Where to Learn Chinese in China Quickly & Cheaply

Explore foreign cities, tasting exotic street food, experience diverse cultures, and learn the language of an up-and-coming world power—China.

Bright lights, big city, and dumplings. So. Many. Dumplings.

Choosing to learn Chinese in China offers the perfect foreign adventure:

• It’s a fully immersive experience and one that is incredibly rewarding personally and professionally for those who take the leap. 
• You’ll learn to speak Mandarin while living in a place where you can actually speak it randomly
• Your entire world will be your classroom. All of it!
• You can eat dumplings and dim sum to your heart’s content. And then some.
• Camping on the Great Wall, riding a camel across the Gobi, having traditional tea along the Yangtze, taking photos of the mountains that inspired Avatar. Yup—you can do all of his and more while you learn Mandarin in China.

But making the decision to live in China is a biggie, so to help guide you, we put together some of the best places to study Chinese in China with program recommendations to boot! 

How to learn Chinese quickly

We know two things for sure:

One, China has a population of 1.4 billion people and the second largest economy in the world. Though it is slowing down, its yearly growth outpaces the United States and it has become a major player on the global stage and the most prominent challenger to the US. Because of this, speaking Chinese has become a highly valued professional skill. For companies who want to crack the Chinese market, having staff that can speak the language is critical.

Two, any language teacher or linguist will tell you that the best way to learn Chinese quickly is in a full-immersion setting. So what better way to bring these two realities together than to learn how to speak Chinese in China?!

Here are a few places we think are the best places to study Chinese in China—because, let’s face it. If you learn to speak Mandarin while living in China, you’ll future-proof your use of the language, and wow the pants off locals regularly. ← This is pretty fun.

Get matched with 5 Chinese language schools in China

If you want to figure out how to learn Chinese quickly, you need to bite the bullet and move abroad to participate in an intensive Chinese program. But where? We’re glad you asked…

Where to learn Chinese in China?

If you are interested in studying Chinese in China but are not sure which city would fit you best as a place to live, here is a short guide to seven of the best places to study Chinese in China. 

1. Kunming

Compared to other cities in China, Kunming is one of the most livable cities due to its great weather—and low levels of air pollution. No matter where you're from, you'll appreciate the mild climate in Kunming. 

Kunming is one of the most affordable Chinese cities to live in, covering everything from food to apartments. Plenty of areas are suited to foreigners at a fraction of the price you'd pay in larger cities, while still allowing you to experience the real China. Despite China’s fast development, Kunming manages to retain traditional Chinese culture, making life here a very interesting and fun blend—like time travel! Yunnan is also host to nearly half of the 56 Chinese ethnic minorities, meaning there's an endless diversity of culture and history (good news for food lovers!).

Kunming is located near excellent travel locations like Dali, Shangri-La, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna. Surrounded by a great number of beautiful destinations, Kunming, as a tourist city, stands out from other cities in China. If you learn Chinese in Yunnan, you will have the opportunity to explore the amazing landscapes in Yunnan and meet the hospitable and down-to-earth locals.

Recommended program: Learn Chinese in China with GAC

2. Guilin

With ancient-looking karst mountains and rivers running through and around the town of Guilin, Yangshuo county is a hidden gem among foreigners in China, and debatably boasts the most breathtaking scenery in the whole country. Outdoors enthusiasts flock to this small town for fresh air, warm southern climate, and countless adventures- with rock climbing being the most popular. Other popular activities include cave exploring, bamboo rafting, white-water rafting, zip lining, and bicycling along the rivers in the countryside. 

Although Guilin is much more rural than the big cities, more than 1,000 foreigners live in this small town, and thousands more visit each year, cultivating a lively night scene with international bars and restaurants. In other words, it's the perfect place to get to experience "real" China without losing some familiar faces and tastes of home.

Recommended program: Chinese Language Institute – Immersion Program

3. Nanjing

The city of Nanjing is a stone’s throw away from Shanghai, and is situated right at the heart of the lower Yangtze River region—a hub for culture, education, politics, research, and tourism. What we’re getting at here is that Nanjing is a great place to find Chinese language schools in China.

It’s one of four ancient capitals in China, so students will have no shortage of World Heritage sites to visit outside their intensive Chinese program. It’s known as the “city of culture” and is a really pleasant place to live. Just goes to show that you can have it all when you learn to speak Mandarin in Nanjing!

Recommended Program: Learning Chinese through Living with a Chinese Host Family

After (up to) one year Chinese language courses in China, you’ll basically be a pro like this guy!

