Where to study Mandarin in China, how much it costs, and what type of program suits your level and goals.
Pick a city first, then a school
Your city choice shapes 70% of your Mandarin journey:
- Beijing — Standard accent, best universities, most students.
- Shanghai — Modern, international, slightly accented Mandarin.
- Chengdu — Affordable, friendly, slower pace, great food.
- Kunming — Year-round mild weather, smallest expat bubble.
Top universities
Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)
The "Little United Nations" — purpose-built for teaching Mandarin to foreigners since 1962. Strong HSK prep, large international cohorts. Best for: serious learners, HSK 4-6 candidates.
Tsinghua University
Highly selective, academic. Great for university-bound students preparing for a Chinese-medium degree.
Fudan University (Shanghai)
Strong general Mandarin program with the bonus of being in Shanghai. Best for: students who want city life + study.
Sichuan University (Chengdu)
Affordable, well-regarded, more relaxed pace. Best for: gap-year and semester students.
Private immersion schools
Smaller class sizes (4-6 students), faster results, higher cost. LTL Mandarin School and That's Mandarin have campuses in multiple cities.
What it costs (semester, USD)
| Program | Tuition | Total (with housing) |
|---|---|---|
| BLCU semester | ~1,900 | ~5,500 |
| Tsinghua semester | ~2,800 | ~7,500 |
| Private immersion (3 months) | ~4,000 | ~8,000 |
| 1-on-1 intensive (2 weeks) | ~1,200 | ~2,200 |
Visa
X1 visa for 6+ months of study, X2 for shorter programs. We handle the application end-to-end as part of every program package.
Our recommendation
For first-time learners: 12-week summer program at BLCU in Beijing or LTL in Chengdu.
For business professionals: 4-week 1-on-1 intensive in Shanghai, mornings only, with afternoons for networking.
Tell us your goal and we'll match you to a program in 24 hours.
✦ Plan your trip
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