Learn Chinese
in Qingdao

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.

Iconic Landmarks & Cityscape

• Zhanqiao Pier: The symbol of the city, this historic pier extends into the Yellow Sea and features the octagonal Huilan Pavilion at its end, a popular spot for photos.
• May Fourth Square: A large modern seaside plaza in the business district, known for its dramatic red sculpture, “The Wind of May,” and great night views of the illuminated skyline.
• Olympic Sailing Center: A vibrant marina built for the 2008 Olympics, offering a lively atmosphere, dining options, and views of the sailboats and modern city.

History & Architecture

• Tsingtao Beer Museum: Located in the original 1903 brewery building, this museum tells the story of the city’s German brewing history and offers beer tastings.
• Badaguan Scenic Area: Nicknamed the “Museum of World Architecture,” this historic neighborhood is filled with over 200 villas in various European architectural styles.
• Qingdao Catholic Church (St. Michael’s Cathedral): An imposing Gothic-style church that stands as a prominent landmark in the old town.
• Former German Governor’s Residence: A grand historical house that showcases the architecture and lifestyle of the colonial period.

Nature & Parks

• Laoshan Scenic Area (Mount Lao): A celebrated scenic mountain where the mountains meet the sea. It is considered a birthplace of Taoism and features ancient temples, waterfalls, and hiking trails with breathtaking coastal views.
• No. 1 Bathing Beach: One of the city’s best and most popular beaches, known for its soft sand and gentle waves.
• Little Fish Hill Park (Xiaoyushan Park): A small park that offers a prime vantage point for panoramic views of the old city, the coastline, and the nearby island.
• Signal Hill Park: Another excellent viewpoint offering sweeping 360-degree views of the red-roofed old town and the harbor.

Seafood Specialties: The city is a paradise for seafood lovers, with the catch of the day being the main focus.

• Steamed Scallops: A simple and popular dish that highlights the freshness of local scallops, often steamed with a little garlic and vermicelli.
• Stir-fried Clams (La Li Zi): One of the most common and beloved dishes in Qingdao, featuring small, fresh clams stir-fried with chili, garlic, and basil.
• Braised Prawns: Large, fresh prawns are gently braised in a savory, light sauce to preserve their delicate taste and tender texture.
• Grilled Squid on a Stick: A quintessential street food snack available near the piers and beaches, seasoned with a mix of garlic and chili sauce.

Shandong (Lu) Cuisine Influences:

• Jiaozi (Dumplings): While common throughout China, Qingdao is famous for its unique seafood dumplings, such as those filled with yellow croaker fish or sea urchin.
• Qingdao-style Noodles (Da Lu Mian): Thick wheat noodles served with a savory, sometimes seafood-based, thick sauce.

Local Snacks and Brews:

• Qingdao Beer: The city is famous worldwide for the Tsingtao Brewery. Local culture involves drinking fresh, unpasteurized beer directly from plastic bags or small barrels at local “beer houses” (pijiu wu).
• Men Zi: A traditional local snack made from a starch jelly (often sweet potato starch) that is pan-fried until crispy on the outside and served with a garlic-sesame sauce.
• Salted Fish and Corn Pancake (Xian Yu Bing’Zi): A traditional, hearty snack consisting of salted fish served alongside a crisp corn pancake.

• Spring (March–May): Spring sees temperatures rise from near freezing to a comfortable 20°C (68°F) by May. It is a transitional period, with increasing rainfall and occasional wind. Fog is common in the coastal areas in late spring.
• Summer (June–September): This is the warmest and wettest season. Summers are generally comfortable compared to other inland Chinese cities, as the ocean moderates the heat. Average high temperatures in July and August are around 27°C (81°F). Most of the year’s rain falls during this period.
• Autumn (October–November): Widely considered an excellent time to visit, autumn is characterized by cool, dry, and pleasant weather. The humidity and rainfall decrease significantly, and temperatures are mild, ranging from around 20°C in September to 6°C by November.
• Winter (December–February): Winters are cold, dry, and windy. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and highs around 2°C (36°F). Snowfall is light and infrequent. The sea freezes along some parts of the coast during cold snaps.