From student life in Guilin to practical guides for learning Chinese, explore what's new at CLI.
Community
36,000 hours of one-on-one Chinese lessons. Students from 34 countries. A look back at CLI's best year yet.
Campus Update
CLI enters 2026 with rebuilt student bathrooms, new keycard-entry doors, and upgraded air conditioning across its residence floors in Guilin.
Study Guide
What each HSK level means, what changed in 2026, and which level makes sense for your goals.
Explore more resources to prepare for your journey to China.
Nestled along the banks of the Li River, speckled with tens of thousands of karst peaks, and bustling with the arts, customs, and songs of southern China’s thriving ethnic minority groups, Guilin is a destination like no other.
The people, serene landscape, ease of transportation — the list goes on. Yet at CLI, we tend to view Guilin through the lens of language learning. This is where Guilin really shines: as a place to learn Chinese.
At CLI, Chinese does not end when class ends. Focused instruction, everyday life in Guilin, and repeated opportunities to speak help turn what you study into language you can actually use.
One month in Guilin was more productive than an entire year of coursework in a normal class.
— Allie R., CLI Student
Immersion connects learning with real-world use.
A phrase introduced during class may come up again while ordering lunch, taking a taxi, visiting a market, or talking with someone in the neighborhood. When an interaction does not go as planned, you can bring the problem back to class, receive focused feedback, and try again.
Simply living in China does not guarantee meaningful immersion. Program structure matters. Learners make the most progress when their days include substantial speaking time, attentive listening, useful correction, and regular opportunities to apply what they have studied.
CLI was founded in Guilin to create that kind of environment. Personalized instruction provides structure and feedback, while daily life gives students practical reasons to use Mandarin beyond the classroom.
Want a closer look at how immersion affects speaking, listening, confidence, and cultural understanding? Explore the benefits of learning Chinese in China.
Have a question about our programs, daily life in Guilin, or how to get started? Our team responds within 48 hours — often much sooner.
We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and we'll be in touch.
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