#learn chinese in shanghai

[meizhishanghai]

Discover the Best Chinese School in Shanghai: A Guide for Language Learners

If you're searching for the best Chinese school in Shanghai, you're not alone. As China continues to grow in global influence, more and more expats, business professionals, and international students are seeking effective ways to learn Mandarin in Shanghai. But with so many options available, how do you find the right Mandarin language school that fits your goals, schedule, and learning style?

In this article, we’ll explore what makes a Chinese school truly stand out, why Shanghai is the ideal place to study Mandarin, and why one school in particular—Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School—is quickly becoming the top choice for learners from all over the world.

Why Learn Chinese in Shanghai?

Shanghai isn’t just one of China’s most vibrant and modern cities—it’s also a cultural and linguistic hub that blends tradition with innovation. From the ancient alleyways of the Old City to the bustling streets of Pudong, every corner offers immersive opportunities for Mandarin learners.

Here’s why Shanghai is the ideal place to study Chinese:

Diverse population: With a mix of locals and foreigners, Shanghai is an international city that provides both authentic language immersion and cultural exchange.

Business opportunities: Many global companies have offices in Shanghai, making Mandarin proficiency a valuable asset for career growth.

Modern infrastructure: From reliable public transportation to high-quality accommodation, living in Shanghai is convenient and comfortable for international students.

Whether you are looking to take intensive Mandarin classes in Shanghai or just want to brush up your conversational skills, the city has something for everyone.

What Makes a Great Chinese School?

Before diving into a specific recommendation, let’s look at the qualities that define the best Chinese language schools in Shanghai:

Experienced, native-speaking teachers

Customized lesson plans for different proficiency levels and learning styles

Flexible scheduling (morning, evening, and weekend classes)

Cultural immersion programs, such as calligraphy, cooking, or tea ceremonies

Positive student reviews and high retention rates

Reasonable pricing and clear course structures

And now, let’s explore why Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School ticks all these boxes—and more.

Introducing Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School: A Hidden Gem

Among all the Chinese language schools in Shanghai, Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School quietly stands out as one of the most effective, student-centered, and professional institutions available today.

1. Tailored Learning Experience

Unlike some larger schools that adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, MEIZHI Chinese School focuses on personalized learning. Whether you're an absolute beginner, preparing for the HSK exam, or need business Chinese for work, MEIZHI's programs are designed around your unique needs and goals.

2. Certified, Passionate Teachers

All MEIZHI instructors are native Mandarin speakers with extensive teaching experience. They hold professional teaching certifications and undergo continuous training to ensure students receive the highest quality instruction. Their approach is not just educational, but also friendly and encouraging, making language learning feel less intimidating.

3. Flexible Class Options

Private one-on-one lessons

Online Chinese classes

Corporate training programs

MEIZHI Chinese School understands the busy lives of expats and professionals, offering flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend Mandarin classes in Shanghai.

4. Strategic Location in Shanghai

Conveniently located near key metro lines, the school is easily accessible from anywhere in Shanghai. Whether you're working in Pudong, living in Jing’an, or studying near Xuhui, getting to class is always convenient.

5. Cultural Activities and Real-Life Practice

Learning Chinese at MEIZHI isn’t just about textbooks. The school integrates real-life learning experiences, such as:

Field trips to local markets

Calligraphy and Chinese painting workshops

Local partner exchanges for language practice

These immersive activities help students connect with Chinese culture on a deeper level and apply their language skills in real-world settings.

6. Proven Results and Happy Students

Don’t just take our word for it. Students from over 30 countries have attended MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School and consistently report rapid progress, greater confidence, and a strong sense of community.

“I’ve studied Chinese in other cities, but MEIZHI was the first school that really helped me speak confidently in real situations.” — Anna, Germany

“The lessons are fun, flexible, and super useful for daily life. I passed my HSK 4 thanks to MEIZHI!” — Lucas, France

Keywords to Look for When Choosing a Chinese Language School in Shanghai

When researching the best options, make sure to search for key terms like:

“Best Chinese school in Shanghai”

“Mandarin classes near me in Shanghai”

“Learn Mandarin with native teachers in Shanghai”

“Flexible Chinese lessons for expats in Shanghai”

“Shanghai Chinese language school reviews”

You’ll often find Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School ranking among the top results—and for good reason.

Ideal for Expats, Professionals, and Travelers

Whether you’re in Shanghai for a few months or planning to stay long-term, MEIZHI’s flexible programs can fit into your schedule. Short-term travelers benefit from intensive Mandarin courses, while long-term residents can take progressive Chinese classes over several months or years.

Business professionals especially appreciate the corporate Mandarin training programs, which include:

Industry-specific vocabulary

Roleplay and meeting simulations

Cultural etiquette for business in China

How to Enroll

Getting started with Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School is simple:

Visit the school’s official website

Book a free consultation to assess your level and learning goals

Choose your program and start learning immediately

The school offers both in-person Mandarin classes in Shanghai and online lessons, making it accessible no matter where you are.

Final Thoughts: Choose Shanghai MEIZHI for a Superior Learning Experience

If you're serious about learning Chinese and want a school that combines professional instruction, personal attention, and cultural immersion, then Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School is your best bet.

With its flexible courses, passionate teachers, and track record of student success, it’s no surprise that MEIZHI is frequently recommended as the best Chinese school in Shanghai.

Ready to start your Mandarin journey?

Visit [Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin School’s official site] and book your free consultation today.

Whether you're here for business, study, or personal growth, MEIZHI will help you unlock the power of Mandarin—in the heart of one of China’s most dynamic cities.

Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Language School

Established in 2006, Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Language School is a well-established institution specializing in Chinese language education. Conveniently located in the heart of Shanghai’s Hongqiao business district and Gubei expat residential area, our school offers a wide range of courses tailored to different learning needs.

