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After making up your mind to travel to China and immerse in Mandarin learning, another problem might be put in front of you: Where should I choose to stay and study Chinese? China is such a wondrous vast land and has distinct regional diversity. Every part of the land would be worth exploring. Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, these top-tier cities, are frequently cited by the media as a tag of China. However, when you are already tired of the flash of modern city light, you would prefer somewhere else with a slower pace and where you could experience the original Chinese lifestyle.
Then the southwestern area of China may catch your sight with its milder climate, lower living budget, and richer natural sightseeing spots. Kunming and Chengdu are the two major cities that usually be considered Mandarin learner’s destinations. Kunming would have my vote as your best choice, and the followings are my explanation and comparison for your reference:
Standard Mandarin is well known as the official Chinese-speaking language; however, as mentioned previously, with its vast territory, China holds various dialects in different regions, and Beijing dialect is not Mandarin.
In Kunming, almost everyone can speak standard Mandarin because we get less accent affection than people who speak Mandarin with a strong Chengdu or Sichuan dialect accent. It’s the most important fact that you should take into serious consideration when selecting a proper destination for your Chinese learning. In addition, Kunming, as a less international capital city, has fewer foreigners, which means you can immerse yourself in a pure Chinese language environment. You speak Chinese every day with local Chinese people; you can experience the pure Chinese culture; you can live the life same as a Chinese.
Besides above, Kunming has Keats School as your solid base of Mandarin study. Keats School has a long history and rich experience in Chinese teaching practice. There are various Mandarin Chinese learning programs available that can match your particular requirements. You would have a highly individualized learning schedule delivered by professional teachers at Keats.
Both Kunming and Chengdu have plenty of communities that you could join to meet people and make friends with. Foods in both areas tend to be spicy flavored, and cheap, but all cooked with fresh materials. You would also find loads of positive reviews from foreigners about how amazing their daily meals are. Both of the two places have convenient traffic system that consists of metros, buses and express train. People from both cities are amicable and willing to help foreigners with practicing their Chinese speaking skills.
However, there is a huge difference between Kunming and Chengdu when it comes to natural living conditions. With its reputation as ‘Eternal Spring City,’ Kunming is famous for its mild climate and much less polluted air, while you can rarely see blue sky in Chengdu. Living in Kunming is more peaceful and relaxed. There are many attractions you can visit during your time in Kunming.
Located in the center of Kunming city, Keats School is easy to approach. Keats provides every student with comfortable accommodation and tasty meals. What’s more, you could always join the fun activities and events held here and get any support you need from the Keats team.
If you’re also interested in traveling and hiking after classes, Kunming would be a more attractive destination for you. Not just because of the various touring spots nearby the Kunming city, such as Dali, Shangri-la, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna, but also because of its unique ethnic culture and customs. The population in China is classified into 56 different groups according to their own customs and traditions, which contribute to the country’s diversity and regional characteristics. Besides Han people, other 55 groups are considered ethnic minority groups due to their relatively low population base and their distinct ethnic culture. In Yunnan Province, where Kunming locates in, 25 ethnic minority groups inhabit here. You would have a great chance to explore these unique and splendid ethnic minority group cultures and customs. Out of Yunnan, there won’t be a second place in which you could have the same experience or the same precious memory out of Yunnan.
The budget would also be an important aspect to think about when you choose your destination. One of the reasons Kunming is so welcomed and popular among Mandarin learners is that Kunming is a budget-friendly city. You don’t have to pinch pennies all the time, while the cost is much more expensive in Chengdu. With a lower living cost, you could save a large quantity of money for expenses in another field. You may take Kunming as the relatively economical choice rather than Chengdu.
Keats School is also good at planning a study trip for each individual who wants to travel in Yunnan. If you’re interested in learning Mandarin and experiencing culture at the same time, Keats will help you to combine your learning schedule together with your touring plan and other advice about cultural experiencing.
I hope you find this comparison helpful and if you are curious about more details of learning Chinese in Kunming, you could find more information here in this fabulous Keats Mandarin study community.
I have really enjoyed the Chinese course in China at Keats and meeting the teachers here and the students. We have a lot of fun in class. It is a really great school to learn with good teaching methods and a really good textbook, examples and games, and everything.
My teachers are all excellent. They trained the teachers so professionally. I feel like I learn very quickly with my teacher. They are very serious about their students and I know every teacher is like this. I would highly recommend that you come to Keats if you are looking for the best Chinese school in China.
It has been notable because I have met a lot of people who I met first time last year like me to come back to Keats this year. The teaching has been fantastic. The teachers carefully prepare each lesson. I think this one-on-one approach is really a great way to rapidly increase your level of Chinese and increase your confidence and fluency with the language.
In the one-to-one intensive Chinese course, you can choose the learning method you like. The small group Chinese class in China at Keats follows the HSK textbook. Teachers often collect feedback from the students, teachers listen to our requirements and opinions. I felt that my oral level is better than before .
I took the one-on-one Intensive Chinese class for 6 hours a day. The classes are very interesting. The teachers are caring and the content the teacher teaches me is suitable for my level. It is an easy way to learn Mandarin. I have a lot of time practicing Chinese in class. The food is great here. I have improved my Chinese through this program at Keats.
It is very convenient to come to Kunming from Thailand. I really like my Chinese class and my Chinese improved a lot in a few months. There are many benefits of learning Chinese. The best thing I like about Keats is that it is in Kunming, a city with eternal spring. There is so much to see in Kunming and you will love this city after you come.
I am a graduate student working on my doctorate degree at Columbia University. We were able to really focus on speaking especially interview-style speaking and we are able to really up my Chinese reading and writing skills, so when I go back to Columbia, I can take formal Chinese classes. It has been a really good experience and I really love my teacher.
One thing I really liked was that I was able to work with my teacher to make an individual plan of study. Another really nice thing is that you live at the school, you feel completely safe. You always have a group of people who are willing to do things with you on the weekends or in the evenings. They are serving you all the 3 meals a day, the food was excellent.