Learn Chinese
in Hangzhou

If you're surrounded by a completely Chinese-speaking environment every day, seeing only Chinese characters and hearing only Chinese, your Chinese will improve very quickly. Furthermore, with Sojourn Abroad's professional Chinese courses, under the guidance of expert Chinese teachers, your Chinese will improve significantly.

When you live and learn Chinese in China, you'll be able to buy fresh fruit in Chinese at the market every day, order your favorite food in Chinese at snack shops, and participate in various Chinese activities and parties. What a vibrant and fulfilling life that would be!

There is no best city. You can choose the city that best fits your preference. All Sojourn Abroad programs have the same price for Chinese language lessons. No matter which city you choose, the tuition fee stays the same. However, the living expenses vary. For example, in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, accommodation costs will be higher than in other cities.

Other factors you need to consider include the city's scale, weather, cuisine, etc. All Sojourn Abroad cities are carefully selected to help you fully understand and experience China. Delve into Chinese culture deeply by living in one place for some time, and you will fall in love with this country.

No matter which city you choose, the tuition fee is always 280 USD/week. That includes 15 group Chinese classes per week.

All Chinese classes at Sojourn Abroad are taught by professional teachers, so with classroom learning combined with extracurricular practice, your Chinese will improve very quickly.

If you have never studied Chinese before, it usually takes 1-3 months of study before you can use Chinese in your life.

With 3-6 months of study, you will have virtually no problem communicating in Chinese while living in China.

We have 4 levels:

• Beginner: for students who have never studied Chinese or have studied a little.
• Elementary: for students who are around HSK 1 to 2.
• Intermediate: for students who are around HSK 3 to 4.
• Advanced: for students who are around HSK 5 to 6.

Unlike university programs, all Sojourn Abroad Chinese language programs can be from 2 weeks to 2 years. It is suitable for short-term stays and ideal for long-term living. You can choose the program length according to your needs.

Unlike university programs that you have to start at a specific time, all Sojourn Abroad programs offer the flexibility that you can start the program on any Monday throughout the year. We will offer a placement test before you start the program and recommend the class that best matches your level.

We recommend that you take a Chinese course with Sojourn Abroad for 1 to 2 years to achieve fluency in Chinese.

Because Sojourn Abroad offers Chinese courses in over 18 cities across China, you can change cities every two months to maximize your experience of different cultures and customs while improving your Chinese proficiency.

To ensure all students have the opportunity to practice speaking in class, we ensure that each class has no more than 10 students. Through the teachers' diverse and engaging teaching methods, students thoroughly enjoy interacting with their classmates, encouraging and helping each other, and becoming good friends.

You will take 3 small group classes every day Monday to Friday, so 15 classes per week. One class is 40 minutes.

Yes, absolutely. Sojourn Abroad aims to provide you with the best Mandarin learning experience. We make sure that you are truly making progress and learning new things. Just tell your assistant at SA, and she/he will help you switch.

Sojourn Abroad offers homestay and apartment hunting services. If you need help with finding an apartment, SA charges a one-time fee of USD 600. This includes

• Property viewing (taking you to see different apartments).
• Help with signing the contract (help translate items).
• Help with calling for repair of property defects during the contract period (repair fee not included).

If the rent exceeds USD 600, the service fee will be equivalent to one month's rent.

Close to the school are many affordable hotels and hostels, which are ideal for short-term stays.

If you need help with finding an apartment, SA charges a one-time fee of USD 600. This includes

• Property viewing (taking you to see different apartments).
• Help with signing the contract (help translate items).
• Help with calling for repair of property defects during the contract period (repair fee not included).

If the rent exceeds USD 600, the service fee will be equivalent to one month's rent.

Before you arrive:

• Email us the number of bedrooms, budget, and how long for the rent
• Pay the apartment hunting service fee
• Book a hotel for 2 to 3 days, allowing us to take you to see the available apartments after you arrive

After you arrive:

• Check into your temporary hotel
• We will take you to check out the apartments and confirm the rent
• Sign the contract
• Pay the rent
• Move in

Yes! Sojourn Abroad is legally registered and licensed. We are able to provide the necessary documents for you to apply for tourist visas or student visas. Taking a Chinese language course with Sojourn Abroad is the best solution for people who want to live in China for the long term.

