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So, you’ve decided that you’ll be studying Mandarin in Kunming, China, but have you decided what you want to see while you’re in Kunming?
Kunming is a beautiful city and is the capital of China’s southern province of Yunnan. It has a population of 6 million and has a lot of points of interests for study abroad students. While you’re out of the classroom on the weekend, here are some of the places to visit in Kunming, China.
Dianchi Lake is one of the most popular Kunming tourist attractions. You will not only see the lake view, but also the western hills. While you’re there taking in the views, you’re able to see and feed the seagulls. There are a lot of them!
Since 1984, seagulls from Siberia have come to Kunming every winter. It gives locals a good chance to look at them, and it gives study abroad students the chance to feed them and get up close and personal with the birds. The people of Kunming love to go to Dianchi Lake to greet the birds and feed them treats.
Keats School has made day trips to Dianchi Lake to enjoy the seagulls and the views. We believe it’s one of the best things to do in Kunming.
If you’re in China during the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, you’re going to want to do some sightseeing in Kunming.
The Spring Festival is the most important Chinese festival celebrated on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
No matter the places you visit in Kunming, China, you will see Chinese New Year decorations and celebrations. Festivities in the city run from the evening preceding the first day to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month. You won’t want to miss that event. The New Year falls on the new moon between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. In 2018, the Chinese New Year will be on Feb. 16, and it’s the Year of the Dog.
During each Spring Festival, Keats School decorates the halls with beautiful red decorations. One year we had extra-large Chinese characters hanging on the wall of 福(fu2), which means happiness and luckiness.
During the Spring Festival, there is one place where students can do a lot of Kunming sightseeings. It’s called Festival Street.
Along the street, you’ll see different vendors selling interesting things and delicious food.
Festival street activities last about one month. You can buy anything you need for the holidays on the street. It’s named Festival street for a reason! Keats students and teachers explore Festival Street whenever it’s in the city. We encourage our students to get out with the locals because they’ll immerse themselves in the culture, and they will also have a chance to use their Mandarin skills.
If you’re looking for something to do in Kunming, China, on the weekend, why not take a day trip to a minority village? While it may sound a little strange, Yunnan is home to most of China’s recognized ethnic groups. About 38% of the province’s population are members of minorities.
Because of this, Yunnan has started to build natural villages, giving prominence to the architecture of various nationalities.
Keats has taken students to visit the Minority Village in the past by bus. Students think it’s a good place to visit Kunming, China, because it’s one of the biggest minority museums in China. Students have said they learned a lot from the museum and saw exhibits they hadn’t seen before.
Inside the minority village, you can see the different villages and minorities visible in China. Students can experience the different cultures while staying in Yunnan.
There’s nothing better than fresh-cut flowers. That’s why the Dounan flower market is a must-do thing in Kunming, China.
The market is the largest flower wholesale market in China, and it’s located in the Chenggong district of Kunming.
Before entering the gate of the flower market, students can easily smell the fresh fragrance of the flowers. It’s the type of smell that can stop you in your tracks. Once inside, you’ll see four to five hundred flower stores and vendors.
At Keats, we know this flower market is on the sightseeing bucket list for many Kunming students, which is why we plan trips there. While students are at the market, it gives them a chance to practice their Mandarin language skills while learning how to bargain with the vendors, which a lot of Chinese vendors allow.
Kunming and the surrounding areas offer so many tourist attractions. Not only are there tourist attractions, but there are also attractions that are free that locals even love exploring, which means it’s worth the trip!
Keats School in Kunming, China, has eight different study options, including intensive one-on-one and a Study + Tour option. The professors at Keats school can help you plan trips for your weekends while you’re outside of the classroom. We encourage all students to get outside their rooms and explore the many things to do in Kunming, China.
Contact Keats School today to apply for Mandarin lessons or to learn more about what we offer.
I’ve had a really great time here. I’ve studied a lot with my teacher who was fantastic. Keats School tried very hard to match its students with really good teachers that their personality works very well together. I really enjoy studying Chinese at Keats and I will definitely come back.
They really care about what our interests are, what questions we have, what requirements we have. Then they adjust our Chinese language program content according to the situations. One teacher and one student, so it is easy to keep your focus for the 6 hours of immersion Mandarin lessons. It is very convenient to study, live and eat in one building.
I have to say it’s tons of fun. I have been here for 2 weeks. Not knowing what it was gonna be like, I was more than surprised at how great it is. The teachers are great, they are understanding. They do a Chinese language program that suits just you. The location is perfect for learning Chinese in China.
I have 2 teachers, and I do 4 hours a day. So I have got Dong Laoshi and Jin Laoshi. Both of them are very good. They made the experience very nice to me. They are willing to help you whenever, so if you ever have a question here, the teachers are always there to help you whether it is visas, whether it is getting around the city. Everyone wants to talk to you.
I have studied at Keats for 2 semesters. I highly recommend Keats School. If you are very interested in taking a Mandarin course in China, I would suggest you come to Kunming. Kunming people are very friendly. The weather in Kunming is great. So I recommend that you study Chinese at Keats in Kunming.
Last year I started studying Chinese at University. The reason that I came here is that currently, I’m preparing for the HSK 5 test. Also, I heard that this is one of the best schools to study Mandarin in China. After I came here I realized that Kunming is a pretty cool city to live in and with regards to the teachers’ teaching methods, I think they’re very professional. And I think the language environment is good so now I’m ready to take the HSK 5.
All teachers are really lovely. The teaching level at Keats is so much higher. I really love the city. It is very comfortable to get around. I fully recommend Keats. It is a great place to study Chinese in China. We are looking forward to coming back again later this year.
I think Keats is one of the best language schools I have ever been to. My teacher is such an amazing person. She is so good at teaching. She makes classes fun. I have learned a lot of vocabulary during my time here. I would really recommend coming to learn Mandarin Chinese at Keats School.