Courses Offered

Beginner to Advanced Chinese (Pinyin, Survival Chinese for Expat Spouses, HSK Prep)

Business Chinese (For professionals and corporate clients)

Short-Term Study Programs in Shanghai

Additional Language Courses: Korean & Japanese

Why Choose Us?

✔ Experienced & Certified Teachers – High-quality instruction with a focus on practical communication ✔ Flexible Scheduling – Open Monday to Friday (9:00-21:00), Weekends (9:00-18:00) ✔ Prime Location – Easy access for expats and professionals in Shanghai

Contact Information

Phone: +86 136-7161-8765 (Wechat) Address: Room 210, 533 Hongbaoshi Road, Changning District, Shanghai (2F, Gubei Flower World) Website:www.MEIZHI-cn.com/en/index1.htm

Whether you're preparing for the HSK, improving business communication, or just starting your Chinese learning journey, Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Language School is the ideal choice!

[ltl-language-school]

Is Japanese Hard to Learn? Myths and Facts

Learning a new language is never easy and Japanese is no exception to it. One thing that often describes Japanese is the complexity of its writing system and its peculiar grammar. Therefore, many people brand it as one of the most difficult languages to learn. Is this true? 

Let's discuss some of the common myths and facts related to learning Japanese to give you an idea about what to expect on this journey.

Myth 1: Japanese is Impossible to Learn 

Many people believe Japanese is a language that is impossible to master, particularly for native English-speaking ones. Of course, Japanese doesn't fall without its difficulties; one of the major challenges is mastering all the kanji and new grammar rules.

In reality, Japanese contains elements that could be easier to learn than any other language. The pronunciation in Japanese is also much easier to learn than in the English language because it utilizes fewer vowel and consonant sounds for pronunciation purposes.

Fact: The Writing System is Complex

One of the big challenges for anybody who is trying to Study Japanese is the writing system in place in that country. The language is written in three different scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. As there are 46 characters in each of hiragana and katakana and are therefore not cumbersome to memorize, it may seem that both are phonetic alphabets.

Kanji is the tricky part. It borrows characters from Chinese and involves thousands of characters, all of which have their meanings and pronunciations. It requires continuous effort and practice. However, mastering kanji can be an extremely rewarding experience because it is what enables one to read Japanese texts and, more importantly, know the culture.

Myth 2: You Ought to Be a Genius to Learn Japanese

That's a myth. It doesn't require some sort of genius intellect to master the Japanese language; it requires effort and the right method. It is very possible to quicken the pace through regular practice, exposure to the language, enrolling in the Best Japanese Language School or using online resources.

Like any language, Japanese is best learned in small chunks. Start with the alphabet, basic greetings, and phrases. Then move through grammar, vocabulary, and eventually every other structure in Japanese. The more time that passes, the more smoothly your understanding will build.

Fact: Immersion Speeds Up Learning 

Immersion is one of the best ways in which you can learn Japanese. You could watch Japanese TV shows, listen to Japanese music, or even visit Japan, which would increase your learning process. Immersion is a way whereby you hear the language in normal contexts and hence will improve your listening and comprehension.

Many language learners also benefit from joining communities or enrolling in courses to practice speaking Japanese with others. Interaction in real-life situations helps reinforce what you’ve learned and builds confidence.

Myth 3: Japanese Grammar is Incomprehensible

Japanese grammar is quite different from English, so it may seem intimidating at first. But once you get the rules, it is also very logical and consistent.

For example, Japanese sentences often take on an SOV (subject-object-verb) order instead of SVO (subject-verb-object) as in English. Again, this may sound unnatural at first, but with practice, it becomes very easy. Japanese doesn't have the irregularities that English has regarding verb conjugation or exceptions to pluralization.

Fact: Learning Japanese Opens Doors

The linguistic barriers involved with the process of learning Japanese open a door for more opportunities. For instance, one gets access to all the Japanese traditions, including tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and anime/manga. From a professional perspective, knowing Japanese puts a person in a favorable position when it comes to opportunities in careers in the technology, tourism, and international business sectors.

Also, learning Japanese introduces you to native speakers and enables you to connect with those who have the proper insight into the culture, in terms of deepening personal growth.

How to Learn Japanese

Start Small: First, learn hiragana and then katakana before stepping up onto kanji.

Use Technology: Vocabulary and grammar apps can make things easier.

Practice Everyday: Frequency is the only way to improve your retention capabilities.

Seek Instructions: Take a class at the best Japanese language school or find a tutor.

Submerge Yourself: Listen to Japanese media and practice speaking with native speakers.

Breaking the Myths

Although Japanese does not make it any easier, the language is still possible to master. The difficult aspects come about due to how it contrasts with the English language, yet that contrast also provides the beauty of studying it, as every learning process comes to be very thrilling and rewarding.

At LTL Language School, our focus is the immersion and efficiency of learning in place. Whether one is just a beginner or hopes to master Japanese, there will always be some help along the way. Visit our website to learn more! 

[hood-ex]

All the Americans on RedNote/Xiaohongshu that are interacting with Chinese people for the first time and are realizing that our governments hate each other but that we can build community/friendship with Chinese people reminds me of a conversation I had with a student of mine.

For context, I taught kids from China how to speak English for 4 years. I had one student named Rain (his English name) from Guangzhou. He was about 9 years old, and I'd been teaching him since the very beginning of his English journey when he only knew very basic vocabulary like vegetables. He got to the point in his language learning where he could use simple words and sentences to talk about more complex subjects.

There was one class we had that I still think about to this day.

"What classes did you have at school today?" I asked. "Math? English? PE?"

"Math yes. English class yes. And... history," he said.

"Oh history? Nice," I said.

"Teacher, I don't like USA a little bit," he said.