4. Shenzhen

Though Shenzhen is located very closely to Hong Kong (you can transfer from the Shenzhen Metro and Hong Kong MTR) and enjoys the same special economic zone privileges as Hong Kong, the two cities are very different. 

Shenzhen is a manufacturing city, but in the last 15 years, it has also become a vibrant city made up of young people who have migrated from around China and Asia to live there. It also has a lower cost of living than Hong Kong, so for a student, the cost of you learning to speak mandarin will be far less living in Shenzhen, but with the convenience of having easy access to Hong Kong and all it has to offer. As far as places to learn to speak Mandarin go, and places to learn Chinese in China for cheap, Shenzhen is a great option.

Recommended Program: Learn Chinese in China with Go Abroad China

5. Hong Kong

Oh, Hong Kong. My personal home for six months in 2014, I have almost never heard of someone not liking Hong Kong.

It is Hong Kong’s distinct neighborhoods that help make it one of the best cities in Asia. Want the hustle and bustle of a modern mega-city? Head down to Central. Want a more laid back vibe? Head to Mong Kok. Interested in a true Chinese experience? Take the ferry or MRT over to Kowloon. Want to grab drinks and rub shoulders with the wealthy expats? Soho and Lan Kwai Fong are where you want to be.

Did I mention you can also hit the beach? A 30 minute ride on a high speed ferry gets you to Lamma Island where you can swim in the ocean, lay out on the beach, and have dinner over the water.

Login to MyGoAbroad to compare Chinese language schools side-by-side

Not only is Hong Kong a blast to live in, it is a great place to study and learn Chinese quickly. The International Language Center, Hong Kong Institute of Languages, and City University Of Hong Kong all offer language programs for learning Chinese. In Hong Kong you have your pick of Chinese language schools in China to choose from! 

Recommended Program: Chinese Language Course and Immersion in Hong Kong, China

Don’t buy into the misconception that China is all bustling big cities and crowded metros.

6. Beijing

Beijing is large. With 20 million people, and plans to grow to 100 million (yes, you read that correctly) Beijing is a mega-city. Fortune 500 companies, limitless Chinese food from street stalls to high end restaurants, craft beer, and international goods, as well as numerous tourist sites from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall of China, there is a ton to experience in Beijing.

If you want to learn to speak mandarin, Beijing has a lot to offer. Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing Language and Culture University all offer language courses. And with so many universities, you won’t be short of people your age to meet and mingle with. For those interested in how to learn Chinese quickly, Beijing is a great for a fully immersive Chinese experience.

Recommended Program: Chinese Language Immersion Program | Putney Student Travel

7. Guangzhou

You have heard of Shanghai (more on that in a moment) and Beijing (olympics) but Guangzhou may have flown under your radar.

Once China’s main port city, Guangzhou is more laid back than Beijing and with a more diverse mix of expats than Shanghai. Guangzhou is also notably a bit more liveable than other Chinese cities. Great public transportation, clean (though not beautiful) streets, and delicious cuisine are all reasons to make Guangzhou home. It is also has a stronger presence of “old China” with mansions and temples scattered across the city. If you want to go a little off the beaten path, Guangzhou is a great place to learn to speak mandarin.

Recommended Program: Homestay with Professional Teachers in Guangzhou

8. Shanghai

Shanghai is the heart of it China. Its incredible skyline on the Yangtze River Delta is China’s symbol to the world that they are not just a developed country, but a global power player. The city itself is China’s main economic hub, making it a hotbed for Chinese and international businesspeople alike.

With 24 million people and being the main economic hub for the second largest economy in the world, the academic offerings are unsurprisingly extensive. Major language Programs such as Boston University Study Abroad, New York University Shanghai and CIEE all operate there.

You will sacrifice a bit on quality of life if you chose Shanghai. It is one of Asia's most expensive cities, it ranks 94th in the world in terms of livability, has sweltering summers and harsh winters.

Recommended Program: Shanghai Chinese Language & Culture Program

Although, there are certainly plenty of big cities for you to study Chinese in.

Recommended summer Chinese language programs

Casually dropping a “I am studying Chinese in China” as your answer to the “summer plans” question is pretty sweet. Sure hanging out with friends or going boating is fun but...living in China to learn Chinese? That is tops.

The great thing about learning Chinese in the summer is that you get to truly use your time wisely (learning a new language!) by traveling internationally to study. Your brain can be as fly as your Insta!

Below are some of our favorite options for summer language programs in China. 

