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Learn Chinese in Dali

Yunnan province is such a lovely place that is often cited as the most liveable area in China. It’s an ideal place for learning and touring, but where is the best city to stay for learning Mandarin?

Besides Kunming city, many students also intend to learn the Chinese language in Dali city, the state capital of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Before traveling to China for Mandarin Study, lots of foreigners have never heard about this place. Generally, it’s more well-known for touring rather than Mandarin learning. Now, let’s have comprehensive cooperation between these two cities. Which one is more suitable as your learning destination?

Location & Transportation

Dali has a long history dating back to the kingdom of Nanzhao in the 8th century. It sits on the edge of the beautiful Erhai Lake. Therefore, it’s also one of the most attractive touring destinations, both domestic and international.

Due to its special location in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, it’s very time-consuming and difficult to get to this city even you start from Kunming. Now, as its rapid growth in tourist, you can take a one-hour flight trip or a two-hour express train to get there. However, it’s still a pain for only 2 to 3 shifts of flight and train to Dali. The location of Dali makes its transportation still in a relatively poor condition, especially when you plan to visit these south-eastern Asian countries that border or next to China.   

Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan province. It boasts the fifth largest international airport in China. It’s easy to travel from Kunming city to other big cities in China and convenient to reach the tropical southern Asian area.  

Even just within the city of Kunming, you will be benefited from a more convenient transportation system here. You can enjoy all kinds of transportations easily. Subway, bus, taxi, public sharing bicycle, and scooter are all available and easy to approach. Any modern transportation can be reached if you’re good at using mobile apps.

If you want to know more about Why you should learn the CHINESE language in Kunming, check the post on Keats Blog about this topic.

Mandarin Learning Resources

Kunming takes an absolute advantage in this aspect, for the biggest and best private Chinese language school is located in Kunming. It is Keats School. No matter what kind of language program you want to join, a one-on-one Chinese program, a small group Chinese class or HSK preparation course, and an online Chinese course. Keats School will try its best to meet each individual’s learning demand. All course content will be delivered with tailor-made materials. And the learning plan can be adjusted as time being and according to the student’s learning progress.

Keats School accumulated rich practical teaching experience in Chinese language teaching, all kinds of problems like How to learn Chinese characters easily? how to learn Chinese program efficiently? How to practicing Chinese speaking? Keats School will bring the best solution for you.

Living cost

Some may say that the living cost must be much cheaper in Dali. I have to say that you’re wrong about this.

As a popular touring destination, Staff price in Dali is almost as same as in Kunming now. It’s even higher sometimes, especially during the holiday season. Its tranquillity and beauty will all be gone at the same time when all you can see are tourists on the streets or at the park.

Kunming, however, also popular as a touring destination, benefits from the city scale, and its well-developed facilities and construction will never make you feel this way.

Stuff price maintains a steady and reasonable level in the long term. When it’s related to the housing price, this advantage gets even more obvious. The rents for a flat in these two cities are almost the same. But you can enjoy a more convenient life in Kunming with all kinds of restaurants, convenience stores, and shops, as well as supermarkets and pubs for the night event.

If you’re a people person who wants to enjoy a colorful social life, Kunming is undoubtedly the best place you should go and stay. Except for bars and pubs, you can also choose to attend the language exchange event held by Keats School every Wednesday night to meet new friends and practice Chinese speaking simultaneously.

Things to do in Kunming VS Things to do in Dali

Though there are many great things to do in Dali. These interesting events and activities are more like things to do for a traveler who only plans to spend a few days here temporarily.

Dali museum houses some great examples of ancient artifacts found in the surrounding region. By visiting the museum, you will have a wonderful insight into the history of Dali.

The surrounding mountains are a paradise for a hiker. Spending a hiking weekend with your friends here would be a wonderful time.

The ancient town of Xizhou is famous for its woodwork and historical architecture. If you’re interested in design, history, and buildings, then you can enjoy a lovely tour here. As you can see from above, Dali city looks more like a place for you to spend a long weekend or short-term holiday. You can explore a bit of this city each time you visit and change the noisy mind you got from industry-like city life.

On the contrary, Kunming is more proper to combine study and life. By following the best private language school, Keats school, you will get the best instruction on Mandarin from the most professional teaching team. Out of your class, as a student at Keats School, you can also enjoy the free weekend excursion provided by Keats School too. Check the post to know more about: which place you can visit in Kunming for the weekend and Things to do in Kunming.

In summary, Kunming city is a better place for learning the Chinese language, and Dali is a better destination for spending a weekend or a short-term holiday. You may take Kunming as your base in Yunnan province and then take the express train or airplane to visit various touring attractions distributed in different directions.

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Joep

Joep | Netherlands

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

I have been to Keats School to learn Chinese for 4 times now. The reason for coming back to this school is pretty much that the teachers I did work with were very good Chinese teachers. I make it a 5-year plan or even a 10-year plan to come back to this school.  All the teachers have methods of looking at what your skills are. They are aware of at what level you are. I think it is worth for everyone.

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Aliza | USA

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I found Keats School and I am so glad that I did. When you learn Chinese in China at Keats, you are fully being taken care of. My teacher is really great and we become lovely friends.

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Sarah | USA

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

My name is Sarah Fish. I am 81. I knew very little Chinese when I arrived. How was I going to survive 2 weeks of intensive Chinese course? I have to laugh when I think of that now. What a positive experience this has been! I really wish we could be here a little longer. The teachers are extremely encouraging, evaluating first how much someone knows, and then starting from there.

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Judith | USA

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Listening and speaking in the classroom every day has improved my communication skills. After three weeks, my new words and sentences became more and more natural and fluent. Now I am used to thinking in Chinese, and I understand better what other people say, to be able to have real conversations with other people.

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Liam | UK

HSK Test Preparation Course

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.

Claudia

Claudia | Australia

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I’ve been at Keats school and Kunming now for one month doing the one-on-one Chinese lessons with two different teachers. I really enjoy it. Both of my teachers are very friendly and patient. They really helped me to improve my Chinese, both of my reading and speaking. I really enjoy studying Chinese in Kunming as well. This city is really beautiful and the weather is nice, the air is clean. It’s one of the best cities in China to study Chinese.

Josephine

Josephine | Indonesia

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

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.

Kim

Kim | UK

Intensive One-on-One Chinese Classes

I’ve had an amazing time at Keats. I am amazed at how much I’ve learned over the last 3 weeks and I will be really sad to go. We are already planning on our next trip of coming back because we had such a fantastic time here. They really tailor the Chinese language course to you and your individual needs.

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