"You don't like it? Why?" I asked.

"Because..." he tried to explain before realizing that he didn't have the words he needed to express himself. He switched to miming and drawing the USA fighting with/being mean to China.

"So you don't like the USA because the USA fights China? Hurts China?" I asked for clarification.

"Yes, yes, I don't like it a little bit," he nodded.

"Do you like USA people? I like people from China," I said.

"You like China people?" he asked.

"Yes, I love Chinese people," I said. "I don't like when the USA and China fight, but I love Chinese people."

"Me too!" he said. "Kind of don't like USA, but I like USA people."

In that moment, I was amazed that even with a language barrier, and even with our age difference, we could come to the same conclusion that we didn't like what our countries did to each other, but that didn't mean that he had to hate American people or that I had to hate Chinese people.

"USA people and Chinese people are kind of different," I said, referring to our cultural differences. "We are the same too."

"Yes, kind of the same," he agreed.

That's what many Americans on RedNote/Xiaohongshu are starting to understand better.

[chineseffect]

There’s a breakthrough method for students of Chinese who want to build active language skills and real confidence in a fraction of the time.

It feels like magic, but it’s actually powered by science, experience, and years of fine-tuning.

When you use it, you feel the ease, the flow, and the energizing stimulation of your brain. At the same time, you’re amazed by the beauty and efficiency of the whole process.

And then one day, without even realizing it, you’re speaking and reading Chinese effortlessly—just like that.

Would you like to experience it for yourself?

https://chineseffect.com/journey-trial/

[slavic-roots-western-mind]

Life in China #15 Shopping Malls

In the large cities, there is an abundance of malls. Turn to your left, a mall. Turn to your right another mall. Look up? That towering building may indeed be a mall.

There is literally a mall around every corner, with 3 within walking distance of my university. Back at home, we have one mall in our city and it's a 45 min bus ride to get there.

It's quite a nice mall, but China's 10 floor malls just make my head spin.

[primeviewprathamesh]

Concordia: Empowering the Future Leaders to Excel in Their Academic Pursuit

[chenlezip]

introducing their culture

request: foreign members (ten, chenle, renjun, yuta) introducing their culture to so,,,,,,,,, mb if iz shite

annas note: thank you so much for this request ! i hope i did it justice, i did a lot of research for this to make sure i didn’t get any information wrong — if i did, please let me know. 😖

TEN :

ten was so grateful that you wanted to learn more about his culture just to get closer to him and he took the chance up, cooking you special dishes straight from scratch, teaching you some phrases like 'คุณทำให้ใจผมละลาย (you melt my heart)', 'ที่รัก (my dear/love).'

since dancing is his greatest passion, he would introduce you to traditional thai dance and even make a little choreography for you two.

if you're open to it, he would take you to a beautiful thai temple, explaining the significance of it and light an incense for you both, making a wish.

he would be more than happy to experience the traditional thai new year with him-also known as songkran- firsthand. it's all about making a fresh new start with a splash and you both enjoyed it.

CHENLE :

chenle would teach you all sorts of mandarin, correcting you if you pronounced it wrong with a light hearted tone to his voice, "no- no, it's wǒ ài nǐ." and whenever you asked whatever he was saying meant, he doesn't have the heart to tease you. "it means i love you."

if you ever visited china with him, oh he would show you all around shanghai, taking you to see the most beautiful parts of it. he would show you the bund, yu garden and other countless places. he would even introduce you to street food, maybe even take you to the disneyland park.

honestly it makes you love him a bit more with how comfortable he is and how happy he is to be home and showing you everything. more things could be like: late night walks around, visiting a tea house and maybe even making you ride a high speed train just to see how fast they truly are.

RENJUN :

the first thing renjun would do is take you to an art museum or a gallery, showcasing the beautiful traditional chinese paintings, especially ink wash paintings. he would excitedly explain different techniques and the special meanings behind each piece of art which you would listen very intently to, nodding and humming along to his words.

if you were spending the lunar new year together; he'll give you a hongbao, tell you all about different family traditions that went on even and don't forget making dumplings together to setting off fireworks. he would take the prettiest pictures of you, smiling as he showed you, "亲爱的 (dear/darling), you look amazing."

he would take you on a quiet walk through the scenic park, pointing out things that reminded him so much of his childhood. he had a smile on his face as he told you, and you appreciated how happy he was in this moment. how much it meant to him and that warmed your heart.

YUTA :

the first thing yuta would do is take you to a proper izakaya (japanese pub) for a casual night of drinks and delicious food. he would order a few dishes, getting you to try out some new things that you end up liking and sharing with him once again.

if he was teaching you japanese, he would teach you in his own special way just to see your reactions, '愛してる (i love you)', 'キスしたい' (i want to kiss you) and 'えがおがすてきだね' (you have a beautiful smile). once you found out the meaning; you were a blushing and flustered mess, "yuta!" and if you got something wrong, he would lean in close and whisper it again, making sure you really got it right.

yuta would take you to a park during sakura season (hanami), setting up a picnic right under the trees and casually say, "this is romantic, right?" to which you nodded and smiled at him, "it is." you both would also enjoy sharing a nice drink under the cherry blossoms, talking about the pretty views you've seen the past few days.

[tuulikki]

Happy Birthday today to my grandfather, who today is now 101 (and still sharper than I am or will ever be) 🎉🎂

Wisdoms from my grandfather:

Water is for bathing. Drink champagne instead.

If you want to learn a language, find a “two-legged dictionary”, i.e., someone who speaks the language. (Source: he speaks seven)

“There’s always a song!” = if you’re having an emotion, there’s always a song that expresses that emotion, and you should sing it.

Watch movies with happy endings.

Dance.

Eat long noodles at Chinese New Year (he was born in Shanghai, and if long noodles guarantee longevity, well…)

Vegetables really aren’t worth eating.