1. Shanghai Summer Chinese Studies Program with Boston University

The core curriculum centers around approximately 15-20 hours each week of language instruction, emphasizing grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Students may expect to spend at least an equal number of hours in study outside the classroom. Courses are augmented by a five-day educational excursion to a historic city or to the countryside to experience village life, a weekend trip to a Yangtze River delta city like Hangzhou or another canal town, and visits to local cultural sights. This is an intensive Chinese program.

2. Chengdu-Chinese Language and Culture Studies with USAC

Study Mandarin in Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province. This intensive Chinese language program allows students to study the language while immersing in the culture and its traditions. Students can practice their conversational Mandarin from their daily interactions with the locals. This intensive Chinese language program will get you up close and personal with China's fiery center—not to mention its cuddliest resident, the panda.

Recommended programs to learn Chinese in China for CHEAP

Study Chinese in China for free! Okay, nothing in the world is free, and that includes living in and learning a new language. However, experiencing China and learning the language doesn’t have to mean emptying your piggy bank. Below are a few budget options for learning Chinese in China.  

1. Immersion Program - Learn Chinese in China with the Chinese Language Institute

The Chinese Language Institute provides unrivaled Chinese language instruction in Guilin, China — affordably! Through an affiliation with Guangxi Normal University, prospective participants can enroll in intensive Mandarin lessons with this provider. There is even an opportunity to teach in China if you just can't get enough of the country and culture.

You can expect your language classes to include 20 hours a week of one-on-one instruction (!!!), so you'll be getting the attention you need in order to elevate your skills to the next level ultra-fast. CLI prides themselves on their balance between interaction, immersion, and guidance, so trust us: You're in good hands. Considering the high quality experience you'll have, tuition for this program is quite reasonably priced.

• Where? Guilin
• Cost? Based on duration and accommodation; starts at $1240 for two weeks
• More info

2. Study Chinese in Yangshuo, China at Omeida Chinese Academy

Omeida Chinese Academy offers high-quality, small-size Chinese language classes for foreigners in Yangshuo, China, located just a short bike ride from beautiful rivers and countryside. The school sits next to Omeida Language College, an English school for Chinese learning English. Students from both schools live together in the dorms and eat together in the school cafeteria, creating a natural language learning environment. Students are also paired with a language partner for daily language exchange. Students can study at Omeida any length of time, from one week to a year or more. One month of standard course tuition is $952 USD, and students who volunteer two hours a day as English language partners or help with marketing work can receive free accommodation and meals.

• Where? Yangshuo
• Cost? ~$540 USD
• More info

3. Learning Chinese through Living with a Chinese Host Family with LoPair Culture Exchange

Learn Chinese in a major Chinese city with LoPair Culture Exchange. For 3-12 months, you will live with a Chinese or expat family. In exchange for free room and board, you'll work as an au pair with your host family, providing 30 hours of English lessons for your host siblings every week! You will also receive 5 hours of free Mandarin lessons each week. Between teaching and learning, you'll have a busy, immersive experience in China! 

• Where? Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu
• Cost? Varies
• More info

4. LTL Language School || Learn Chinese (11 Cities)

If you're seeking an unparalleled Chinese immersion experience where English is off-limits both inside and outside the classroom, look no further than the LTL Chinese Immersion Program. Set in the picturesque city of Chengde, just an hour north of Beijing via the bullet train, this program offers a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in Mandarin. With a strict no-English policy, you'll find yourself surrounded by native speakers, ensuring rapid progress and an incredible linguistic journey you will never forget.

• Where? Chengde, just north of Beijing in Hebei Province
• Cost? Starts from $898 USD
• More info

Now what? Next steps to finding programs that help you learn to speak Mandarin

Getting excited to study Chinese in China but need a little more support before you make the leap? Check out the resources below for financial support, expert advice, and further reading to help inform your decision.

• Get matched with intensive Chinese programs abroad via an online advisor
• Compare, contrast and bookmark programs with MyGoAbroad
• Get your traveling funded at FundMyTravel
• See more awesome Chinese cities in our in our post The Best Cities in China to Study Abroad

Remember, thousands of people study abroad in China to learn Chinese every year. While it may seem overwhelming now, the resources above and the other information on GoAbroad are there to help you all along the way! Be patient and keep an open mind and your time learning Chinese in China will be the experience of a lifetime. 

Hen hao, pengyou!

If you’re looking for lower-key, China’s got that too!

China isn’t going anywhere and its influence on the world socially, culturally, and economically is only poised to grow in the coming years. If you want to stay ahead of the curve and learn Chinese language and culture, you time is well spent heading over to China to learn Chinese in a full-immersion environment. 

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