Learn Chinese
in Tianjin

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.

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.

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.

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.

Modern Landmarks & Cityscape

• Tianjin Eye: This is the city’s most famous modern landmark, a giant 120-meter tall Ferris wheel built directly over the Haihe River, offering spectacular panoramic views, especially at night.
• Porcelain House (Cifangzi): A unique and visually striking mansion that has been almost entirely covered in millions of pieces of ancient Chinese porcelain fragments and vases.
• Tianjin Radio and Television Tower: A 415-meter tall tower with an observation deck that provides sweeping views of the city and surrounding Tianta Hu Lake.

History & Architecture

• Five Great Avenues (Wudadao): A historic district in the former British concession featuring over 200 well-preserved European-style villas and colonial buildings. It is a popular area for walking or taking a horse-drawn carriage tour.
• Ancient Culture Street (Guwenhua Jie): This area recreates an ancient Chinese street scene, complete with traditional architecture, shops selling local crafts and snacks, and the historic Palace of the Queen of Heaven temple.
• Italian Style Street: Located in the former Italian concession, this charming district is full of European architecture, now home to numerous restaurants, bars, and boutiques centered around Marco Polo Square.
• Jingyuan Garden: The former residence of Puyi, the last emperor of China, offering a fascinating historical glimpse into his life in Tianjin.

Museums and Parks

• Tianjin Museum: A large modern museum showcasing a diverse collection of Chinese history, art, and artifacts.
• Huangyaguan Great Wall: Located a few hours outside the city, this section of the Great Wall is known for its steep and challenging climbs and unique octagonal Bagua City fortress design.
• Tianjin Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park: A military theme park built around the retired Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev, allowing visitors to explore the massive vessel.

• Goubuli Baozi (Goubuli Stuffed Buns): Arguably Tianjin’s most famous culinary export, these delicate steamed buns have a unique 18-fold crimped closure and are traditionally filled with seasoned pork. They are a national intangible cultural heritage.
• Jianbing Guozi (Fried Pancake with Fried Dough): The ultimate Tianjin-style breakfast street food. It consists of a thin, savory crepe cooked on a griddle, filled with eggs, a crispy fried dough stick (guozi or youtiao), and brushed with sweet and savory sauces.
• Mahua (Fried Dough Twists): A traditional snack consisting of braided ropes of dough that are fried until crispy and brittle. The most famous brand, Shibajie Mahua (Eighteenth Street Mahua), is known for its wide variety of flavors.
• Dou Fu Nao (Tofu Brain): A popular breakfast dish of soft, silken tofu covered in a thick, savory gravy, often topped with a variety of seasonings.
• Chaomian (Chow Mein / Fried Noodles): Tianjin is known for its variations of stir-fried noodles, often featuring a hearty mix of vegetables and meat.
• Tianjin-style Hotpot: A traditional copper-pot hotpot (similar to Beijing style) using clear water broth that emphasizes the freshness of thinly sliced mutton or a variety of fresh seafood from the Bohai Sea.
• Guoba Cai (Pancake Soup): A local breakfast soup made from sliced mung-bean pancakes in a rich, savory broth, providing a distinct texture and flavor.
• Seafood: Proximity to the Bohai Sea ensures fresh seafood is a major component of local cuisine, often steamed or lightly stir-fried.
• Mung Beans: Mung beans are a staple in Tianjin, used to make the crepes for Jianbing Guozi and the soup base for Guoba Cai.

• Winter (December–February): Winters are long, cold, and very dry due to cold winds from Siberia. January is the coldest month, with average temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and lows often dropping below freezing. Snowfall is infrequent and usually light. Warm, layered clothing is essential.
• Spring (March–May): Spring is characterized by rapidly rising temperatures and is often very dry and windy. Dust storms can occasionally occur. Temperatures range from near freezing in early March to a comfortable 20°C+ (68°F+) by May.
• Summer (June–August): Summers are hot and humid, with most of the year’s rainfall concentrated in July and August. Temperatures frequently exceed 30°C (86°F), making it feel hot and sometimes oppressive due to the high humidity.
• Autumn (September–November): Autumn is widely regarded as the most pleasant time to visit Tianjin. The weather is cool, dry, and sunny, with comfortable temperatures typically ranging from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) in September and October.