[peekofhistory]

Hi! Love your Tumblr! I'm fascinated by the fact that you are in China making and playing the Guqin, I was wondering if you can share a bit more about yourself and your background and why you decided to move to China? Like a self intro (that you're comfortable sharing). Thanks and have a nice day!!

Hello :D

How I ended up in Yangzhou learning to make/play the Guqin is a rollercoaster of a story xDD

As for my background, I was born in China (Beijing) and moved to the US when I was around 6 yrs old (my mom had moved several years earlier and I went to live with her). From the start my mom emphasized I can't forget I'm Chinese, because that's where I'm from and where my family's from, so she put in a lot of effort teaching me Chinese. She even had a colleague send over elementary school textbooks from China so she could teach me Chinese at home. She also got recordings of some Chinese TV shows and she'd watch them with me, explaining each episode and giving me information on that period of history.

Back then there weren't that many TV shows in China, and the ones we could access in the US were even less, so it was mostly classics shows like Journey to the West (1986), Dream of the Red Chamber (1987) and Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994):

That really planted the root for my interest in Chinese history and culture. Especially in the case of Romance of the Three Kinggoms that was based on the actual Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, it made me aware of how long China's history was and how rich and colourful it was, all the incredible historical figures, the battles of the past, the stories, etc.

Later on I also became interested in Chinese Opera (mainly Peking Opera, Huangmei Opera, and Shanghai Yue Opera):

We moved to Canada after a few years and stayed there until I graduated uni. I then went to Japan to work for a few yrs.

When I returned to Canada, it was 2018 and I found myself having to start all over career-wise. My experience in Japan really didn't help me at all when job hunting in Canada, and I ended up doing a few entry-level jobs in healthcare (office admin work). Then Covid and I lost my job, found another job about a year later, but still entry-level.

It was actually during the Covid break that I found out I could buy Hanfu fairly easily now. Throughout my time at uni and in Japan I didn't really check Chinese websites so I didn't know much about what was happening in China. During the Covid break, with nothing else to do at home, I found Taobao and realized the pretty clothes I adored in TV shows as a child I can now buy :D I went a bit crazy at first and ordered a whole bunch, but at the time I honestly didn't know too much about Hanfu aside from long robes, large sleeves, criss-crossed collars. But it was fun to wear them out (once lockdown ended) and actually feel like the characters I once saw on TV:

The job I had just before I came to China I actually really enjoyed, the work itself was fulfilling, the pay wasn't great but OK, and my co-workers for the most part were pretty good (my direct supervisor was great, I really, really enjoyed working with her). Unfortunately there was some changes to staffing in the office and the workload became really bad. I found myself literally having nightmares about work, and crying driving to and from work everyday. I decided I needed to quit. It was taking over my life 24/7, I was constantly tense and dreaded having to go to the office every morning.

At this point I'm in my late 30s and I took a few months to think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Either look for another regular office job that may or may not be better than the last, or try something completely different.

At the same time, I decided to take the chance to visit my family in China. Without a job, I could visit for a longer period of time (otherwise I could only get 2 wks paid vacation). I remember my mom mentioned during one of her visits to China she had met a master of woodblock printing (雕版印刷/diaoban yinshua). It was the first form of printing invented, they would carve out pages of text (or images), put ink over top, then print it onto paper:

This was even earlier than movable type printing (活字印刷/huozi yinshua) where each character was printed on a separate block so you could arrange them as needed:

This master's workshop took in apprentices and would offer free housing and food. After a certain amount of time, once the apprentices' work reached a certain level, they were even given a salary for their work.

I thought that sounded like a great plan. I didn't explicitly come to China with the goal of finding a place to do an apprenticeship, but I was aware this sort of opportunity was available, and it aligned with my interest in Chinese history and culture.

When I arrived in China last year I spent a few months visiting my dad and other family, before I ended up in Yangzhou.

There were some emotional ups and downs in between, I did find a woodblock printing master, I started to learn a bit with him, it didn't work out, etc., etc. But essentially I found myself in Yangzhou with nothing to do.

Yangzhou is quite famous for Guqin (there's an entire street here dedicated to selling Guqin...although it's a bit of a tourist trap ^^;;) , and I thought I could find a teacher to learn how to play the instrument at least. I had bought a Guqin years ago in Canada, but was always too busy/lazy to actually learn/practice it, but now being free everyday I decided I could do some sort of intense course. While scrolling through the Red Note app looking for Guqin teachers I came across a post of a teacher looking for students to learn how to make+play Guqin, with the option to live at the workshop and have housing and food covered:

And my eyes lit up.

That was how it all started :D

The biggest obstacle is honestly some family members. Growing up abroad, I've never really had a close relationship with any of my relatives in China. I've also never had to navigate the complicated family relations that Chinese families can sometimes have. If I were to go to any other country in the world to learn something, none of them would say anything, I don't think they'd even think about it, but because I'm in China a lot of them suddenly feel they need to express an opinion about my decisions, lol. Some don't like my interest in wearing Hanfu, some think I'm crazy learning something that "no one else these days is interested in", some think I'm immature/irresponsible not finding a 'regular' job and 'wasting' my time. Luckily, none of them live in Yangzhou so aside from a passive-aggressive text message/phone call once in awhile I can do my own thing 😁💖

[meizhishanghai]

Studying Abroad in China Is Now More Accessible! Citizens from These Countries Can Enter Visa-Free!~ Learn Chinese at Shanghai Meizhi Chinese Language School ~

As of 2025, China is significantly expanding its visa-free policies to make it easier for foreigners to enter the country. Many people from around the world can now travel to China without a visa for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting friends, or short-term study. This presents a perfect opportunity for those interested in learning Chinese and experiencing local culture.