• West Lake (Xi Hu): A UNESCO World Heritage site and the centerpiece of Hangzhou, famous for its serene landscape, tree-lined causeways (Su and Bai Causeways), and classical Chinese garden design.
• Lingyin Temple: One of China’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temples, located in a scenic forest area, featuring the adjacent Fei Lai Feng grottoes with ancient Buddhist rock carvings.
• Leifeng Pagoda: A five-story pagoda on the southern bank of West Lake that provides panoramic views of the lake and the city skyline.
• Hefang Street (Qinghefang Ancient Street): A well-preserved historic street offering a glimpse into the city’s past, filled with traditional shops, local snacks, and artisan crafts.
• Xixi National Wetland Park: China’s first national wetland park, a peaceful area of ponds and waterways that can be explored by boat or on foot.
• Longjing Tea Fields (Meijiawu Tea Village): Picturesque fields producing the renowned Dragon Well green tea, offering a chance to learn about tea culture and enjoy the scenery.
• China National Silk Museum: The largest silk museum in the world, showcasing the history and craftsmanship of Chinese silk.
• China National Tea Museum: Dedicated to the history, varieties, and culture of Chinese tea.
• Grand Canal (Hangzhou section): A historic segment of the world’s longest artificial waterway, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Dongpo Pork (Dōngpō ròu): A famous dish of rich, braised pork belly cooked slowly in soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar until it is incredibly tender and melts in your mouth.
• West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy (Xīhú cù yú): A signature dish featuring fresh grass carp from the West Lake, poached and then covered in a sweet and sour vinegar sauce.
• Longjing Shrimp (Lóngjǐng xiārén): Fresh river prawns stir-fried with fragrant, local Longjing (Dragon Well) tea leaves, resulting in a dish with a delicate aroma and light, fresh taste.
• Beggar’s Chicken (Jiàohuā jī): A whole chicken stuffed with spices and aromatics, wrapped in lotus leaves and clay, and then baked for hours, ensuring a tender and flavorful result.
• Sister Song’s Fish Soup (Sòngsǎo yúgēng): A lightly thickened, clear soup with ingredients such as fresh fish, ham, and bamboo shoots.
• Pian’er Chuan Noodles (Piàn’ér chuān): A popular and inexpensive local noodle soup featuring a rich broth with ingredients like preserved vegetables, shredded pork, and fresh bamboo shoots.
• Honey Lotus Root Stuffed with Glutinous Rice (Nuò mǐ ǒu): A traditional dessert where glutinous rice is stuffed inside lotus root sections and boiled in a sweet syrup, often served with osmanthus flowers.
• Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea: Cultivated in the hills around the West Lake, this is one of China’s most revered green teas, used both as a beverage and as a delicate flavoring in dishes like Longjing Shrimp.
• Freshwater Produce: Fish, shrimp, and crab from the West Lake and surrounding rivers are central to many dishes, highlighting the local preference for fresh, pure flavors.
• Seasonal Bamboo Shoots and Lotus Root: These fresh, seasonal vegetables are frequently incorporated into local cuisine, with spring being the ideal time for fresh bamboo.

• Spring (March–May): Spring is mild and often misty, with temperatures typically ranging from around 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F). Rainfall increases during this season, creating beautiful foggy landscapes around the West Lake, but an umbrella is recommended.
• Summer (June–September): Summers are long, hot, and very humid, with average high temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F) and sometimes reaching 40°C (104°F). June marks the “Plum Rain Season,” the wettest period, and late summer can see typhoons, bringing heavy rain.
• Autumn (October–November): Autumn is widely considered the best time to visit, characterized by cool, crisp, and relatively dry weather. Temperatures are comfortable, typically between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F). Clear skies and golden foliage make it ideal for outdoor activities.
• Winter (December–February): Winters are cold and damp, though snowfall is infrequent and usually light. The coldest month is January, with average low temperatures near or slightly below freezing, around 0°C to 4°C (32°F to 40°F). Warm clothing is essential due to the high humidity making the cold feel more intense