学习资源 xuéxí zīyuán learning resources
Discover the world of Chinese language, tradition, and modern society while improving your Chinese skills along the way. We welcome you to explore Chinese language and culture with CLI as your guide.
从哪里开始 cóng nǎlǐ kāishǐ where to start
Pick where you are, then take the steps in order.
Never studied Chinese? Do these in order. Give the first three a week or more: habits you form with sounds and tones are hard to undo later.
Prefer a set course? The Free Chinese Course puts these steps into six lessons.
Want a trained ear on your tones? Book a free 30-minute trial lesson with a CLI teacher.
Find your level first, then practice for it.
Characters look hard until you see how they’re built. Then they start to make sense.
Studying in Guilin, or traveling first? Read these before you pack.
Studying with us? Our Immersion program starts any Monday of the year.
How to Say Happy New Year in Chinese: Greetings for the Year of the Goat (2027)Oct 1, 2026
How to Say “Thank You” in ChineseSep 30, 2026
Harvest season at the Longji rice terraces, then bikes and bamboo rafts in YangshuoSep 30, 2026
Ghost Festival in China (Zhongyuan): Origins, Rituals & BeliefsSep 28, 2026
Year of the Pig: Chinese Zodiac Meaning, Years & TraitsSep 16, 2026
Year of the Rat: Dates, Meaning and Why the Rat Comes FirstSep 14, 2026Not sure which apps and books to use? Chinese Learning Resources picks a few for each level.
学中文 xué Zhōngwén learning Chinese
Grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary and ways to study, from CLI’s teachers and writers.
汉语水平考试 Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì Chinese Proficiency Test
China’s official Mandarin test: what each level asks of you, what changed with HSK 3.0, and how to prepare.
Practice: Word listsVocabulary flashcardsSentence flashcardsHSK 1 grammar
分级阅读 fēnjí yuèdú graded reading
Short stories written for each HSK level, with audio, grammar notes, a quiz and a printable PDF.
汉字 hànzì Chinese characters
How characters are built, how to write them, and which ones to learn first.
在线学汉语 zàixiàn xué Hànyǔ learning Chinese online
Studying Mandarin from home: apps, YouTube, WeChat and what actually helps.
Rather learn with a teacher? Book a free online trial lesson.
中国文化 Zhōngguó wénhuà Chinese culture
Customs, beliefs, food and daily life in China, past and present.
中国历史 Zhōngguó lìshǐ Chinese history
The dynasties, people and turning points that shaped modern China.
中国节日 Zhōngguó jiérì Chinese holidays
Traditional festivals and public holidays: dates, customs and food.
十二生肖 shí’èr shēngxiào the twelve zodiac animals
Twelve animals, one for each year: birth years, traits, compatibility and legends.
Not sure which animal you are? Find your birth year, or type it in the search at the top.
环游中国 huányóu Zhōngguó traveling around China
Visas, VPNs, trains and where to go.
桂林 Guìlín Guilin
CLI’s home since 2009: the city, the Li River and daily life for students.
在中国留学 zài Zhōngguó liúxué studying abroad in China
Getting ready for a semester or an immersion stay: housing, homestays and what to expect.
Choosing a city? Read Best City to Learn Chinese in China. Planning a semester in Guilin? See our Study Abroad program.
学生视角 xuésheng shìjiǎo student perspectives
CLI students write about learning Chinese and living in Guilin.
More from our students on the Testimonials page.
学校新闻 xuéxiào xīnwén school news
Events, press, new facilities and our Year in Review.
读万卷书，行万里路dú wàn juàn shū, xíng wàn lǐ lùRead ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles.