Citizens of 38 Countries Can Enter China Without a Visa!

From November 31, 2024, to December 31, 2025, holders of ordinary passports from the following 38 countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting acquaintances, cultural exchange, or transit:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Brunei, Bulgaria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland

This means that if you're from one of these countries, you can travel to China with just a passport and a flight ticket—no advance visa required!

Transit Visa-Free Policy Extended to 10 Days!

Starting December 2024, the existing 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies are being expanded to a maximum of 240 hours (10 days). Travelers passing through China en route to a third country can now enjoy extended stays and explore 60 cities and regions freely.

For example, on a route like “Tokyo → Shanghai → Paris,” you can now spend up to 10 days in Shanghai—perfect for immersive language experiences or short-term lessons.

Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Tour Groups

Guangdong Province via Hong Kong & Macau

Foreign nationals from countries with diplomatic ties to China who enter Guangdong Province as part of an organized tour group (via Hong Kong or Macau) can stay visa-free for up to 144 hours (6 days). Entry and exit are limited to designated ports in cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and others.

Guilin Visa-Free Entry for ASEAN Tour Groups

From ASEAN countries (e.g., Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam), tour groups of 2 or more can enter and exit Guilin via Liangjiang International Airport visa-free, staying within the Guilin area for up to 144 hours.

Xishuangbanna, Yunnan (Starting February 2025)

Organized tour groups from ASEAN countries can enter via Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport or Mohan land/rail ports, stay up to 6 days, and travel within Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture visa-free.

Cruise Ship Tour Groups

Foreign tourist groups (2+ people) accepted by Chinese travel agencies can enter via cruise ships through 13 ports (e.g., Shanghai, Dalian, Guangzhou) and stay up to 15 days in 11 coastal provinces.

Hainan Island Visa-Free Access

Since February 9, 2024, citizens of 59 countries, including Spain, can stay on Hainan Island for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, medical care, exhibitions, and sports events (excluding employment and formal study).

Countries include: Russia, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus

Why Choose Shanghai Meizhi Chinese Language School?

With all these visa-free options, why is Shanghai Meizhi Chinese Language School the perfect choice? Here's why:

1. Prime Location in Central Shanghai Conveniently located in the heart of the city with excellent access to public transport, famous attractions, and dining spots—students can easily immerse themselves in authentic Chinese life before and after class.

2. High-Quality One-on-One Lessons We focus on personalized instruction, offering individual classes tailored to each student’s level—from beginner to advanced. Learn at your own pace with ample speaking practice.

3. Ideal for Visa-Free Short-Term Study We offer a wide range of short-term courses from 1 to 4 weeks, perfect for those on a 30-day visa-free stay. Our popular “Language + Sightseeing” packages make learning fun and memorable. Pre-arrival online consultations are also available.

4. Rich Cultural Experiences In addition to language learning, students can try calligraphy, tea ceremony, tai chi, and Shanghai cuisine workshops—allowing them to truly experience Chinese culture.

5. Multilingual Support Staff for Peace of Mind Our staff speak Japanese, English, and Korean, providing reliable support from enrollment to daily life in China. First-time visitors can feel completely at ease.

Now Is the Best Time to Learn Chinese!

In 2025, China is becoming more open and accessible than ever. With more countries added to the visa-free list and an ideal environment for short-term stays, there has never been a better time to study Chinese. If you’ve ever said, “Someday, I want to learn Chinese,” now is that day.

Take advantage of this opportunity—visit China visa-free and start your journey with a meaningful language and cultural experience at Shanghai Meizhi Chinese Language School!

Would you like help creating a brochure or website page with this content?

Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin　Language School

Established in 2006, Shanghai MEIZHI Chinese Mandarin　Language School　is a well-established institution specializing in Chinese language education. Conveniently located in the heart of Shanghai’s Hongqiao business district and Gubei expat residential area, our school offers a wide range of courses tailored to different learning needs.

Courses Offered

Beginner to Advanced Chinese (Pinyin, Survival Chinese for Expat Spouses, HSK Prep)

Business Chinese (For professionals and corporate clients)

Short-Term Study Programs in Shanghai

Additional Language Courses: Korean & Japanese

 Why Choose Us? ✔ Experienced & Certified Teachers – High-quality instruction with a focus on practical communication ✔ Flexible Scheduling – Open Monday to Friday (9:00-21:00), Weekends (9:00-18:00) ✔ Prime Location – Easy access for expats and professionals in Shanghai

Contact Information

Phone: +86 136-7161-8765 (Wechat) Address: Room 210, 533 Hongbaoshi Road, Changning District, Shanghai (2F, Gubei Flower World) Website:www.meizhi-cn.com/en/index1.htm

Whether you're preparing for the HSK, improving business communication, or just starting your Chinese learning journey, Shanghai Meizhi Chinese Language School is the ideal choice!

[ltwilliammowett]

Chinese Flower Boats

Flower boats had already existed for centuries, perhaps since the 14th century, but earlier is also possible. They were initially only available to the noble elite. They were luxury brothels with noble courtesans on board and they resembled luxurious pleasure boats with a sun deck with a private chamber and a pavilion at the stern. Not much can be said about the early designs and appearance, as records only began around 1700.

At this time the boats began to change, the stern became more and more drawn upwards so that it looked very much like a beak. There was a special reason for this, but more about that in a moment.

Flower Boat at Shanghai" wood engraved print with recent hand colour, published in All Around the World, about 1880 (x)

From then on, the boats were available in different sizes and even in different price categories. There were small ones with only one or two girls, or large ones with up to 10 or more, all of different ages, even little girls were included, although they were still learning until they were 12 before they received their first customers. Moste of these women were no longer noble courtesans but rather women from poor families who were sold to the ship owners. With the emergence of the European trading companies, they also got access to the flower boats, albeit illegally, but this could be regulated with a small bribe to the officials. Unfortunately, these meetings also further encouraged the exchange of exotic sexually transmitted diseases.

