousand years. Follow the Li River past limestone peaks, cycle through the villages around Yangshuo, or spend a day exploring the Longji rice terraces in Longsheng.
Living here gives you time to experience the region beyond a brief visit. Plan an outing with classmates, join a CLI excursion, or ask us about a place you’ve been hoping to see. Each trip offers another perspective on the people and landscapes of Guangxi.
There’s plenty to enjoy close to home, too. Walk through a park, climb to a city viewpoint, or find a favorite stretch of riverbank. Guilin’s natural setting is part of daily life. Explore the Li River.
桂林山水甲天下
Guìlín shānshuĭ jiǎ tiānxià
Guilin’s scenery is the most beautiful under heaven.
A few practical details to help you prepare. If you have other questions, we’re happy to help.
Ask our teamYes. You don’t need to know Chinese before you arrive. Your one-on-one teachers start at your level, and our team helps you get comfortable with daily life in Guilin. As you learn, you’ll have opportunities to use even your first words and phrases outside class.
You can arrive by air or high-speed train from other Chinese cities. Airport or train station pickup and drop-off are included in our Immersion Program. Send us your arrival details, and we’ll arrange to meet you. Ask us about your route.
Daily expenses in Guilin are generally lower than in China’s largest cities. Your Immersion Program tuition includes housing; your remaining budget depends on where you like to eat, how you spend your free time, and any independent travel. Some optional activities have entrance or ticket fees. Read our cost-of-living guidance.
Expect hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters. Spring and summer can be rainy, so bring an umbrella, comfortable walking shoes, and layers for the season. In autumn, you’ll notice the sweet fragrance of osmanthus trees, which give Guilin its name: “osmanthus forest.”
Our Immersion Program begins every Monday, year round. Stay for as little as one week or as long as a full year, depending on your goals and schedule. Explore program lengths and tuition. If you’re planning a university term, take a look at Study Abroad in China.
Begin your Immersion Program any Monday of the year. We’ll help you settle in, work toward your language goals, and discover what makes Guilin such a rewarding place to learn.