Ivory Flower boat model, late 18th century (x)

What was to be expected on such boats depended on the price of the respective ladies, with the high-priced ladies there was already entertainment and culture included, the middle price ranges offered some additional types of games and the cheap ones were, and I'm sorry to say this, for the quick number.

A model from the late or early 20th century (x)

These boats were to be found at all harbours and rivers, there were even whole streets of them. But let's move on to the very high stern, which from the 18th century onwards could take on very bizarre proportions. The ships did not always stay in the harbour to save space and prevent epidemics. The ships were be towed or sailed by their own, up and down the rivers and because they were so high at the stern they started to bob faster, which was supposed to increase the fun of the customers even more.

A Canton Flower Boat on the Pearl River, late 19th century (x)

Surprisingly, they continued to exist into WWII, although from the 19th century onwards these trips became increasingly rare and then ceased altogether. And many boats were also abandoned and became floating restaurants.

[blackmoonlightexpress]

Luo Yunxi Appreciation Master Post: How can someone be so multi-talented?!

In case you did not already know, here are LYX's many talents. It's insane how many different things he can do at a near-professional level beyond acting!

1. Dance/Ballet

LYX graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy majoring in ballet with over 11 years of professional experience.

This is him doing 13+ pirouettes in a performance of Tchaikovsky Rhapsody (full video, he's on the right)

Interpret dance solo (燃烧的火苗) where he won the first gold ever for STA (video, news)

Swan Lake solo at the Taoli Cup Dance Competition in high school (video)

Modern dancing solo (黑白影画) at his graduation performance (video, he's the only guy in white)

He also taught at the Macao Conservatory for a year and danced in front of national leaders in Flying to the Moon (奔月) at the Macao 10th Handover Anniversary (video)

He's super flexible and has a strong core (despite being naturally thin)

In response to request from fans, he performed the Black Moonlight dance in a now viral video on Douyin.

2. Wuxia / Posture

LYX is known as one of the best actors working today for wire work - you can see him here doing 3 consecutive jumps 2-3 stories above ground (compilation videos 1, 2)

He does a lot of his own stunts and is often better (i.e. more graceful) than his stunt double, even though it's really risky and he's sustained some serious injuries from being dropped accidentally (And the Winner is Love: B roll video, actual scene, other BTS, other fight scenes)

He moves with elegance, not just in action sequences (Ashes of Love fight compilation 1, 2), but people have made video compilations of how he walks, kneels, works his sleeves and train

Of course, it's thanks to his dance foundation, but he also puts a lot of hard work into stunt training. Not something a lot of actors do because it eats up time to make more TV or go on variety shows (Ashes of Love stunt training, BTS)

3. Diving

He played a diver once in Flip in Summer (夏日心跳) and actually learned to dive... I mean he's no Tom Daley but this looks pretty good for an amateur... (full video)

4. Voice Acting

He’s always dubbed himself since circa 2018 (with the exception of And the Winner is Love due to Covid logistics issues), which is not the norm in Chinese drama (Ashes of Love dubbing BTS). In fact, he is sometimes the only person in the cast to use his original voice (e.g. in Princess Silver)

He also lends his voice to animations - he was the voice of Viktor in Arcane (BTS video), which received positive feedback (most people didn't realize he was not a professional voice actor)

He appears as a judge and live dubbing performer in Voice Monster alongside the top voice actors in China, Bian Jiang (aka voice of Yehua in Eternal Love, Nan Wangj in the Untamed) and Zhang Jie (aka voice of Donghua in Eternal Love, Sifeng in Love & Redemption). He has so much respect to those working behind the scenes, and it really shows (full video)

5. Singing

Some of you may know that he started out in a boy band called JL with Fu Longfei - these videos didn't age well, but here you go: JL (MV), 我们 (MV)

He has released a number of solo singles, including 缘起 (MV), 星星之火 (live), 不是我 (MV), 等风停 (MV). and 勇 (soundtrack), which he composed and wrote the lyrics himself (these are all mando-pop ballads if that's your jam)

He performed Big Fish 大鱼 at Tmall's 11/11 Festival (live video) - while his rendition is not as powerful as the original, he can hit really high notes with an impressive falsetto - I think it goes up to G5 (one octave above middle C)

He performed Pipa Xing (琵琶行) at the Douyin Festival (live video) - the notable part is his Peking Opera style singing at the end

He occasionally releases covers of songs on Chinese karaoke app Changba or Douyin: 要不然我们就这样一万年 (youtube), 黑月光 (youtube), 不染 (youtube), 山水又一程 (youtube)

He can also sing in other languages, including 喜欢你 in Cantonese (recording) - it's actually a very good cover and his Cantonese pronunciation is >95% accurate - there are parts where you can't tell he's not a native speaker.

6. Musical Instruments

He's an accomplished classically-trained pianist, which you can see in...

JL MV (video, starting around 3:30 mark) - don't mind the makeup, it's from ages ago

Mr Mossie season 2 (video)

Love is Sweet (BTS video) - impromptu jazz, he was deciding which song to play

Fan thank you recording (video)

He also plays the guitar, though probably at an amateur level

7. Music Gaming

During college he was obsessed with this music game called O2Jam (劲乐团) to the point where he created new tracks (i.e. arrange/compose the music) for the company under the username Dinoroy (explained by himself here, videos of him playing).

He became well-known within the fan community as the legendary D神 (D God). There are a lot of funny comments from old players saying that they thought D God is a bitter middle-aged recluse trying to screw them over with difficult tracks (read comments here).

D God was so prolific and reliable that gaming company accepted his submissions without review. Here are some of his best tracks - game arrangement only (Lydia, Croatian Rhapsody, Digital Emotions), music & game arrangement (黑暗魅影), original composition (光之乐章)

8. League of Legends

He's an LOL super fan, commentator, and player since season 2, went to see worlds in person twice, and was a cast member in a gaming show called Beyond It! Hero (episodes here)

He played the 2018 All-Star Event in Las Vegas teaming with reigning world champion Rookie and delivered the final blow that beat the other team 2:1 (video)

He got a quadra kill at a celebrity mobile game even though his team was crap (video clip)

He co-invested 1M RMB in a team led by Misaya 若风 - you can see them playing together in a live broadcast of the mobile game (video)

Update: Our longtime fan boy has become spokesperson of League of Legends and official commentator at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou! The love is reciprocated!

9. Calligraphy/Drawing/Culture

LYX is known for his Chinese handwriting (he practices regularly) - there's even a font based on his handwriting called 汉仪罗云熙体 (download here)

He does all his own handwriting for marketing materials (e.g. Immortality below) and doesn't need a hand double for scenes where his character is practicing ancient Chinese calligraphy

He's also got amazing drawing skills - check out the Queen of the Night 昙花 he drew as Runyu while waiting around on set in between takes (video)

While he doesn't go on a lot of variety shows, he's often a guest on cultural programs, like the beauty of Chinese Calligraphy 书法之美 (video), Chinese Fans in 指尖上的非遗 (video)

His self-produced Mr. Mossie covers a lot of cultural topics (seasons 1, 2, 3), the segment on Hanfu was featured in the UNESCO Chinese Language Video Festival (video)

10. Photography

Luo Yunxi is often seen taking photos on set with his top-of-the-line Leica camera. Here are some of the photos he has shared:

[chineseffect]

UNDERSTAND CHINA 2025/01

I am sure you know quite a lot of things about China.

However there can always be something new to discover.

The FREE MINI lifestyle magazine DISCOVER CHINA is here for you to guide you through current and ancient mysteries of Chinese culture, thinking and innovation.

Get your free copy here: https://payhip.com/b/sM32k

[indigostudies]

i've been looking around to try and find resources for csl, and i think i've found another great one! i have yet to try it out (i'm very busy right now with getting settled into classes), but i found a course by the shanghai international studies university is offered through futurelearn for free! it covers word categories, linguistic features, syntactic structures, csl varieties, the distinction between csl and signed chinese, deaf culture, the history of csl, and deaf education and historical figures. it's six weeks long and four hours per week, and you can sign up for it here:

[natgoodmans]

books read in 2025 🤍

books read so far: 89 reading goal: 100

as always, askbox + dms are open if have any questions or would like to chat about books! you can find me on goodreads here, and on bookstagram here. 🤍

♡ indicates any new favorites; ⊹ indicates a reread.

january ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. writers & lovers by lily king 2. the art of memory collecting: 15 scrapbook, collage, trinket and zine projects for crafting treasured moments by martina calvi 3. tom lake by ann patchett (audiobook) ♡ 4. our town by thornton wilder ⊹ 5. beloved by toni morrisson 6. promise me sunshine by cara bastone (arc) ♡ 7. days at the morisaki bookshop by satoshi yagisawa & translated by eric ozawa ♡ 8. small things like these by claire keegan (audiobook) 9. beartown by fredrik backman ♡

february ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. the fellowship of the ring by j.r.r. tolkien (audiobook) 2. i'll pretend you're mine by tashie bhuiyan (arc) 3. sense and sensibility by jane austen ⊹ (audiobook) 4. the lonely city: adventures in the art of being alone by olivia laing (audiobook) 5. everything i learned, i learned in a chinese restaurant by curtis chin (audiobook) 6. tiny moons: a year of eating in shanghai by nina mingya powles 7. sorcery of thorns by margaret rogerson (audiobook) ♡ 8. more days at the morisaki bookshop by satoshi yagisawa ♡ 9. mysteries of thorn manor by margaret rogerson

march ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. an enchantment of ravens by margaret rogerson (audiobook) 2. white ice: race and the making of atlanta hockey by thomas aiello 3. lost and lassoed by lyla sage 4. holy terrors by margaret owen (arc) 5. swift and saddled by lyla sage 6. circe by madeline miller (audiobook) 7. a dark and drowning tide by allison saft (audiobook) 8. intermezzo by sally rooney (audiobook) ⊹ 9. my side of the river by elizabeth camarillo gutierrez (audiobook) 10. four weekends and a funeral by ellie palmer ♡ 11. the bell jar by sylvia plath (audiobook) 12. the break-up pact by emma lord 13. love lettering by kate clayborn 14. the partner plot by kristina forest 15. the rom-commers by katherine center 16. emily wilde's compendium of lost tales by heather fawcett (audiobook) 17. dolls of our lives: why we can't quit american girl by mary mahoney & allison horrocks (audiobook)

april ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. you between the lines by katie naymon 2. my not so perfect life by sophie kinsella 3. a quantum love story by mike chen (audiobook) 4. the siren of sussex by mimi matthews 5. the love wager by lynn painter (audiobook) 6. you belong with me by mhairi mcfarlane (audiobook) 7. puck and prejudice by lia riley 8. swept away by beth o'leary 9. great big beautiful life by emily henry (arc) 10. second first impressions by sally thorne (audiobook) 11. i who have never known men by jacqueline harpman ♡ 12. the belle of belgrave square by mimi matthews 13. the kiss countdown by etta easton 14. lovelight farms by b.k. borison 15. the wedding people by alison espach (audiobook) 16. the ex vows by jessica joyce 17. deep cuts by holly brickley 18. remember me? by sophie kinsella 19. here we go again by alison cochrun (audiobook) 20. the most wonderful crime of the year by ally carter (audiobook) 21. mistakes we never made by hannah brown 22. when you least expect it by haley cass (audiobook) 23. pitcher perfect by tessa bailey (arc) 24. the next chapters: an on the same page novella by haley cass (audiobook) 25. on the same page by haley cass 26. it happened one fight by maureen lee lenker 27. hello stranger by katherine center 28. ps: i hate you by lauren connolly 29. the rose bargain by sasha peyton smith (audiobook) 30. out on a limb by hannah bonam-young 31. make the season bright by ashley herring blake (audiobook) 32. flirting with disaster by naina kumar 33. first-time caller by b.k. borison 34. welcome to the hyunam-dong bookshop by hwang bo-reum, shanna tan (translator) 35. funny story by emily henry ⊹ 36. the guest cat by takashi hiraide, eric selland (translator)

may ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚

1. evenings and weekends by oisín mckenna (audiobook) 2. the dragon's promise by elizabeth lim (audiobook) 3. the examiner by janice hallett 4. i want to die but i want to eat tteokbokki by baek se-hee, anton hur (translator) 5. the manor of dreams by christina li (arc) 6. lonely castle in the mirror by mizuki tsujimura (audiobook) ♡ 7. john proctor is the villain by kimberly belflower ♡ 8. the crucible by arthur miller, christopher w.e. bigsby (audiobook) ⊹ 9. in a not so perfect world by neely tubati alexander (audiobook) 10. the vanished birds by simon jimenez 11. time is a mother by ocean vuong 12. promise me sunshine by cara bastone ⊹ 13. straight white men / untitled feminist show by young jean lee 14. before we forget kindness by toshikazu kawaguchi, geoffrey trousselot 15. passion project by london sperry 16. the killer question by janice hallett (arc) 17. the cat who saved books by sōsuke natsukawa, louise heal kawai 18. bibliophobia: a memoir by sarah chihaya (audiobook)

[audreycecilemoore]

Books to Try if You Loved the Grishaverse

If you liked the magical heists but you wanted more werewolves, vampires, nine-tailed foxes, and fae, try:

Zodiac Rising by Katie Zhao, a YA heist inspired by Chinese folklore.

The fountainheads of the zodiac families have been taken and Evangeline’s older brother has been found dead, with all signs leading to the fae being responsible for both. Evangeline gathers a team of three other students to help her get the statues back, but things are never that simple when you’re on a heist with your ex or enter the fae world.

If you wanted to spend more time inside The Fold and liked the complicated romances, try:

The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart, the first in an epic fantasy trilogy

Two sisters forced on opposite sides of a war when Hakara escapes a godly force that either kills or transforms anyone trapped in it and the younger sister, Rasha, is changed into the god’s image. One sister will never give up hope of reuniting and the other learns the world is a lot more cruel than she originally believed.

If you wanted more Queer stories about destroying your monstrous ex, try:

The Sins on Their Bones by Laura R. Samotin, a standalone MM fantasy inspired by Ashkenazi Jewish folklore

Dimitri was the Tzar, once, before his estranged husband took his place and forced him into hiding with what’s left of his court. With his new lover, Dimitri will destroy Alexey if it’s the last thing he’ll do. But Alexey is not ready ready to left Dimitri go and will do whatever he can to get him back.

You want the heist and the found family and addictive romance, but you wanted a contemporary with no magical elements, try:

Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan, a contemporary set in Shanghai

Best friends Lulu, Jane, and Rina plan a heist to steal the money gifted to Lulu and her fiancee on Lulu’s wedding day to fund their dreams. But as they plan, obstacles pop up and some parts of their lives are maybe not as bad as they originally thought.

If you wanted more time in The Fold, destroying your monstrous ex, and you loved the Eastern European-inspired setting but you wanted more witches and dragons, try:

Foul Days Genoveva Dimova, the first in a Bulgarian fantasy duology inspired by the Iron Curtain

Kosara is a witch who willingly gave up her shadow, and her magic, to escape her home and her ex, the zmey. But she’s dying without her shadow. The only way to save herself is to go back and face her past.

If you loved the complicated relationship, you really love the enemies-to-lovers witch x witch hunter romance found in Nina and Matthias’ story, but you wanted a fantasy romance, try:

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli, the first in a YA/New Adult Romantasy duology

Rune is a witch in hiding who has been doing everything she can to save her fellow witches from the witch hunters. Gideon is the brother of Rune’s childhood best friend and a witch hunter out to kill every witch and was traumatized by one of the former witch queens. When the two agree to pretend to court, this cat-and-mouse game will reignite old attractions and heavy prices will be paid

If you loved what Netflix’s Shadow and Bone did with casting Alina and Mal as biracial but wanted more conversations around the complexities of being biracial during colonization and war, try:

Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares, a YA historical fantasy first in a planned series inspired by Zorro and Mesoamerican mythology

Leonora has taken the manacle of Pantera, fighting the colonizers every chance she gets to free her people from their oppression while also reconciling with her own identity as a biracial woman in a world where she has to be one or the other.

If you loved the elemental magic and found family but you also love fairy tale retellings, try

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, the first of a four book YA fantasy series

Princess Anidori is engaged to marry a man she has never met, Prince Geric. Her maid forcibly takes her place and sends Ani to become the new goose girl of the king. What the maid wasn’t aware of was that Ani has growing magical powers and that her kindness would win her allies to help get her throne back.

If you loved the angst of Kaz and Inej’s love story but want more tragedy, more poetic language, and less fantasy, try:

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang, a standalone romantic historical retelling the legend of one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China

Xishi is one of the most beautiful women Fanli, an advisor to the emperor, has ever seen, prompting him to ask her to distract the king so a coup can come and overthrow him. Xishi agrees but wanted neither expected was to fall for each other as they prepare to be separated.